UPS & DOWNS / NJ Dec 26

        A DEDICATED FIREFIGHTER IS HONORED

Secaucus ex-Fire Chief George Heflick, Sr., 89, is well known around the state through all the fire service organizations that he has been a part of over the years.

In Secaucus, he has held many positions from treasurer and secretary of Washington H & L Co. 1; and he rose up in the ranks to Chief of Department in 1985-1986. He joined the department in 1964.

His additional duties in the town have included being First Ward councilman, and he was a member of the Board of Education in 2003.

Heflich's fire service associations and memberships can fill several pages. If he had an ID card for all his activities, a wallet would not do. He would need a suitcase!

Some if his fire service highlights include: a former Secaucus fire official, NJ Volunteer Fire Chiefs Association, North Jersey Vol. Firemen's Assoc. VP for Hudson County, former president of the NJ State Firemen's Relief Assoc., and National Vol. Fire Council Director for the State of New Jersey.

His twin brother, John, is a Life Member of the Wood-Ridge Volunteer Fire Department.

You will find Heflich in attendance at many fire service organization events around the state, usually dressed in a suit. And, he usually has a piece of paper in his hand with information to report to the various assemblies.

In town, he is still an active volunteer firefighter. Washington H & L Co. 1 also runs Engine 4. You can still find George driving the engine and working the pump panel at a fire. In addition, he has donated more than 25-gallons of blood.

In August, Heflich was surprised at a Secaucus Knights of Columbus meeting when they named him Firefighter of the Year.

More honors came on October 3rd when the Town of Secaucus held a ceremony naming a newly assembled park in his name at Muller & Louis Streets. The closed streets were filled with well-wishers from as far as Salem County. It was noted that George answered a fire alarm call at 1 a.m., that morning. Then, he was at the firehouse at 7 a.m., cooking

After Heflich cut the tape to open the park, he received numerous awards from many organizations, including the Governor. There were so many presentations, that they were continued back at the firehouse where refreshments were served.

There have been many volunteer fire chiefs in Secaucus, but in town he is known as “The Chief.”

His advice: “If you don't do it 100 percent, don't do it at all.”

DOWNS: A fire broke out in a second-floor apartment at the Ukrainian Center on Hope av., Passaic, Oct. 6th.

UPS: In October, officials in Essex County held a ceremony to open the new Regional Training Tower in Belleville. The facility will be used by the Belleville, Nutley and Bloomfield fire departments, that serve more than 100,000 residents, according to a Township Facebook post.

DOWNS: A 26-year-old man was trapped in an asphalt bin for over two hours in Egg Harbor Twp., Oct. 13th. Police said the man was inside a recycled bin at A.E. Stone when he fell backward, causing the asphalt to collapse onto his lower body. The asphalt pinned the man in a seated position, leaving him unable to move. Workers spent 20 minutes trying to free him before calling first responders. Multiple emergency units responded, including the Atlantic City F.D.'s Technical Rescue Team, according to News 12. The victim remained conscious and alert as crews worked to free him. When he was freed, the man was taken to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries.

UPS: During Fire Prevention Week, the Trenton F.D. announced that through a partnership with the NJ Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) the TFD will install 300 smoke detectors in city homes at no cost to residents, according to the Daily Dispatch.

DOWNS: A fully involve garage fire on South Woodside av., Bergenfield, Oct. 15th, forced temporary dwelling evacuations as a precaution until the fire was brought under control, according to News 12.

UPS: Newly appointed firefighters in Woodbridge are R. Beatie, R. Fizer, N. Michael and O. Yaropud.

DOWNS: Fire alarms were activated in 19 buildings almost simultaneously around 5:15 a.m., in Montvale on Oct. 13th. The fire department quickly determined the alarms were connected to sprinkler systems and changes in water pressure. The Veolia Water Co. had been performing work on the towns water tank and pumps, triggering water flow alarms in the 19 buildings. Police and firefighters checked each building before firefighters reset alarms, according to The Daily Voice.

UPS: New Brunswick Fire Director Chris Stellatella has been named a Rutgers Hometown Hero. It is an honor for those who exemplify courage, dedication and service.

DOWNS: Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company Chief Brian Flanagan was struck and killed by a vehicle on the NJ Turnpike near Exit 10, Oct. 13th. Chief Flanagan was working for a traffic company before dawn when he was struck by a SUV. Investigators said the driver was driving intoxicated and fled the scene, according to WABC-TV. The driver was later located and placed into custody.

UPS: Fire Department promotions in Atlantic City include Thomas Flanagan III and Dean Jones to battalion chief. New captains are Andrew McMeekin, Quintin Price, Keith Coursey, Derrick Williams, Richard Di Cioccio and Dane Nicholson.

DOWNS: A woman was critically injured as the result of a high-rise apartment fire at the Cooper River Apartments in Pennsauken, Oct. 26th. Approximately 40 people in 20 fifth-floor apartments were displaced. According to WPVI-TV, a woman was seen hanging from a window. Officials said she let go and fell to the parking lot below her. She was taken to Cooper Medical Center and listed in critical condition.

UPS: Recently, Hillsborough officials were joined by state legislators to accept a $252,000 grant for the Fire Department. The funding, allocated in the fiscal year 2007 state budget, will support the transition to safer PFAS free firefighting foam and equipment, according to the Daily Dispatch.

DOWNS: The driver of an auto was killed, and his wife was critically injured after their vehicle crashed into a home on Route 563 in Woodland Twp., Oct. 26th, according to WPVI-TV. Police said the 82-year-old man had a medical incident that caused him to run off the road and into the house. His wife was flown to Cooper Medical Center. The occupants of the house were not injured but were displaced by the fire, which severely damaged the dwelling.

UPS: New fire captains in Perth Amboy are Michael Gregory, Ryan Oshea and Israel Velez III.

DOWNS: Seven people were injured due to a fire in a Catherine St. dwelling in Perth Amboy, Oct. 25th. All residents got out of the building safely, but seven were treated for injuries, according to the Daily Dispatch.

UPS: The Robert E and Marie Orr Smith Foundation presented a check for $15,000 to the Lyndhurst F.D, for the purchase of bailout gear safety equipment, according to a Facebook post.

DOWNS: A 76-year-old man was found unresponsive by firefighters inside of a burning home on W. High St., Haddon Heights, Oct. 24th, according to WCAU-TV.

UPS: New firefighters in Perth Amboy are Kenneth Taylor III and Jonathan Torres, according to a Facebook post.

DOWNS: Smoke covered the sky over a large barn that was burning on Frank Smith Rd. in Salem, Oct. 26th, according to NBC10.

UPS: Jeff Meyer has been promoted to fire lieutenant in North Plainfield.

DOWNS: A barge fire in Paulsboro created a large emergency response, Oct. 18th. This included units from the Gloucester County Haz Mat Team, the county-wide foam task force, fire boats and the USCG.

UPS: In October, Edgewater ex-Fire Chief Robert “Pali” Christiansen was recognized for 50-years of service with the Fire Department.