At approximately 11:15am this morning, the members of the WFD were dispatched to assist at a motor vehicle accident involving four vehicles on Franklin Ave with multiple injuries.

Rescue #242 (OIC DC Vanderplaat), Engine #232 (OIC Lt. Tanucilli), Engine #233, Engine #231 & Chief Rose responded into the scene.

Upon arrival, WFD Members assisted the members of the Wyckoff Ambulance Corp on scene and assessed the patients in the vehicles.   Crews determined that one occupant was trapped in a minivan and had to be extricated.

The crew from Rescue #242 went to work and removed the drivers door to free the driver while BLS tended to the other victims.  All victims were removed from the vehicles and transported by Wyckoff BLS and Franklin BLS. 

Wednesday Morning proved to be a busy morning for members of the WFD who responded on two mutual aid assignments.

At approximately 8:15am the Oakland Fire Department requested Tower Ladder #241 for a smoke condition in a large wharehouse facility on Bauer Drive.   Tower Ladder #241 (OIC DC Vanderplaat) responded into the scene along with the Oakland 2nd Alarm Companies.  Crews remained on scene for approximately one and half hours trying to locate the source of the smoke.  Crews were able to locate and isolate a large HVAC Unit that was the source of the smoke condition which filled the building.

A short after the Tower returned to Wyckoff, the Waldwick Fire Department requested Rescue #242 respond for a man trapped under a vehicle.

Chief Rose and Rescue #242 (OIC DC Vanderplaat) both responded into the scene along with the Waldwick Fire Department.  Upon arrival, Waldwick Crews were working to stabilize the vehicle and assess the patient.  The crew from Rescue #242 went work setting up an air bag operation to lift the vehicle off of the victim.  After a few minutes, the victim was removed from under the vehicle and turned over to ALS/BLS for transport.

Nice job to all of the members who responded to these incidents.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Hopelawn Firefighter Bruce Turcotte who died while working at a structure fire in Woodbridge this afternoon.  

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/01/firefighter_suffers_heart_atta.html

The Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department reminds residents living near a fire hydrant to “Adopt a Hydrant” and remove snow and ice from around the hydrant during the winter months which is required by Township Ordinance. 

There are about 600 fire hydrants in Wyckoff. Fire hydrants are located approximately every 600 feet on most of the 88 miles of Township roads.

 
Since the Wyckoff Fire Department is an all volunteer organization, mandatory training and drills make it impossible for the members to devote time to clear snow from fire hydrants after a snow storm. Most fire hydrants are marked with a hydrant stake, however still may be difficult for first responders to locate in the event of a true emergency in your residence or a neighbors residence.  
 
If a resident contracts with a private contractor to plow their driveway and shovel their sidewalks, please instruct your contractor to remove the snow from around a fire hydrant if one is in front of your home.
 
Thank you for helping us make Wyckoff a safe community!

On Sunday Morning at the Township Reorganization meeting the officer's of the Wyckoff Fire Department were sworn in before the Township Committee.

Congratulations to the returning officers as well as the new officer's for 2012.

Chief of Department Mike Rose

Assistant Chief of Department Lou Gralia

Co #1 Deputy Chief Joe Vanderplaat

Co #1 Battalion Chief Scott Fisher

Co #1 Capt. Brian Zivkovich

Co #1 Tom Durkin

Co #1 Lt. Jim Abma

Co #2 Deputy Chief Doug LoRusso

Co #2 Battalion Chief Brian Hendrickson

Co #2 Capt. Tom Risseeuw

Co #2 Lt. John Tanucilli

Co #3 Deputy Chief Len DeBlock

Co #3 Capt. Andrew Forsyth

Co #3 Lt. Aaron Gettleman

Good luck to all of our 2012 Officer's!  

Congratulations to Co #1 Member Doug Christie as well as Township Committeman Brian Scanlan who were both sworn in during the Township Reorganization Meeting.

On behalf of the fire officers and firefighters, we wish everyone a safe and joyous holiday season.  We would like to thank the community and our Township Officials for your continued support throughout 2011.  We look forward to serving our residents during this upcoming year.  Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year.

-230
 

At approximately 3pm today the WFD Volunteers were dispatched to Rt 208 Southbound for a motor vehicle accident with extrication.   The first arriving Wyckoff Police Officers located a single vehicle accident with the vehicle off into the wooded area off the shoulder of the highway.   The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was injured and trapped in the vehicle due to the extensive damage.

