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The Cedar Grove Fire Department is pleased to announce its new Junior Firefighters Program, a unique opportunity for students between the ages of 16-17 years old to serve their community.  Junior Firefighters are able to participate in fire/rescue drills, learn life-saving techniques, become familiar with the different fire apparatus, and receive free training all under the guidance and protection of experienced firemen. 

Junior Firefighters are issued actual firefighter turnout gear (helmet, fire coat,  gloves, boots, etc.), and after being properly trained, they are able to assist on actual emergency incidents.  Although kept out of dangerous conditions, junior firefighters serve a vital role in assisting the firefighters.

If your son or daughter is interested in joining the Cedar Grove Fire Department’s Junior Firefighters Program, please email Chief Bannon at chief@cedargrovefire.org

On 4/24/10 at 0119 hours the Cedar Grove Fire Department was dispatched to 4 Bortic Rd. on a report of a structure fire. The fire was discovered by an on duty police officer. Police reported a fire in the basement of a single family dwelling. The fire units had to force entry into the structure and found a fire located on the first floor. The fire was intense enough that it burned a hole in the floor and debris from the floor caught contents of the basement on fire. The fire was immediately extinguished. The owner of the home was not present. There were no injuries reported. The Division of Fire Safety and the Essex County Prosecutors Arson Task Force were notified to assist the Cedar Grove Police with the investigation.

On Thursday April 22nd at 1312hours the Cedar Grove Fire Department responded to the Pilgrim Diner for a “fire on the roof”. The fire was reported by Deputy Chief Zaccaria, who was driving northbound on Rt. 23 when he came upon the incident. Deputy Chief Zaccaria notified the Cedar Grove Police Department and evacuated the Pilgrim Diner. CGFD units arrived within minutes of the dispatch. Chief Bannon established command of the scene, ordered a search and had 2 hand lines into operation. The fire was mostly contained to the kitchen exhaust fan and was put out within minutes. The search of the building turned up negative. A special thanks to Caldwell Fire Department for standing by as the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT),and Montclair, North Caldwell, and Fairfield Fire Departments for providing coverage during the incident. All crews were cleared at approximately 14:45.

For the past two weekends, members of the Cedar Grove Fire Department and the Totowa Fire Department attended a 32 hour Vehicle Rescue Operations class held in Cedar Grove.   During this class, members learned about new vehicle technology,  the most current rescue tools and equipment, and updated patient extrication techniques.  All members that attended successfully completely the course and received their certification in Vehicle Rescue Operations.  A special thanks is extended to all those who participated in this 32 hour training course and the instructors from Roadway Rescue who made this course a success!

At 0936 hrs, the Cedar Grove Fire Department was dispatched on a reported car fire in the parking lot of 204 Grove Ave, Essex County Hospital Center.  Chief Bannon arrived on scene and established command and notified incoming fire units of a working car fire that was next to other parked vehicles.

Engine 73 and Engine 71 arrived and quickly put a 1 ¾” hand line into operation off E-73 extinguishing the fire within minutes.  All companies picked up at approximately 1020hrs.

On 03-16-2010 members of the Cedar Grove Fire Dept. Technical Rescue Team responded to Fairfield Township to assist with civilian flood evacuations. Members were assigned to trucks one and two. The trucks carried and deployed a small inflatable raft to move citizens from their home to the truck for evacuation. Members of the Technical Rescue Team are trained in water rescue, trench rescue, rope, confined space and auto extrication. 

The township has just approved the funding for the replacment of Engine 71. Engine 71 responds out of the quarters of Center Fire Company. The current apparatus will be nearly 18 years old when replaced. The new apparatus, from Pierce Manufacturing, will take approximately 8 months to build.

The new apparatus will be designated as a squad unit.  It will have many of the standard features found on pumper trucks. Features such as water supply hose, fire attack hose, and 500 gallon water tank.  A few of the enhanced capabilitys include: ergonomic design, increased compartmentalization, power take off hydraulic rescue tools, generator, and lighting equipment. 
 

In the height of the blizzard on February 25^th at approximately 2250hrs, CGFD responded to the intersection of West Bradford Ave and Woodstone Drive for a reported car fire. Engine 73 was first to arrive and quickly put a 1 ¾” hand line into operation extinguishing the fire that was contained to the engine compartment.  Engine 71 arrived shortly after and assisted the crew of 73.  Crews picked up and were back in quarters at 2345hrs

On February 25th 2010 at 1300hrs,  Little Falls Fire requested station coverage from Cedar Grove to man their Great Notch Fire House while they worked at a house fire.  71 Engine took the assignment, while standing by the CGFD took 1 call.  Units returned to town at appox. 1545hrs

Cedar Grove FD was dispatched to the CitiBank located at 480 Rt. 23 for a suspicious package hazmat incident on February 16^th at 0853hrs.  Arriving police units determined that an envelope containing “white powder” was delivered to the address in an envelope.  Fire units stood by until Nutley Fire Dept. Hazmat Unit arrived and tested the powder.  Nutley Hazmat Units deemed the powder in question to be some type of food material and non hazardous.  All fire units cleared at approximately 0930hrs.