July 6th, 2010

Take a minute to think about when this truck was first due to your house.  Thanks to Joel Gebet for taking the photo.  Pictured is Oradell's 1928 American LaFrance pumper - still in original operating condition.  Known to many as "Old Moe".  Something more current is just around the corner and it's not yellow.....

Despite a hot and humid night, OFD members were out drilling.  Groups were reviewing vehicle extrication techniques, hazardous materials response, search & rescue, and fire attack.  Photo Unit # 1 stopped by for a bit.

 

Tonight The Officers and Members of the Oradell Fire Department proudly awarded FF Matt Zempol the Knights of Columbus Award.  FF Zempol was selected for his outstanding contribution to the Department as an Engineer and a Coordinator of the Junior/Cadet Program.  Congratulations!

Things continue to look great on the Squad - minus the bumper.  Here is yet another sneak peak at the future Rescue Pumper of Oradell.

Today three Oradell FD members ran the New Milford FD 5k run.  FF J. Kufel, FF J. Moretti and FF S. Mooney all participated and did well.  FF Kufel finished 14th out of 332, FF Moretti finished 79th and FF Mooney finished 82nd.  Congratulations and Great Job.

 
 

Tonight the officers and members of the truck committee visited the new Squad at the American LaFrance dealership.  The Squad is scheduled for delivery in the next two weeks.  I hope they get it back together in time.

At 17:08 hours Oradell units were dispatched to the 200 block of Prospect Avenue for a leaking propane cylinder.  Oradell Car 20, Engine 23, Tower 21 and Squad 22 responded.  The leak was on the weld of the tank, which has just been filled.  The crew from Engine 23 stretched 1 attack line and flowed a fog pattern while the tank was bled off.  Units operated about 90 minutes.

After a long wait and a bump or two - the new Oradell Squad 22 has arrived at the American LaFrance dealer.  The squad is having its lettering done along with some pre-delivery testing before it backs in our doors.  While some of you know what it looks like - many of you do not - so for now here is something similar........maybe.

Kayaks and canoes took to the Oradell Reservoir today for the 2nd annual reservoir challenge.  Today is the one day of the year that United Water opens the watershed to the public.  Oradell FD supports this effort by manning Marine 1 and 2, while working with Marine units from Haworth FD and New Milford FD.  Oradell Chief 20, SCUBA 26 and the Marine units operated most of the day.

At 13:31 hours, Oradell units were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 600 block of Kinderkamack Road.  First arriving units confirmed a working fire on the outside of the structure.  The fire was contained to the outside of the building and only involved service wires to the structure.

 

At 14:31 hours Oradell Captain Nywening pulled up on a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Madison Avenue and New Milford Avenue.  He reported to dispatch that he had one person trapped and requested EMS.  Oradell and New Milford Fire departments were dispatched because the crash occurred on the boarder of both towns.  Oradell Car 20, Squad 22, New Milford Car 30, Car 302, Tower 31 and Engine 34 responded.  First to arrive Oradell Chief 20 confirmed the accident was in Oradell and used companies from both towns to remove two doors from the vehicle.  The victim was then turned over to EMS for transport.

At 16:04 hours Oradell units were requested to the corner of Prospect Avenue and Orchard Street for a motor vehicle crash in the rear yard.  Oradell Car 20, Squad 22 and Tower 21 responded.  Upon arrival the driver was already out of the vehicle which came to rest near the deck of one home.  The vehicle appeared to have lost control and crashed through some bushes, while traveling through several yards and a fence before stopping.  Members from the Squad and Tower removed a tree from the vehicle and controlled a fluid spill before taking up.  Units were on scene about 25 minutes.

Photos Courtesy of local resident T. Schoenberg.

 
 

At 20:35 hours Oradell Tower 21 was requested to Paramus Co# 1 to stand by while their units were at a working house fire on Benton Road.  Oradell Car 20 went to the scene while Car 201 and Tower 21 stood by in Paramus.  Units were in Paramus about 90 minutes before being released with no additional runs.