Rescue #242 (OIC BC Fisher), Engine #232 (OIC Lt. Tanucilli), Engine #233 (OIC Capt. Forsyth) and Rescue #243 (OIC Capt. Zivkovich) all responded into the scene.

Upon arrival of the WFD apparatus, crews worked quickly to stabilize the vehicle in preparation for the victim extrication.   Rescue Crews went to work performing dual door removal, roof removal and a dash roll to free the trapped driver.   The victim was extricated a few minutes after arrival and turned over to Wyckoff Ambulance Corp.

Great job to all members who operated on scene!

On Saturday Morning the members of the Wyckoff Fire Department came out to assist the NJ Marines Toy's for Tot's Program by delivering toys to the Wyckoff Main Street Station to meet the Toy's for Tot's Train.   This year's collection was very successful thanks to the efforts of the members of the WFD who handled the collections along with members of the Wyckoff Lion's Club who collected toys at their Christmas Tree Sales.

Thanks to all who participated in this very worthwhile and rewarding program!

Pictures courtesy of Wyckoff Patch and FF. Mike Schell. 

http://wyckoff.patch.com/articles/toys-for-tots-train-stops-in-wyckoff#c

On Friday Morning at 10:45am the volunteers of the WFD were toned out to respond to a crane accident on Ivy Lane.

Chief Rose #230 signed into service and arrived on scene a few moments later.  Upon arrival, Chief Rose reported that there was a large tandem axle tree crane operating in the driveway of the residence that had become unstable and tipped upright in the air and the boom of the crane had now come to rest in the pool in the rear yard.

Engine #233, Rescue #242, Rescue #243 and Engine #232 all responded into the scene.  Upon arrival, crews worked to secure a safety zone around the incident and evacuated the involved residence and neighboring home.

Due to the nature of the incident, a heavy duty construction crane and heavy duty tow equipment had to be called in to right the crane.

After approximately 7 hours, the crane was placed back on the ground with no further damage.

Thank you to the members who dedicated their time for this extended operation.

http://www.bergencountyfirephotos.com/Unusual-Incidents-1/11-25-11-Wyckoff-Crane/20261297_mSnWCt#1602037478_qMpzH9p

http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/crane-crashes-in-nj-driveway-20111125

Fire Chief Mike Rose and members of the Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department announce that on Saturday December 10, 2011, the Toys for Tots Train will be making a stop in Wyckoff.   On board a special train will be members of the Marine Corps and Santa Claus who will stop to collect gifts for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation. The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation is to collect new, unwrapped toys during November and December each year and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children.  

Wyckoff’s Bravest are asking for your help: Wyckoff residents are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys at Protection Fire Company #1 (1 Scott Plaza), Community Engine Company #2 (180 Wyckoff Avenue) and Sicomac Engine Company #3 (428 Sicomac Avenue) during November and the first two weeks of December. Gifts can also be dropped off any Monday evening from 7:15 P.M to 9:15 P.M.  
 
In addition, this year we have teamed up with the Wyckoff Lion's Club and have arranged a drop off location for toys at the Lion's Club Tree Sales on Franklin Avenue at the Getty Gas Station Parking Lot.
 
All gifts collected will be brought to the Main Street station for pick up on 12/10 at 11:45am. For more information log onto:  http://dover-nj.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/local-events.asp
 

     On behalf of all the officers, we would like to wish you and your families a safe, happy and healthy Thanksgiving Day.   Let us take time to give thanks and remember all of our blessings.  Please keep the men and women of our armed services who cannot make it home to be with their families in your thoughts during this holiday season.

-230

As a fast moving October snow storm moved through our area on Saturday into Sunday, the storm left devastation and lots of cleanup behind.   As the snow began to fall, the weight of the heavy snow on the leaves began to cause hundreds of trees throughout the Township to fall or loose limbs causing roadway closures, downed power lines and widescale power outages throughout town.

As of Sunday Evening, approximately 70% of the Township was still without power as a result of the havoc left behind from the storm.  All Township and regional schools were closed Monday and Tuesday due to the continued power outages and downed power lines creating hazards for children walking to school.

The members of The Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department were called upon to respond to 84 calls within the last three days including the following:

- Mutual aid Tower Ladder & Engine to Franklin Lakes for a working structure fire.

- Numerous utility emergencies

- Numerous reports of smoke in structures

Thanks to all the dedicated members of The Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department who responded to all of these calls during the storm, a great job by all!

