UPS & DOWNS / NJ Nov 26
Photo by Ron JeffersThe second victim to be rescued from a stuck light rail elevator, second from left, takes off his red helmet after North Hudson firefighters brought him up to street level, where he was turned over to EMS for examination.
Photo by Ron JeffersJersey City First Battalion Chief Sean Verdi, center, received praise and many gifts at his firehouse retirement lunch, after 34-years of service, September 30th.
TWO COMMUTERS HARD COMMUTE!
The Bergenline Avenue Light Rail station is not described as a subway station, but in all reality it is.
Union City is built on top of the Palisades cliffs. The platform for this station is approximately equal to seventeen stories below street level. NJ Transit used an existing, abandon, railroad tunnel that travels under the city, connecting the Meadowlands with the Weehawken waterfront. There are three elevator shafts that were drilled through this hard rock to reach the platform that was constructed for this commuter station.
On the evening of September 14th, North Hudson firefighters were dispatched to a report of people stuck in one of the elevator cars. NJ Transit Police Emergency Service Units were also dispatched to the scene.
When it was determined that the arrival of an elevator technician's ETA was uncertain, at the beginning of the Labor Day weekend, firefighters took it upon themselves to extricate the two men inside the elevator car, that was located closer to the platform area, a great distance from street level.
North Hudson Dispatch filled out the rescue task force assignment. The victims were being observed via a monitor located in an office adjacent to the elevators. Union City EMS units were called to the scene to standby.
Captain Pat Klebbaur, of Rescue Co. 1, took the lead in setting up the operation. Firefighters set up a tripod and a lowering and raising system. An attic ladder was sent down to the elevator for the victims to assist the men climb to the elevator hatch.
Firefighter John Warth, of Rescue Co. 1, was lowered down to the elevator and secured the first passenger, and the two were fulled up by firefighters and police officers using the rope system. The commuter was turned over to EMS personnel, with no apparent injuries. A bottle of water was waiting for him, and greatly appreciated.
On the monitor, the second commuter appeared to be in a panic state and trouble breathing. He continued to ring the alarm bell. Firefighter Daniel Rival, of Rescue Co. 1, was lowered down, secured the man, and they were brought up to the street. EMT's took the man to an ambulance for evaluation.
It should be noted that while the first victim was sitting in an EMS chair behind police tape, a man riding his scooter lost control, while carrying groceries, and the scooter slid sideways on the ground stopped just behind the victim's chair. It was not his day and he later said, "That's why I don't gamble."
The Bergenline Avenue Station, at 49th Street, is one of the busiest light rail stations.
When the second commuter was rescued and turned over to EMT's, the crowd of spectators gave firefighters a round of applauds.
DOWNS: An early morning fire displaced 11 residents from an Elm St. dwelling in Montclair, Aug. 23rd.
UPS: North Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. 2 will hold a celebration on Nov. 7th to honor their 100th anniversary serving the community.
DOWNS: Two children died as the result of an early morning fire on Hewitt St, Trenton, in August. Deputy Chief Kevin Rice said that firefighters found and removed the victims from the home and they were transported to a local hospital, according to News 12.
UPS: In August, Wayne ex-Fire Commissioner John “JB” Babitz was recognized for 60-years of service by the Preakness Vol. Fire Co. 4 and the Township.
DOWNS: Fire consumed a two-story Goffle Rd. mixed occupancy building in Hawthorne, Sept. 1st. The fire appeared to have started in the Hawthorne Tire Center on the ground floor. Heavy smoke covered the area. A family that lived above the shop was displaced, according to reports.
UPS: In Hackensack, Firefighter James Walker IV has been promoted to lieutenant.
DOWNS: In August, twelve people were displaced by a 3-alarm fire on South 19th St., Newark, according to News 12.
UPS: Newly promoted battalion chiefs in Jersey City are: David Myers, Adalberto Rodriguez, Julio Ortiz, Robert Mc Cann, William Clarritt and Christopher Fodera.
DOWNS: More than 30 people were displaced due to a fire involving a Louis St. dwelling in New Brunswick, Sept. 8th. Some of the displaced were Rutgers University students. Three firefighters were injured, according to News 12.
UPS: Newly promoted fire captains in Paterson are: Gons Rodriguez, Isaac Rivera, Torrell Jones, Jose Mercado and Matthew Mc Laughlin.
DOWNS: A 2-alarm fire consumed a South Broad St. dwelling in Trenton, Sept. 17th. Two families were displaced, according to reports.
UPS: Francis Pawlowski has been promoted to Chief of the Bayonne Fire Department. Vincent Parlavehcio was promoted to deputy chief and Raccys Pozo is the new battalion chief.
DOWNS: An Edison Elks Lodge, on Old Post Rd., was destroyed by fire on September 26th. The lodge is Edison Elks # 2487. For some of the firefighters on the scene, the building was their own lodge, according to the Daily Dispatch.
UPS: The Robert E. & Marie Orr Foundation has awarded $22,790 to the Wallington F.D. to support the purchase of a new double-deck boat trailer for the department's water-rescue operations.
DOWNS: In September, Hackensack fire units responded to State & Mercer St.s for a MVA involving two pedestrians and a NJ Transit bus. One victim had their leg pinned underneath the wheel of the bus and was in severe pain. The bus was lifted with a Paratech Maxi Force airbag and stabilized so the victim could be removed and T.O.T EMS personnel, according to a city Facebook post.
UPS: New firefighters in Paterson are: Titus Arnett, Zani Tahir, Zachary Howell, Anthony Ali, Giancarlo Velasquez, Jose Alemany, Brandon Schweitzer Jr., Marcello Mannina, Louis Taveras, Nigel Brackett, Jose Rodriguez, Enrique Torres, Jordan Perez and Ricardo Vargas.
DOWNS: A 3-alarm fire involved 12 apartments at the Narraticon Apartments, on Hemlock Ct. in Deptford Twp., Aug. 31st.
UPS: Saddle Brook Firefighter Patsy Policastro and ex-Chief Rich Viscuso were recently recognized for their 50-years of service to the community.
DOWNS: A transformer explosion that blew on a pole across the street from a Crescent Pl. home in Ho Ho Kus, Sept. 28th, started a fire in the basement of home, according to police. Three adults and pets were displaced.
UPS: Fort Lee Volunteer Ambulance Corps Deputy Chief Steve Curry was recently recognized by the Borough for his 50-years of dedicated service, according to a Facebook post.
DOWNS: A fire consumed a ranch style house on Patton Pl. in Wyckoff, Oct. 20th. Neighbors reported hearing an explosion. Firefighters found a number of oxygen tanks in the home, an official said. A 68-year-old resident who used the tanks was treated for smoke inhalation, according to Independent Online news.
UPS: On September 30th the three-bay Newark Avenue firehouse, in Jersey City, was filled with well wishers during a retirement lunch for highly respected First Battalion Chief Sean Verdi. The chief served the department for 34-years.
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