At 18:32 hours Oradell Tower 21 was requested to relocate to Paramus Co#1 as part of their working fire dispatch.  Oradell Chief 20, Asst. Chief 201 and Tower 21 responded.  While responding the Paramus fire was upgraded to a 2nd alarm, bringing Oradell to the scene as the R.I.T. Team.  All units redirected and Engine 24 also responded on the R.I.T. assignment.  Units were on scene about 2 hours before returning.

At 16:58 hours Oradell Fire Department units were dispatched to the area of 308 Kinderkamack Road for a serious motor vehicle crash.  Oradell Car 20, Squad 22 and Engine 23 responded.  Members from the squad secured the vehicle and assisted EMS with two injuries.  Units operated about 45 minutes.

 

At 8:27am Oradell units were alerted for an activated fire alarm in the 400 block of Kinderkamack Road.  Oradell Engine 24 responded on the alarm and reported smelling something burning on the outside of the building.  The Engine stretched an attack line while they forced entry and called for a ladder truck from River Edge FD.  Oradell Squad 22 along with Car 20 responded as well.  Oradell units located a wooden crate containing a large turtle with mulch burning inside the crate.  Crews wet  the mulch down while Oradell Police Sgt. K. Doyle rescued the turtle to the outside.  Units operated about 45 minutes.

At 2:21am Oradell FD units were alerted for a rolled over vehicle on Oradell Avenue near Grove Street.  Oradell Car 201, Squad 22 and Engine 23 responded.  Units arrived to find the driver of the vehicle upside down, held in place by the seat belt.  The squad stabilized the vehicle, made entry and assisted EMS with the removal.  Engine 23 stretched one attack line as a precaution.  Units operated about 60 minutes.

Today Probie FF D. Maxson and Junior FF Z. Van Valkenburgh  took their final evaluation and passed Fire Fighter One.  This is no small task as these members have been attending school two nights a week for several months at the Bergen County Fire Academy. Congratulations!

Thanks to Brett Dzadik for the photos.

 

Oradell Engine 24, Tower 21 and Car 201 responded to Park Ridge tonight for large commerical structure fire.  Oradell Engine 24 supplied Oradell Tower 21 while it operated it's master stream at the scene.  Units operated for several hours.

Photos from Dane Policastro

 
 

At 17:32 Oradell Squad 22 and Car 201 responded to the intersection of Grant Avenue and Oradell Avenue for a 2 car crash with injuries.  The squad secured the vehicles and stood by while EMS treated and transported.  Oradell units continue to be busy as many residents are still without power from the storm on 3/13/2010.

 
 

Oradell Fire / Police and DPW units continue to operate for numerous storm related calls - a better summery to follow.

 
 
 
 

Today two exchange students from Senigallia School in Italy visited the Oradell FD with their host Junior FF Matt Ross.  In the photo is Marco from Ostra Vetere and Oscar from Coronaldo with FF Ross (middle).

Oradell units turned out at 8:09 am for a reported natural gas leak at Oradell Avenue and Prospect Avenue.  Oradell Chief 20, 201, Engine 24, Engine 23 and Utility 25 responded.  Oradell units located a PSE&G gas regulator that was venting on the corner.  The regulator had also discharged and unknown amount of an oily like substance onto the ground that was running the curb line in the rain water.  New Milford Haz-Mat and Bergen County Haz-Mat were also notified to respond to the scene.  Units were on scene about 2 hours until the situation was turned over to PSE&G and Bergen County Haz-Mat.

Over the weekend Chief Kahill along with the other Line and Administrative Officers were sworn in by Mayor Dianne Didio and Fire Commissioner and Councilman Joe Murray.  Service Awards and a presentation to outgoing Chief Kevin Burns were awarded before enjoying a great night of dining and dancing.  A good time was had by all.  Special thanks as always to Glenn Schneider from our Photo Unit for the photos below.

 
 

Oradell Fire Department members are busy again with a Major Northeast snow event.  Snow totals above 20 inches are expected in some areas along with high winds.

