Demarest and Closter Firefighters Sharpen Interior Fireground Operations in Bergenfield

Demarest, NJ - Volunteer firefighters from the Demarest Fire Department joined partner agencies from the regional Southside Companies on Tuesday evening for intensive live-burn training at the Bergenfield Fire Training Center.

The evening evolution took place on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, marking the group’s second live-fire training exercise of the year. The multi-agency session focused on standard operational responsibilities for first-due and second-due engine and truck companies, emphasizing prompt line advancement, coordinated interior fire attack, primary search, forcible entry, and tactical vertical and horizontal ventilation under realistic heat and smoke conditions.

Hosted by the Closter Fire Department, the drill enabled volunteer crews from neighboring Northern Valley jurisdictions to practice integrated fireground command and communication in a controlled, live-burn environment.

Department leaders extended appreciation to the Closter Fire Department for organizing and hosting the evolution, as well as to the instructional staff at the Bergenfield Fire Training Center for overseeing safety protocols and providing technical guidance throughout each scenario.