Upper Saddle River Fire Department

Throwback to 1984: Chief Lou Manke with Firefighters Pat Fallone and Greg Rodgers getting ready to transport Santa prior to the annual borough tree lighting ceremony.

At tonight’s maintenance drill, as members checked the trucks and equipment, Firefighter Nico Brusco prepared a delicious meal for the members. Tonight, we launched our digital maintenance form using the apparatus iPads as this is the first step in our mission to go paperless at the USRFD.

At 4:24am, the USRFD was dispatched to a reported power line down and tree across the roadway on Hidden Glen. Chief Vierheilig (IC), Asst Chief Rauch (Ops) and Engine 1232 (OIC Capt Sklar) responded, as well as USRPD units and a crew from the DPW. The tree was removed and fire units closed the road until Orange and Rockland arrived to shut power down and make the repair. Once clear, all units returned to HQ.

 

 

 

 

 

With more snow expected later this week please don’t forget to clear a 3′ radius around your neighborhood fire hydrant. It takes 3 minutes for you to clear it now. And when seconds count during an emergency, those 3 minutes could make a difference. Help us help you. Clear those hydrants!

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the annual installation of officers dinner, three members received the Chiefs award from Chief Erik Vierheilig. From left to right; Junior Greg Pink, Firefighter Bob Hyman, Chief Vierheilig, and Firefighter Greg Andrews. Congrats to all for going above and beyond.

 

 

 

 

 

Architect Kurt Vierheilig was made an honorary member of the USRFD on Saturday, February 7th for his design services and expertise during the Memorial Plaza construction this past year. Pictured left to right; Chief Erik Vierheilig, Honorary Member Kurt Vierheilig, and President Pat Bertollo.

Chief Vierheilig and Engine 1231 (OIC Lt Lupinacci) were on scene and working at the Edgewater apartment fire for 12 hours alongside our brothers from multiple towns in the county and beyond.  While half the crew assisted Edgewater Truck 1 using their elevated master stream to protect a neighboring building, the other crew relay pumped with Wyckoff Co 1 and Allendale to feed Ramsey Truck 442.  Great job by all!

Last night, the Upper Saddle River Community Emergency Response Team (USR CERT) took a tour of the towns emergency services vehicles during their first meeting of the year. On the fire department stop, Chief Vierheilig lead the group, showing them equipment on Engine 1232 and Rescue 1242, followed by a Q and A. Thanks to the CERT team members for attending and we look forward to working with you in 2015.

Fire deaths can be reduced by teaching the basic facts about fire. The USRFD points out some simple ways to learn the characteristics of fire to keep our community safe.

Fire is FAST!

There is little time!
In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house. In minutes, a house can be engulfed in flames. If you wake up to a fire, you won’t have time to grab valuables because fire spreads too quickly and the smoke is too thick. There is only time to escape.

Fire is HOT!

Heat is more threatening than flames.
A fire’s heat alone can kill. Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super-hot air will scorch your lungs. This heat can melt clothes to your skin. In five minutes a room can get so hot that everything in it ignites at once: this is called flashover.

Fire is DARK!

Fire isn’t bright, it’s pitch black.
Fire starts bright, but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness. If you wake up to a fire you may be blinded, disoriented and unable to find your way around the home you’ve lived in for years.

Fire is DEADLY!

Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do.
Fire uses up the oxygen you need and produces smoke and poisonous gases that kill. Breathing even small amounts of smoke and toxic gases can make you drowsy, disoriented and short of breath. The odorless, colorless fumes can lull you into a deep sleep before the flames reach your door. You may not wake up in time to escape.

At 8:01pm, the USRFD was dispatched to a home on Elizabeth Terrace for an activated carbon monoxide alarm. Asst Chief Rauch (IC), Engine 1232 (OIC Capt Sklar), and Engine 1231 (OIC Lt Bach) responded. Crews checked the residence with two meters as per protocol. With no readings found and the detector deemed faulty, all units returned to HQ.

At 8:10am, the USRFD was dispatched to a motor vehicle crash with rollover on Route 17 North. Chief Vierheilig (IC) arrived on scene to find one vehicle with heavy front end damage and another on its roof. With all occupants out prior to arrival, orders were given to Rescue 1242 (OIC Capt Sklar) for the crew to secure and stabilize the vehicles and contain the fluid spill on roadway. Engine 1232 (OIC FF S Roberts) was also in scene. While doing a scene survey, a mortar shell was found next to the rolled over vehicle. A safe area was established and units awaited a response from the Bergen County Police Bomb Squad. Once the ordinance was contained and removed, fire personnel assisted the tow crews with vehicle removal and debris cleanup. Once clear, all units returned to HQ.

Chief Erik Vierheilig and President Pat Bertollo present the HUMC Tomorrow’s Children’s Fund with a check from our Project Santa fundraiser.

Got a junk car taking up space in your driveway or collecting dust in your garage? The Upper Saddle River Volunteer Fire Department would love to take it off your hands.The fire department is seeking donated cars that can be used for training exercises, and not only will they remove it for you, you’ll receive a tax deduction for your contribution, Chief Erik Vierheilig said.

The vehicles will be used for extrication training exercises being offered to volunteer firefighters from Upper Saddle River during the upcoming months. Essentially, they create mock accident scenes and let the firefighters hone their techniques on removing people.

To donate an auto, call the fire department at 201.327.0285 or e-mail at info@usrfd.org

Are you interested in becoming an integral part of your community? The Upper Saddle River Volunteer Fire Dept is looking for new members!

WE NEED YOU!

Prior firefighting experience is a plus but not neccesary. The county will provide all interested volunteers with FREE TRAINING!

Firefighting is very demanding work, but comes with many rewards. At any second of the day Upper Saddle River Fire could be called upon for:

• Structure fires

• Brush fires

• Car fires

• Gas leaks

• Hazardous material spills

• Medical Helicopter Landing Zones

• Vehicle Accidents

• And much more!

email us at info@usrfd.org for more info!!

This morning at 6:12am, the USRFD was dispatched to an activated alarm at a home on Mettowee Farm Court. Chief Vierheilig (IC) Asst Chief Rauch (Ops) and Engine 1231 (OIC FF Bertollo) responded. Crews throughly checked the residence to find a defective smoke detector head that caused the activation. Once clear all units returned.