Hawthorne’s Bravest were alerted yet again this week for a reported house fire at the corners of Prescott and N. 12th St. at 5:07pm Sunday afternoon. Chief Speranza arrived and confirmed a working fire. Fire was showing from the kitchen area on the first floor “C” and “D” sides. The occupant had fortunately been removed by neighbors and Hawthorne Police.

Chief Speranza transmitted a 2nd alarm as Engine Co. #3 arrived and began stretching a line. AC J. Van Ek was assigned as the Operations officer. Engine Co. #4 with OIC Capt. VanDerVelde stretched a backup line off of Engine Co. #3 and began a search. Engine Co. #1 stretched a third line to the second floor to check for extension and begin a search. Tower Co. #3 with OIC Capt. Redmon laddered the building for egress. Rescue Co. #5 with OIC AC B. Warner was assigned as the RIT and also secured utilities. Prospect Park provided an engine and North Haledon provided and ladder truck to the scene. Wyckoff FD stood by for coverage at Fire Headquarters.

Companies worked quickly to knock down all visible fire and searches were negative for any occupants and fire extension. Fire was contained mainly to the kitchen area and a small area of the exterior. 

A great job was performed by all responding members to prevent any further damage to the home. Many thanks to our mutual aid companies for responding to our request for assistance for the third time this week, and to our Ladies Auxiliary for yet again being there for us.

 Pictures courtesy of FF  Ralph Mantello and FF Dave Maher

http://mjcphotography.exposuremanager.com/g/04-29-12_-_hawthorne_2nd_alarm_-_2_north_12th_st

http://www.northjersey.com/topstories/hawthorne/149455905_Crews_rescue_elderly_man_from_Hawthorne_house_fire.html

The Hawthorne Fire Department tested their rescue skills Sunday morning during a drill conducted in the ravine behind the law offices at 1600 Rt. 208 North. 

The scenario was challenging – a Mercury Sable went over the embankment approximately 200’ to the bottom of the ravine with 5 occupants inside. Hawthorne requested assistance from Wyckoff Fd’s Rescue as well as Glen Rock FD to handle this task. This was a labor intensive operation that required time – due to the location of the vehicle so far down into the ravine. 

Multiple access points were used to get firefighters and equipment to the vehicles. Wyckoff’s Rescue truck and Hawthorne’s rescue truck were staged in the main lot as well as Engines 1, 3, and Tower 2. Engine Co. #4 and Glen Rock Rescue were deployed from Laagner Ct. on the other side of the Ravine. Hawthorne’s EMS units were staged in the main lot to transport patients once removed from the ravine.

Companies worked for almost 2 ½ hours – first lowering personnel via ropes for recon – then lowering equipment to cut the occupants free from the vehicle. The victims were then placed on backboards by EMS personnel, loaded into a stokes basket and then pulled to the top by firefighters. All agencies worked well together to safely remove the occupants and then themselves from the ravine.

Today was a special day for the two winners in the “Chief For A Day” contest. Zach Alkes and Jack Murphy had the privilege of shadowing the Chief during the operation and learning a lot about what firefighters do. They were presented certificates and a gift package for their efforts today. Congratulations guys! Nice job today!

The Hawthorne Fire Department would like to thank everyone who came out to participate our drill - the Wyckoff FD, Glen Rock FD, Hawthorne EMS, and the Ladies Auxiliary. We would like to give a big thank you to Classic Towing for getting the car down to the bottom, then back to the top when we were completed and the removal of the car from the site. We would also like to thank Jerry Vogel Esq. and the Law Offices for allowing us to use their property.

Pictures courtesy of Lt. Dave Sylvester and FF Ralph Mantello

The Hawthorne Fire Department was dispatched on a reported house fire located at 145 Eighth Ave around 2pm this afternoon. Chief Speranza arrived and confirmed a working fire with heavy smoke and fire visible from the second floor. The Chief struck a 2nd alarm as additional help would be needed.

