The Bergenfield Fire Department finished the year responding to 649 calls. 139 of these calls were general alarms and the remaining 510 were still responses. The FD a handful of jobs during the year with the biggest of them being 30 Elm Street on December 14.

The Department wasted no time getting 2006 started. At 0210 hrs the first call of the year was taken in by Prospect Fire Co. No. 1. It was a CO alarm at 89 Liberty Rd.

Charles Hartung from Prospect Fire Co. No. 1 was sworn in as Chief of the Department at a ceremony today at Borough Hall. Along with Chief Hartung, Greg Polandick of Alert Co. No. 1 and Ed Gomez of Bergenfield Fire Company No. 2 were sworn in as Deputy 1 and 2 respectively.

We wish them the best in 2006.

The two, new Durango vehicles that recently came in have gone out to be fitted with lights and to be striped. Once they return next week, they will be outfitted with new radios and command boxes in the rear. We hope to have them in service soon.  Pictures to follow.

Edward Saraceno, a 30 year member of Alert Fire Company No. 1 resigned from the department as of January 1, 2006. During his many years of dedication and service to the Borough and BVFD, Ed served as Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Chief and in 1986, he was Chief of the Department.  In recent years, he has been leading Alert Fire Company as their President. His extensive knowledge and leadership abilities will be missed. The entire department would like to wish him the best.

The Bergenfield Fire Department had their first working fire of 2006. At 2212 hrs, a general alarm was sounded for a reported fire and smoke condition on the second floor of 6 Ford Court.  Engine 745, was first due and called smoke showing from the second floor windows. Deputy 2 arrived and established command.  The rescue company completed a primary search while 745’s crew stretched a 1½ line. The fire was contained to a bedroom on the second floor, which suffered heavy damage. Truck 742 took care of the secondary search and assisted the engine crew checking for extension and hot spots. The New Milford FD responded as the FAST team and Teaneck Engine 1 and Englewood Truck 1 covered the Borough with Bergenfield Engine 747. These units took in a run at 96 South Washington Avenue for an activated fire alarm. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters and the cause is still under investigation. Pictures to follow.

As of January 21, 2006, the BFD’s two new Durango’s have been placed in service. The lights and graphics were done by East Coast Emergency Lighting Inc., which is located in New Brunswick, NJ. These new units will replace Prospect’s 1994 Chevy Suburban and Fire Company No. 2’s 1995 Chevy Tahoe.  Pictures can be found in the photo section.

At 0504 hrs, the Bergenfield Fire Department responded to 507 South Washington Avenue for a reported fire at the Thrift Shop. 740 was first due and called a working fire on the roof. On arrival, Engine 744 stretched a line to the roof along with the ladder crew. A fire was found on the roof area with no major fire extension into the building, but there was a decent smoke condition in the structure. Bergenfield crews worked inside the structure opening ceiling tiles and using tarps to cover merchandise while the truck opened the roof and searched for any extension. Units operated on scene for 90 minutes. New Milford FD responded to the scene as our FAST team. There were no injuries to any civilians or firefighters and the cause of the fire is under investigation.