At 0516 hrs Mid-Bergen Mutual Aid requested a Bergenfield engine and ladder respond to Ridgefield Park Fire Headquarters on a cover-up assignment.  Prior to leaving the borough, both units were redirected into the scene of a 3^rd alarm fire on Hudson Terrace. 

 Engine 745 under the command of Lt. Naylis and a crew of 4, Ladder 742 and a crew of 5, as well as Chief Kneisler (740) responded.  Upon their arrival both units were put to work on the exterior and interior of the structure.  Bergenfield units operated at the scene for over 2 hours before returning to the borough.

Thanks to Fireifighter Dave Phelan and Bill Tompkins for providing us with the pictures.  Bill Tompkins pictures can be found at www.BTFirephotos.com.

Nicole Borges of Alert Fire Co. successfully completed her required probationary period and her officers requested she be elevated to full active status as of June.

Recently two new members have joined the fire department.  Filipp Ifraimov and Robert Hewitt have made application to join Prospect Fire Company.  They have started their required probationary period and will be attending Firefighter One in the near future.

The officers and members would like to congratulate Nicole and welcome Filipp and Robert to the department.  

During their weekly training class the members of Alert Fire Co. trained on reverse lays and portable deck gun ‘Blitz’ operations.  These evolutions tied various fire fighting concepts together to cover multiple lessons for the members in attendance.  Pump operators were able to work on supplying proper operating flows and pressures over distances of 400 feet which far exceeds the standard pre-connected hose normally deployed as an initial attack line.  Crew members were challenged to select the proper equipment to set up a portable deck gun operation before the engine departed the scene to connect to a water supply.  This requires advanced thinking and understanding of the evolution as once the engine leaves the immediate scene it may not be practical to ‘run back’ and get forgotten equipment.

A portable deck gun operation (sometimes referred to as a Blitz) is utilized when an immediate knock down punch is required on a well developed fire condition or when unstaffed hose streams are required to cool pressure vessels such as gas cylinders or tanker vehicles.  In those cases it is unsafe to deploy personnel into the immediate area so it is essential that the portable deck gun be deployed efficiently and correctly.  The deck gun is normally mounted atop the pump apparatus where it can be immediately operated against well developed fire conditions but it is also removable to a portable ground stand for greater versatility.  As shown in these training photos the portable deck gun is positioned well away from the pump apparatus which is connected to the public hydrant system for a reliable and essentially unlimited water supply.

While this type of portable deck gun operation is not often deployed for most fire encountered by the Bergenfield Fire Department our members regularly train for all types of scenarios which could occur in our community given our extensive truck and rail traffic.  As an organization the Bergenfield Fire Department strives to provide the very best in fire protection to the community and our training is a big part of our commitment to remain able to answer your call.  If you ever happen to come across our personnel conducting these types of training please feel free to stop and observe or ask questions of the officer in charge.

Alert Fire Co. recently responded to a South Washington Avenue building on the report of a fire alarm activation.  While investigating the alarm activation members noted a fire escape blocked by an air conditioner in one of the upstairs apartment bedrooms.  Residents are reminded that fire escapes cannot be blocked or obstructed by any objects including air conditioners, flower pots, or satellite antennas dishes.  Fire escapes are important fire safety features as they provide an not only alternate path of egress for residents but a means of direct entry for fire fighters to search and rescue potentially trapped occupants.  It is understandable that during this time of year you will need to provide air conditioning for normal comfort but fire safety regulations take precedence and fire escape access and availability must be constantly maintained.

Air conditioners can be positioned in windows adjacent to the fire escape as shown in the photo below as a balance to both living comfort and fire safety.  The members of the Bergenfield Fire Department stand ready to answer your calls for help in an emergency.  We ask that all residents take this simple step to help ensure the safety of our firefighters by not blocking or obstructing fire escapes.

If you have any questions or concerns about a fire safety condition in any building please feel free to contact the Bergenfield Fire Prevention Bureau at (201) 387-4000 Ext. 4074.  Thank you.

At 0950 hrs the Mid-Bergen desk requested Ladder 742 to respond to Bogota on a cover-up assignment while they worked a multi alarm fire in a residential dwelling on Elm Avenue. 

Ladder 742 under the command of acting Lieutenant Ed Gomez and crew of 4 responded along with Chief Kneisler to the Broad Street firehouse.  Bergenfield stood-by engines form Hackensack and Englewood.  They took in no runs and returned to the borough by 1140 hrs.

At 1429 hrs, the Rescue was requested to respond to 455 State Street in New Milford as a RIC Team for a working fire in a residential dwelling.  Captain Naylis and crew of four responded on the run.

Once the Rescue was on scene members went to work throwing ground ladders and venting windows and then stood-by.  The Rescue was back in the borough in just under 60 minutes.

On Friday July 23, 2010, Andrew McGoldrick of Prospect Fire Co. No.1 and Kimberly Foglio were married.  The members of the department wish them the best and many years of happiness.

At approximately 1620 hrs, the Tenafly Fire Department requested Ladder 742 to respond to their fire headquarters to stand by while Tenafly operated a fire in commercial structure located at 1 Highwood Avenue.

The Ladder, under the command of Captain Lopez and a crew of three along with Chief Kneisler and Deputy Chief Byrnes, Sr. responded to the firehouse, but they were immediately moved up to the scene as the RIC Team. 

The Ladder was back in the borough in just under 2 hours.