The Hawthorne Fire Department was dispatched to a reported house fire on Pasadena Place just before 10am on a snowy Wednesday morning.  Chief Speranza arrived quickly confirming a working fire in a 2 ½ story wood frame.  Fire was visible from three windows on the first floor and was rapidly extending the second floor.  One occupant of the house narrowly escaped but suffered minor burns in the process.

Chief Speranza struck a 2nd Alarm immediately as all Hawthorne companies would be committed to operating at this scene.  Engine Co. #3 arrived first with a crew of 5, laid a supply line and began stretching  2 attack lines.  A/C  J. Van Ek (503) was assigned as the Operations officer.  Tower Co. #2 began setting ladders for egress and then set the bucket for a roof operation.  A/C  J. Marsch (502)was assigned to roof operations.  Engine Co. #4 established a secondary water supply and prepared to feed the Tower if necessary.  Members also stretched a third line from Engine 3 to be advanced to the second floor.  A/C M. Nelson(504) was assigned to the B and D sides of the incident.  Engine Co. #1 provided manpower to assist with fire attack and Rescue Co. #5 was initially assigned as the RIT. 

Within minutes fire had extended to the second floor and was venting from 2 windows on the A side and 2 windows on the B side.  Wyckoff FD and North Haledon FD were then requested to the scene to assist with manpower.  Companies pushed through the first floor knocking down the heavy fire, but encountered difficulty making the stairs with well advanced fire conditions of the second floor.   The Tower was ordered to open the roof in the A/B corner to assist the interior crews.  This improved conditions enough for companies to make a final push and knock down the heavy fire.  Crews spent the next 1 ½ hours chasing small pockets of fire and performing an extensive overhaul operation.

All responding firefighters performed well given the advanced fire conditions on arrival.  There were no injuries and everyone went home safely.  Thank you to all of our mutual aid companies – Wyckoff and North Haledon for your assistance at the scene, and West Paterson and Totowa for covering the Boro and answering 2 calls while we were tied up.  Thanks also to the Hawthorne Ambulance Corps. for standing by, and to our Ladies Auxiliary for the warm refreshments on a cold snowy morning.

Three of Hawthorne's Fire Companies were called to assist the Haledon Fire Department with a serious fire in their Borough New Year's Eve. The fire involved several houses on Morrisee Avenue between King St. and Tilt St. Engine Co. #3 was initially dispatched at 10:43 pm to cover the Borough of Haledon from one of their firehouses. They were quickly directed to the scene by Chief Speranza who was at the Haledon command post. Their crew went to work immediately stretching hose lines into the exposure on the Bravo side and performed suppression, search and overhaul. Engine Co. #4 and Tower Co. #2 were then requested as conditions at the scene continued to deteriorate. Fire now involved three houses with one house already in total collapse. Crews worked for several hours to contain the blaze and encountered difficulties with radiant heat, downed power lines, below freezing temperatures, and the ballon frame construction spreading fire throughout all the walls and ceilings. Companies were taking up when they were alerted to another working fire in the Borough of North Haledon. All three Hawthorne Fire Companies were dispatched by the County Fire Coordinator to 268 North Haledon Ave. Upon arrival, companies found smoke pushing from the eaves of the roof and located fire in the walls on the second floor. Lines were stretched and wall were opened up quickly and the fire was knocked down in rapid fashion. All county Fire Departments worked very well together under very tough conditions for a very long portion of the Holiday night and early morning hours. We thank our members and all the other firefighters for a safe and effective job very well done at both locations - and for yet again, leaving their families and holiday plans behind to help those in need. http://www.northjersey.com/news/passaic_morris/Three-alarm_blaze_destoys_two_Haledon_homes_damages_three_others.html

While members were arriving home and cleaning up after an all day Rescue class, the fire department was dispatched for a house fire on 8th Avenue.  This house was the site of another fire three years prior.  Chief Speranza signed on the air and reported smoke in the area.

On arrival, the Chief reported a working fire in the basement with possibly an occupant in the house.  It was quickly confirmed that there was no occupant, but rather a dog and a cat.  Both animals were removed by the firefighters.

