All are invited to show their support for Captain Banta and Ex-Chief Levitzki! THE MEMBERS OF CRESSKILL P.B.A. LOCAL #180 ARE REQUESTING A SHOW OF SUPPORT FROM ALL P.B.A. MEMBERS AT A RALLY FOR OFFICER LEVITZKI AND OFFICER BANTA THAT WERE WRONGLY SUSPENDED AFTER RESPONDING TO A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN THE TRAGIC DEATH OF A 10 YEAR OLD GIRL LAST MONTH. A MASSIVE TURNOUT IS REQUESTED. WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER, 19 2008 10:30AM ASSEMBLING AT CRESSKILL AMERICAN LEGION, 75 LEGION DRIVE CRESSKILL, NEW JERSEY (ENTER OFF OF EAST MADISON AVENUE) HELP US HELP OUR BROTHERS

At 17:05 hours the general alarm sounded for a reported fire in a bedroom. Car 212, Chief Byrd was first on scene and reported a heavy smoke condition. Car 210, Chief Molinaro arrived and assumed command confirming a working fire. Fire was showing on the delta side out of two windows. Engine 3 was first due and stretched two lines into the structure. Engine 5 was second due and secured a water source. Crews encountered heavy fire in a rear bedroom and were able to knock the fire quickly. Truck 2 laddered the structure and prepared for a vent. Squad 1 checked for extension and located fire in the attic and knocked it. Tenafly Tower 2 responded as the FAST Truck, Bergenfield Engine 744 covered the West side of town and Cresskill Engine 5 covered the East. All apparatus cleared the scene by 19:00 hours.

Just before 23:00 hours the Dumont Fire Department was dispatched to 401 West Madison Avenue, a garden apartment complex, for a reported fire in apartment 'E'.  Lt. Kelly from Truck 2 who lives nearby the fire building responded directly to the scene.  In the apartment he found curtains that were on fire and was able to take them off the wall and bring them outside preventing serious damage to the structure.  Engine 5 under the direction of Capt. Gracey was first due and was assigned to check for extension and ventilate the structure.  Cars 210 and 212 were on scene, Chief Molinaro was command.  All units were released within 45 minutes.  Fire is under investigation. 

Fire prevention day had just began at Honiss School when the tones went out for a reported fire at 135 Depew Street only three blocks away.  En route dispatch reported it to be a working fire in a second floor bedroom.  Rescue 3 was first due with Engine 5 being the first due engine.  An 1 3/4 line was stretched to the second floor and knocked down the fire within minutes.  Engine 3 layed a supply line to Engine 5.  Squad 1's crew handled ventilation.  Tenafly Tower 2 responded to the scene as the FAST Truck, Bergenfield Ladder 742 responded as the first due ladder truck and New Milford FD covered the west side of town.  Everyone was extremely impressed with Ex-Chief Holtje's Kentland style abilities.  Besides pumping Engine 5 he was also able to single-handedly ladder the structure!  All units took up from the job within an hour and returned to fire prevention.  Car 212, Chief Byrd was interior and Car 210, Chief Molinaro was command.  Thanks to Brett Dzadik of www.brettsfirephotos.smugmug.com for his pictures!  Sorry we were too fast for you despite being blocked in the school parking lot by FF Cavadias!

The Dumont Fire Department participated this week in National Fire Prevention Week. Under the direction of Firefighter Steven Cavadias, who is the head of Dumont’s Bureau of Fire Prevention, members visited the four elementary schools in town. Many took time off from their busy personal schedules including work starting on Monday to visit Honiss, Grant, Selzer and Lincoln Schools. We were given the opportunity to hold presentations that were geared towards the youth of our community. Children were taught about fire safety in their homes. They learned the proper use of 9-1-1, how to safely escape a fire in their home and in the event they can’t get out on their own how to safely await for the arrival of firefighters and how to signal their locations. On top of assignments they get regularly from their teachers they even got homework from us! We told each student to go home that night and along with their parents make sure they have smoke detectors in working order and to make sure they change the batteries at least twice a year. They were also told to plan a fire drill with their parents and practice it regularly. After the presentation was complete we brought the kids outside for their favorite part of the day. Each class was individually given tours of Squad 1, Rescue 3 and Engine 5. The children along with their teachers were given guided tours of each piece of apparatus and all the many important tools they carry and their functions. The children were also able to see a firefighter that was completely geared up including an SCBA. The purpose of this was to allow them the chance to see exactly what we look like and for them to not be afraid of us. Unfortunately many children have died in fires because they hide. They hide because they are obviously scared of the fire but also of the ones who are coming to save them. We instill in them at a very young age to never be afraid of us and to make as much noise as possible so we can hear them. The members of the Dumont Fire Department look forward each year to this time we get to visit the youth of our community. All of the four firehouses are open to any of our residents, parents and children are always welcome to knock on the door and come in. If you have any questions or concerns we will be there to assist you. Chief Molinaro would like to thank those that participated this week. Deputy Chief Byrd, Captains Lissemore, Banta and Gracey, Lieutenants O’Brien, Maddolin and Byrd, Firefighters Cavadias, Torres, Zorzopian, Hargrave, P.J. Pfeiffer, Fredrick, D. Molinaro, Stevens, Giardello, Ledermann and Reissner and Fire Patrol members Ferraro and Drobinske. For any questions regarding this topic please contact Dumont’s Bureau of Fire Prevention at 201-387-5041 or visit the borough hall at 50 Washington Avenue. Also please visit on the web www.firepreventionweek.org

The Dumont Fire Department was dispatched for a report of an oven fire at 110 Dulles Drive.  Car 212 Chief Byrd arrived first on scene and reported that the fire was out but there was a heavy concentration of gas in the building that had caused an explosion in the oven.  The force of the explosion caused pictures in an adjacent room to fall off of the wall.  Members were tasked to evacuate the entire two story garden apartment complex and shut off all gas meters for the entire building.  Dumont Amblulance 28 responded for a minor injury to the occupant of the fire apartment.  All units cleared the scene within 45 minutes and turned over the building to representatives from PSE&G.  Car 210, Chief Molinaro was in command. 