Engine Co. #1 arrived with OIC FF K. Foley, secured a water supply and began stretching a line to the second floor. Engine Co. #3 with OIC AC J. Van Ek was next in and stretched a back up line off Engine Co. #1 to the second floor. AC J. Van Ek was assigned as the Operations Officer for incident. Tower Co. #2 OIC Capt. Redmon positioned the truck on the corner of Genevieve Ave with a good shot at the roof. Engine Co. #4 OIC AC M. Nelson also secured a water supply and stretched a line to the “C” side. Rescue Co. #5 arrived and sent their manpower to assist with laddering the building.

All hands were heavily engaged as the fire had already made its way through the plaster and lath walls and ceilings that were also covered with plywood sheathing. This as well as large amounts of debris throughout the home hampered firefighters efforts to bring the fire under control. Wyckoff FD, North Haledon FD, and Prospect Park FD were brought into the scene and put right to work. The roof was cut in 2 different areas and a brief exterior attack was made. Once the heavy fire was knocked down crews returned to the interior to finish it off. Glen Rock FD and Pompton Lakes FD were brought in to assist with overhaul and to fill air bottles. Midland Park FD stood by at Fire HQ to cover the boro.

There were two minor firefighter injuries, one was transported and released, and the other released at the scene. One of the homeowner’s cats was found alive and removed by firefighters. Everyone who responded today did a fantastic job under very tough conditions. Special thanks to all our mutual aid companies for responding to our call, and to our Ladies Auxiliary for providing refreshments, and the Hawthorne Ambulance Corps. for their response. 

Pictures courtesy of HFD Chaplain Ken Vander Wall

More pictures by Chris Torello:

http://cptfiregroundphotos.smugmug.com/2012Fires-4/Hawthorne-2nd-alarm-8th-Ave-4/22638051_W3WwWf#!i=1813197023&k=HPPzMds

http://www.northjersey.com/hawthorne/Fire_official_Three-alarm_blaze_in_Hawthorne_injures_two_firefighters_displaces_five_residents.html

Hawthorne Fire Companies were dispatched to the 7-11 parking lot for a van on fire around 9:30 this morning. Police arrived to find a commercial van used by a plumbing business heavily involved in fire approximately 15 feet from the building.  Responding companies were notified of an acetylene tank in the portion of the vehicle involved in fire and the 7-11 was evacuated as a precautionary measure. 

Engine Co. #3 arrived and initiated fire attack and A/C Van Ek established command.  Engine Co. #1 and #4 arrived shortly after and assisted with fire attack and overhaul.  There was no extension to the building and companies completed overhaul and were picked up in about 30 minutes. A nice, safe job was performed by responding members.

The Hawthorne Fire Department regrets to announce the passing of one of our active members, Ex-Asst. Chief Robert Bell of Fire Co. #2 on Sunday April 15, 2012.

Bob has been a member of our department for 50 years and has always been involved with department activities. Bob was always a familiar site pulling up to a scene behind the wheel of Tower 2, standing on the turntable operating the bucket, or even hopping off the apparatus in full gear with SCBA even at 70 years old. His dedication to our department was unmatched and his service to us and the residents of Hawthorne is deeply aprreciated. His energetic approach and positve attitude were great attributes for our younger members to model themselves after. Because of this and many other reasons, Bob will be greatly missed.

Our sincere sympathy goes out to Bob's family during this difficult time. Just as we counted on Bob so many times in his 50 years with us, his family can count on us to be there for them.

Hawthorne firefighters were toned out for an exterior fire in the area of Hawthorne and Washington Avenues around 1:10pm Friday. Patrol reported an exterior fire to the rear of 80 Hawthorne Ave near a garage. Chief Speranza arrived on scene and established command. In the matter of only a minute, the entire garage became involved in fire creating exposure problems to the neighboring structures on both sides. The vehicle in the driveway, the wood decking next to the garage as well as the railroad tie wall, surrounding brush and a few trees also became involved in fire. Chief Speranza transmitted a second alarm for coverage as all Hawthorne companies would be going to work at the scene.

