JTFD#1 involved in newsworthy event: First FIT-5 deployment in New Jersey
(April 30) On April 1 2008, JTFD#1 was alerted to go mutual aid into the Oak Ridge section of West Milford Township, Passaic County for the working structure fire. Responding from Milton was Engine 722, Rescue 725 and Chief A. Schmidt in Command Unit 730. Upon arrival at the scene, the first arriving chief and engine found a working basement fire in a single family house in a district lacking a municipal water supply. Chief Schmidt advised Chief Castro of WMFD that he would like to deploy a FIT-5 device through the basement window in coordination with the interior attack to attempt a quick knockdown of the fire. Chief Schmidt threw the device through the basement window and within seconds the fire darkened down. Crews from West Milford and JTFD#1 entered to find significantly reduced heat and fire conditions and completed extinguishment and began overhaul.
There was minimal damage to the rest of the home.
The FIT-5 is a new kind of fire suppression tool, a Powder Aerosol Generator. According to the manufacturer’s website “the FIT-5 is about the size of a lunchbox, and weighs about nine pounds. It is designed to be carried in Chiefs vehicles and on Fire Trucks. First Responders use it to knockdown fires prior to entering a burning structure.
The devices deploy a huge cloud of super-fine aerosol powder. This powder attacks the fire chemically, interrupting the Fire … interrupting the flames within seconds.”
This deployment was the first use of a FIT-5 in the state of New Jersey and the first successful use on a basement fire in North America. Basement fires are particularly dangerous for firefighters and this fire would have required extensive tanker shuttle operations, so the effect of the FIT-5 deployment was significant.
Click here for the news story from WCBS Newsradio 880 (mp3 format)
Click here for the article at First Responder Network
Click here for the article on MSNBC

JTFD members complete Ice Rescue training
(February 17) Members of Jefferson Township Fire Co. 1 completed various levels of training in Ice Rescue this past weekend. The training was conducted by members of Jefferson Fire Co. 2 who are certified instructors for Life Saving Resources.
The first part of the course consisted of a 3 hour class room session for Awareness Certification on January 29, 2008. The second part consisted of outdoor operations as primary (technician) rescuer and secondary (operations) rescuer on a sunny, cold Saturday morning on February 16th at Preston Lake. The training started at 7:30 AM. The temperature was about 18 degrees when the training started that morning. Temperatures were above freezing by the time the drill ended around noon. The primary rescuer is responsible for getting into the dry suits to go into the icy water to rescue someone in the water surrounded by ice. The primary rescuer has to be able to communicate with the secondary rescuers on land who are responsible for the safety lines attached to the primary rescuer and victim.Various techniques were taught for rescue - self rescue of the rescuer, use of slings, back boards, ladders, Marsar rescue sled, Survive Alive rescue sled. 28 members of the fire company participated in different phases of the training. Photos coming soon.

2008 Officers Installed
(January 20) JTFD#1 held its annual Installation Dinner this past Saturday at the Zeris Inn, Denville. Chief Andrew Schmidt was installed along with his line officers: Asst Cheif Guy Bakera, Capt Vinny Corsaro and Lt. Gerry Brown; Engineers Paul Schaller, Jr., Rich Boonstra and Tom Galfo.
Mayor Russell Felter administered the oath of office in front of the room of assembled local dignitaries, guests, family, friends, neighboring fire chiefs and JTFD members.
Also installed were President Barbara Runz, Vice President Tom Walsh, Secretary Ed Mangold, Treasurer Neil VanDyke, Financial Secretary Bob Emmetts and Sgt at Arms Ray Cabrera.
Special thanks to JTFD#2 for providing coverage while we were out of town for this special night.

Another famous Milton wetdown: a huge success
(July 22) Fire Departments from all over New Jersey showed up in force to help JTFD#1 wet down our new Command Unit, Utility and Engine this weekend. Hundreds of local residents, neighbors, family, friends and area fire departments gathered at JTFD#1 Headquarters for a party that lasted well into the early hours of the morning.Special thanks to all of our sponsors and to JTFD#2 for helping cover our district and for cooking all day and all night to keep the masses well fed. More photos to come soon.

Quick Knockdown at Lukoil Service Station
(March 24) JTFD#1 dispatched to the Lukoil Gas Station on Berkshire Valley Road, on Saturday 3/24 in the early afternoon. First arriving units found a working fire in the storage area and achieved a quick knockdown with only minor damage. West Milford and Hardyston Fire were dispatched due to the nature and initial call of working fire, but were quickly canceled. Assistant Chief A. Schmidt (731) was Lukoil Command, with response from Co #1, Co #2, and the MFAS. Fire was not suspicious, the station opening for business the next day.

