Every year in the United States, we celebrate the Fourth of July with community parades, picnics, barbecues, and fireworks - the things of which happy memories are made. But sadly, Independence Day also includes tragic events resulting from fireworks use. The safest way to enjoy them is through public displays conducted by professional pyrotechnicians hired by communities. Learning fireworks safety tips can help ensure that everyone has a happy and safe summer holiday. 

-The Members of the Hawthorne Fire Department

For additional fireworks safety information, click here:  http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/fireworks.shtm

Workers digging on Diamond Bridge Avenue, between Goffle Road and Brookside Avenue, struck and ruptured a 6” high pressure gas main around 08:30 Friday morning. The Fire Department was dispatched, and police, already on scene for a traffic detail, began evacuations of the nearby residences. Engine Co. #3 (FF M. Van Lenten) arrived and established command. Tower Co. #2 (OIC A/C A. DiVincent) arrived next and assumed command of the incident. Engine Co. #1 (FF B. Marra) and Engine Co. #4 (OIC Lt. D. Sylvester) were instructed to locate hydrants and prepare dry supply lines. Rescue Co. #5 (OIC Lt. S. Occhipinti) was instructed to begin taking meter readings once on scene.

PSE&G crews needed to dig near the intersection of Bamford Avenue and Diamond Bridge Avenue to locate the shut off. Meanwhile, and odor of gas was called in from the Boys & Girls Club on Maitland Avenue, east of the original incident. Rescue Co. #5 responded to that location to take readings in and around the facility. There were no readings within the building but readings indicating natural gas were picked up on the exterior and determined to be coming from the original incident. Once the odor and readings dissipated, Rescue Co. #5 returned to the Diamond Bridge Avenue incident.
 
Fire companies remained on scene until PSE&G crews were able to shut down the main. Once the main was secured, companies picked up and returned to quarters. The last unit cleared the scene around 10:45 am.
 
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Friday June 18, 2010 is the 3 year anniversary of the devestating fire at the Sofa Super Store in Charleston that claimed the lives of 9 of our brother firefighters.  Please take a moment to reflect upon their ultimate sacrifice.  Just as important is the fact that WE MUST LEARN from this tragedy and TRAIN everyday.  This is the way that all our fallen brothers and sisters would ask that they be honored. 

"We ARE our brother’s and sister’s keepers. Stay low, stay safe; everyone goes home."

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Hawthorne’s firefighters had the opportunity to conduct several training evolutions on Thursday evening in a commercial structure on Washington Avenue slated for redevelopment. All five fire companies, our Jr. Firefighters and Ladies Auxiliary were present for the drill.  North Haledon's Ladder Company was able to join us as well.

The scope of the drill, planned by our Training Division consisting of our Captains and a few Ex-Asst. Chiefs, was to learn better how to adapt to changing conditions and potential problems associated with fires in commercial structures. The size of the building allowed several different training evolutions to be staged and run concurrently. 
Among the several things firefighters trained for this evening were: search and rescue – and victim removal, forcible entry, and roof ventilation. The Chief appointed officers to oversee each training evolution and to make sure team leaders hit benchmarks such as safety, communication, and accountability.
 
The Hawthorne Fire Department benefits greatly from hands on training and we’d like to thank Dellabuno Construction for providing this opportunity.
 
Thank you to our Training Division for their time and effort in making this drill possible, to all who came out to help set up. Thank you also to our Ladies Auxiliary for providing refreshments for us.
 
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Firefighters were alerted to a car fire on Prospect St. at approximately 4:00 pm on Monday. This was the second working car fire since Thursday evening. Engine Co. #3 (OIC Capt. J. Longo) responded and confirmed a fire in the engine compartment after establishing command. Engine Co. #4 (OIC A/C J. Geier) responded to assist with manpower as all other units were held in quarters. 

Firefighters went to work with a 1 ¾” handline and knocked down all visible fire. Some extensive overhaul was needed to reach some fire near the dashboard. Once under control, companies picked up and returned to quarters. 
 
