At approximately 23:40 hrs, the Teaneck FD requested Ladder 742 to respond to their township while they worked at a house fire. Chief Polandick (740) and the Ladder under the command of Captain Kniesler reponded to fire headquarters and stood bywith Englewood Engine 1 and Bogota Engine 402. They did not take in any runs while in Teaneck and returned within an hour.

At 11:14 hrs, the Bergenfield Fire Department was dispatched to 36 Dick Street on a reported fire. Captain Kneisler was the first to arrive on scene and reported smoke showing from the residence. After completing his size up, he reported a fire in the attic of the 1 ½ story single family dwelling.

Dumont Engine 5 was requested directly to the scene along with a New Milford F.A.S.T. team. Teaneck Engine 1 and Englewood Truck 1 responded to Alert firehouse for cover-up. All units were clear of the scene by 13:14 hrs.

Thanks to Brett Dzadik for the pictures ( www.brettsfirephotos.com).

The members of the Bergenfield fire department held their Department meeting on Wednesday, December 12th and elected their chief’s and desk officers for 2008.

Ed Gomez from Bergenfield Fire Company No. 2 will serve as chief of the Department; this will be his first time holding this position. Ed has spent the last two years as a deputy chief.  Robert Byrnes, Jr. of Prospect fire company will serve as deputy 1.  Edward Kneisler, II from Alert fire company will move up from captain and serve as deputy 2.

In 2008, Jack Janssens will serve as president of the Department along with Jerry Naylis as vice-president. Nancy Naylis will return as secretary and Norman Hoyt, Jr. will be the new treasurer.

The 2008 line officers will remain relatively the same as in 2007.  Ray Van Saders will return as captain of Company No. 2 and Jason Lanzilotti will return as the lieutenant.  Jim Lodato will return as captain of Prospect along with Paul Buehler as lieutenant. Michael Lopez will move up from lieutenant to captain at Alert and Christopher Saito will be the new lieutenant.

Just after 1930 hrs., the Tenafly fire department requested a truck to respond to their fire headquarters to stand by while they battled a house fire on Farview Ave.  Chief of Department Polandick (740) and truck 742 with Lt. Lopez (P8) and four firefighters stood by along with Cresskill’s engine 5 and Tenafly’s ladder 1. 

Units took in no runs and were back in quarters at 2100 hrs.

At the Officers meeting on Friday December 14, 2007, Firefighters Michael Shanahan of Bergenfield Fire Company No. 2 and Miguel Olivio of Alert Fire Company were elevated to full active status and presented with their black shields.  We would like to congratulate them both on their accomplishment.

Just before 1300hrs a day still was transmitted requesting the F.A.S.T. Team to respond to 241 Woodland Ave. in New Milford for a working fire.  Rescue 746 with Prospect members Arsi, C Naylis, S Naylis, Rynn, O’Conner, and Alert member Kneisler III responded and stood ready in front of the building.  The rescue was released and back in quarters in about an hour.

At 23:37 hrs, the Bergenfield FD was dispatched on a general alarm assignment for a reported fire in an attached two car garage on Luke Avenue. Deputy Chief Gomez (DC1) was first on scene and reported a smoke condition in the garage but no fire showing.  Engine 745 was first due and they stretched a precautionary line to the garage. Crews began to open up the walls and ceiling and located a small fire in the wall.  Additional crews were sent to the roof and the attic to check for extension but none was found.

New Milford sent a F.A.S.T. team to the scene and Dumont Engine 5, Teaneck Engine 1 and Englewood Truck 1 were called to cover the borough from Alert Firehouse.  One Bergenfield firefighter was slightly injured and taken to the hospital by the BVAC.  No other firefighters or civilians were injured.  The cause is still under investigation but looks to be accidental in nature.

The Bergenfield FD responded to 796 calls during 2007. That is an increase of 75 runs over the 2006 total. We went to 147 general alarms and 649 still or single company alarms. Of the general alarms, 8 were working fires and 4 were small fires. The BFD responded on 21 mutual aid assignments within our mutual groups and a few special calls as well.

Our members continue to train racking up thousands of hours of practical and classroom time both in house and while attending various classes and seminars around the country.