In early 1991, a group of leaders from the fire service in New Jersey believed there was a need for an organization in New Jersey to support the work of the recently formed Congressional Fire Services Caucus and the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI). The primary missions of the CFSI are to support and inform the Caucus as well as to serve as a focal point for information and activities on behalf of the fire service in our Nation's Capital. Recognizing the strong association between CFSI and members of Congress, administration officials often involve CFSI in legislative and policy initiatives.

Based on successes in other states, it was felt that similar benefits could be gained in New Jersey by developing a closer relationship with the Legislature, by encouraging their development of a caucus and the creation of a statewide institute representing all New Jersey fire and emergency services organizations. With this as a goal, an initial meeting was held on February 23, 1991. At that meeting, a motion was passed to support the formation of a caucus and to establish a committee to meet with the New Jersey Fire Safety Commission in regard to the concept of an institute. At a second meeting in November a motion unanimously passed to form the New Jersey Fire Services Institute (NJF & EMSI). In 2003, the Institute's Board of Directors changed the name of the organization to the New Jersey Fire & Emergency Medical Services Institute to more accurately reflect the true scope of it's activities.