JERSEY CITY, NJ - Members of the Drennan family have been a part of the Jersey City Fire Department for decades. There is even one on the job now in North Hudson. The fire service is in their blood.

On January 29th, the four apparatus bays at Fire Headquarters were completely filled with well wishers as Deputy Chief Paul Drennan retired after 28-years of service. Besides wishing the chief well, just about everyone on the apparatus floor wanted to to stand next to the chief and be photographed with the dedicated firefighter. A firefighter and officer who was always concerned about the safety of his men and women.

For a long time, Drennan has been active preparing firefighter candidates for the state's entrance exam, as well as preparing members for promotional testing, through Fire Officer's Training Academy. In addition, the chief, along with the assistance of his cousin, Deputy Chief Steve Drennan, organized the Jersey City Fire Department Support Team. It is now made up of active and retired department members.

During the ceremony, Drennan said he was “grateful to have this job.” To his fellow firefighters, he said, “You get the job done. You are the people that matter. People don't realize what we do.”

In his emotional speech, he listed the qualities of the people he has worked with. Firefighters help, inspire, train and mentor each other. You need support from the bosses. “That's what the job is all about,” he said.

“We live with each other, we care about each other.”