Engine 745 And The RESCUE To Little Ferry Multi-Alarm Fire

Posted on January 17, 2010

At 0236 hrs., Mid-Bergen Mutual Aid relayed a request from the Bergen County Mutual Aid Coordinator for a Bergenfield engine to respond into Little Ferry to stand-by at their Main St. firehouse.

Engine 745, under the command of Captain Buehler and a crew of 5 along with Deputy Chief Lodato (DC2) responded. They stood-by and took in no runs until they were moved up to the scene at approximately 0500 hrs. Upon there arrival on scene they were directed to the rear of the structure and asked to supply water to the East Rutherford Tower Ladder. The crew went to work in the rear using handlines to attempt to knock down multiple pockets of fire. These assignments went on to approximately 0800 when East Rutherford was released.

At 0853, Deputy Chief Lodato requested the RESCUE to respond into the scene with fresh manpower and supplies. The RESCUE was under the command of Lt. Naylis and he had a crew of six. Members continued to work handlines in the rear until they were released by Little Ferry command. Both units were back in town and in service by 1130 hrs.

Funeral Arrangements For Sergeant Christopher Hrbek Of The United States Marine Corps.& Westwood Fire Dept.

Posted on January 20, 2010

On January 14^th 2010 a local hero was killed fighting for our country. That Hero is Sergeant Christopher Hrbek of the United States Marine Corps.

Westwood, New Jersey would like to Welcome Sergeant Hrbek home on Thursday the 21^st of January 2010. A procession welcoming him home will occur on Thursday the 21^st at approximately 3:00pm. The procession will begin at the A field on Third Avenue to Washington Ave, from Washington Avenue onto Westwood Avenue up to Kinderkamack Road ending at Beckers Funeral Home. They ask that residents be aware of this event. Those who wish to pay their respects are invited and welcomed to attend the homecoming event. Please stand along the parade route with your American Flag to pay tribute to Sgt. Hrbek’s sacrifice. They expect excessive traffic delays due to this event and those traveling the area of the route are encouraged to find an alternate route to their destination.

On Friday the 22^nd of January from 2pm to 8pm, those wishing to pay their respects may do so at the wake at Zion Lutheran Church on Second Avenue, during that time.

On Saturday the 23^rd of January The funeral mass will commence at 9am at Zion Lutheran Church and internment will occur following at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, NJ.

Those planning to travel in the area during the designated time frames should expect delays and seek an alternate route

Thank you for your attention to this Public Service Announcement on behalf of The Borough of Westwood.

Westwood Firefighter Killed In Afghanistan

Posted on January 14, 2010

We regret to advise you that a Westwood Volunteer Firefighter, USMC Sgt Christopher Hrbek, a 9 year member of the Westwood Fire Department, has been killed in action while serving with the Marine Corps in Afghanistan. The 25-year-old comes from a family of Firefighters; his step-father, Jaymee Hodges, is currently a Captain in the Westwood department and his two step brothers, Jim and Beau Hodges, are members of the FDNY.

Funeral plans have not been made yet.

Hrbek is survived by his mother, Cheryl, stepfather, Jaymee, two stepbrothers, Jim, 31, and Beau, 29, of Westwood. Amy, 33, of Westwood and Lori, 33, of Boonton and his father Richard Hrbek of Emerson.

Our sincere condolences go out to his family as well as his extended family in the Westwood Fire Department.

Ladder On Mutual Aid Run To Englewood

Posted on January 10, 2010

At approximately 0440 the members of Alert Fire Company were requested by Mid-Bergen Mutual Aid for a ladder to respond to the City of Englewood. The Englewood Fire Department was battling a 2nd Alarm fire on the 200 block of West Palisade Avenue. Chief Kneisler (740), along with Ladder 742 under the command of Captain Lopez, and a crew of four stood by with engines from Fort Lee and Leonia.

The Ladder took in a run on Sheffield Ave. for a lift assist, but were released soon after arrival by EMS. All units were back in the borough by 0645.

2010 Officers Sworn In

Posted on January 1, 2010

Edward J. Kneisler, II of Alert Fire Co. No.1 was sworn in as Chief of the Department at a ceremony today in the council chambers of the Borough Hall. This will be Chief Kneisler’s third time serving as top chief. He previously held the position in 1992 and 2001.

Along with Chief Kniesler, Robert E. Byrnes, Sr. of Bergenfield Fire Co. No.2 and James P. Lodato of Prospect Fire Co. No.1 were sworn in as Deputy 1 and 2 respectively.

Captain’s Michael Lopez, Jason Lanzilotti and Paul Buehler along with Lieutenants Christopher Saito, Joseph Frino, Jr. and Christopher Naylis were sworn is as well.

We wish Chief Kneisler and all of his officers the best luck and a safe 2010.

New Career Firefighter Appointed

Posted on January 9, 2010

At a ceremony held in the council chambers, Robert E. Byrnes, Jr. was appointed and sworn in as the newest career firefighter in Bergenfield. Bob is the son of retired Bergenfield career firefighter Robert E. Byrnes, Sr.