Brush fire brings response from NJ Forest Fire
(January 20) Around 4:45 PM, Friday 3/30, a 911 call brought JTFD#1 units to a report of smoke in the area of Ridge and Russia Rd. Upon arrival, Asst Chief A. Schmidt (731) and Capt R. Boonstra (732) hike about 3/4 of a mile up the mountain behind the Preston Lake development to find approx. 3 acres burning. The area was not accessible by Milton units, and NJ Forest Fire Service arrived soon on the scene with 3 ground units and the helicopter. The helicopter brought the fire under control in about an hour, using Preston Lake as a fill site. Chief E. Mangold (730) had command.

Chief and Officers for 2007 installed
(January 2007) At the Zeris Inn in Denville, Chief Ed Mangold and his officers for 2007 were sworn in by Jefferson Mayor Russell Felter. A number of local officials, neighboring dept chiefs and friends and family were on hand for this special night. This is Chief Mangold's first term as chief. He has served JTFD#1 during two separate stints spanning 20+ years. Congratulations to the chief and all of the 2007 officers.

Engine 722

Ladder 728

Rescue 725

JeffersonTownship.net
JeffersonPolice.com
www.njfirepictures.com
firehouse.com  

New engine 724 arrives. 1971 Hahn to be retired.

Out with the old: The officers and members pose for one last time with the 1971 Hahn.

And in with the new: 2006 Freightliner 4wd/American LaFrance.

Both companies gather for department photo
(November 19)  The officers and members gathered early Sunday morning for a long-overdue full department photo. All members gathered in full dress uniform. Engines 718, 720, 722, 724, 727, Tankers 714, 723, Rescues 719, 725, Ladders 711, 728, Utitilies 716, 726 and Command Units 701 and 730 were all rolled out for the photo. Special thanks to Lox, Stocked and Bagled for providing the refreshments necessary to get everyone out of bed early on a Sunday! Additional photos to be posted soon.

Citizen of the Year award for Past-Chief VanDyke
(July 24) Past Chief Neil VanDyke was honored in a very special ceremony at this year's Jefferson Township Day as he was named Citizen of the Year.  Neil was honored for his service to the JTFD#1, as he completed his fifth term as Fire Chief in 2005.  Neil is the only chief in JTFD#1 history to have served as chief that many years.  He is still an active member and has been appointed fire police officer as of 2006.  Neil is universally respected, among his peers and friends who have served with him these past decades, and among the younger members, who look to him as a role model and a great public servant.

JTFD puts a stop on large commercial fire
(July 12) JTFD#1 and 2 were dispatched tonight to Casa Bianca restaurant on Berkshire Valley Rd for a commercial structure fire. Units arriving found a working fire at the large landmark restaurant. Interior crews under the direction of Lt. Schaller and Asst Chief E. Mangold made an aggressive attack, containing the fire one section of the building. Master streams were put into service from Truck 711 and the Picatinny Truck, as Ladder 728 was out of service. Due to the lack of municipal water at the scene, a tanker shuttle was successfully established from a hydrant on Dover-Milton Road. Units on scene were Engines 722, 24 and 27, Rescue 725 and JTFD#2, Picatinny Arsenal, West Milford Station 2. Chief Corsaro was Casa Bianca Command. Photos courtesy of E. Patrick, JTFD2.

.Another new delivery
(July 3) JTFD#1 has taken delivery of a 2006 Ford F550 Crew Cab with Reading utility body.  Utility 726 replaces the old Brush Unit 726, which was a 1976 Dodge restored by members of the company in 1997 at virtually no cost to taxpayers.  The Dodge was pulled from service last year due to safety concerns.  The new 726 will be lettered and equipped in the next few weeks and will be placed into service at that time.

Members past and present gather at JTFD#1
(June 3) Old friends and familiar faces gathered at the Milton Rd firehouse to remember members past and to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the fire company. The afternoon started off with a remembrance service for all deceased members hosted by Past-Chief and Life Member Jack Kelly at the memorial on the firehouse grounds. At the service a plaque was dedicated for a new memorial to Firefighter James "Jim" Laraia which has been constructed at his old homebase, the Cozy Lake Substation. His family was on hand for the service. After the ceremony was over, members from years past and their families joined current members and families for a casino night and catered reception in the firehouse. Members with more than 25 years of active service was recognized, along with a special standing ovation for active member, Past Chief Joe Mikowski and his wife Gloria. Joe has been responding with JTFD#1 for over 54 years and is currently a driver on the daytime crew. The party went well into the night and a special thanks to the officers and members who worked so hard to put it all together.

 MORE PAST NEWS ITEMS...GO HERE for the news archive