At tonight’s council meeting the Bergenfield Fire Department recognized several members for their actions at a recent fatal house fire at 44 Luke Avenue on Sunday morning June 2^nd.

          Early morning fires typically produce the best chance for fatalities.  The fire on Sunday June 2, 2013, did not deviate from this truism.

          On arrival, Ladder 742 saw an advanced fire showing from the first floor windows.  Realizing that the fire already had self-vented, the members knew that the fire had progressed significantly.  With these facts in mind, the Ladder 742 members knew that occupants still might be trapped and their situation was compromised with the intense fire conditions.

          Firefighters David Phelan, Michael Mertz and Jason Mertz began to force the front door.  Heavy smoke and high heat were emanating from the top of the door.  Once the door was forced, Captain Chris Naylis, his nozzle man Andrew McGoldrick and back up man Rich O’Connor of Engine 745 prepared to push in.  Firefighter Phelan used his Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) to look in to the blackened hallway.  He thought he saw the image of a person. He reached in and felt a victim and informed Captain Naylis of the same.  The Captain radioed to operations that they had a victim.

          Firefighters David Phelan and Michael Mertz were confronted with high heat, zero visibility and heavy fire extending throughout the first floor and were able to locate the unconscious victim.

          They proceed to drag the victim back to the front door where they were met by Deputy Chief Jason Lanzilotti.  Once they made it out onto the landing, they moved the victim off the front stairs and to the street, where the victims care was transferred to EMS and police personnel.  Firefighters Phelan, Mertz and DC Lanzilotti then returned to the fire building to complete other tasks that needed to be done.

          Firefighters Phelan and Mertz came to the aid and rescue of an elderly woman who was trapped and incapacitated, in dire need of help.  Their courageous actions were in the finest tradition of the Bergenfield Fire Department.  In recognition of their heroism, the BFD is proud to present Firefighters David Phelan and Michael Mertz the Bergenfield Fire Department Meritorious Service Award and Life Saving Award.

          For their actions in assisting with the removal of the victim, the BFD would like to present Deputy Chief Jason Lanzilotti, Captain Christopher Naylis, and Firefighter Jason Mertz with the Bergenfield Fire Department Honorable Service Award and Life Saving Award.

         For their actions in assisting with the removal of the victim, the BFD would like to present Firefighters Andrew McGoldrick and Rich O’Connor with the Bergenfield Fire Department Honorable Service Award. 

         Chief of Department Michael Lopez arrived on the scene first and reported that he had a 1 ½ story residential dwelling with heavy fire showing and possibly occupants trapped. He told incoming units exactly what he wanted done and remained calm and set the tone for the entire operation. Chief Lopez’s actions and demeanor allowed the entire operation to run as smooth as could be expected. The BFD would like to present Chief Michael Lopez with the Bergenfield Fire Department Honorable Service Award.

        Finally, the Officers and members presented one additional award.  Sean Conboy’ s family is dedicated to the fire service.  His brother and son are career firefighters and Sean is a former Dumont and Tenafly firefighter.  He is also a medic with Holy Name Hospital and he had just arrived home from a night shift when he heard the Bergenfield tones drop. He thought to himself looking at the clock that it might be something and jumped in his car and headed down to the scene.  He thought maybe he could be of assistance.  Little did he know he would be thrusted into saving a life?  

      As Sean was walking past the first due engine the chauffer yelled to him that they were bringing out a victim and he immediately looked for a spot to have them placed.  As the members brought the victim to the street Sean was ready to go and quickly established an airway and working with the BVAC and BPD was able to provide the aid she needed. The Officers and Members of the Bergenfield Fire Department would like to present Sean Conboy with Bergenfield Fire Department Life Saving Award.

At approximately 0720 hrs. the Bergenfield Fire Dept. was dispatched on a general alarm assignment for smoke in the area of 33 W, Clinton Avenue.  Engines 745, 744 Ladder 742, and Rescue 746 along with Deputy Chief Lanzilotti (DC1) and Deputy Chief Naylis (DC2).  First arriving units reported smoke coming from a 2 story commercial building. 

Engine 745 secured a water source and a 1 3/4 handline was stretched. Members had fire in the duct work and made a quick knock and then had to overhaul the entire are to check for any extension.  New Milford RIC was called to the scene along with Dumont Engine 4 and Rescue 3. Teaneck Engine 1 and Englewood Ladder 2 responded to Alert firehouse and covered the borough.  Units were clear of the scene in 60 minutes and the Fire Official remained on scene to investigate.

The Bergenfield Fire Department was dispatched on a general alarm assignment at 1758 hrs on Monday June 3rd to 58 So. Washington Ave. for a reported smoke condition in the movie theater.  Engines 743, 744, 745 and 747, Ladder 742 and Rescue 746 along with Chief Lopez (740) and Deputy Chief Naylis (DC2) responded on the run.  Deputy Chief Naylis arrived first and reported that there was a smoke condition in the building. 

