Page 14 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • March 14, 2012
Company #3 wins 2012 competitive inspection
by John Koster Wyckoff’s Sicomac Engine Company #3 has won the 2012 Fire Department Inspection. “The township is very fortunate to have so dedicated a group from all three fire companies who so unselfishly volunteer their time and energy to serve the entire community,” said Mayor Christopher DePhillips as he congratulated Deputy Chief Len DeBlock of Sicomac Engine Company #3 and the entire Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department. The inspection was conducted by seven independent fire fighting experts who visited all three Wyckoff engine houses. “The inspection is an intense competition (among) Wyckoff’s three fire companies,” Wyckoff Fire Chief Mike Rose said. He explained that the inspectors not only examine the condition and maintenance of the rigs and equipment, but also quiz the 100 volunteers at the three engine houses on their knowledge of firematics. Wyckoff is said to be the only volunteer department in the state that conducts competitive inspections of equipment and verbal testing. This year’s lead inspector was John Riker, retired deputy chief of the Newark Fire Department. The other inspectors included Captain Len Rybicki of Ladder Company #8 in Jersey City; Brian McDermott, battalion chief of the Paterson Fire
Members of Wyckoff Sicomac Engine Company #3.
Department; John Tobin, a lieutenant of the New York City Fire Department; Jim Doughtery, former fire chief of Ramsey; John Donahue of Engine Company #10 in the New York City Fire Department; and Wyckoff resident Erik Rubenaucker. The Dana Hannon Distinguished Service Award, the Wyckoff Fire Department’s highest award for service, was presented to former fire chief and former mayor Charles Cole. Dana Hannon of FDNY was killed during rescue efforts immediately after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.
Awards for higher fire call turnout activity were presented to Thomas Martin for fire call turnouts for Company #1, Mark Tanucilli for Company #2, and Joseph Labarck for Company #3. Awards for top turnouts at drills went to Brian Dehass from Company #1, Mike Schell from Company #2, and Matt Tani from Company #3. William Pettit from Company #1 was honored as the most active junior firefighter in the department. Chief Rose reported that, during the past year, Wyckoff firefighters responded to 689 calls and put in a comprehensive 39,000 person-hours, and that the volunteers spent an additional 11,500 hours in training. Wyckoff recognized six firefighters who completed the 20-hour Rescue Technicians Training Course to prepare volunteers to be properly qualified emergency chauffeurs during emergencies. The six honorees were Captain Andrew Forsyth, Lieutenant Aaron Gettleman,
Lieutenant James Abma, Will Neuenhaus, Colin Bell, and Matt Tani. Joe Landi received a 60-year service award. Lou Rizzo, Bob Todd, and George Conklin received 55-year service awards. Nick Ciampo received a 50-year service award, former Township Committeeman Tony Avia received a 40-year service award, and Craig McCall received a 35-year service award. Lieutenant Tom Durkin, Township Committeeman Doug Christie, Tim Murray, and Bruce Peters received 25-year service awards. Assistant Chief Lou Graglia, Dave Murphy, and Township Administrator Robert Shannon received 20-year service awards. Ron Gilmore received a 15-year service award. Deputy Chief Len DeBlock, Captain Brian Zivkovich, and Jack Tanucilli received 10-year service awards. Lieutenant Jim Abma, Lieutenant Aaron Gettleman, Ken Dyer, Russ Hoeffs, and Peter Saliu received five-year awards.