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Hawthorne Fire Companies spent another Saturday on Parade. The weather turned out to be fairly good with only a few sprinkles in the late morning. Rescue Co. #5 headed up to Wanaque to participate in their 100th Anniversary parade along with several other fire departments from the area. Engine Co. #3 took a short trip over to Glen Rock to participate in the apparatus judging and their 100th Anniversary parade, along with Unit 57, Unit 50, and Ladies Auxiliary Unit 59.

Apparatus were judged in the morning and the parade stepped off at 12:30 pm. The parade ended behind Glen Rock Boro Hall and a festival was underway at the field across the street. There was plenty of food and drink, and even a pig roast that produced some great barbeque pulled pork! When the trophies were awarded, Hawthorne fared well yet again. Engine Co. #3 was awarded 1st place for Best Appearing Pumper 6-10 years, Unit 50 was awarded 1st place for Best Appearing Chief's Vehicle, and Unit 57 was awarded 3rd place for Best Appearing Special Purpose Vehicle. Congratulations to our members for all their hard work!

Pictures courtesy of Dylan Foca

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The HFD was toned out at 8:04 pm for a vehicle fire on Bamford Avenue between Diamond Bridge Avenue and McKinley Avenue. Engine Co. #1 (OIC Lt. J. Trippichio) responded quickly as they were already on the air assisting with the Jr. Firefighter’s drill. Capt. J Longo arrived on scene and established command as Engine Co. #1 stretched a    1 ¾” line toward the heavily involved engine compartment fire. Engine Co. #4 (OIC Lt. P. VanderVelde) and Engine Co. #3 (OIC A/C J. Van Ek) also responded to assist with manpower.

The fire was contained to the engine compartment of the pick up truck and quickly extinguished. Engine Cos. #3 and #4 were returned and Engine Co. #1 remained on scene to mop up and await the tow truck to remove the vehicle.
 
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The Hawthorne Fire Department was dispatched at 07:55 Sunday morning for a 2 car motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Goffle Road and Goffle Hill Road. One vehicle was overturned and on its roof in the middle of the intersection. All occupants of the vehicles were able to remove themselves with the assistance of the police. Chief J. Speranza arrived on scene and established command. Engine Co. #1 (OIC Capt. J. Arturi) responded and was directed to cut the batteries to the vehicles, and deal with the fluid spill. Once the towing company arrived and the vehicle was back on its tires, firefighters secured their equipment and returned to quarters.

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On the morning of their Prom, Hawthorne High School Seniors witnessed a DUI incident staged by the Hawthorne Police, Fire and Ambulance. Each year the Hawthorne Police Department offers a program to high school seniors that emphasize the dangers of driving after drinking, using controlled substances and prescription drugs. The program is designed to educate the students in making good choices for themselves. Another issue for everyone to consider is the use of cell phones - especially texting while driving. These actions can yield the same tragic results.

The high school seniors gathered in the front of the school near the roadway and watched the scene play out. Two vehicles, with one occupant in one and three in another were involved in a serious accident. The lone occupant of the one vehicle staggered out and was arrested by police after failing a sobriety test. One occupant of the other vehicle was determined to be DOA by arriving EMS personnel. Fire Department units had to secure the vehicles, cut the roof off to remove the injured victims, and deal with a fluid spill on the roadway. Students watched as firefighters explained the complexity of the incident as well as the costs and long term effects imposed on everyone involved in the incident. We thank the seniors for their attentiveness and their questions.

Thank you to all members who came out to support the incident, and a special thanks to City Wide Towing for providing and removing one vehicle, and to Hawthorne Auto Body for also transporting vehicles to and from the scene.

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The members of the Hawthorne Fire Department would like to wish everyone a safe an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.  Please take a moment to reflect upon the great sacrifices that so many servicemen and women made for the benefit of the citizens of the United States.  The freedoms we take for granted each day were fought for and earned at a great cost.  Remember this when you see a war veteran and thank them for what they have done.

Please also keep in your minds and your hearts our armed forces currently protecting our great nation at this moment - for you and your families.

