January Incidents

As the first month of the new year of a new decade comes to a close, the Ramsey Fire Department has already responded to it's share of calls. The year started with a call from the Wyckoff Fire Department on January 2nd with a request for the F.A.S.T unit. Tower 442 and a support unit along with Chief Jim Dougherty responded to a working house fire at 418 Wyckoff ave. The fire was contained to the kitchen area and was quickly brought under control by the first due units. The area was under an extremely cold weather pattern at the time. The temperature was well into the teens and single digits. Ramsey was cleared from the scene within one hour.
On January 11, Wyckoff FD called for the F.A.S.T. unit for a working fire at 292 Merrywood ave. Tower 442 and a support unit along with Chief Dougherty responded. The fire was contained to the garage area and quickly brought under control. Ramsey was cleared within 2 hours.
In between, the RFD responded to numerous activated alarms, smoke investigations, fuel spills and motor vehicle accidents.
Monday, January 25 proved to be an interesting day as a violent storm passed through the area. Heavy rains with 50+ mile per hour winds brought all of the emergency services in town out in the weather. The RFD was first called to Upper Saddle River for a structure fire in a commercial building on Rt. 17 north. Engine 432 and tower 441 responded to assist USR members. The fire was quickly brought under control, containing it to the basement. At the same time, the RFD and Ramsey Rescue were dispatched to Rt. 17 north in the area of the Quick Check for an overturned truck with possible entrapment. Engines 432 and 431 responded. Engine 432 (Just released from USR) was first on the scene of a small box truck overturned in the fast lane with a fluid spill. The driver was out of the vehicle and was transported by Ramsey EMS with minor injuries. Engine 432 remained on the scene until a heavy duty wrecker uprighted and towed the vehicle away. Minutes after clearing the MVA, RFD units were dispatched to 14 Brookfield Ct. to assist Rescue with a roof that blew off of a sun porch on the rear of the house and got lodged up in a large tree in the front of the home. The crew of engine 432 and tower 441 assisted Rescue in getting the roof sections out of the tree. Meanwhile engine 434 and Deputy Chief Randy Sterbinsky were investigating a water leak through the roof of a townhouse in Cambridge Heights.

On a sad note, last week members of the RFD payed tribute to fallen Marine and Westwood Firefighter Christopher Hrbek. Sgt Hrbek was killed in Afghanistan while on patrol. Our hearts go out to the Hodges and Hrbek family in this untimely loss. Hrbek was truly a hero in every aspect of the word. A fitting farewell was held in Westwood. RIP Chris.

The RFD has answered 30 calls thus far.