2011 ended with the Franklin Lakes Volunteer Fire Department responding to the highest number of calls in the department’s history. 

Headquarters and South Side answered 608 calls last year in addition our weekly drills, professional training and monthly departmental meetings.

FLFD volunteer department works hard to keep the community and surrounding towns safe.  The severe storms took their toll in March, August, September and October.  Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm Lee and the October Snow storm stretched our resources but didn’t break us. Throughout the year we responded to Wyckoff, Mahwah, Ramsey, Waldwick, Pompton Lakes and Oakland to help our brother firefighters.

The department mourns the passing of our brothers Ex Chief Kenneth Walder and Fire Fighter Peter Rosenblum; we will always honor their memory.

The Franklin Lakes Fire Department appreciates the support of our community and we thank you for your donations.

A special thanks to our 2011 line officers for their time and dedication.

Chief of Department Denny Knubel

Assistant Chief of Operations Larry Kohan

Captain Ryan Dodd

Captain Jeremy Donch

Lieutenant Ron Meyers Jr.

Lieutenant Thomas Fahy Jr.

At 12:02 hours one engine was requested mutual aid to North Haledon for a working house fire on High Mountain Road just over the border. Engine 335 and squad 332 responded on the assignment.

North Haledon units arrived on location to find a 1 1/2 story ranch with fire showing. A line was stretched and searches were conducted. North Haledon was having pressure problems with their hydrant, so Franklin Lakes engine 335 and squad 332 hit another hydrant on Resevoir Drive to feed North Haledon engine 4.

North Haledon crews quickly knocked the fire and opened up. All searches were complete with no findings. North Haledon made quick work of the fire. Paterson, Woodland Park, and Totowa also assisted on scene. Franklin Lakes engine 335 and squad 332 laid several thousand feet of supply line from the hydrant to the scene and after packing up they returned.

Excellent job by North Haledon and all mutual aid crews working on scene. Job well done!

At the Tuesday, December 20, 2011 Council Meeting, FLFD had a new member sworn in. Jonathan Reitz was officially added to our roster with Mayor Bivona and Council President Ramsey officiating. Jonathan will respond out of the Southside Fire House on Franklin Lakes Road. Welcome and congratulations on starting your Emergency Services Career.

On Sunday December 11, 2011, Franklin Lakes Fire Department will be hosting our distinguished visitor from the North Pole. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be arriving at Headquarters (Bender Court Fire House) at 2pm and staying until 5pm. As always, hot chocolate, cookies and presents will be distributed to all the little boys and girls. See you there and have a wonderful Holiday Season.

At 18:40 hours a full box assignment was dispatched for a reported chimney fire on Colonial Road. Ladder 3, rescue 3, engine 5, and engine 1 all responded on the assignment. On arrival Chief Knubel (330) reported smoke and embers pushing from the chimney.

The home was located on a common driveway with restricted access. Accordingly, the ladder setup on the B/C corner of the home and put the stick to the roof. The remainder of the assignment checked the interior of the entire residence under the command of Assistant Chief Kohan who assumed operations. 

Nothing unusual was found inside the home and there were no signs of fire, heat or smoke. Crews utilized thermal imaging cameras to check the home. The ladder's crew dropped chains down the chimney to clear the passage. The chimney ash pit was also inspected and nothing irregular was found.

A large amount of debris was dislodged from the chimney flue, which crews determined to be the cause of the problem. After the problem was rectified all units returned and command was terminated. 

IT IS THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN AND WE REMIND RESIDENTS TO UTILIZE SAFE PRACTICES WHEN OPERATING A CHIMNEY. REMEMBER TO HAVE YOUR CHIMNEY INSPECTED AND CLEANED.

December is the annual meeting for the Franklin Lakes Volunteer Fire Department. At this business meeting, all officers are elected for the following year except Chief. The officers elected for 2012 are: Assistant Chief: Larry Kohan Captain: Ryan Dodd Captain: Ron Meyers, Jr. Lieutenant: Jeremy Donch Lieutenant: Tom Pianettini A/C Kohan is serving his second year as A/C after previously serving all officer roles. Capt. Dodd is in his second year and Capt. Meyers will serve his first year after two years as Lieutenant. Lt. Donch previously served all positions including Chief in 2007 and last year was Captain. Lt. Pianettini is serving his first year as a Line Officer. The following Desk Officers were also elected: President: Jim Webb Vice-President: Tim Lemin Corresponding Secretary: Brian Dalton Recording Secretary: Greg Donch Financial Secretary: Steve Linz Treasurer: Ken Steenstra All Desk Officers are returning from last year. Brian was appointed last year to fill the Corresponding Sec. position midway through last year. Good luck to all on a successful year.

