Home Page of the Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department
This is the new home of the Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department.
House Fire Mead Ave.
A fire between the aluminum siding and the wooden shakes required the fire department to open up the wall to extinguish the flames. The damage was limited to the outside of the home. See news coverage below.
Trends Articles
February Active Month for Fire Department
During February the Fire Department responded to a house fire, 2 Brush fires and a vehicle extrication. Read the news coverage, and see photos by clicking on the links below.
Photos
News Articles
Mayor's photos of the Brush Fire
Firefighter Dan Burik in Action(Order your own copy)
Firefighter Cleary Graduates from Boot Camp
Ryan Cleary graduated from boot camp at the Naval Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes Illinois on January 15th. During boot camp he was assigned the position of Port Watch Section Leader and was responsible for 3 section leaders and 44 recruits. Upon graduating he obtained the rating of E-3 (Fireman). He also received his Sharpshooter badge. He is now enrolled in 'A' school at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Charleston South Carolina. After completion of the 3 months of "A" school he will remain in Charleston for an additional year of training. At the completion of his nuclear training his rating will be Machinists Mate Nuclear and he will be assigned to an aircraft carrier.
Final 2008 Incident Response Numbers
In 2008 the Fire Department responded to 163 incidents, an all time record for the 101 years of the department. That is up 10% from 2007. Over the last several years the number of responses has continued to rise. Click on the 2008 Incident List for additional information.
Ladies Auxiliary purchase will save life and property
On Friday Dec 19th the Fire Department held it's 101st annual installation dinner. Marge Norton, President of the Auxiliary, presented Chief Mike Norton with 2 FIT 5(Fire Interruption Technology) devices. These devices can be deployed into a burning room and stop an active fire. This gives firefighters additional time to make a rescue or get into the building safely to fully extinguish the fire
FIT 5 Info
FIT 5 Successful deployments
FIT 5 Video
Riverdale Volunteer enlists in the Navy
Ryan Cleary, a member of the Riverdale Fire Department, will leave for boot Camp on November 18th. Good luck and God Bless.
Read the town newsletter article November Newsletter
Lt. Louis O'shea
Lt. Louis O'shae passed away on Tuesday September 23rd. He was a member of the department in the 1960 and 1970's.
Click on the link for the obituary: Star Ledger
National Fire Prevention Week 2008
The Fire Department will host it's annual Fire Prevention Open House on Saturday October 11th from 5pm - 7pm. Stop by and see the latest in firefighting equipment, including our new rescue boat. Firefighters will be demonstrating our new bailout system that allows a firefighter to escape from a upper floor window. Bring the Make and Model of your vehicles and we can input it into our new Vehicle Crash Recovery software. It will display where your airbags, fuel line and electrical system is located.
Hot Dogs and refreshments will be provided.
This year's theme is Prevent Home fires. Here are a few links to information.
NFPA Fire Prevention Website
NFPA Home Checklist
Ladies Auxiliary Loses Charter Member
Fifty-Two(52) year charter member of the Ladies Auxiliary Grace Peine passed away August 24th 2008 at the age of 89. She was predeceased by her husband, John Peine Sr. Past Chief of the Riverdale Fire Department. Her son John Jr. is the Captain of Ladder 31. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Click on the link for viewing info: Grace Peine
In Memory of Chief James Wildey
Past Chief Jim Wildey passed away on Thursday August 14th. He was a member of the department since 1960, and served as Chief of the department in 1970 and 1971.
Click on the link for viewing info: Chief Wildey
Overturned Tanker Closes Route 287
A tanker overturned on I-287 between Route 23 and Hamburg TPK. at 5:20am on 5/6/2008. The 2 occupants were taken to the hospital, along with 3 Riverdale PD officers, and 3 NJ DOT workers. The tanker contained a highly flammable and toxic chemical. It took 18 hrs to clean up the spill and open up the highway. Runoff from the highway spread through the storm sewers from Newbury Pl. behind Riverdale School to the end of Haley Ave. The Riverdale School was closed for 3 days.
Mayor's Slideshow
Fox 5 New Coverage
Fire Department Elects New Chief
After 10 years as Chief, Pat Cleary did not seek re-election to a 6th term. Current Assistant Chief Mike Norton was elected the new Chief, and Dan Sturm was elected Assistant Chief
Fire Department Receives Grant from Wal-Mart
On November 29th the Fire Department received a $1,000 grant from the Wal-Mart Good Works grant program. The department will use this grant in conjunction with the $5,000 grant from Prudential to purchase 11 firefighter Personal Escape Systems (Petzl XO) and the specialized training that is required to use the system. Click on the link below to view the video of the Petzl system in action. The plan is to raise money to purchase one of these systems for each firefighter to assist them in the event they have to escape quickly and safely from a hazardous situation.
Petzl Brochure
Petzl Video
President Bush Honors Papa Joe
On Sunday October 7th 2007, 25 years after he died in the line of duty, Poppa Joe Ezzo was honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial service in Emmitsberg Md. President Bush greeted each of the familes of the fallen firefighters, and he unvailed the plaque that displayed the names of the 87 firefighters who died in 2006, along with the 5 who died in previous years, and were being recognized for for the first time. See pictures and news coverage by clicking on the link below.
Pictures and Articles
100th Anniversary celebration a success!
On August 25th 2007 the Riverdale Fire Department hosted their 100th anniversary celebration. With temperatures nearly reaching 100 degrees, everyone agreed it was the 'Hottest' wedown of the season. Click on the links below to see pictures of each event.
Memorial Service
Wetdown
Concert and Fireworks
100th Anniversary Fund Raiser
The fire department is selling 100th anniversary commemorative T-Shirts. They come in 4 colors Blue, Green, Yellow, and Grey. The cost is $12 for sizes up to XL, and $15 for 2X and above. Stop by the firehouse Monday nights, or call 973-831-1584 and we will be glad to fill your order. Supplies are limited, so get your order in early.
Fire Department Receives Federal Grant
The fire department was awarded $39,778 to replace 11 sets of turnout gear that is 10-15 years old. Also, we are now able to purchase an inflatable boat, wetsuits and life preservers to assist us with flood evacuations. In addition water rescue training will be funded.
Chiefs Letter
Star Ledger Article
Current Riverdale, NJ Weather
