In appointing Stephan Drennan to the position of acting fire chief, Mayor Fulop has chosen a man with deep roots in Jersey City and its fire department.
Born and raised in Jersey City, Drennan joined the Jersey City Fire Department in 1982. Seventeen of Drennan’s family members over three generations have served in the department. Collectively, his family members — including Stephan’s father, son, uncles, and cousins — have racked up over 500 years of service.
“I am honored and humbled for the opportunity to lead the best fire department in New Jersey,” said Drennan. “When my father was hired as a firefighter in 1959, the year I was born, never did my family imagine a Drennan would one day be appointed to the role of Fire Department Chief.”
Drennan replaces the retired chief, Steven McGill.
Drennan brings with him a range of experience in special operations ranging from structural collapse rescue specialist to swift water rescue operations. He also reached top rank as rescue manager and was most recently a lead instructor for New Jersey Task Force 1. Drennan spent 15 years as the Rescue Company One captain and 5 years as the fourth battalion chief. Before earning this latest promotion, he served as the chief of training.
Drennan may have his work cut out for him. A recent study of the 150 largest metropolitan areas in the United States, found that Jersey City has one of the nation’s highest risks of home fires.
“The Drennan family has a long and proud history of service throughout Jersey City, and I have no doubt that Stephan Drennan will continue to lead our great fire department at the highest standard we have worked so hard to achieve,” said Mayor Fulop.