Health

Services

The Rockaway Township Division of Health provides a wide variety of clinical, environmental, administrative, educational and animal control services in accordance with state-mandated programs, administrative codes and statutes.

Staff

The Division of Health is staffed with a full-time Health Officer, two Public Health Nurses, one Chief Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS), three REHSs, one Animal Control Officer and support staff. In addition, the Division contracts for the services of a Master Health Educator (MCHES) and on-call Animal Control Officers as needed. For a complete list of staff and contact information, please scroll to the bottom of this page or check the Directory link to the right.

Jurisdiction

The Division of Health provides complete public and environmental health services to Rockaway Township, and also services to the Town of Boonton, Jefferson Township, Butler Borough and the Borough of Victory Gardens through shared services agreements. Jefferson Township is staffed with a Principal REHS, REHS, Clerk/Registrar of Vital Statistics and full-time Animal Control Officer. Butler Borough, the Town of Boonton and the Borough of Victory Gardens provide administrative support staff. In accordance with State statute and code, all health policies, procedures and corresponding personnel are overseen by the Health Officer. 

Clinics, Screenings & Health Promotion

The Division of Health takes pride in its many free and discounted health screenings and clinics. These programs are offered at various times throughout the year, and screenings include a semiannual cholesterol/blood chemistry clinic, cancer screenings, diabetes screenings and flu/pneumonia clinics. The nursing staff is also responsible for communicable disease investigation and reporting, lead poisoning follow-up, school immunization audits, home health visits, adult exercise classes and many other services.

The Division of Health also offers free monthly cardiovascular screenings, free skin cancer screenings and free health promotion seminars to residents on topics such as stress management, diabetes, nutrition and parenting. The Township participates in the federal Vaccines for Children program, and eligible infants and children may receive free vaccinations and physicals through the Division of Health's monthly child health conference services.

Environmental Health

Around Rockaway Township and in its entire service area, the Division of Health investigates public health complaints, inspects retail food establishments and takes samples of potable and non-potable water for bacterial analysis and compliance with regulations. Environmental staff also reviews site plans, approves septic system and private well installations, and performs routine inspection of body art establishments, massage parlors, childcare centers, day camps, public recreational bathing facilities and other facilities. 

In addition, environmental health staff assists with hazardous material and emergency response, mosquito control, radon education/testing, solid waste control, pollution prevention and vermin control. Air/noise pollution enforcement is performed collaboratively between the Division of Health, the Police Department, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Morris County office of Public Health Management.

Animal Control

Per State code, the Division of Health licenses over 4,000 dogs and cats in the Township, and provides animal control and humane law enforcement services to residents and their pets for the prevention of rabies and zoonotic diseases. The Township's full-time Animal Control Officer also investigates animal bites and complaints, provides rabies and animal education, enforces State and municipal regulations, captures dogs and cats at large, quarantines potentially rabid animals, provides assistance to injured animals, and performs other animal control and welfare services. For detailed information regarding these services, please see the Animal Control link through the Township website. To contact the Animal Control Officer, call the Division of Health at 973-983-2848. In the event of an after-hours animal emergency, please contact the Rockaway Township Police Department at 973-625-4000.

Contact Us

Please check the Township Calendar, accessible from the Rockaway Township website, for information and announcements regarding upcoming Division of Health Programs and events. Residents with questions pertaining to public and environmental health matters may contact the Division of Health at 973-983-2848.