Engine Co. #4 arrived and stretched a 2 1/2" handling and began knocking down some of the heavy fire conditions. Capt. Pete VanDerVelde was assigned as the Operations Officer for the incident. Engine Co. #3 took a position on Washington Avenue and stretched a 2 1/2" line to the C side. Engine Co. # 1 located an additional water supply near Division St. Manpower was requested from Tower Co. #2 and Rescue Co. #5 to check for extension of fire to the nearby residences, which fortunately proved negative. Two houses had siding that was melted due to the radiant heat. The Wyckoff FD was requested to the scene to assist Hawthorne firefighters with manpower.     

Quick action by arriving firefighters prevented fire spread to potentially 3 other structures and no one was injured. The garage partially collapsed creating a safety issue and Downe's Tree Service stepped in with their boom truck to assist us in removing that hazard. Companies were demobilized and returned to quarters around 4:30pm. Many thanks to Kevin Downes for his assistance, Propect Park FD, North Haledon FD, and the Wyckoff FD for their response to assist us, and to our Ladies Auxiliary for providing refreshments. Great job everyone!!

Click here for more photos:  http://hawthornefire.shutterfly.com/2304

Click here for the video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xTyrL35fww

Firefighters were toned out at 11pm Monday evening for a report of an electrical fire in the residence at 11 Reid Place.  Engine Co. #4 encountered a smoke condition enroute and called a working fire on arrival.  There was smoke showing from the A side of a 1 1/2 story wood frame dwelling.  The residents had evacuated the house and were evaluated by EMS.

Chief Speranza arrived and established Command.  Asst.Chief Mike Nelson was assigned as the Operations officer for the incident.  Engine Co. #4 was assigned fire attack, Engine Co. #1 search, Tower Co. #2 roof ventilation, Engine Co. #3 performed overhaul and Rescue Co. #5 was assigned as the RIT.

Companies worked quickly to knock down the visible fire and searches proved negative.  Utilities were also secured as companies checked for further extension.  Overhaul was conducted on the A side in the portico over the front door and directly above it in the attic space.  Chief Speranza declared the fire under control in just under an hour.

Nice job by all five fire companies for preventing any further spread of fire throughout the residence.  Thank you to our Ladies Auxiliary for providing refreshments to firefighters on the scene, and to Wyckoff FD, North Haledon FD, and Prospect Park FD for providing coverage to the borough.

February 21, 1967 will mark the 45th anniversary of the Morningstar Paisley explosion and fire that killed 11 workers in Hawthorne.  This was the largest and deadliest industrial fire in the nation that year.  It was also a very challenging fire for Hawthorne's Bravest as they dealt with mass casualties, cold temperatures, and repeated explosions during the incident.  Many of our members remember the incident as if it happened yesterday.  It is a day that will never be forgotten by so many people.

To learn more about this incident, click the links below, OR ask a veteran firefighter!  Pictures are also available in the photo gallery here:  http://www.hawthornefire.org/gallery.php?album_id=1752&mode=child_Gallery

Thanks to Ex-Asst.Chief Tom Donahue's son for finding this short clip on YouTube. Check it out!

http://www3.gendisasters.com/new-jersey/9359/hawthorne-nj-plant-explosion-feb-1967

http://youtu.be/k3TgH6iBij8

Each winter the high cost of home heating fuels and utilities causes many Americans to search for alternate sources of home heating. The use of wood burning stoves is growing and space heaters are selling rapidly. Fireplaces are burning wood and man-made logs. All these methods of heating may be acceptable. They are however, a major contributing factor in home fires.

Many of these fires can be prevented. You can prevent the loss of life and property resulting from heating fires by being able to identify potential hazards and following a few safety tips:

• All heaters need space. Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.
  
