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.

The Hawthorne Fire Department is proud to acknowledge the graduation of 16 members from the Passaic County Fire Academy on Friday night. The following members successfully completed the Firefighter I curriculum: Karen Arsenault, Nick Canova, Gerry Flanagan, Chris Geier, Zach Hine, Travis Lodder , Justin Molnar, Mike Naumov, Aleksei Shoomiloff, Andrew Skae, and Ron Walker Jr. The following members successfully completed the Firefighter II curriculum: Darryl Foca, Craig Irvolino, Keith Lettich, John Niebo and Rob Tagliabue.

These graduating members have shown the dedication necessary for beginning and continuing a productive career in the fire service. Never pass up a chance to learn something new each day. "You can't throw enough ladders, you can't pull enough hose, you can't do enough searches"........ Words we all should live by, not just at the Academy.
Congratulations on your accomplishment.

Hawthorne’s five fire companies were busy from the moment that the snow began falling on Saturday morning. This snowstorm was a rare event only seen once in the last 50 years – and 2011 has been a year of weather extremes.

Fire companies responded to activated fire alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, as well as car accidents for the first part of the afternoon. Chief Speranza ordered all companies to stand by in their quarters around 2pm as conditions worsened. Just as companies were being released from the stand by at 6pm, the fire department was requested for trees and wires down on Greenwood Ave. Conditions were extreme on top of the hill with numerous tree limbs and wires down as well as snow covered roads. Engine Co. #1 remained at that location for approximately six hours while awaiting PSE&G to mitigate the hazardous condition. Fire Companies were also requested to Van Dyk’s to assist in locating a missing resident. The resident was located shortly after units arrived. Fire companies were requested to 102 Highview Terrace for a tree into a house at approximately 11:15pm. Chief Speranza arrived to find a very large tree that had impacted the residence causing structural damage to the house. Fire companies secured all the utilities and performed some salvage work within the house. The house was deemed uninhabitable for the time being.

The HFD continues to respond to calls for assistance at this time. Thank you to all members who put their own concerns aside to be there to help the residents of Hawthorne during another extreme weather event.

The Hawthorne Volunteer Fire Department, Volunteer Ambulance Corps., and CERT were honored by the NJ State Governor’s office for their responses during and after Hurricane Irene. HFD Chief, Joseph Speranza and OEM Coordinator, Captain Rich McAuliffe received the award during a ceremony in Trenton held on Wednesday, October 26.

Hurricane Irene brought conditions to our borough that no one had ever seen before. Water rose to record levels that were unprecedented. All of Hawthorne’s emergency resources were used to their furthest extent. During the hurricane, the Fire Department and Ambulance Corps were summoned to stand by in their respective quarters, although little time was spent there. Instead, emergency responders were out in the thick of the storm responding to emergency calls from our residents. In the days that followed, several members continued to respond to a multitude of service calls from residents regarding water in their basements and other safety issues. While providing service to Hawthorne’s residents, our volunteers also made time to assist neighboring towns who were hit just as hard by the hurricane. We are grateful to have such dedicated members.
The borough administration and department heads agreed that having such a dedicated group of volunteers makes it incredibly difficult to single out any one person who may have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Many members gave so much time during this period and therefore all members are deserving of recognition. The Borough of Hawthorne is fortunate to have organizations with such dedicated members. Congratulations and a job very well done by all!
 
Click on the link below to see some of our responders, residents and business owners who were interviewed about their experiences.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEQpv1TrfwU

PLEASE VISIT US THIS YEAR DURING HAWTHORNE DAY ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 1, 2011!!!

What’s the best way to protect your family from fire? Be ahead of the game, of course. With more than 360,000 home fires reported in the United States in 2009, according to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), your best defense is a good offense. That’s why The Hawthorne Fire Department is teaming up with NFPA during the October 9-15, 2011, to let our community know: “It’s Fire Prevention Week. Protect your Family from Fire!” This year’s campaign focuses on preventing the leading causes of home fires -- cooking, heating and electrical equipment, as well as candles and smoking materials. Additionally, it urges people to protect their homes and families with life-saving technology and planning.

In 2009, 2,565 people died in home fires. Nearly all of these deaths could have been prevented by taking a few simple precautions like having working smoke alarms and a home fire escape plan, keeping things that can burn away from the stove and always turning off space heaters before going to bed. Fire is a dangerous opponent, but by anticipating the hazards, you are much less likely to be one of the nearly 13,000 people injured in home fires each year.

The Hawthorne Fire Department offers the following tips for protecting your home and family from fire: 

• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Replace or repair damaged or loose electrical cords.
• If you smoke, smoke outside.
• Use deep, wide ashtrays on a sturdy table.
• Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep.

While preventing home fires in Hawthorne is our job, we still need your help. Hawthorne’s residents need to provide the best protection to keep their homes and families safe in the event of a fire. This can be achieved by developing an escape plan which you practice regularly and equipping homes with life-saving technologies like smoke alarms and home fire sprinklers.

