Page 14 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • November 21, 2012 Chief recounts efforts during and after Sandy by John Koster Wyckoff Fire Chief Mike Rose has gone on record thanking his own volunteer firefighters and the other municipal first responders who turned out during and after Hurricane Sandy. “In preparation for Hurricane Sandy, the members of the Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department went to each of their firehouses to prepare the trucks and equipment in anticipation of handling any emergency situation that could occur,” Chief Rose said. “While township officials, (Wyckoff) Office of Emergency Management, and members of all township departments met to prepare in advance of the storm, no one could anticipate the level of destruction which occurred during this storm. “On Monday afternoon, Oct. 29, as the winds started to increase to significant gusts, the volunteers who make up our department were called into action starting at 2 p.m. and did not stop until late last week,” Chief Rose said on Nov. 12. “In all, the Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department answered the call over 195 times for neighbors in need of assistance during the course of this storm event. These calls consisted of routine alarms, downed trees, snapped power lines, trees on homes, utility emergencies, some in structures, and gas emergencies.” As the storm intensified, Rose said, it quickly became evident that the danger associated with Sandy was far greater than anyone could have predicted. At the height of the storm on Monday evening, the fire department was responding multiple incidents while trying to protect Wyckoff residents. “While many people may have looked out their windows and witnessed a small portion of the storm’s wrath, those of us who were responding to emergencies during the storm got a firsthand look at the power and destructive force associated with Sandy,” he said. “As a result of the deteriorating road conditions and the inability of our members to get to the firehouses quickly, our members stepped up to the plate and established overnight standby crews in each firehouse to ensure that all calls for service were answered promptly, leaving their own families and homes so that they could answer a neighbor’s call for help.” After the storm, the department continued to answer calls and worked with township officials to ensure that every resident was safe. Rose said the coordination among township volunteers and salaried employees was excellent. “We would be remiss if we did not thank the families of all our firefighters who support and allow our members to go out and serve this great community,” Rose said, speaking for himself and on behalf of Assistant Department Chief Lou Gaglia. “Without the tremendous support of our families, friends, and neighbors, we could not continue to provide the township with one of the best all volunteer fire departments in New Jersey.” The chief said that prospective members are invited to stop off at any firehouse on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. to meet the firefighters and decided if they would like to join the 100-member Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department. The Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department is said to be the only volunteer department in the state that holds competitive inspections among the township’s three fire companies. Professional firefighters and experienced volunteers from other towns act as the judges. Detective presents program The Wyckoff Chamber of Commerce recently hosted Wyckoff Police Detective Joseph Soto, who discussed crime prevention tips. The meeting was held at the Larkin House. Pictured (at left) are Wyckoff Mayor Christopher DePhillips, Wyckoff Chamber board member Pamela Abma, Wyckoff Township Committeeman Kevin Rooney, and Detective Soto. At right are Wyckoff Chamber President Jay Vidockler and Mayor DePhillips.