This weekend we will be setting our clocks ahead one hour. The Bergenfield Fire Department would like to remind everyone that this is the perfect time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. This quick and easy task could mean the difference between life and death.

At 19:38 hrs, Engine 745 and Ladder 742 were requested by Teaneck FD to respond to their fire headquarters. Teaneck was operating at a house fire and mutual aid units were called in to cover.

Deputy Chief Byrnes responded with both units. Captain Lodato responded with Engine 745 and a crew of 6 and Ladder 742 responded with a crew of 5. Engine 745 took in one run to 744 River Rd. for a report of wires down.

All units were back in the town by 21:28 hrs.

At 1620 hrs, the Bergenfield FD was requested to send a ladder truck to Englewood Fire Headquarters.  Englewood units were operating at a commercial structure fire at 180 S. Van Brunt St.  Chief Polandick (740) as well as truck 742 responded. Captain Kneisler (Portable 4) rolled out with 742 and a crew of 6 firefighters.  Lieutenant Beuhler (Portable 6) stayed behind in charge of the town.  740 and 742 remained in Englewood for about a half hour and then were released.

While enroute back to the borough, the Tenafly FD requested an engine and RESCUE for the FAST team to respond to a smoke condition in a residence on Engle Street.  740 instructed 742 to respond as the FAST team due to the truck already being in the Borough of Tenafly.  Engine 743 also responded and stood by.  RESCUE 746 remained in town.  Bergenfield’s truck crew assisted in checking the house with Tenafly Chief Philpot (510) in addition to Tenafly and Cresskill crews.  Dumont Rescue 3 responded also.  The problem was traced back to a motor that burned out in the furnace.  All Bergenfield units were released soon after the cause was determined. All units were back in service by 18:03 hours.

At 20:33 hours, the Bergenfield Fire Department was requested to send an engine to Hackensack Fire Headquarters to cover the city. The Hackensack FD was involved in a multi alarm blaze on Main Street. Deputy Chief Byrnes (DC2) responded with 744, under the command of Lieutenant Lopez. They stood by at headquarters with the other mutual aid towns. They were back in the Borough at 23:33 hours.

Steven Naylis became a probationary member of the Bergenfield Fire Department at the Board of Fire Officer’s meeting on Thursday night. Steven joins his parents, Jerry and Nancy, and brother Christopher as members of Prospect Fire Co. No. 1. We wish Steven the best.

The Bergenfield Fire Department would like to thank Ed Trinkleback of the River Edge FD for presenting us with some old photos.  Mr. Trinkleback’s grandfather, also Ed Trinkleback, took pictures of a working fire in the vicinity of 46 South Washington Avenue. The fire took place sometime in 1952.

From what we can tell, Dumont’s Independent Hose Co. was also on scene at the fire. The pictures are taken from the rear of the structure. The stores involved were Auto Moto and Mae Moon.

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of former Chief of the Department, John Kaberle.

John was a member of Alert Fire Co. No. 1 and was Chief in 1977 and Deputy Chief in 1975 and 1976. John also was a member of the Bergenfield Rescue Squad and served as Chief of that organization as well. The members of the department will be paying their last respects this evening at 8:00 P.M. at Riewerts in Bergenfield.

At approximately 19:25 hrs, the Teaneck FD requested Bergenfield’s ladder to respond to their headquarters to cover the township. Teaneck had a working house fire on Club Road. Deputy Chief Gomez and the ladder responded. Captain Kneisler was in command with a full crew on board. While enroute to TFD headquarters they were redirected into the scene. Upon their arrival, they were immediately put to work by TFD command. Their first assignment was to enter the structure and secure the utilities. They were then instructed to overhaul the fire room and check for extension.

The Bergenfield ladder was released and back in the borough by 20:30 hrs.

At 23:27 hrs, the Dumont FD requested one engine to the scene of a working fire in their town. Deputy Chief Gomez and Engine 743, under the command of Captain Van Saders, responded to 57 Walsh Dr. Upon their arrival, they went to work checking for hotspots and extension in the structure.

At 23:57, the RESCUE was requested to the scene as well. Captain Lodato and his crew responded into the scene to fill bottles. Upon completion of that task at 01:02 hrs, the RESCUE responded back to Bergenfield to take in another run along with Engine 745.