Morris County Meets Picatinny Arsenal Garrison Commander

Published on September 14, 2022

Discussions Focused on Mutual Aid & Community Partnerships

The new Garrison Commander of Picatinny Arsenal, Lt. Col. Alex Burgos joined the Morris County Board of County Commissioners tonight at their work session meeting for an introduction and to briefly talk about ongoing community partnerships between the military base and regional government officials.

He assumed his post in June, and during the meeting he noted his command involves a similar role on the base as the Commissioners do in the county -- overseeing support operations from firefighting and police patrols to public works functions.  Picatinny is a complex facility which, under the command of Brigadier General John T. Reim a Franklinville, N.J. native, is largely focused on research, development, acquisition and lifecycle management of advanced conventional weapon systems and ammunition for the nation’s military

Joining Lt. Col. Burgos was Todd Stawicki, a Management and Program Analyst with Picattiny.

Lt. Col Burgos referenced a long tradition between Picatinny and local towns and Morris County involving mutual aid efforts, adding that the Picatinny firefighters responded to 151 mutual aid calls this year and continues to share services in many other realms.

“The county has been a great partner in many of our emergency management operations,” Lt. Col. Burgos added, saying he hoped more community partnerships may be developed moving forward.

Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen underscored not only  Picatinny’s military and defense significance to the nation, but also its importance to the economy of the region and New Jersey.

“Picatinny, among other important things, is one of the largest employers in Morris County. They have about 6,000 people there, from engineers and scientists to a wide range of professional support personnel. It is a cornerstone of our local economy in Morris County, and it certainly is important for us to know each other,” Director Selen said at the meeting.

The base is credited with supporting another 7,000 jobs off the base, ranging from private contracting firms servicing the base to small businesses dependent on the patronage of Picatinny personnel.

Lt. Col. Burgos echoed federal economic estimates released in the past that the base is responsible for generating nearly $1 billion of income in northern New Jersey.

Picatinny, which spans about 6,400 acres in Jefferson and Rockaway townships, was established in September 1880 by what was then known as the U.S. War Department to produce munitions before moving into testing, research and development in subsequent years.