Ladder 641 responded to a 3rd alarm this afternoon on Long Road in Wyckoff.  Ladder 641 arrived on scene and took position behind Wyckoff Tower Ladder 241 and put its bucket to the roof.  Wyckoff FD was on scene fighting a stubborn basement fire.  Crews were being kept at bay do to the electrical service arcing both in the basement and on the front of the house.  Crews fought the fire keeping away from the front corner of the home til Rockland Electric could disconnect the power in the underground.

A tough fire for Chief Murphy and his firefighters, but a job well done.

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The Waldwick High Sckool Class of 2009 graduated tonight, and for the first time in a few years, there were no members of the WFD in its ranks, however, we had many children and grand childen of WFD members graduating.  We would like to salute these families and students for their accomplishments.

The graduates were: Nicholas Alvarez, Kathryn Barthold, David Milano, Jade Murphy, Thomas Pinkham, Timothy Smith, and our former Fire Commissioner's daughter Lindsay Musumeci. 

Good Luck to all on your future endeavors.

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Thursday the Waldwick Fire Department, Frankford and Branchville Fire Departments said good-bye to a friend, a comrade, a former Chief and Lieutenant, a Father and Husband, Thomas Joaquin.  Tom lost his long battle with cancer on June 7th. 

Engines 2 & 4, Ladder 1 and Rescue 1, 630 & 690 traveled to Sussex County to give Tom a Chief's funeral.  Engine 4 was draped in mourning bunting as it carried Tom's casket.  Engine 4 was Tom's favorite fire truck.  He would often tell the Frankford firefighters "that when Waldwick sells that truck, we have to buy it".

Ladder 1 joined up with Branchville Ladder to raise a giant American Flag right in the middle of Branchville, just next to the church where Tom's memorial was said.

After the service, the procession traveled to his fire house where a last call was transmitted over the radio.  A bell was struck, and the fire siren sounded in memory of Ex-Chief Thomas Joaquin.

Rest in Peace Brother, you'll be greatly missed!

We wish to thank the Ridgewood Fire Department for lending us the large flag, the Wyckoff Fire Department for Engine 4's mourning bunting and for covering our town in our absence, the Branchville Fire Department for assisting with the memorials and lending their fire house for the re pass, the Frankford Fire Department for being a part of Tom's life.

On Saturday, June 7, 2009, the Waldwick Volunteer Fire Department was saddened to receive the news of the passing of former Lieutenant Thomas Joaquin.  Tom had served the WFD during the early 90's and then moved to Frankfort, New Jersey where he joined the Fire Department and rose through the ranks to hold the Office of Chief.
 
Services for Tom will be on Wednesday June 10  3-5 and 7-9 at The Smith McCracken Funeral Home, Newton, New Jersey.

At the June buisness meeting of the Waldwick Fire Department, Chris Nickl was elected a 2nd Lieutenant.  Chris met all the requirements of the WFD to become a Lieutenant.  We wish Chris the best of luck as he leads our firefighters.  Chris will be assigned to Company #1.

 On Wednesday June 3, 2009 Michael Brennecke was honored for saving the life of his buddy and co-worker Danny Miller at the 11Th Annual Heroes Breakfast sponsored by the American Red Cross. Danny was on break at work when a piece of food became lodged  in his throat. When Michael saw that Danny was in distress  and couldn't breathe, he  acted immediately , Mike grabbed Danny from the back and performed a series of abdominal thrust maneuvers, finally dislodging the food and allowing Danny to breathe normally again. Mike's quick actions and knowledge saved Danny's life.  
                   Congratulations   Mike and great job in being there for a friend. 
 

The Waldwick Fire Department is delighted to announce the birth of Ryan Tyler Flatten son of Pete and Suzanne Flatten and brother of Samantha. Mom Dad and Samantha are all doing well. Welcome to  Waldwick  Ryan Tyler.   

The WFD participated in the Northwest Bergen annual field day hosted by the HoHoKus Fire Department.  Waldwick entered two teams and they placed third in the ladder event and search event.  A hose event also took place.

The ladder event consisted of a four member team that had to climb to the top of the ladder truck and raise a fan and a stokes basket to the top.  The search event was set up in a truck bay.  Barriers and artifical smoke hampered the firefighters efforts of finding a 200lb dummy and dragging it to safety.

13 teams enetered the event all together.   We congratulate our members for a fine job.

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Approximately 5:15pm, the Wyckoff FD requested a 2nd alarm, as they were on scene with a fire on the roof of the old A&P building on Greenwood Ave.  Wyckoff FD arrived on scene to fire a large amount of smoke emitting from the roof.  1st due units laid in while Wyckoff Ladder 241 put the stick to the roof to allow firefighters to investigate.  The fire was extinguished quickly and overhaul found that the fire had not extended into the structure.  Franklin Lakes sent an engine to the scene and HoHoKus and Ramsey sent FAST Teams.  Ladder 641 responded to Wyckoff Co #1 along with a Midland Park engine to standby.  The units remained on scene for approximately 30 minutes.

The WFD participated in Waldwick's annual Memorial Day Parade.  The Men, Ladies, Color Guard and all the apparatus marched down Franklin Turnpike.

Additioal pictures from Brother Tarleton

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The WFD attended the Washington Twp. Fire Department's 75th Anniversary parade and won 3rd Place for Best Rescue.  A good job to all that participated and attended.

Hopefully someone took some pictures and will forward them...

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A little past noon, the WFD was dispatched to an electrical problem at the High School.  Arriving units found an electrical component had shorted due to a water leak.  As per protocol of a occupied high occupancy structure, Wyckoff FD dispatched Engine 231.  Upon arrival, 231 stood by at a hydrant on Wyckoff Avenue, while its crew and Chief Murphy  assisted the WFD crews inside.  The water leak was found and secured.  Crews set up fans to remove the smell.  During the operation the student body was relocated from the effected section of the building, and were never in any harm.  After about 45 minutes of service, Chief Riker returned the units and turned the building over the Waldwick BOE personnel.

We thank Wyckoff for their response.

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At 11:23pm, the WFD was dispatched for Tower Ladder 641 to respond to Wyckoff Co #1 to standby while the Wyckoff FD were battling a garage fire on Shelton Rd.  Wyckoff FD units arrived on scene to find a working garage fire and sounded a second alarm bringing an engine from Franklin Lakes, along with our Tower Ladder for cover, and 2 FAST Teams, one from Ramsey and the other from HoHoKus to the scene.  Shortly after these units were on the road responding, Wyckoff Command 230 canceled the FAST Teams and then released the standby companies due to the fact that the Wyckoff FD had quickly brought the fire under control.  Good job to Chief Murphy and the Wyckoff FD.

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Recently, students of the Rainbow Corners Nursery School visited Co #1 to learn about fire safety.  On hand were Assistant Chief Peter Flatten and Firefighter Curt Linnartz to show the children around.

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On Saturday, the WFD covered for the HoHoKus FD while they were out of town at a training course at The Rockland Fire Academy.  During the period, an alarm was received for smoke in a home on Edgewood Drive.  All WFD units responded.  Upon arrival they found that a dishwasher had started on fire and had filled the home with a moderate smoke condition.  A HoHoKus engine also responded.  The incident was handled quickly and efficiently.