• Use heating equipment that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
  
• Make sure all fuel-burning heating equipment is vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
  
• Only purchase portable space heaters with an automatic shut-off so if they’re tipped over they will shut off.
  
• Allow wood stove and fireplace ashes to cool before disposing of them in a tightly covered metal container. Keep the container at least 10 feet away from your home.
  

For more information follow this link:  http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/heating/

"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us." ~Hal Borland Chief Speranza and the Board of Fire Commissioners would like to wish everyone a very healthy, safe, and Happy New Year. We welcome 2012 and look forward to a productive year. Enjoy and celebrate with family and friends.

The 2011 video featuring the members of Engine Co. #3 is now available for viewing. This year's video is entitled, "Principles". Always remember why we became firefighters and why we continue to do what we do.

Firefighters were toned out at 10:08 am when Police Headquarters received a call from a passerby reporting a house on fire at the corners of South Ave and May Street. Chief Speranza arrived and confirmed a working fire with smoke and fire coming from the basement windows. As a dog was safely being removed from the house, Chief Speranza deployed a fire suppressant device through the basement window. This held the fire in check until companies could get a line on it.

As companies arrived, they were immediately put to work – A/C Van Ek was assigned as the operations officer for the incident. Engine Co. #3 was assigned to fire attack, Tower Co. #2 was assigned ventilation, Engine Co. #4 and Rescue Co. #5 were assigned search and Engine Co. #1 was the RIT. 
 
A Mayday was called when a member of the fire attack team fell through basement stairs in the immediate area of the fire origin – he was able to remove himself and proceed up the stairs, but was separated from his crew. The RIT was deployed to assist and the building was cleared for a PAR count. All firefighters were uninjured.
 
The fire was knocked down quickly and all searches proved negative. PSE&G was requested to the scene to secure utilities. Once the fire was declared under control, companies picked up and were demobilized. 
 
A great job today by all our members in performing to the best of their abilities to make sure everybody goes home! Thank you also to our Ladies Auxiliary for providing water for us at the scene, and to the Wyckoff FD for covering the boro for us.
Click here for additional information:  http://www.northjersey.com/topstories/hawthorne/Firefighters_battling_house_fire.html

Today the Borough of Hawthorne was the recipient of a 24’, 1000 lb. piece of steel from the World Trade Center. A small contingent of Hawthorne’s emergency responders who were deployed to the area of the WTC on 9/11 made the trek to JFK airport to accept the steel. Proper etiquette was followed as the steel was draped with the American Flag, loaded onto a truck and then transported with an escort. Hawthorne’s Bravest met the contingent with their apparatus on Rt. 208, and proceeded into the Borough. A brief service was held as the steel was placed near Fire Headquarters. 

Hawthorne is very proud to have this piece of unforgettable history within our borders as it means so much to so many people. As we continue to develop the memorial around this piece of steel, it will serve as a reminder of the courage, bravery and selflessness that occurred that day. It will also be a place to sit and reflect upon the memories of those we lost.

Thank you to everyone who assisted in making this acquisition possible and participating with us today.  Special thanks to Kevin Downes for providing the flatbed truck and driver.
To find out how you can help develop this memorial through a contribution, please contact us at Chief50@hawthornefire.org.
Video from this event is available for viewing by clicking the title of this article, by selecting the video tab in the menu column, or by clicking here:  http://youtu.be/EWzsL_un8wE

Hawthorne firefighters were welcomed by St. Anthony's Church today for the annual memorial service. This tradition allows us to remember those who came before us - those who taught us and mentored us about firefighting and the traditions that go along with it. We will always remember, and never forget....

The Hawthorne Fire Department was also pleased to welcome Msgr. Ray Kulpe as a Chaplain during today's service. We are fortunate to have him join Deacon George Forshay and Rev. Ken VanderWall.