The following tips will help keep your family safe if there is a fire in your home:

• Install smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home (including the basement).
• Interconnect all smoke alarms in the home so when one sounds, they all sound.
• Test smoke alarms at least monthly and replace all smoke alarms when they are 7 years old or sooner if they do not respond when tested.
• Make sure everyone in your home knows how to respond if the smoke alarm sounds.
• Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible ways out.  Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors.
• If you are building or remodeling your home, consider installing home fire sprinklers.
  
  To learn more about “It’s Fire Prevention Week. Protect your Family from Fire!” visit NFPA’s website at www.firepreventionweek.org.

Sunday, September 11th will mark the ten year anniversary of an event that changed so many lives in so many ways. Some will find this day a difficult one to get through while others will go about their daily routines. Some of us were directly involved in the events of that day while others were captivated by what occurred. Regardless of what you do, it is most important to take a minute to remember. Remember the selfless acts of heroism by the first responders. Remember the sacrifice of their lives in order to save others. Remember how everyone came together to support each other so we could pull through this tragedy. Remember that America is the country that it is because of people like you – first responders dedicated to performing their sworn duties. September 11th will always have a different meaning to different people. The most important thing is to ALWAYS REMEMBER, NEVER FORGET……..

http://www.firehouse.com/911

http://hawthornefire.shutterfly.com/2265

Heavy rain continued yesterday evening over our area resulting in flash flooding along Lafayette Ave, Grand Ave, Goffle Rd. and N. 8th St., as well as Wagaraw Road from Shotmeyer Bros. to the San Guiseppe Club, and from the ball fields to Passaic Ave. The remnants of Tropical Storm Lee and a cold front are producing several days worth of rain just over a week after Hurricane Irene dealt her blow to the area.      

Firefighters were requested to Wagaraw Road between Shotmeyer Bros. and Bottagra Restaurant at approximately 20:05 hours for 3 vehicles with one occupant each stuck in flood waters. Engine Co. #3 responded and was able to remove the occupants from two of the vehicles using their apparatus. Rescue 5 responded with the boat to remove the third person from their vehicle which was located in faster moving water. Engine Co. #4 set up spotters for safety in the parking lot of Bottagra. Once the occupants were removed, companies took up and returned to quarters. Engine Co. #3 remained in quarters until approximately 22:00 hours when the water began to recede.         

At this time, members of the HFD are still continuing to provide service to our residents as well as neighboring municipalities in the wake of Hurricane Irene. They have shown true commitment and dedication to their duties in a time of great need. Thank you for your efforts!

Focus on Fire Safety: Emergency Preparedness Disaster preparedness became a renewed priority for our Nation as a direct response to the devastation of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Following the tragedies of that day, government at all levels has worked more closely with civic and private sector organizations and the public to prepare for emergencies. Americans need to become fully aware, trained, and practiced on how to respond to potential threats and hazards.

Preparedness starts with YOU! Everyone should:

Have an emergency supply kit.

Make a family escape plan.

Be informed about the types of emergencies that can happen in your community and how your family will respond.

Each person's needs and abilities are unique but every individual can take important steps to prepare for all kinds of emergencies – including fire emergencies - and put plans in place.

Prepare for a Fire Emergency In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for a house to fill with thick black smoke and become engulfed in flames. By preparing for a fire emergency, you can greatly reduce your chances of becoming a fire casualty.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. For extra safety, install smoke alarms both inside and outside sleeping areas.
• Test your smoke alarms once a month and change the batteries at least once a year.
• Replace smoke alarms every 8-10 years or as the manufacturer guidelines recommend.
• Plan your escape from fire. The best plans have two ways to get out of each room.
• Practice fire escape plans several times a year. Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed.
• Purchase only collapsible escape ladders evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL).
• Check that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly, and that security bars can be properly opened.
• Make sure everyone in your family understands and practices how to properly operate and open locked or barred doors and windows.
• Consider installing residential fire sprinklers in your home.

Contact the Hawthorne Fire Department at 973-423-5550 if you need help or have questions about fire safety in your home.

The Hawthorne Fire Department was at the ready for the duration of Hurricane Irene. Firefighters responded to numerous calls beginning at 8pm Saturday evening with a working commercial garage fire. Other calls included several activated fire alarms, wires and trees down, dangerous conditions, vehicles with occupants trapped in swift water, and many for water in basements. At this hour, firefighters are still checking on some residences. 

Thank you to all our members who gave their time, and in some cases placing their own problems aside, to assist the residents of Hawthorne during the largest storm in a decade.
 
Click the link for more info:   http://www.northjersey.com/community/128614633_After_the_rain__Towns_deal_with_Irene_aftermath.html
 
Click here to see pictures courtesy of Dave Sylvester:
http://hawthornefire.shutterfly.com/2222