Arriving fire companies went to work quickly.  A/C J. Van Ek was assigned as the Operations Officer. Engine Co. #1 (OIC Ex-Asst.Chief K. Foley) stretched an 1 3/4" line to the basement and Engine Co. #3 stretched a back up line into the 1st floor. Tower Co. #2 (OIC A/C J. Marsch)began setting ladders and prepared to ventilate the structure.  Engine Co. #4 (OIC A/C M. Nelson) entered the1st floor for a search and Rescue Co. #5 (OIC A/C B. Warner) the second floor.  Chief Speranza struck a second alarm as all Hawthorne Fire Companies were committed to this scene. 

Searches proved negative and the fire was knocked down in about 15 minutes with some extension into the first floor kitchen and hallway areas.  The floor joists were compromised in this area due to the heavy fire condition present there. 

Companies secured utilities and completed ventilation and turned over the scene to the investigators.  Another job well done by our members knocking down the fire very quickly and preventing fire spread to the remainder of the house.  Thank you as well to our mutual aid companies for covering the boro while we mitigated this incident, and to our Ladies Auxiliary for the refreshments. 

Members of the Hawthorne Fire Department are always working hard to perfect their skill sets.  There are many different focuses in firefighting and rescue - therefore training is very important.

On Saturday, Instructors from the Passaic County Fire Academy put members through a Rescue and Extrication class that would hone their skills on some very important topics surrounding motor vehicle extrication.  Car companies design vehicles to protect the driver and passengers in a crash, and sometimes this makes it challenging for firefighters to rescue them.  We are trained not to remove the person from the vehicle, but to remove the vehicle from around the person.  

Instructors presented material focusing on scene safety, situational awareness, and techniques for dismantling a vehicle to access the patient.  Members were able to use many different tools - among them, the ram, the spreaders and cutters.  Firefighters were presented with a challenging scenario to end the day - a two vehicle collision involving 5 people that required extrication.  Firefighter performed very well, having all persons removed in under 40 minutes.

Everyone got a chance to work the tools and learn something new.  That is what is great about the fire service.....you keep learning every day. Thank you again to our Instructors, Durand, Hearney, and Page for your excellent presentation.  And thanks to member Brain Laube for providing lunch!

September 11th marked the culmination of a project that began over two years ago when the Borough of Hawthorne was fortunate enough to acquire a piece of the World Trade Center steel.  The goal was to honor all first responders, and the innocent victims - including Sal Zisa, Hawthorne’s only casualty of the September 11 attacks.  After well over a year of fundraising by many community organizations, planning by the monument committee, and finally construction – the September 11 Memorial was dedicated on the 12th anniversary of the attacks. 

It was wonderful to see so many people – citizens and first responders alike - come out to this important event.  A well thought out plan, one that was changed a few times by the committee to be sure every facet of this tragedy was addressed, transformed the area between Fire Headquarters and the Hawthorne Ambulance Corps. building into a park like setting.  This monument will be in place for generations to come, so that all who visit the site will have the opportunity to reflect and remember those who were lost. 

We are very appreciative of the all the efforts by the contributors to this project.  Please take the time to visit the memorial if you have not done so already.  The experience will be better than any written description.

 http://www.nbcnewyork.com/video/#!/on-air/as-seen-on/9-11-Observances-Continue-into-the-Evening/223402871

 


 

 

HUNDREDS COME OUT TO ENJOY FOOD, MUSIC, GAMES AND GIVEAWAYS AT THE BBQ GRILLING COMPETITION

 

(WOODLAND PARK, NJ)–With the smallest team, comes the biggest win. David Sylvester, the lone firefighter for the Hawthorne Fire Department’s grilling team, won the first place prize in a ‘hotly’ contested Firefighters Face-off held in the parking lot of the Woodland Park Fairway Market on Sunday, August 25, 2013.  Hundreds of people came out to enjoy food, music, giveaways, games and a slew of fire vehicles on display at what will now be an annual event.