Bergenfield FD requested an Engine from Dumont for cover up due to a 2nd Alarm fire in their borough. Engine 5 under the direction of Lt. Byrd stood by at alert firehouse along with Englewood and Teaneck. The fire, located at 294 South Washington Ave in Bergenfield came in from multiple calls reporting a fire on the second floor of a three story OMD with possible occupants trapped. Bergenfield performed an aggressive search immediately upon their arrival which turned up negative and companies aggressively attacked the fire bringing it under control quickly. Dumont Cars 210 and 212, Chief's Molinaro and Byrd were on scene with Bergenfield. Kudos to Chief Gomez and the members of the BFD to another job well done!

This past weekend members who did not head down south for the state firemen's convention held the first annual "Stay back BBQ" for the them and their families.  Friday night they dined on quite a feast prepared by Squad Company One Lt. Mike O'Brien.  Many helped with the setting up and cooking for the BBQ.  The following day the Dumont Fire Department participated in the 15th annual Dumont Day held at Memorial Park.  A smoke house was used to instruct residents of all ages what to do in case of a fire emergency and how to safely exit their homes.  Also basic fire attack was demonstrated to them with the use of small contained fires and how to properly use a fire extinguisher. 

Another string of severe weather passed through the area Friday night keeping the DFD busy with calls. Besides covering alarms in Dumont, New Milford FD requested an Engine mutual aid to standby at their Trenton St firehouse due to a 2nd Alarm house fire in River Edge. Engine 5 covered New Milford for over two hours handling calls for them including a response to 441 Hoffman Ave for an odor of gas. The odor ended up being a broken gas line that was caused by a lightening strike to a shed in the backyard of the house next door. To see pictures of River Edge's 2nd Alarm please visit Brett Dzadik's website with the link below. www.brettsfirephotos.smugmug.com

The members of the Dumont Fire Department were toned out for six general alarms during the beginning part of the afternoon.  Heavy thunderstorms had passed through the area leaving behind their usual destruction.  A large tree on Hickory Street caught a bolt of lightening splitting it right down the middle.  In just six minutes from 11:01 hours to 11:07 hours, the FD was toned out for three fire alarms.  Shortly after being returned to quarters members were dispatched for an additional two fire alarms and one gas leak in a private dwelling due to a faulty oven. 

Squad 1 Lt. Mike O'Brien in his other costume as a Police Officer in a nearby department saved the life of a lost alligator this past friday. The alligator was found near a home and was unsure of whether it was a rubber toy or an actual real animal. Well upon further investigation, O'Brien deemed the Alligator to be in fact real. Very real and very unhappy with his presence there. A job well done lad! You make us all very proud and give us an overwhelming sense of security!

On July 31 at 06:22 Hours the fire department was dispatched in front of 75 Blauvelt Avenue for a rollover.  Patrol on scene requested the FD to expedite and advised that were two occupants trapped.  Members of Rescue 3 stabalized the vehicle then extricated both parties.  Engine 5 stretched an attack line and also assisted along with Squad 1 with the extrication.  A third occupant of the vehicle self-extricated themself prior to arrival of the PD and FD.  Dumont BLS (Rig 28 and Rig 29), Bergenfield BLS and Englewood ALS 201 took over care of the 3 patients and transported them.  Dumont Car 210, Chief Molinaro was command.

 

On July 15th at approximately 10:28 hours the fire department was dispatched to 35 Oneida Avenue for a reported working attic fire.  Truck 2 was the first due piece.  Engine 5 was the first due engine and stretched a line to the attic.  Most of the fire was knocked down with water cans due to the extremely small access point for the attic.  Truck 2 set up ground ladders and Engine 3 and Squad 1 checked for extension and secured the utilities.   Tenafly Tower 2 was called for the RIT assignment.  Bergenfield Ladder Truck 742 was also detailed.  Bergenfield Engine 743 stood by at Company #2 and Cresskill Engine 5 stood by at Company #3.  Dumont Car 210, Chief Molinaro was command.  (A special thanks to Brett Dzadik, www.brettsfirephotos.smugmug.com for the pictures!)

On July 15th at approximately 08:12 hours the fire department was dispatched to 60 Columbia Avenue on a activated fire alarm.  Dumont Police on the scene reported a working apartment fire in unit #29.  Engine 5 was the first due Engine and stretched a line to the apartment.  Engine 3 was the second due and secured the water supply.  Squad 1 and Rescue 3 did the primary search and started ventilation operations.  Bergenfield’s Ladder Truck 742 was special called to the scene to assist with ventilation.  Tenafly Tower 2  was called for the RIT assignment.  Bergenfield Engine 743 stood by at Independent Hose Company and Cresskill Engine 5 stood by at Company #3.  Dumont Car 210, Chief Molinaro was command. (A special thanks to Brett Dzadik, www.brettsfirephotos.smugmug.com for the pictures!)

Members from Rescue 3 and Engine Companies 4 and 5 drilled at the Bergenfield Training Center. Members practiced RIT Team operations, search and rescue operations, hose line advancements, and Fire Attack. (Pictures to Follow..