This weekend proved to be a busy weekend for the volunteers of The Wyckoff Fire Department who logged eight calls through this morning including one mutual aid request for a structure fire.

10/22 @ 4:33am- Franklin Lakes requested TL #241 respond mutual aid on the 2nd alarm assignment for a working structure fire on Ewing Ave.  TL #241 responded in and assisted.  A short time later, Engine #233 was dispatched and responded in on the coverage assignment.

10/22 @ 10:47am- Odor of gas in a residnce on Ellis Place

10/22 @ 6:23pm-  Activated fire alarm at the Boulder Run Shopping Center

10/22 @ 7:28pm- NORCON activation for Saddle River for an oil leak

10/23 @ 11:32am- Odor of gas in a residence on Buckingham Circle

10/23 @ 2:04pm- Smoke in a residence on Meghan Court

10/23 @ 3:30pm- Activated fire alarm on Franklin Avenue

10/24 @ 6:29am- Activated fire alarm on Caldwell Drive

Today we take time to remember the 12 members of the FDNY who were lost in the Wonder Drug Store fire on 23rd Street on October 17, 1966.  This day was the second largest loss for the FDNY after 9/11.

Below is a summary of the incident as reported by Vincent Dunn, Ret. FDNY Lt.

The 23 street Collapse

Box 598 at 2136 hrs: The most deadly building collapse in the history of the Fire Department occurred at this alarm. Twelve firefighters were killed when the floor collapsed into the cellar. Two chiefs, two lieutenants, and six firefighters plunged into the flaming cellar. Two firefighters were killed by the blast of flame and heat on the first floor.

Location of Fire Origin: Cellar of 7 East 22 St.

Location of Collapse: First floor of Exposure 3 building: 6 East 23 St. "The Wonder Drug Store."

Fire Building Construction: 7 East 22 St: a brownstone, 20 x 60 brick and joist, four story residence. The cellar, where the fire started, and first floor were occupied by an art dealer.

Collapse Building Construction: 6 East 23 St: a five story, 45 x 100 commercial building, brick & joist construction. The rear, 16 x 35 foot, section of the first floor collapsed into the cellar occupied by 7 East 22 St.

Alterations:

(1) The fire building, 7 East 22 St, had a two story extension which abutted the rear of 6 East 23 St.

(2) The Cellar of 7 East 22 St extended under the first floor of 6 East 23 St for approximately 35 feet.

(3) The floor construction of 6 East 23 St was 3" x 14" wood beams topped by 3/4" wood planking. On top of this five inches of concrete with a terrazzo finish was added.



The firefighters in exposure 3, (6 East 23 St), killed in the collapse did not know they were operating directly over the cellar fire in 7 East 22 St. The five inch concrete terrazzo floor acted as an insulator. It concealed the severe fire and heat below. The 3 inch x 14 inch floor beams spaced 16 inches on center were reduced in size and strength by the fire. The first sign of weakness was the sudden collapse of a 15 x 35 foot section, which plunged the ten firefighters to their deaths. Two other firefighters were killed on the first floor by a ball of flame.

Cause of the .Fire: Unknown.

Cause of the Collapse: The fire burned for one hour, which reduced the

size and strength of the wood floor beams.

Fuel of Fire: Large storage of wood picture frames and their combustible finish, lacquer and paint.

Time of Collapse: The collapse occurred at approximately 2239 hrs, one hour and three minutes after the initial alarm of 2136 hrs.

Summary by: Vincent Dunn, Deputy Chief, FDNY, Division 3 (Ret)



http://nyfd.com/history/23rd_street/23rd_street.html

October 17,1966 Box 55 598

Killed in the line of duty

DC Thomas A Reilly, Division .3

BC Walter J Higgins, Battalion. 7

Lt John J Finley, Ladder 7

Lt Joseph Priore, Engine 18

Fr John G Berry, Ladder 7

Fr James V Galanaugh, Engine 18

Fr Rudolph F Kaminsky, Ladder 7

Fr Joseph Kelly, Engine 18

Fr Carl Lee Ladder, 7

Fr William F McCarron, Division 3

Fr Daniel L Rey, Engine 18

Fr Bernard A Tepper, Engine 18

 This year, our campaign is all about keeping you, your family, and your community safer from fire. You'll find educational material and tip sheets on the leading causes of home fires, information about protecting your home and families with life-saving technologies, and the importance of home escape planning. Please follow the link below and help The Wyckoff Fire Department in making a safer community.

Fire Prevention Week: October 9-15.