 Event goers also helped to raise funds with a $2 donation for the food that will go to the Woodland Park Centennial Foundation for a parade, picnic and gala to be held in May, 2014. Fairway Market will sponsor the 100th anniversary celebration.

 With the help of only his son Dominic and a Brian Patmos from Rescue Co# 5, he cooked up the best burgers, ribs and chicken according to a prestigious panel of judges which included Keith Kazmark, Mayor of Woodland Park, Terry Krongold, from Jersey Bites, Leia Gaccione, Chef de Cuisine for Bobby Flay's restaurant Mesa Grill and Ed Burke, GM of Fairway’s Woodland Park store. Four other Passaic County teams from Little Falls, West Paterson, Totowa and Wayne, also participated, with Wayne taking second place and West Paterson coming in third.

 Sylvester, the chief cook for his volunteer firehouse, was stunned by the win. When he saw the size of the other teams (most had at least six and several had more than 10 team members) he knew he was at a great disadvantage. He even had a setback when one of his grills caught fire, burning a rack of ribs to a crisp.

 “I am stunned,” said Sylvester, who called his fellow firefighters right away to tell them of his victory. “Until I was able to show them the trophy, no one would believe that I won.”

Besides a huge trophy, the winning firehouse gets bragging rights as the best Passaic County Fire Department grilling team and a $500 gift card to the store. More importantly, the first place firehouse can now select the charity of its choice which will be St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to benefit from a Fairway Market “Shopping Night,” in which 25 % of sales will go to that charity.   

Fairway has a long-standing commitment to firefighters and continues to support these brave men and women with firehouse shopping discounts and unique community events at each of its 13 locations.

“Firefighters are famous for being terrific cooks and are justifiably proud of the firehouse cuisine they create,” said Bill Sanford, president of Fairway Market. “We really enjoy shining the spotlight on them and their grilling expertise and giving the community a chance to meet and greet these local heroes. Plus, it is all done for a good cause, making the event so meaningful and important.”

Over the last several days, many agencies came together in an unusual, yet very important circumstance, to make sure that Brother Firefighter, Albert Nejmeh, of the Tacoma, WA Fire Department was given full honors as he was laid to rest here in New Jersey.  Al was a former resident of Hawthorne and his family still resides here.  Al passed away after having a heart attack while on duty, assisting a citizen of Tacoma who was having a medical emergency.  Our thoughts and prayers continue for his family.

On Saturday May 18, Al’s body was escorted from Newark Airport to Browning and Forshay Funeral Home in Hawthorne by a contingent of fire apparatus and police.  A few members of the Tacoma, WA Fire Department were present as well to receive Al’s body from the plane.  The Hawthorne and North Haledon Fire Departments were assembled at the funeral home to see him arrive. 

The wake for Al was held Sunday May 19.   An Honor Guard was present around the clock – many firefighters showed their dedication by stepping up to fill these positions throughout the time period.  Several local fire and police departments passed through that afternoon and evening to pay their respects.  The turnout was evidence of the true nature of what the brotherhood/sisterhood of the fire service is all about.  

Sunday evening afforded us the opportunity to spend some time with the members of the Tacoma FD and learn more about Al and each other.   Friendships were made this weekend that will continue for a very long time.

Al’s funeral on Monday was everything it needed to be – Firefighters came out in force to show their respect and say a final goodbye in true, traditional fire service fashion.  Al’s flag draped casket was loaded on to the Newark FD cassion unit with two of his brothers from the Tacoma FD positioned on each end of the tailboard.  As the procession entered St. Anne’s driveway in Woodland Park, they were met by a color guard, honor guard, pipes and drums, the American flag hanging from two crossed aerial ladders and a large detail of firefighters in formation.  The casket was carried from the vehicle on the shoulders of the Tacoma FD members and into the church for his service. 

Burial took place at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Totowa. The Pipe and Drum Corps played Amazing Grace and God Bless America.  Members stood at attention while taps was played and the signal 5-5-5 was tapped out on the bell for Al’s final alarm.  Finally, Al was laid to rest as the siren wailed in the distance while the cassion unit pulled away.  Rest in Peace, Brother Al – you will not be forgotten…..

