At 2310 hrs, the Tenafly Fire Department was dispatched for a possible kitchen fire at 69 Leonard Avenue. First arriving police units reported a heavy smoke condition in the house. Car 510 arrived shortly after and confirmed a fire in the kitchen.  He ordered E1 to stretch an attack line through the front door when they arrive on scene.  The engine crew advanced a line and made a quick knock of the fire which they contained to the kitchen area only.  As the fire was being doused, additional manpower from Engine 1 conducted a search of the house for victims which proved negative.  TFD Car 511, Ladder 1 and Squad 2 vented the structure, checked for extension, overhauled the fire area and secured the utilities.  Englewood Ladder 2 was called to the scene, as well as Dumont Rescue 3 for the RIT. Cresskill Engine 5 covered Tenafly’s Fire Headquarters while crews worked at the scene.  All units took up at 12:30 hrs and the situation was placed under control.  Thanks to Joe Fortunato at http://www.boxalarmproductions.exposuremanager.com for some of the pics.

Just after 19:00 hours, FDNY Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano arrived at Tenafly Fire Headquarters to present the East Bergen Firefighters Mutual Aid Association (EBFMA) with recognition awards for their response to the September 11th 2001 terrorist attacks.  The awards were presented to each of the 10 EBFMA chiefs in recognition for their department’s assistance on September 11, 2001.  The recognition awards were shadow box display case’s that included a piece of steel from the WTC site.  Chief Cassano spoke of the events of September 11 and expressed his gratitude and thanks for the support the FDNY received from fire departments across the river.  On September 11, 2001, an East Bergen task force that consisted of five heavy rescues and five ladder trucks (including TFD Ladder 1) were dispatched to New York City and assigned to a staging area of the FDNY's 16th Battalion.  Check out http://www.ebfma.org/ for more information on the EBFMA Association.  343

At 19:38 hours, Tenafly Tower 2 and Car 511 were dispatched to 770 Anderson Avenue in Cliffside Park for a high-rise fire.  Cliffside Park was working a fire on the 8th floor of a 26 story residential high rise building.  Tenafly Tower 2 responded on the 3rd alarm and was directed to staging near the command post once they arrived on scene.  Multiple companies were engaged in the fire attack and removal of occupants as several mutual aid companies stood fast in front of the building.  Once the fire was knocked down, Tower 2 and Car 511 were redirected to Cliffside Park’s Fire Headquarters to cover the town along with a Bogota, Hackensack and Ridgefield engine.  As the Tower and Car 511 were out of town, remaining Tenafly companies handled two other fire calls in Tenafly.  Photos by Michael Coppola of www.PublicSafetyPictures.com

At 17:15 hours, the TFD whistles sounded for a report of smoke in the house at 49 Madison Avenue.  Car 511 arrived on scene first and confirmed a smoke condition on the first floor.  He ordered Engine 1 to secure a water supply and stretch a line to the first floor.  The Tower arrived soon after and searched the house for the fire.  Car 510 arrived on scene next and assumed command.  Within minutes, crews discovered a fire running the inside of the walls near a fire place that was used earlier in the day.  The walls were opened up and the fire was quickly doused.  A thorough check for extension was conducted.  TFD crews vented the structure, secured utilities and overhauled before deeming the house safe.  Dumont Rescue 3 responded to the scene as the RIT while Englewood Truck 1 and Cresskill Engine 5 responded to the scene to fill out the working fire assignment.  Bergenfield Engine 743 and Tenafly Ladder 1 covered Tenafly during the incident.  Thanks to Chris Saraceno at http://www.saracenophotography.exposuremanager.com/ for the pics.

Just after 19:30 hours, the TFD was dispatched to Dumont for the house on fire.  Car 510 and Ladder 1 responded to 158 West Madison Avenue in Dumont as the RIT.  Dumont FD had a 2 ½ story, wood frame with fire showing out the front, second floor windows.  Initial reports advised companies going in that there was a family trapped on the 2nd floor.  TFD Ladder 1 arrived and set up the RIT staging in front of the fire building.  Dumont companies made quick progress of knocking down the fire.  A victim was discovered in a second floor bedroom but was DOA.  The TFD picked up and returned by  20:30 hours.  Thanks to Brett Dzadik, Kevin Joyce and Art Kneisler for the pictures.

As movie goers were enjoying their Sunday afternoon in downtown Tenafly, a motor vehicle jumped the curb, toppled a light pole, crashed into a building and spun its tires sending a rubbery haze of smoke into the Tenafly movie theatre.  The TFD responded to find the movie theatre evacuating and the driver out of the car being treated by TVAC.  Squad 2 and Ladder 1 secured the vehicle, disconnected the light pole and vented the movie theater.  Car 511 had the command until Car 510 arrived

During another winter snow/ice storm, a manhole fire was reported at the Tenafly DPW complex.  TFD units arrived to find smoke pouring out of a manhole that housed electrical wiring and equipment.  Power to the manhole was shut as the buildings in the complex were checked for carbon monoxide.  The fire eventually receded so workers could get in and check the situation.  Engine 1, The Tower, Car 510 and 511 responded.

