| The Ramsey FAST unit was requested to respond to Wyckoff for a structure fire located on Vassar Street in the early morning hours of Thursday, April 8th. Chief Jim Dougherty (430), Deputy Chief (450) Randy Sterbinsky and Tower 442 responded.
Wyckoff FD was dispatched to a report of a deck fire in the rear of the home. First arriving units found a well involved fire on the deck that was extending into the house. Chief Dave Murphy immediately called for a second alarm assignment, bringing several mutual aid companies from surrounding towns. After confirming that all occupants were safely evacuated an aggressive interior attack was initiated to try to stem the fire from inside. The conditions inside deteriorated very quickly making an inside attack virtually impossible.
As the Ramsey units arrived, the evacuation signals were activated to remove all firefighters from the interior. An aggressive exterior attack was initiated using several handlines and 1 tower ladder as the second floor became fully involved with heavy fire showing through the roof. Ramsey FAST members were assigned to the rear of the structure to keep watch of the members operating in the rear. The heavy fire was darkened down to allow for interior operations for deep seated fire and overhaul.
Ramsey units were later assigned to assist with interior operations for the extensive overhaul needed. Constant rotation of members at the scene were effective in reducing the risk of exhaustion and injury as it was a warm night and due to the heavy fire load in the home, overhaul needed to be extensive. A third alarm assignment was dispatched bringing fresh members to the scene to assist in picking up equipment and returning to service. Ramsey was released after nearly 2 hours.
Job well done by Wyckoff members, and all others who responded. Everyone went home safely. |