The Hawthorne Fire Department would like to thank the North Haledon FD and all the local fire departments, police departments, borough administration, and other agencies that contributed to this weekend’s events.  We truly appreciated your cooperation and participation.  We would also like to thank the Newark FD and Jersey City FD, the FDNY, the International Association of Firefighters, and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation for all of their assistance and direction – your support enabled us to get this done properly.  To the members of the Hawthorne Fire Department – your efforts showed the highest level of dedication by putting aside your own affairs to make sure that Al was treated just like one of our own.  You may not fully realize the importance of your actions yet – but rest assured the impact was felt all the way to Tacoma, WA. and back.  Thank you all again…….

To learn more about the Firefighter Albert Nejmeh, The Tacoma, WA Fire Department, and to see more pictures of the past weekend’s events, follow the links below.  More will be added as they become available.

http://www.cityoftacoma.org/page.aspx?nid=168

http://pixbyliz.smugmug.com/MEMORIAL/HONORING-AL-NEJMEH/29465910_4kLjjG#!i=2517063954&k=SDqWKMx

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tacoma-Fire-Department-Official-Site/80598766088

http://www.northjersey.com/news/207842481_World_traveler_Albert_Nejmeh.html

http://www.iafflocal31.com/

http://www.brettsfirephotos.com/Memorial/Tacoma-WA-Firefigthter-Albert/29489952_nSC4S5

http://youtu.be/r82o7nqIMoo

The Hawthorne Fire Department regrets to announce that Firefighter Albert Nejmeh of the Tacoma, WA Fire Department answered his final alarm on May 14, 2013.  While working at the scene of an EMS incident, Firefighter Nejmeh collapsed from an apparent heart attack. Fellow responders rendered basic and advanced life support to Nejmeh and transported him to St. Joseph Medical Center where, despite the best efforts of the medical staff, he succumbed to his injury.  FF Nejmeh is formerly from Hawthorne.  He graduated from Hawthorne High School in 1971.

The Tacoma, WA Fire Department has asked for all available firefighters in the state of New Jersey to attend this LODD funeral.   The Hawthorne Fire Department will be participating and assisting with the honorable, final send- off of our brother firefighter.  All members are urged to attend in full dress uniform. 

The arrangements for our brother are below:

Viewing - Sunday, May 19, 2013 – 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm at Browning-Forshay Funeral Home, 557 Lafayette Ave, Hawthorne NJ.  **MEMBERS ARE NEEDED FOR HONOR GUARD DETAIL**

Funeral Mass - Monday, May 20, 2013 at 10:30 AM - Saint Anne's Melkite Church, 802 Rifle Camp Road, West Paterson, NJ.  Available Firefighters should be at the Church at 0900 HOURS IN FULL DRESS UNIFORM!

Interment - Monday, May 20, 2013 following the funeral - Holy Sepulcher Cemetery - 52 Totowa Rd Totowa, NJ.

The Hawthorne Fire Department was dispatched for a house fire in Stam’s Alley around 10:35pm Sunday night.  Stam’s Alley is a narrow lane off of N. 8th St. with restricted access.  Chief Speranza arrived on scene, confirmed a working fire in a 3 story wood frame and established command.  He immediately requested a truck company from North Haledon to respond directly to the scene as Tower 2 is out of service.  Residents were already out of the house but reported several cats to still be on the second floor.    The second floor was already heavily involved in fire with fire showing from four windows on three sides of the structure.

Engine Co. #3 established a water supply and began the long hose stretches required to reach the structure and began an attack on the fire.  A/C J. Van Ek was assigned as the Operations Officer for the incident.   Engine Co. #4 arrived and assisted with the hose stretches and set up an exposure line in the alley.  Engine Co. #1 sent manpower to the rear with a second 1 ¾” and also went to work on the fire.  A third line was also stretched for backup.  Tower 2X began laddering the building for crews working on the interior.  Rescue Co. #5 assisted with hose stretches and lighting for the incident.  North Haledon’s truck company set up on the A side and raised the stick to the roof for ventilation.