Bob joined the Bergenfield Junior Fire Department in 1990 and the Bergenfield Rescue Squad in 1991. In 1994 he joined the Bergenfield Volunteer Fire Department. Bob is a member of Prospect Fire Company No.1 and served as Lieutenant in 2001 and 2002. He served as Captain from 2003 through 2006. In 2007 and 2008 he was Deputy Chief and in 2009 he served as Chief of the Department. Bob and his father are the 4^th set of Father/Son members to have held the position of Chief of the Bergenfield Volunteer Fire Department

Bob’s wife Kelly, son Liam and the rest of his family were on hand along with members of Local 65 and the Bergenfield Volunteer Fire Department. We wish Bob a very long and safe career in Bergenfield. Congratulations!!!

BVFD Doesn't Waste Getting 2010 Started

Posted on January 1, 2010

At 0005 hrs. Alert Fire Co. was dispatched on a reported activated fire alarm at 1 Murray Hill Terrace, a five story OMD. While in route the dispatch center reported multiple 9-1-1 calls of smoke on the third and fourth floors. Deputy Chief Kneisler requested the alarm be upgraded to a general.

Chief Byrnes had command and had the crews from ladder 742 and engine 745 investigate. Interior crews found smoke on the second floor from incense being burned. The crew from engine 743 assisted with ventilation and the RESCUE crew went to the basement to secure the alarm system. Units were clear in under 45 minutes.

Car Fires

Posted on January 2, 2010

At 0115 hrs. the Bergenfield FD was dispatched on a general alarm assignment to 72 Brook Street for a report a car fire. Chief Kneisler (740) was first to arrive a reported a car fully involved in fire in the driveway. Prior to units arriving on scene, a second car became involved in fire along with a wooden fence.

The crew from engine 745 and ladder 742 pulled two lines and began extinguishing all visible fire. The crews from engines 743 and 744 and the RESCUE began overhaul and checking the homes on either side of the car fires for any extension.

Both vehicles suffered extensive damage and there were no injuries to firefighter or civilians. Units were back in service on 2 hours.

KME Fire Apparatus Awarded Contract For New Engine

Posted on January 29, 2010

Chief Edward J, Kniesler, II is pleased to announce that KME Fire Apparatus of Nesquehoning, PA has been awarded the contract to build the Bergenfield Fire Department a new fire engine. KME is represented by William H. McGuffey, Inc. located in Tuxedo, NY.

The Bergenfield Fire Department will be replacing our 1982 Hahn engine, which is currently located with Company 2. Upon delivery, the new engine will be stationed at Alert firehouse and their engine will be transferred to take it new place as Company 2’s second engine. Anticipated delivery date will be of the new engine will be on or about December 1, 2010.

The new piece will be the fourth KME fire apparatus that the department will have in their fleet. Currently in service is Engine 745 (1996), Engine 743 (2001) and the RESCUE (2004).

Chief Kniesler wanted to acknowledge the hard work that went into the development of the new apparatus and the time that last year’s chief, Robert E. Byrnes, Jr. and the entire committee led by Lt. Chris Saito put into the project.

Engine 744 On Mutual Aid Run To Dumont

Posted on January 24, 2010

At approximately 2200 hrs the Dumont Fire Dispatch requested a Bergenfield engine to respond to Independent firehouse to cover while the Dumont Fire Department operated at a fire on Manhattan Terrace.

Engine 744, under the command of Lieutenant Saito and a crew of 3 responded along with Chief Kneisler. They stood-by in quarters and took in no runs and were back in the borough in 45 minutes.

Engine 743 On Mutual Aid Run To Tenafly

Posted on January 25, 2010

At 1245 hrs, Tenafly Fire Dispatch requested a Bergenfield engine to respond to their fire headquarters to cover while the Tenafly Fire Department operated at a fire on Hillside Avenue.

Engine 743, under the command of Captain Lanzilotti and a crew of 4 responded to Tenafly Fire Headquarters. They took in no runs and where there for approximately 2 hours.

Busy Day For The Fire Department

Posted on January 25, 2010

With the large storm blowing through town today the Bergenfield Fire Department responded to 16 calls. They went out for smells, bells, mutual aid calls and lots of trees and wires down in a 4 hour period.

Engine 743 responded to Tenafly to cover their borough while they operated at a multi alarm fire and members worked with the Board of Education to evacuate the high school due to the loss of power.

Reported Garage Fire

Posted on January 26, 2010

At 1936 hrs, the Bergenfield Fire Department was dispatched on a reported garage fire in the area of James St. and Madison Ave. Ladder 742 was the first unit on scene and reported smoke in the area, but upon further investigation found a resident illegally burning debris in an old rusty refrigerator

The small, but smokey fire was extinguished by members of Ladder 742 and Engine 744 using water cans and all units were up in 20 minutes.

	2009	2010
Jan.	70	79
Feb.	52	41
March	46	101
April	52	41
May	51	69
June	67	50
July	49	46
Aug.	52	0
Sept.	51	0
Oct.	67	0
Nov.	51	0
Dec.	71	0
	679	427

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