At high noon on Saturday, the volunteers participated in the 2008 Northwest Bergen County Mutual Aid Association’s Field Day competition hosted by the Glen Rock Fire Department. The field day competition has been a staple within the mutual aid association for as long as anyone can remember. The competition is usually made up of three different events, search, ladders and hose. Each department that participates competes against on another until one department has the best overall score from all three events. The winner is awarded a trophy and bragging rights until the following years competition.
The Franklin Lakes Fire Department won best overall in 2006 and could not participate in 2007 because our department hosted the event. Therefore, the volunteers were hungry for another first place finish. Unfortunately, the volunteers came up a few seconds short and placed second overall. Congratulations is passed along to the Oakland Fire Department for their first place finish and we will be looking forward to getting the trophy back in 2009!

Around the 14:00 hour mark, dispatch toned out the volunteers for a possible house fire on Old Mill Road. Enroute, dispatch confirmed a working structure fire by police patrol on scene. The 2nd alarm was transmitted bringing Oakland Engine 1034, Wyckoff Truck 241 and Waldwick Rescue 1 as the FAST Team. Ladder 342 arrived on location and the crew went to work. Wyckoff Chief of Department Murphy (230) arrived and established Command. Engine 331 laid in and crews pulled lines to the rear which allowed direct access to the basement where the seat of the fire was. Crews made an aggressive push into the basement knocking down all visible fire while another line pushed into the first floor knocking down the extension and preserving the interior stairs.
The 2nd alarm units went to work including the FAST Team. Waldwick Rescue 1 crew performed searches due to a report of possible occupants unaccounted for within the home. Command requested an additional FAST Team to the scene as well as two additional engine companies (Midland Park Engine 533 and Wyckoff 232) and Special Service Unit 979 out of Fair Lawn. Due to the conditions within the home, a tremendous amount of opening up and overhaul was needed to be performed. Crews remained on scene throughout the afternoon mopping up and assisting the family.
A great job by first in companies knocked the fire fast, preventing the bulk of the fire extending upward into the rest of the structure. Appreciation to all of the responding companies for a well coordinated response and aggressive operations through out the incident.

On Scene:
Engines: 331, 335, 232, 1034, 533
Trucks: 342, 241
Rescue: R1, 731 (FAST Team)
Support: 337, 979
EMS: FLVAC
M/A Coordinator Rose

Cover Companies:
Engines 222, Truck 4 (quint)
Truck: 641

Photo taken by 1230

Tuesday evening around 17:30 hours, Chief of Department Bohny (330) and Engine 335 (Capt. Post) responded on a cover up assignment to the Borough of Saddle River. Saddle River and surrounding companies were operating at a structural fire on Chestnut Ridge Road. Engine 335 and the chief provided cover until being released by Saddle River Command around 20:00 hours.

Our annual fund drive is underway and we ask for your continued support. Each year at this time, our 100% volunteer department looks to the community for financial support to help us meet our annual expenses that help us, help you. The Franklin Lakes Volunteer Fire Department has a proud tradition of service to our great community. Please help us carry on these traditions and dedicated service by supporting us again in 2008. Any support is greatly appreciated.

This past Monday night the volunteers reported to Longbow Drive for training in an acquired structure. Chiefs 330 and 340 along with Engine 331, Squad 333 and Ladder 342 performed a "routine" room and contents fire evolution within the structure. (Simulated with a smoke machine, no live burning in New Jersey!) Upon completion of the first scenario, a critique was held to review the actions of each team and assignments. Soon after, crews broke down into smaller groups and the volunteers practiced MAYDAY procedures over the radio along with the correct actions to be taken if a firefighter calls out a MAYDAY. A good night of training for everyone in attendance.

Thank you to the Fire Prevention Bureau for obtaining the structure for training and to Captain Knubel for setting up the drill. Acquired structure training is a great tool in keeping our skills sharp. Appreciation is extended to the home owners and contractors who allow us to use their properties before they are demolished.

Attention all members:

Engine 331 and Squad 333 will be providing coverage for the Oakland Fire Department on Saturday night, April 19th. Coverage begins at 18:00 hours and ends Sunday morning, April 20th, at 07:00 hours. Any questions, contact your officers.

The day began nice and early with the tones going out around the 03:00 hour for an automatic alarm in a private dwelling on Green Ridge Road. It was determined to be an alarm malfunction and the engine and truck returned to service. Early in the afternoon, the volunteers responded for an automatic alarm at a home on Franklin Lake Road. Crews determined the alarm to be a false activation due to smoke from a barbecue grill. Around 18:00 hours, crews hit the street again for another activated alarm on Knob Hill Court. The alarm was set off due to steam from cooking. As the units were clearing the scene, dispatch advised of a CO alarm on Orchard Road. Crews checked the interior with the meters and determined the activation to be false due to a low battery in the detector. Command downsized the assignment and all units assigned became available.

In the early afternoon hours, Engine 331 responded on the 2nd alarm to the Heritage Manor Nursing Home on the Christian Healthcare Center property in Wyckoff. Wyckoff units responded for an automatic alarm and upon arrival it was reported that there was a fire in one of the rooms. The engine staged its’ manpower and returned to service soon after. No fire was found by investigating crews.

The volunteers hit the street for a smoke in a dwelling on Bayberry Place around 18:30 hours on Friday evening. Chief of Department Bohny (330) arrived on location and established command reporting a haze and odor in the garage area of the home. Crews from Engine 331 and Ladder 342 investigated the interior. After a long search of the garage area, an extension cord was found to be burned up and melted. With the cause for the odor and smoke found, Command downsized the incident. No extension was found and the wiring that melted and burned was removed from the structure. Command placed the incident under control and all units assigned became available.

This past week, Motorola has been installing the new UHF police radios in the apparatus and Command vehicles. These radios are only a small part of the entire restructuring of the Franklin Lakes Emergency Services Communications system. In the end, the main fire frequency will become a repeated frequency and the police will be moving to UHF. No date for final implementation has yet been announced. Work continues and more information will follow.