A second alarm was struck as all companies were heavily engaged.  Crews were met with heavy fire conditions on the second floor extending to the attic area.  Limited access to this area as well as excessive debris in the second floor hampered progress.  Once the heavy fire was knocked down, crews chased pockets of fire in the attic space for a while.  Primary and secondary searches proved negative on the first floor and four cats were located during the secondary search on the second floor and carefully removed.  Prospect Park FD provided the RIT and Glen Rock FD, Haledon FD, and Wyckoff FD covered the borough.

All companies worked hard under challenging conditions and achieved great results for their efforts.  The fire was contained to the building of origin with one other structure receiving minor heat damage.  Hats off to everyone for another great job – and to our mutual aid companies for their response to our call for assistance, and the Hawthorne Ambulance Corps and our Ladies Auxiliary for standing by with us. 

http://www.northjersey.com/hawthorne/Cats_die_in_Hawthorne_house_fire.html

www.njfirefighting.com/forum/topics/access-difficulties-at-hawthorne-blaze


 

 

The members of the Hawthorne Fire Department would like to congratulate Rich McAuliffe for being appointed  Hawthorne's new Chief of Police.  The swearing in cermony was held last night during the council meeting at Borough Hall.  Rich is a 28 year member of the Hawthorne Fire Department and an Ex-Asst.Chief.  We wish him well in his new position and we are looking forward to working with him. 

Fire companies were dispatched to 155 Prescott Avenue around 1:12 this morning for a reported fire in the house.  The call had been transferred from Paterson FD who had dispatched the Prospect Park FD as one side of Prescott Ave is Hawthorne and the other side Prospect Park. 

Chief Speranza arrived and established command and reported a working fire as heavy smoke was coming from the multi family residence.  Prospect Park FD was stretching the first line as Hawthorne Fire Companies arrived and went to work beginning searches on all floors.  A/C J. Van Ek was assigned as the Operations officer for the incident. 

Crews located the fire in a bedroom on the A/B corner that involved the mattress and was beginning to extend.  The fire was knocked down quickly with minimal damage. Searches proved negative for occupants and fire extension.  Fans were put in place for ventilation and the building was checked for CO.  One occupant was eventually transported to the hospital by the ambulance corps. 

Companies were demobilized quickly and all companies were back in service by 2:30am.   Nice job by all who responded for minimizing damage and thanks to the Prospect Park FD for their assistance.

Members of Engine Co. #3 at their firehouse were alerted by a passerby at the same time they discovered a smoke condition in the area of the La  Cantina Mexican Restaurant . The box was struck and smoke was confirmed coming from the building when Engine Co. #3 and Chief Speranza arrived. Chief Speranza assumed command from Engine 3 and A/C J. Van Ek was assigned as the Operations Officer for the incident.

Engine Co. #3 was assigned fire attack and stretched and 1 ¾” line to the B side entrance and made their way to the basement. Engine Co. #4 personnel stretched a second line and went to work on the first floor. Engine Co. #1 stretched a third line and made entrance to the basement for the A side. Tower Co. #2 set up on the N. 8th St. side for roof ventilation. Rescue Co. #5 provided manpower to assist Engine 1 personnel on the A side. As all companies were going to work, Chief Speranza struck a second alarm bringing a Wyckoff RIT to the scene, North Haledon Ladder company and Prospect Park Engine company. North Haledon was assigned to set up on the A side for roof ventilation. Prospect Park stretched a fourth line to the B side and worked the first floor.

A third alarm was struck bringing Haledon FD and Glen Rock FD to Fire HQ to cover the boro. Fire was located in the basement with extension into the first floor. Companies in the basement and on the first floor communicated well to locate and confine the fire to the D side of the building. Roof teams placed several vent holes on the D side that also prevented fire from spreading throughout the building. Crews chased hot spots for a while before some positive pressure ventilation was started. Extensive overhaul followed and companies were demobilized as the fire was put under control.

