He wears many hats and he’s proud of every one of them, but Atlantic Highlands Councilman Jose Pujols just added one more major responsibility to his busy but dedicated schedule….he was recently promoted to Battalion Chief of the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue Team in Hudson County.
The Councilman, who is also a fire official in Matawan, works full time at North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue. Hired in March, 2001, he began his training at the Bergen County Fire Academy two years after joining the US Air Force Reserves where he had also served as a fireman. He was one of the 22 recruits in the Fire Academy class , the first since the municipalities of Weehawken, Union City, West New York, North Bergen and Guttenberg regionalized to form the more efficient North Hudson Department.
The North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue is an award winning, nationally recognized fire fighting unit and one of the largest regional firefighting units in the nation. It is also recognized as a unit having one of the best response teams in the nation and does all kinds of rescues including specialty firefighting in high density and water rescues along the Hudson River.
Pujols said it was both because of his wife and his own dedication to wanting to help others that he had learned in the Air Force that had him join North Hudson. “My wife actually saw an ad in in the paper and suggested I apply,” he laughed, “but that’s because she knew that I wanted to continue to serve the public. She knew it was instilled in me in the Air Force, and she was in agreement if that’s what I wanted.”
That he excelled at the job is evidenced by his promotion to Captain of North Hudson Regional in 2013, and has served 24 years of service before this promotion.
Through all those years, Pujols trained in many different academies and departments throughout the state, certifying in a variety of emergency fields, including incident management safety, Tactics, rescue, drill fire ground instructor, engineer operations and Ric Team.
When he ran for borough council in Atlantic Highlands for the first time last year, and successfully won his three year term, Pujols had the support and endorsement of the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey who cited his public service and dedication to his community, noting his exceptional leadership and deep understanding of the challenges faced by any community.
The councilman readily admits he has chosen a tough job for his profession, but shrugs it off saying “ yes, it has lots of ups and downs, wins and tragedies,” noting he is serving in one of the most overpopulated cities in the country with the North Hudson unit. But it gives him a sense of pride, he admits, knowing he can do the job and help protect life and property for others.
Serving in his capacity in Matawan adds to his dedication to want to help others whenever he can, and serving as a councilman in his hometown may add to his work load, but he has the support of his whole family, his wife Nancy, whom he married in 1997, and their twins, Jill and Nate.
Not only that, but Pujols, who laughs when he describes his workload, says “It’s true I love my Jobs!. All of them!” And what’s more, he says firmly, “I hope to continue to serve the public and protect the residents of Hudson County for years to come. “
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