The Volunteers wish to extend a Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends and neighbors.  Enjoy the day and be safe.

The Volunteers would like to extend a Happy Veterans Day to our past and present members who have served as well as those in our community. 

FF Pedrani is currently in Corpsman School for the United States Navy and we could not be more proud of him and his accomplishments.

Its that time of year again.  Think Safety!

At 15:25 hours communications dispatched the fire department for a house fire. Crews were already operating at numerous calls within the town because of the snowstorm and everyone responded on the assignment. Chief Knubel (330) was first on the scene and reported a 1 1/2 story residence with heavy fire showing from the front of the home. The Chief also advised all incoming apparatus that one individual was still trapped in the home and transmitted the second alarm.

The first arriving engine stretched the initial attack line and crews began the primary search in the home under extremely difficult conditions. The search teams encountered high heat and zero visibility. The victim was located and removed from the home but did not survive.

The mutual aid ventilated the structure, assisted with overhaul, opened up and helped extinguish the remainder of the fire. The snowstorm made this a very difficult situation and challenged everyone on scene. An aggressive attack resulted in a quick knock of the fire. An excellent job by all those operating on scene! Thanks to the mutual aid for their assistance during this difficult fire.  

At 04:24 hours communications dispatched the fire department to Ewing Avenue for a reported house fire. Chief Knubel (330), Assistant Chief Kohan (340), and the remainder of the Franklin Lakes Fire Department responded on the assignment. Chief Knubel was first on scene and conducted a 360 of the home. Through his investigation the Chief was able to see that the house was completely filled with heavy black smoke and that all the windows were extremely warm. At this point the Chief confirmed the working fire and transmitted the second alarm.

Franklin Lakes ladder 342 laid a supply line to the home and forced entry. Engine 331 hooked up to the supply and stretched an attack line. Once entry was made crews encountered heavy smoke, high heat, and fire. A primary search was conducted to check for victims. The fire was located in the family room of the home and extinguished quickly by interior crews. Horizontal ventilation was conducted and the fire room was opened up.

A quick response by the fire department and an aggressive attack prevented the fire from extending past the room of origin. The Franklin Lakes Fire Department made quick work of the job and returned home within an hour and a half. Job well done and thanks to the mutual aid for their assistance!

To watch video of the fire taken from a helmet camera use the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwR7j-uKCLE

On Saturday, October 15th, the Franklin Lakes Volunteer Fire Department went out of service for the evening to hold our annual lenth of service recognition dinner.  We call it “Old Timers Night”.  In our Department, we issue uniform sleeve bars to commemorate 5 years of service.

 

This year we had several members who reached a 5year period.  They are as follows:

 

Brian Comitto – 5 years

Mike Mital – 5 years

David Rohner – 15 years

Ken Steenstra – 20 years

Larry Kohan – 20 years

Greg Donch – 20 years

John Keene – 30 years

Len Van Ess – 35 years

George Van Heest – 50 years

Jack Willer – 55 years

 

These gentlemen received uniform stripes to wear on their sleeves to show the appropriate number of years of service.  In addition, George Van Heest received a plaque from the FLFD recognizing his 50 year association with the Department.  There was also an “Old Timers” picture taken of all the members who have moved away but return for the annual dinner and the active guys who have more than 25 years of service to the department.  A good time was had by all.

The Franklin Lakes Volunteers will be out at the Pre-Schools this week and the Elementary Schools next week teaching Fire Prevention.  This year the the focus is on "Protecting Your Family from Fire."

The Franklin Lakes Fire Department elects our Chief of Department at the October business meeting yearly.  This year, Chief Denny Knubel was elected for his second year as Chief.  Best wishes for an outstanding year!

At 08:08 hours communications dispatched a fire alarm on High Mountain Road. On arrival Chief Knubel (330) reported nothing showing from a 2 1/2 story residential and established command. The Chief advised responding apparatus that no one was home and the house was sealed.

Engine 331 (OIC Dalton) and ladder 342 (OIC Kowalski) handled the assignment. Once on location crews began a 360 investigation of the home. During the 360 crews noticed that smoke started to push from an open window on the second floor of the home. Command was advised and immediately transmitted the second alarm for a working fire. 

The truck forced entry and the engine stretched the attack line. Upon entering the home the fire was located in the kitchen. Crews knocked it and made quick work of the fire. Command returned all mutual aid units.

Just goes to show that fire alarms are crucial in the early detection of fires and preventing major damage. The home was saved because of the fire alarm system and quick response of the Franklin Lakes Fire Department. Not your typical routine alarm. Great job by all!