The Hawthorne Fire Department will be participating in the annual Memorial Service at the Municipal Building on Monday, May 31, at 12pm, followed by the parade at 1:30pm.  Please come out to join us as we honor our veterans.

 

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Fire Co. #3, Fire Co. #5, Unit 57 and Unit 61 made their way to Allendale on Saturday to participate in competitive apparatus judging and a parade hosted by Allendale in honor of their 100th anniversary .

Fire companies spend weeks and even months preparing their apparatus for these type of events. Apparatus are judged on many things such as NFPA compliance and cleanliness. All tools must be in good order and the apparatus must be rust free. Fire apparatus must be meticulously prepared to be awarded a trophy.
 
After the units were judged they were staged to enter the line of march. The parade stepped off at 1 pm and concluded by about 2:30 pm. All attendees enjoyed the picnic afterwards. There was plenty of food and drinks as well as rides for children. The event concluded at 5:30 pm with an awards ceremony. Unit 57 was awarded 1st Place for Best Appearing Cascade/Field Communications Unit. Engine Co. #3 was awarded 1st Place for Best Appearing Pumper,  5 – 15 years old category. Engine Co #3 was also awarded the Judges Trophy for Best Overall Vehicle in Parade. Congratulations to all who attended and worked so hard on their apparatus!
 
UPCOMING EVENTS:   Hawthorne Units will be participating in Glen Rock’s 100th Anniversary Parade and Wanaque’s 100th Anniversary Parade – both occurring on Saturday, June 12. Come on out to support your Fire Companies and have a great time doing it!
 
To see more pictures, click this link: http://hawthornefire.shutterfly.com/1659
Click here to see all of the event pictures: http://www.brettsfirephotos.com/Fire-Department-Anniversary/Allendale-NJ-Fire-Department
Pictures courtesy of Dylan Foca, Ralph Mantello and Brett Dzadik
 
 
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The Hawthorne Fire Department honored their brother John Vittorio by placing a park bench at the Wagaraw Ballfields on Saturday, May 15, 2010. The Fire Department was able to purchase the bench with the inscription and make this bench dedication possible through donations.

 Family, friends, Fire Department members, Mayor Goldberg and Council members and Board of Recreation members gathered for the dedication on a beautiful, sunny morning. This location was chosen because it was one of the places John loved to be. John, a huge New York Yankees fan, was previously a member of the Hawthorne Fire Department and an avid baseball player. He was a dedicated member of the Fire Department softball team up until he was tragically taken from us. John showed great pride and enthusiasm when he played the game. These attributes of John’s are just a few of the ones we will remember when we stop to have a seat on this bench. John will always be missed, but his memory never forgotten.
Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this event possible.
 
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The Hawthorne Fire Department was dispatched at 7:42 pm for a possible structure fire at 379 Warburton Avenue.  Chief Speranza arrived on scene moments later to find a fire in the corner of the front porch that was partially extinguished.  He established command as fire companies began to call in service.  Engine Co. #4 (OIC A/C J. Geier) arrived on scene and stretched their booster line and began checking for fire extension.  A/C J. Geier was assigned as the Operations Officer for the incident.  Tower Co. #2 (OIC A/C A. DiVincent) was assigned ventilation as some smoke had entered the basement through an open window.  Engine Co. #1 (OIC A/C J. Counsellor) checked the remainder of the house for occupants and any extension of fire.  Engine Co. #3 and Rescue Co. #5 staged and were then released as the fire was held to the A/B corner of the front porch.  Crews did a good job opening up to check for extension and companies were back in service after about 40 minutes.

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The members of Fire Co. #3 would like to congratulate Rich Shortway of Hawthorne who is the winner of the 2010 Harley Davidson Softail Fatboy. The winning ticket was drawn by Mayor Rich Goldberg at 2pm on Saturday April 3  in the quarters of Engine Co. #3.   The membership would also like to thank everyone who supported this important fundraiser. Your support was necessary and greatly appreciated. To our members, thank you again for all your hard work to make this fundraiser a success.

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