Fire Department Hosts Annual Inspection

Dressed in their formal uniforms, the members of the Hasbrouck Heights Volunteer Fire and EMS Department stood proudly in front of fire trucks and ambulances on Hamilton Avenue facing a crowd made up of community members, borough officials and representatives from neighboring borough fire departments and the county as they conducted its annual inspection Saturday night.

Chief Kevin Todd thanked the members of the department and their families for the dedication and sacrifice they make to protect the residents of Hasbrouck Heights.

“Department members take pride in their company cleaning and polishing apparatus and working countless hours to prepare for this inspection,” Chief Todd told the crowd.  He called the ceremony “bittersweet” acknowledging that it is the second year that the department has held its inspection without its ladder truck.

He thanked the Bergen County Coordinator Chief Larry Raush and the county for loaning the department their ladder truck while the Heights fire department’s ladder truck is being repaired.

The department responds to approximately 2,000 fire and emergency calls annually.

Mayor Rose Heck and members of the council were on hand to honor the volunteer department members.

“You have outstanding people to whom we can come to in time of need,” the Mayor stated.

Councilman John Dingertopadre, who serves as fire commissioner, commended the department for the wonderful job they are doing acknowledging the countless times they leave their families in order to devote time to keep borough residents safe.

The ceremony concluded with the formal introduction of the chiefs Kevin Todd and first assistant chief Richard Giarratana and second assistant chief Pat Hayes of the department followed by the mayor and council meeting and greeting each and every individual fire department member.

Bergen County Fire Marshall Brian Henning was in attendance as well as chiefs and officers of Wood-Ridge and Wallington fire departments.

The community was allowed to tour the fire house and apparatus.