NJ Fire Department Swears in First Female Battalion Chief

Audra Carter has a simple message for any young woman or girl who asks her about becoming a firefighter: “Please. We need more.”

The 48-year-old Hoboken native is providing a shining example for future female firefighters. She was promoted Thursday, becoming the first woman battalion chief in the 171-year history of the Hoboken Fire Department in a ceremony at City Hall.

“I’m extremely proud,” Carter said. “It was the next step in my career. My goal from the first day being hired was to progress up the ladder and better myself and reach the top. It’s a proud moment.”

Carter fills the void left by the retirement of Battalion Chief William Rozmester. She is an 18-year veteran of the department, serving the past nine years as a fire captain, officials said.

“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," Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said. “I can think of no better person to serve as a trailblazer in the Hoboken Fire Department.”

The swearing-in ceremony also featured the promotion of Joshua Piñeiro, a 13-year veteran of the fire department, from firefighter to fire captain.

Carter, who grew up in Hoboken and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy and Fairleigh Dickinson University, said being a firefighter was not a lifelong dream, but a job she fell in love with after attending the training academy.

“Someone suggested (becoming a firefighter) to me after I graduated college and I knew I didn’t want to sit behind a desk,” Carter said. “I love working with people, so it was a great idea. ... Coming out of the academy, there was a camaraderie in the firehouse — it’s like a family."

Only 4% of paid firefighters in the nation are women, according to National Fire Protection Association statistics, but Carter is hoping those numbers will improve.

Carter said when schools and groups like the Girl Scouts visit the firehouse, the kids are a little surprised to see a woman firefighter. "The girls take a special interest because I give them special interest."

“This is a historic and proud moment for the city and its residents because it elevates a woman to the highest ranks of the fire department,” 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."

Carter’s first role as battalion chief will be as training officer, where she initially must overcome the obstacles in training while also maintaining coronavirus safety precautions.

Piñeiro will take on the role of health and safety officer in first duty as captain, officials said. Previously he served as a fire instructor, special rope rescue technician, became a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators, and was honored as the Puerto Rican Firefighter of the Year.

Like Carter, Piñeiro is a Hoboken native. He is a Hoboken High School and Saint Peter’s University graduate. He was inducted into the Hoboken High School Hall of Fame in 2011 and was caption of the SPU baseball team.

“Congratulations to our newly promoted fire officers," Hoboken Fire Chief Brian Crimmins said. “Congratulations also to Battalion Chief Rozmester, who recently retired after 26 years of dedicated service to our community.”

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