Hoboken Promotes Its First Female Fire Battalion Chief

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken Firefighter Audra Carter was promoted on May 28 to battalion chief in the Hoboken Fire Department, the first female to occupy the position in the department's 171-year history.

Battalion Chief Carter is an 18-year veteran of the department, having served as a firefighter for 10 years and most recently as a captain since 2011. Throughout her career, she established an expertise in modern fire suppression and fire prevention principles, marine rescue, emergency preparedness, and emergency medical services.

At the same ceremony, Mayor Ravi Bhalla promoted Joshua Piñeiro, a 13-year veteran of the Hoboken Fire Department, from firefighter to captain.

The promotions followed the recent retirement of Battalion Chief William Rozmester, who served in the Fire Department for 26 years.

“I’m extremely proud to promote Audra to battalion chief in the Hoboken Fire Department,” said Mayor Bhalla. “Not only is Battalion Chief Carter supremely qualified for the position given her 18 years serving as a firefighter and fire captain, she also has the tenacity to keep improving in her profession to serve as a shining example to others. I also extend my sincere congratulations to Fire Captain Piñeiro on the well-deserved promotion to fire captain and thank Battalion Chief Rozmester for his 26 years of public service to our residents.”

“Congratulations to our newly promoted fire officers: Battalion Chief Carter will be assigned as Training Officer and Captain Pineiro will be Health and Safety Officer,” said Hoboken Fire Chief Brian Crimmins. “Congratulations also to Battalion Chief Rozmester who recently retired after 26 years of dedicated service to our community.”

Councilwoman Emily Jabbour said, “As the mother of two young daughters, I hope Battalion Chief Carter’s promotion will send a message to all girls and women that if you work hard and are qualified, there are no barriers toward service at the highest levels of the Hoboken Fire Department.”

Amy Hanifan, president of Women in Fire, said, “This serves as a testament to the positive progression of the department to serve their community in an inclusive manner. These earned opportunities always make me so proud of the individual that earned the role. There is a great amount of preparation and effort that goes into the process!”

As a fire captain, Ms. Carter was responsible for leading and participating in emergency responses, including fires, rescues, accidents, medical situations, and other hazardous conditions. She was also responsible for ensuring calls for service were responded to in a safe and timely manner.

Battalion Chief Carter graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2000 with a B.S. in Business Administration. She graduated from the Bergen County Fire Academy in 2003 and achieved a “U.S. of America Merchant Marine Credential” from the Nautical School of New York. She holds various certifications in first aid and hazardous materials.

As a Firefighter, Mr. Piñeiro served as a fire instructor, special rope rescue technician, became a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators, and was previously honored as the Puerto Rican Firefighter of the Year, among several other recognitions. Mr. Piñeiro was an accomplished baseball player, serving as the captain of the St. Peter’s College baseball team, and was an inductee to the 2011 Hoboken High School Hall of Fame. He graduated from St. Peter’s with a Bachelor of Arts in 2004, and from Hoboken High School in 1999.

Controversy

As with many decisions and actions in Hoboken, the promotions were not without controversy. There were two people ranked ahead of her on the state's civil service list for promoting, although there are other requirements that can go into the decision. The two other candidates were political supporters of the mayor's rivals, noted critics.

The city's firefighters officers' union suggested in May that those two firefighters also deserved to become battalion chiefs.

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