Ladder 742 arrived first and their crew went into investigate.  Engine 743 stretched an 1 3/4 handline to the front door as a precaution.  Engine 745 took the second due hydrant in the rear of the structure.  A fire was located in the duct work above the projection room. Rescue 746 sent their crew to assist with a search of the building to make sure all occupants where out of the building.The fire was quickly extinguished but members needed to continue to check for any extension. 

Tenafly Ladder 1 and Dumont Engine 4 were requested to respond to Bergenfield to cover the borough and the New Milford RIC was requested as well.  Prior to their arrival the Tenafly ladder was redirected into the scene and the Oradell was requested to send their truck to cover.

All units were picked up with 60 minutes.

The Bergenfield Volunteer Fire Department was called into action on Sunday, June 2^nd at 7:40 a.m. for a report of a house fire.  Fire Chief Michael Lopez and Deputy Fire Chiefs Jason Lanzilotti and Gerard Naylis arrived on scene in less than three minutes confirming a well involved fire with flames shooting 30 feet into the air and heavy smoke pouring from the front and rear of a single family home located on the northwest corner of Luke and West Broad Streets.  Chief Lopez requested a Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) from New Milford immediately followed by a request for a full second alarm bringing firefighters from Dumont, Teaneck, and Englewood to the scene while other mutual aid units responded to stand by at one of the town’s firehouses.  A third alarm was transmitted later into the fire for relief purposes due to the day’s elevated temperature and high humidity.  The Bergenfield Volunteer Ambulance Corps was also dispatched to respond when the working fire was confirmed. 

Firefighters arrived on scene within five minutes and quickly went to work forcing entry through the front door of the home where they encountered homeowner, Frances Taylor, 91, unconscious behind the door.  Captain Christopher Naylis and firefighters Dave Phelan and Michael Mertz removed the victim.  Police Officer James Acito began administering oxygen from the oxygen unit in his police car while off duty paramedic Sean Conboy helped maintain an open airway.  Mrs. Taylor was then treated by Bergenfield Volunteer Ambulance Corps members who continued to deliver oxygen and administer first aid. She was immediately transported to Holy Name Hospital where she remains in critical condition. 

After the victim was removed, firefighters made their way through thick black smoke with zero visibility and intense heat looking for the seat of the fire.  At the same time, firefighters at the rear entrance encountered a huge blast of super heated smoke and fire blowing out the rear door.  After extinguishing the fire at the rear of the house and entering the premise, the body of Frances Taylor’s 59 year old son, James, was discovered.  Unfortunately, James, who was found just behind the rear door, perished in the blaze. Firefighters knocked down the main body of fire within 30 minutes and fully brought the fire under control by 9:15 a.m.

When a fatality occurs due to fire, units from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and County Arson Squad are routinely called to conduct an investigation into the cause of the fire.  During their search, fire investigators located explosive devices and ammunition in the basement.  All emergency personnel were removed from the home for about two and one-half hours while the County Bomb Squad responded to assess and remove the items that were located.

Firefighters remained on scene for hours due to the extensive overhaul needed to sift through the burned out contents of the home to determine the cause of the fire which is still under investigation.  Relief crews were rotated to cover Bergenfield while the fire department was handling the fire and crews were also brought to the scene to assist in the overhaul operation due to the sweltering heat and high humidity.  One Bergenfield firefighter was briefly hospitalized for heat exhaustion. 

The Bergenfield Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank the fire departments who responded into Bergenfield including New Milford, Dumont, Teaneck, Englewood, Hackensack, Oradell, Haworth, Cresskill, Demarest, Bogota and Ridgefield Park.  Thanks also go to the Bergenfield Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps., Dumont Volunteer Ambulance Corps., Bergenfield Police Department and Teaneck’s Box 54 Special Services Unit for all of their assistance, as well as the neighbors who opened their doors and sent food to the firefighters who remained on scene for eleven hours. 

To see some pictures from the fire please check out Bill & Chris Tompkins website at http://www.btfirephotos.com/2013/Bergenfield-6-2-13/29813091_nVFBs7#!i=2555694727&k=hMDcw8w

On Saturday afternoon, the Bergenfield Fire Department was dispatched on a general alarm assignment at the intersection of W. Church Street and No. Demarest Avenue for the reported MVA with entrapment.  Rescue 746, Engines 745, 744 and 743 responded along with Deputy Chief Naylis (DC2).  Deputy Chief Naylis arrived first and confirmed an occupant pinned in a vehicle.

The crew of Rescue 746 immediately went to work using multiple tools to extricate the victim.  Engine 744 stretched a dry 1 3/4 handline that was manned by Engine 743's crew.  The crews of Engines 745 and 744 assisted with the extrication.

One victim was removed and transferred to the care of BVAC and Holy Name medics and removed from the scene.  All units were back up in 45 minutes.