Welcome to our new website. This is now your place to go to find out what the Hawthorne Fire Department does and why we do it. You will learn about our members, our equipment, events that occur throughout the year that you can take advantage of, fire prevention tips and recommendations, and the latest emergency incidents that we respond to. 

You will find the latest news on the home page – if you scroll to the bottom you can search for additional news articles from earlier this year, or the previous year.  Click on the headline of each article to see additional content such as pictures and video.  Take the opportunity to click on each of the menu items in the left hand column to learn about the many groups that make the Hawthorne Fire Department what it is – our five Fire Companies, Jr. Firefighters, Ladies Auxiliary, Communications & Cascade Division are just a few of them. Please enjoy the many pictures on the site which is also linked to shutterfly.com. There are plenty of videos for you to view as well on the Videos page. Use the search feature to see the categories available. 

Check back with the website often as some items are under construction and will be added soon. News items will be updated as they come in and incidents occur. Refer to the Calendar to see our upcoming events.  Information on fire safety will be posted for you to download as it becomes available. Please sign our guest book when you visit and let us know what you think of our website. Click on the Contact Us tab if you have a question or concern. Remember, in the event of an emergency DIAL 911.

-503

The Hawthorne Fire Department needs your assistance!  You can help us save lives and protect property by digging out snow covered fire hydrants this winter season.  "Adopt" a fire hydrant near your home or business this winter and keep it clear all season long.  Your help is greatly appreciated.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

-503

Hawthorne Fire Co. #4 will be holding their 4th annual Rose Sale on February 12, 13, and 14th at the Municipal Pool parking lot located on the corner of May St. and Wagaraw Rd.  They will be selling a variety of roses each day from 6 am until 8 pm, or until sold out.  Pick up a nice boquet of roses for your Valentine this year and help support Hawthorne Fire Co. #4.  Thank you in advance and Happy Valentines Day!!

Friends and family of the the Hawthorne Fire Department headed to Campgaw Mtn. in Mahwah for an evening of snow tubing on February 1st.  There was plenty of snow and the tubing lanes were slick, making for plenty of wild rides down the slope.  The adults enjoyed it just as much as the kids who are already asking "When can we do this again?"  This could be an annual event.....  If you could'nt make it this time, you definately need to join us next time.  See you on the slopes!!

Go to the  Image Gallery in 2010 photos to see more pictures of this event.  Pictures courtesy of Dave Sylvester.

-503

The HFD was dispatched at approximately 4:50 am for a reported house fire at 73 Eighth Avenue. Chief Speranza arrived on scene and observed visible fire from the second floor “A” side of a 2 story wood frame. 

Engine Co. #1(OIC A/C J. Counsellor) arrived on scene and was assigned fire attack. A/C J. Counsellor was assigned as the Operations Officer. Engine Co. #3 (OIC A/C J. Van Ek) and Engine Co. #4 (OIC Capt. M. Nelson) were assigned to assist Engine Co. #1 with fire attack and search. Tower Co. #2 (OIC A/C A. DiVincent) was ordered to ladder the building and vent the roof. Rescue Co. #5 (OIC A/C B. Warner) was assigned as the RIT.  Chief Speranza requested a 2nd alarm to cover the boro while Hawthorne units were committed to the fire scene.

Fire crews worked quickly and darkened down the visible fire. The fire was contained to the second floor and was declared under control in about 45 minutes. It was another cold morning with plenty of ice, yet everyone went home safe again – another sign of a great job by all of our fire companies. Many thanks to our mutual aid companies who covered the boro for us this morning, and to our Ladies Auxiliary who also braved the cold to provide us with refreshments. Units were demobilized and all units had cleared the scene just before 7am.
 
-503

Near 12:45pm Sunday afternoon, Engine Co. #3, Tower Co. #2 and Unit 57 were requested to respond to Prospect Park for a fire in Public School No. 1.  The call originated as an activated fire alarm for Prospect Park units who arrived and found a smoke condition in the building and active fire above the ceiling between the first and second floor.

Chief J. Speranza arrived on location and ordered Engine Co. #3 (OIC A/C J. Van Ek) to take the hydrant at N.9th St. and Brown Avenue and lay a supply line to the "A" side of the building.  An 1 3/4" line was taken to the first floor where crews were just beginning to open up the ceilings.  Tower Co. #2 (OIC A/C A. DiVincent) was ordered to bring manpower and tarps to the first floor to assist in opening up and checking for extension. Unit 57 arrived on scene and filled SCBA cylinders for all companies.

Once located, the fire was knocked down quickly.  An excellent job and a great stop by Prospect Park and the several other towns that responded.  Fire crews worked well together and got the job done safely - and that's what its all about.  Hawthorne units were back in service by 3:45pm.

