The Mountainside Fire Department was founded in 1910. The department currently serves a population of roughly 6700 residents living in approximately 4.1 square miles. Over one half of the 1945 acre Watchung Reservation is located in the Borough of Mountainside. The fire department responds to an average of 300 calls per year and provides the town with an array of fire, rescue, and community services. The department is responsible for protecting residential property as well as two large nursing homes, a hospital, a major movie theatre, and numerous manufacturing facilities. The department also responds to motor vehicle accidents on its 2.7 mile stretch of State Highway 22.