At 17:16 hours, as many members of the TFD were celebrating Christmas with their families, the General Whistle page went out for 110 Sunset Lane, for a fire in the house caused by a fire place. As Engine 1 hit the streets and as Car 510 (in Car 511) arrived, Tenafly Police were on scene reporting a fire on the first floor that was spreading throughout the house. Engine 1 arrived and led off with a “pre-connect” to the first floor where fire was throughout the living room. Engine 1 then pulled a second line to the second floor where fire was found inside the walls above the fire. Tower 2 arrived shortly after and split their crew into secondary search and vent. They were also able to throw ladders where needed and pull a 3rd line to the attic where fire had extended. Within minutes, the fire was put out as mutual aid companies (Englewood Tower 1 and Cresskill Engine 5) assisted with vent, utilities and salvage and overhaul. Dumont Rescue 3 had the RIT assignment. Covering TFD headquarters was Dumont Squad 1 and Bergenfield Ladder 742. Both covering companies took in a fire alarm in Tenafly during the fire. The scene was cleared at 20:30 hours. The Bergen Record article is here... http://www.northjersey.com/news/36737869.html  Thanks to Chris Saraceno (http://www.saracenophotography.exposuremanager.com) for the pictures.

At 17:55 hours, on a frigid winter evening, the Tower and Car 510 responded as the RIT to a 2nd alarm building fire in the City of Englewood. The fire located in the basement of 27 North Dean Street, involved a faulty heating unit and its surroundings. Englewood companies made quick work of the fire as the Tenafly Tower crew held its RIT position at the command post. Tenafly companies were back in service at 18:45 hours.

The annual TFD Kids Christmas Party was once again a huge hit with the boys and girls of the Tenafly Fire Department. This year, the kids were entertained by a magician who treated the crowd to magic tricks, balloon toys and treats. Soon after, Santa stopped in and heard what everyone wanted for Christmas. Great job by the “Kids Xmas Party” committee.

Christmas time wouldn’t be the same without spending an evening in December at the Franciscan Sisters Convent, where the Tenafly Fire Department sings Xmas carols and spreads holiday cheer. As the snow fell outside, “Mark the Mouth” didn’t disappoint as he sang the "5 Golden Rings" verse of The Twelve Days of Christmas… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypjt0B5nGJM

At 01:18 hours, The Tower and Car 510 responded as the RIT to a house fire in the City of Englewood. The fire located on Knapp Place involved the second floor of a 2 ½ story wood frame, private dwelling. As the Tower arrived, most of the fire had been knocked down and the Tower crew was used to assist in salvage. The TFD was released at 02:10 hours.

Just shortly after 17:00 hours, Tower 2 and Car 510 were dispatched to 149 Manhattan Terrace in Dumont, for the RIT assignment for the house on fire. Dumont FD had a 1 1/2 story single family dwelling with fire showing from a bedroom window on arrival. As the Tower arrived, the DFD had most of the fire knocked down. The Tower remained on scene for a short while until being released, where they then took in another run back in Tenafly.

During the week of October 20-26, 2008 the Tenafly Fire Department responded to 30 calls for assistance.  Monday October 20 the department responded to a serious motor vehicle accident on Route 9W north of East Clinton Ave. A driver traveling south in a passenger vehicle collided head-on with a tractor-trailer heading north. The driver of the car was killed and was heavily pinned in the wreckage. The tractor-trailer was leaking diesel fuel. Following the extensive investigation and documentation of the accident scene by police agencies, the fire department was ordered to cut the victim from the heavily entrapped wreckage. The Bergen County Hazardous Materials Team responded to the scene to mitigate the leaking diesel fuel. Fire units were on the scene for five hours. The use of our elevating light tower on one of the apparatus was useful to investigators to illuminate the area as they examined the crash scene. These light towers of which we have four were added over the last few years after we had five people killed on 9W in a two car accident about eight or nine years ago.  Tuesday October 21, we had one fire alarm and a mutual aid drill for surrounding departments of which over 120 firefighters attended a two hour lecture on the hazards of lightweight building construction to the fire service.  Wednesday October 22, we responded to one call for an activated Carbon Monoxide detector.  Thursday October 23, the department responded to four fire alarms.  Friday October 24, the department responded to three fire alarms and a reported oven fire.  Saturday October 25, a series of storms with high winds hit the town during the late afternoon and mid-evening causing blackouts, trees down and electrical wires down. The department responded to five fire alarms, two transformers on fire, three reports of electrical wires down, three electrical wires burning on the ground. PSE & G were notified to respond to numerous locations.  Sunday October 26, the department responded to two fire alarms and an activated Carbon Monoxide detector.  It was a busy week!  - From the desk of Assistant Chief, Harvey Eisner.

Tenafly Fire has just taken delivery of a 2008 GMC Yukon, custom equipped by Odyssey Automotive Specialty of Wharton, NJ. This new command car replaces a 1999 Chevy Suburban which was also an Odyssey special. Car 511 is assigned to assistant chief Harvey Eisner. The old car 511 will be labeled Car 512 and used  as a duty officers vehicle.