Great efforts by everyone who responded resulted in a safe and effective operation that prevented the building from more extensive damage. Thanks again to our brother and sister mutual aid companies for their response and to the HVAC and our Ladies Auxiliary for setting up the rehab area.

http://www.btfirephotos.com/2013/Hawthorne-1-20-13/27639032_f5gb5D#!i=2327863233&k=3p5sjdw

http://www.northjersey.com/hawthorne/La_Cantina_Restaurant_in_Hawthorne_might_be_temporarily_shuttered_after_fire.html

Members and guests of the Hawthorne Fire Department enjoyed a great evening of dinner, dancing, and presentation of Service Awards on Friday at Macaluso’s.  The Mayor and Council were also in attendance to perform the Installation of Officers for 2013. 

This event is our opportunity to say thank you to those members that have given unselfishly, their time and efforts serving the Department and the Borough of Hawthorne.  Equally important is the opportunity to thank our “better halves” for allowing us to put in all of this time and effort.  We rely daily on their support of our endeavors.

This year is a milestone for many members in our Department.  At the top of the list is Firefighter Kenneth Silvestri with 60 years of service!  This is an achievement that many of us have not seen nor may ever see again.  Ken’s many years dedicated service and leadership are an inspiration to all of us.  We don’t always know how he does it, but we are sure glad about what he does – and we are grateful to Dot for allowing him to do it!

Jacob Baum has given 50 years of service to us and he has loved everyone one of them.  As a former Asst. Chief, Jake’s leadership abilities have set a fine example for the younger members in our department to follow.

Ralph Malandrino has been setting an example to follow as well for the last 45 years.  He can always be found ready to give a helping hand where it is needed whether it is working the grill at a function, sprucing up our monument, or cleaning up the firehouse. 

Greg Fox has given 40 years to our Department and the residents of Hawthorne.  Also a former Asst. Chief, Greg’s knowledge and experience has helped us progress as a department. 

For 35 years of service – Ex. Asst. Chief Robert Polito, Ex Asst. Chief David Hughes, Ex. Asst. Chief Russell Snyder, Ex. Asst. Chief Doug Morgan, and Borough Chief Joseph Speranza.

For 30 years of service – Ex. Asst. Chief Robert Lamb Jr., Ex. Asst. Chief Jack Kuiken, Asst. Chief Michael Nelson, and FF Al Anema.

For 25 years of service – Ex. Asst. Chief Brian Van Hook, Ex. Asst. Chief Scott Geier, Ex. Asst. Chief Mark Smith, Lt. John Carlo, FF Salvatore Valente, FF Kenneth Hauser, FF Leon Bay.

For 20 years of service – Ex. Asst. Chief Brian Vanderhook, FF Frank Gianntonio, FF Frank Audino.

For 15 years of service – Lt. David Sylvester, FF Thomas Bakker Jr., FF Thomas Kennedy.

For 10 years of service – Lt. John Trippichio, Lt. Devin Hughes, , FF Michael Thimme, FF Gerry Flanagan,  FF Keith Lettich.

For 5 years of service – Lt. William Seidel, Lt. Kyle Johnson, FF Robert Luscombe, FF David VanderWiele, FF Jason Crawford, FF Jacob Tancos, FF Mike Van Lenten, FF John Niebo, FF Stephanie Hill, FF Craig Irvolino, RC Fred Buchner, RC George Zagatta, RC Joe Peters.


Ex. Asst. Chiefs Jay Counsellor and James Geier were recognized and awarded badges for their years of service in the position of Asst. Chief.


A big thank you to all our members for the time and dedication that you devote to making this fire department what it is.


A special thank you also goes out to Joseph Mattar of Macaluso’s and his staff for helping us make this event possible.

Thank you to Lt. Dave Sylvester for taking photos this evening.  Follow this link to see them all:  http://hawthornefire.shutterfly.com/2365

 

 

 

 

The Hawthorne N.J. Fire Department 2012 video "Rise Up" featuring members of the Hawthorne Fire Department. This video contains incidents and events from 2011-2012. Click on the link below to view it.  Enjoy!