At 5:15 pm the fire department was requested to 90 Rea Ave for a reported basement fire.  PD confirmed it was a water heater that had let go.  Engine Co. #1 responded to secure the utilities and other units were returned.  A moment later, a call was received from 136 Diamond Bridge Ave reporting another water heater problem.  Engine Co. #3 responded and found a gas boiler that had let go.  PSE&G was notified and the utilities were secured and all other units were returned.

-503

The FDNY joined ABC 7, Kidde, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New Jersey Fire Departments, Toyota and Best Buy to launch the Operation Save-A-Life campaign on January 18 at the ESPN Zone in Manhattan.

The eleventh annual campaign includes a 30-minute television program that will appear on ABC 7, urging New Yorkers to practice fire safety.
“Nothing is more important than fire prevention,” said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta. “We always say the best way to fight a fire is to prevent it - and that’s what this program does each year.”
In the United States, 11 people die each day in fires and 83 percent of these fire fatalities occur in the home. More than half of the fire fatalities in the home occur in residences without smoke alarms.
 
Operation 7 Save-A-Life will air on Sat., Jan. 30, on ABC 7 at 7:30 p.m.
IF YOU MISSED IT, CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SHOW:  http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=resources/lifestyle_community&id=7214249
 
 
Click here to view WABC7's In Your Neighborhood - Fire Safety:  http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=7231865

Hawthorne’s Bravest continue to battle the cold while responding to numerous calls. The Township of Wyckoff requested mutual aid at 12:07 am for an engine company to respond to the scene of a garage fire. Engine Co. #1 with OIC A/C J. Counsellor 501 signed in and responded with a crew of five. They were released from the scene shortly after as Wyckoff fire crews controlled the fire quickly.

A call for smoke in the residence was received at 3:28 am from 91 Brookside Avenue. Chief J. Speranza 50 responded and found a heavy smoke condition in the house resulting from unattended cooking. Residents were evacuated from both floors. Engine Co. #1 with OIC A/C J. Counsellor 501 and Tower Co. #2 with OIC A/C A. DiVincent 502 and their crews ventilated the building and checked for any extension. All other responding fire companies were returned.
 
At 4:56 am fire companies were dispatched for heavy smoke coming from the structure to the rear of 107 Royal Ave. Chief J. Speranza 50 called in service an observed a large column of smoke while enroute. Upon arrival he reported a large commercial 2 bay garage fully involved and beginning to extend to an occupied 2 ½ story wood frame on the “Delta” side. He established command and transmitted a second alarm. Engine Co. #1 arrived with OIC A/C J. Counsellor 501, laid a supply line and immediately stretched a 2 ½” handline for exposure protection and successfully stopped the spread of fire to the structure.  A/C J. Counsellor 501 was assigned as the Operations Officer for the incident.  Tower Co. #2 with OIC A/C A. DiVincent 502 searched exposure “D” and checked for fire extension. Engine Co. #4 with OIC A/C J. Geier established a water supply and stretched exposure protection lines to the “C” side on Forest Avenue. Engine Co. #3 with OIC Capt. J. Longo 403 stretched additional lines from Engine 1 and went to work on the main body of fire. Engine 3 also supplied Engine 1 with additional water from a hydrant on the corner of Grand and Jefferson. The supply line was stretched across the tracks and the railroad was notified to stop all rail traffic. Rescue Co. #5 with OIC A/C B. Warner 505 brought manpower to assist with opening up the garage. Wyckoff Rescue responded to the scene to assist as HFD’s Rescue was still out of service. A collapse zone was established by the Safety Officers on scene and numerous handlines worked on the heavy fire condition as the roof collapsed.   All hands for operated for about a hour until the fire was declared under control around 6 am. A backhoe from the DPW was requested to remove debris so fire crews could get to the hot spots. A bucket loader was called in later on to take down the remainder of the block walls as stress cracks were numerous throughout the garage. All fire crews did a fantastic job of stopping the spread of fire to the neighboring structure and knocking down the main body of fire quickly. Proper hose line selection and placement was the key to success. Thank you to Wyckoff FD who provided assistance at the scene and coverage at Fire HQ, and to Prospect Park and North Haledon who also covered the boro while Hawthorne units were operating, and to our Ladies Auxiliary for providing much needed refreshments.
 
