Upper Saddle River December 14, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 7 Borough residents will soon receive a letter from the Upper Saddle River Fire Department requesting a donation in support of this 67-year-old volunteer outfit. “I know that it is easy to dismiss this letter, and I know that it is hard to respond to it,” said Upper Saddle River Fire Department President Derek Weinberg. “We are asking you, as members of this community, for your help. We are asking you for your Volunteer fire department seeks residents’ support support, so that when an emergency presents itself, we may have the ability to offer you ours.” Weinberg noted that compared to last year, the fire department has lost approximately 50 percent of its funds gained through donations. He noted that donations are a key asset to the organization. “I ask that all of us, as residents of this town, take a step back and recognize how fortunate we are to have such a special organization,” he said. “When an emergency arises, each and every one of us wants to know that there is someone coming to help us. That comfort is something we cannot afford to lose.” Weinberg noted that the fire department has served Upper Saddle River with dedication and care for nearly 70 years. “As a volunteer fire department, the performance of our duties far surpasses any expectations one may have of a volunteer organization,” he added. “Professionally trained, we are here to help the community not just as firefighters, but also as neighbors and as friends. No matter the time of day, the weather, holiday or occasion, we stop what we are doing so that we may come and help those in need. We act on our own free will and do everything we can to keep our town as safe as possible.” He continued, “While we are blessed to have such an outstanding membership and a town capable of providing us with the proper equipment needed to safely perform the duties of a fire department, it is unfortunately expensive to run such an organization in today’s economy. We have all been directly impacted by these hard times and supporting our families and ourselves is much more difficult than it has been in the past. It is with great sadness I report to you that our fire department has suffered as well. For a department such as ours, the town can only do so much. The support of our residents is crucial to the upkeep of our organization.” Weinberg stressed that the fire department is a separate organization from the Saddle River Valley Rescue Squad. “Donations made to the rescue squad do not go to the fire department,” he emphasized. The Upper Saddle River Board of Education will hold its next meeting on Monday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. Board of education to meet The session will be held in the media center of the Cavallini Middle School at 392 West Saddle River Road.