At 11:38 hours Oradell FD units were alerted for a possible house fire in the 300 block of Demarest Avenue.  Oradell Police units arrived first and confirmed smoke showing.  Oradell Car 20 and 201 arrived confirming the working fire and dispatched the 2nd alarm Tri-boro along with Paramus FD Truck 1 as the FAST Truck.  2nd alarm units brought New Milford Car 30, 301, Tower 31, Engine 34 and Squad 36 along with River Edge Car 102, Ladder 11 and Engine 12.  All units made an aggressive interior attack on the second floor and attic, while a roof vent was being performed.  The fire was under control in about 45 minutes.  EMS treated and transported 1 civilian and 1 firefighter.  All units were back up at 14:00

Thanks to Robert Kirsch for the photos

Video by Mike V Click Here

Video by Glenn Schneider Click Here

 
 

At 20:05 hours Oradell FD units were requested to the 300 block of Kinderkamack Road for a sever water leak.  Oradell Police units arrived to find a 2nd floor apartment flooding the business below.  Oradell Car 20, 201, Engine 23, 24 and NMFD Tower 31 responded.  Units secured the leak and utilities and provided salvage in the business.  Units were on scene about 45 minutes.

At 11:05 hours Oradell FD units were dispatched for a single car crash with the driver trapped.  Oradell Chief 20, Squad 22 and Tower 21 responded.  Units removed the drivers door and assisted Holy Name Hospital EMS with removing the victim.  All units operated for about 45 minutes during today's winter wonderland blizzard.

 

At 19:35 hours Oradell units along with the automatic Tri-Boro response (River Edge Fire / EMS and New Milford Fire / EMS) were dispatched to Oradell Health Care for a fire alarm.  Oradell Police units arrived on scene first and reported a small fire had occurred in one of the washing machines. All Tri-Boro units continued in until it was confirmed the fire was out, contained and there was no extension.  Units operated about 25 minutes.

At 3:09 hours Oradell units were requested to Jefferson Avenue in Emerson as the 2nd Alarm RIT Team for a structure fire.  Oradell Car 201, Tower 21 and Engine 24 responded.  Units were clear and returning at 3:45 hours.

Oradell units stayed busy today with 3 runs including a car into a ditch.  Oradell Squad 22 and Engine 24 handled the event behind 680 Kinderkamack Road.  Units stayed on scene until the vehicle was removed.  Thanks again to Brett Dzadik for his photos.

 
 

At 12:27 hours, Central Dispatch received a call for flames showing in the 700 block of Kinderkamack Road while units were still operating on Oradell Ave for multiple wires down.  Car 201 was first to arrive on scene and transmitted the working fire.  Tower 21 and Engine 23 arrived on scene and secured a water supply.  A 2nd Alarm was transmitted to bring in Tri-Boro Fire Units along with Paramus Truck 1 as the RIT Team.  A 3rd Alarm was later transmitted to cover the vacant fire houses.  All units operated and cleared by 17:00 hours.

Watch the Video

 
 

At 10:02 hours, the initial dispatch was made for a report of wires down in the area of Oradell Ave and Summit Ave.  Arriving units found multiple trees, wires, and transformers in the roadway that were on fire.  A special call was made for Engine 12 from River Edge and Squad 36 from New Milford to assist Oradell units on scene.  FD units secured the area while awaiting PSEG. 

 

Today, OFD members along with family, friends, and hundreds of firefighters from New Jersey and New York welcomed home fallen soldier and firefighter Marine Sgt. Christopher Hrbek who was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan.  The streets of Westwood were lined with friends and firefighters to honor Sgt. Hrbeck.  OFD Photo Unit Member Glenn Schneider was in Westwood capturing this unfortunate event.

At 05:43 hours, Oradell Tower 21 and Chief 201 were dispatched to Brown Circle in Paramus for a structure fire.  The Tower operated as the RIT Team before being relocated to Paramus Co. # 1 to cover the borough.  All units were back in service at 07:30

Over the weekend, the 2010 Line Officers were sworn-in at the firehouse.  This year's line up includes:

Chief of Department: Derek Kahill
Assistant Chief: William Van Riper
Captain: Dan Nywening
1st Lieutenant: Robert Capicchioni
2nd Lieutenant: Brian Bonte
3rd Lieutenant: Joseph Gothelf

Additional Photos from Brett Dzadik and Kevin Joyce can be found on their websites.