The fourth call of the day was dispatched at 11:15 am for a possible electrical fire at 168 Washington Ave. Chief J. Speranza and Engine Co. #4 responded from the scene on Royal Ave. Tower Co. #2 and Engine Co. #3 continued in to the scene and Engine Co. #1 and Rescue Co. #5 were held in quarters. The initial search crew reported an electrical odor and a light smoke condition in the basement. Two circuits were found tripped at the electrical panel and two faulty outlets were located. The building was checked again with the thermal imaging camera with negative results. The homeowner was advised to contact an electrician and all companies returned to quarters with hopefully some much needed rest to follow.
 
More pictures at: http://hawthornefire.shutterfly.com/1186 courtesy of Rev. Ken VanderWall and Bob Modelski
 **NEW PICTURES ADDED 1/27/10**
-503

We couldn't have had a better night for a bonfire.  It was cold enough and there was plenty of fuel for fire.  In fact, there was a tree stump on the fire that we can probably reuse for the next 3 years!  Everyone who attended had a great time - especially the kids.  It was a great chance for members and their families to talk and relax.  If you couldn't make it, circle Friday December 3, 2010 on your calendar.  We will be hosting the next bonfire after the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade.  See you then!

Look in the Image Gallery under 2010 Photos for more pictures from the bonfire.

-503

The high cost of home heating fuels and utilities has caused many Americans to search for alternative home heating sources such as wood burning stoves, space heaters, and fireplaces. Heating is one of the leading causes of residential fires. Over one-quarter of these fires result from improper maintenance of equipment, specifically the failure to clean the equipment.

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is another danger when using heating equipment fueled by fossil fuel. It occurs most often when equipment is not vented properly. CO deaths have been on the rise since 1999. On average there were 181 unintentional non-fire deaths from CO poisoning associated with consumer products per year from 2004-2006 compared to 123 from 1999-2001 (Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission). Carbon monoxide poisoning is most fatal to adults age 65 or older.

To read more about safe heating practices follow this link:

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/

Tuesday is shaping up as a busy day for the Hawthorne FD. Firefighters were dispatched at 3:15am for an activated alarm at 188 4th Avenue. Chief J. Speranza 50 arrived on scene and observed water coming from the house. A pipe burst on the second floor resulting in 6”– 7” of water in the basement.  Members of Rescue 5 responded with Unit 58 and pumped the water from the basement. All other units were returned.

At 8:32 am firefighters were dispatched to 164 Pasedena Avenue for an activated alarm. A/C A. DiVincent 502 arrived on scene and reported a possible defective detector. Engine Co. #3 continued in for an investigation and all other units were returned.
 
Firefighters received the next dispatch at 1:37 pm for an activated fire alarm at 37 Minerva Avenue. Engine Co. #4 with OIC Capt. M. Nelson arrived and reported nothing visible as PD made contact with a keyholder. All units were returned with the exception of Engine Co. #4 who awaited the arrival of the keyholder and conducted an investigation with nothing else found. The homeowner was advised to contact their alarm company.
 
-503

“Live to Ride, Ride to Live” - the mantra of Harley Davidson owners everywhere. Pride, tradition, and camaraderie – 3 things Harley Davidson owners and the Fire Service have in common. Your chance to own a 2010 Softail Fat Boy and support Hawthorne Fire Co. #3 has arrived. Tickets are ONLY $20 and there are ONLY 2000 tickets. These tickets also make a great gift idea - especially for the motorcycle enthusiast.  See any Fire Co. #3 member for tickets, call (973)427-6001 or email us at Engine3@Hawthornefire.org. The drawing will occur Saturday April 3, 2010. Hurry – tickets are selling quickly!! Don’t miss your chance to own the ultimate ride.

On a really cold weekend when no one wanted to be outside, Hawthorne's bravest were called on twice for assistance. 

On Saturday night at 10:18pm, Engine Co.#1 was requested to the Township of Wyckoff to provide coverage at Fire Co. #2 on Wyckoff Ave while units were tied up at working house fire.  Wyckoff fire crews were able to contain the fire quickly and Engine Co. #1 was released after about 90 minutes.

On Sunday afternoon at 1:22pm, Engine Co. #3 was requested to respond to the Boro of Haledon to provide coverage at Fire Co. #1 while units were fighting a working house fire at 309 Central Ave.  Haledon crews were hampered by frozen hydrants and a well advanced fire extending from the basement to the first floor and attic. Engine Co. #3 was directed to the scene to assist with some additional knockdown and overhaul of the fire.  Despite high winds, cold temperatures and even some light snow, crews got the job done safely.  Good job by Haledon for preventing any additional extension to the rest of the house, and to  Prospect Park, Paterson, North Haledon, and Wayne who also responded to the call for assistance.

_503

Chief Speranza and the officers of the Hawthorne Fire Department would like to wish everyone a very happy and safe New Year!  To our members - Enjoy the New Year celebration with family and friends.  We are looking forward to great things in 2010.