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Today The New Milford Fire Department remembers the 343 brave men of the FDNY and FDNY EMS, the 23 NYPD Officers, and the 37 PAPD Officers. We also come together to remember not just those who were lost that day, but to remember the sacrifice that was made to save thousands of people that day.

On Saturday April 12^th, The New Milford Volunteer Fire Department had its groundbreaking ceremony for the renovation and additions to both Company One on Center Street and Company Two on Trenton Street.  The new building at Company Two is replacing an aging structure built in 1921 as the 100^th anniversary approaches.  The additions to Company One and Two include a gear room, fitness room, and bunk rooms for firefighters during extended operations like hurricanes and snowstorms.  The construction is set to be completed around December. 

More photographs are available at

http://jnolanphotography.smugmug.com/NMFD/NMFD-Ground-Breaking-2014

Last week's fire heavily damaged a home on Main Street belonging to the parents of Company 1 firefighter Robert Matulac. The New York and New Jersey Fireman's Association gave a donation to the family of gift cards to Wal Mart to pay for clothing and other goods lost or damaged in the fire.  The money for donations are obtained through the clothing donation boxes placed at Shoprite and near the DPW.  

From left to right:

Firefighter Robert Matulac, Flordeliza Matulac, Celsius Matulac, Ex-Chief Bill Drew, Chief Jeremiah Nolan, Captain Ross Rhein, Assistant Chief Dave Stormer

At 2137 hrs on Wednesday February 11th a general alarm was paged out for a reported fire at 222 Main Street. New Milford Police Department was first to arrive and reported flames showing. Engine 32 was the first arriving fire dept unit and 303 (Capt. Rhein) confirmed flames showing from the first floor of a 2 1/2 story two family home. Assistant chief 301 (Asst. Chief D.Stormer) arrived shortly after and called for a full 2nd alarm assignment bringing in Oradell Volunteer Fire Department, River Edge Volunteer Fire Department, New Milford Volunteer Ambulance Corps, River Edge Ambulance Service, and a FAST (Firefighter Assist and Search Team) from Bergenfield. Crews from Engine 32 and Engine 33 entered the structure in an attempt to make an aggressive interior attack and were faced with heavy fire conditions rapidly spreading up the walls to the second floor. Command then requested 31 Truck to cut a vent hole in the roof to ventilate fire that had reached the 2nd floor and attic area. Fire immediately vented out of the roof and the order was made to evacuate the home to start an exterior attack. After darkening down the heavy fire conditions fire companies reentered the structure to extinguish and overhaul any remaining fire that remained. Command Chief 30 (Chief Nolan) placed the fire under control at 2304 hours. Crews operated on scene for approximately five hours before returning to quarters. One member was transported to an area Hospital with minor burns to his hands. We wish him a quick and speedy recovery. Command was terminated at 0050 hours and Main Street was reopened.  

Photos by Brett M. Dzadik (Brettsfirephotos.com)

A donation page has been set up for the families.  It is encouraged to donate for those who lost everything.  

http://www.gofundme.com/6v2358

The New Milford NJ Volunteer Fire Department and The New Jersey & New York Volunteer Fireman’s Association presented a donation to the family of a New Milford Junior firefighter whose home was seriously damaged by an early morning blaze on January 24^th.    

The Lignos family exemplifies the spirit of volunteering in Bergen County New Jersey.  The father, John Lignos who has been the president of the New Milford Little league for numerous years, daughters Alexis, Ashley, and Angela who have coached junior cheerleading, and son Andrew who has been a member of The New Milford Fire Department have all been extremely involved in community outreach for numerous years. 

Early Friday morning, a smokey basement caused extensive damage to the family’s New Milford home.  A quick response by local volunteer firefighters quickly contained the blaze, but smoke, flames, and water caused substantial damage to the family’s home rendering it unable to be occupied. 

The family was given a donation from the New York & New Jersey Volunteer Fireman’s Association to Wal Mart for clothes and other goods that were damaged in the fire. The money is obtained through the sale of clothing from the donation drop boxes by the DPW and shoprite.  

Photographed from left to right:

Deputy Chief Alan Silverman, Department Chief Jeremiah Nolan, Ex-Chief Bill Drew, John Lignos, and Jr. Firefighter Andrew Lignos

Photo by Robert Ryan

On January 4th, the 2014 officers of the New Milford Fire Department were given the oath and were installed for the new year.  The new officers are as followed

Chiefs

Department Chief: Jeremiah M. Nolan

Assistant Chief: David Stormer

Deputy Chief: Alan Silverman

Company 1 officers

Captain: Ross Rhein

Lieutenant: John Stormer

Company 2 officers

Captain: Jack Siccardi Sr.

Lieutenant: William Mury

Congratulations to all officers and a safe year to all!

With the incoming snow storm on or around Friday, January 3rd, residents and business owners are kindly requested to keep fire hydrants clear. Snowed in hydrants can significantly impede our ability to fight a fire. Try to clear hydrants on all sides at least 3 feet as best as possible.