Firefighters Show Pride For Their Department

Surrounded by friends, family and community leaders, the volunteer members of the proudly stood in front of the equipment that they use to keep their neighbors safe as they took part in their annual inspection Saturday night.

Once again the department opened the fire house to the entire community and friends in neighboring fire departments to come view the equipment and apparatus, giving it a formal inspection.

Fire Chief Richard Giarratana recognized fire chiefs from neighboring communities which the department works closely with, especially acknowledging the Wood-Ridge fire chiefs who he noted have really helped out a lot.  

Giarratana said the men and women of the department do a lot and don’t get a lot for it but he knows what they do - they continuously work to keep the rest of the community safe.

The department was proud to have its , which had been out of service for more than a year, and on display for this inspection. Councilman David Gonzalez, who serves as fire commissioner, told the audience he could speak for hours about how important it is to the Heights community, Teterboro and neighboring towns to have this truck back.

He pointed out the importance of other equipment the volunteers use while battling blazes and how items like turnout coats and oxygen packs that may be made to last 10 to 15 years wear down faster because of how often they are used.  Department funds will be used to replace some of those worn down items this year, he explained.   

Many do not realize that firefighting is a volunteer job, he pointed out. "These men and women don't get paid to wake up at 3 a.m. to answer an ambulance call. They do it because they care about people," Gonzalez said.

Mayor Rose Heck and council members greeted each and every volunteer and were able to get a close look at the department’s two fire engines, hook and ladder truck, rescue truck and two ambulances.

Also on display was the new fire chief’s truck, a red 2012 Chevy Silverado, which will replace the former truck which is 15 years old. Gonzalez said leftover funds from a capital ordinance a few years back enabled the borough to purchase this new truck.

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