33 Years of Calm in the Chaos: Ridgewood Honors Dispatch Pioneer Jack Tancos on Retirement
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — A cornerstone of the Ridgewood first responder community is hanging up his headset. The Ridgewood Police Department recently announced the retirement of Jack Tancos from Northwest Bergen Central Dispatch, marking the end of an incredible 33-year legacy of dedicated service to the municipality and its neighbors.
Jack’s roots in the town run deep. A proud graduate of Ridgewood Public Schools, he chose to dedicate his entire adult life to protecting the very community that raised him.
A Legacy Built on Emergency Medical Services
Jack’s journey in public safety began over three decades ago. In 1993, he joined Ridgewood Emergency Services as an EMT. His natural leadership quickly became apparent to his peers, eventually earning him the rank of Captain of Ridgewood Emergency Services and EMS.
Pioneering Northwest Bergen Central Dispatch
Beyond his hands-on medical response, Jack was instrumental in modernizing how the region handles emergencies. He played a foundational role in the creation of Northwest Bergen Central Dispatch, serving as one of the agency’s very first dispatchers.
Recognizing his logistical expertise and steady hand, he climbed the ranks to serve as both Director and Deputy Director of the agency, shaping it into the life-saving communication hub it is today.
The Voice of Calm During America’s Darkest Days
To navigate emergency communications requires a unique temperament, and Jack possessed an unmatched ability to remain calm through immense chaos. Over his 33-year career, he helped spearhead local responses to some of the most challenging crises in modern history, including:
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The September 11 terrorist attacks
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Superstorm Sandy
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Hurricane Irene
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Hurricane Floyd
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Countless high-profile regional events and severe local storms
By keeping his composure during these historic disasters, Jack didn’t just coordinate logistics—he actively kept frontline police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and local residents safe.
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