Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • February 20, 2013 Upper Saddle River The Upper Saddle River Fire Department’s utility truck will be converted to a rescue vehicle to better serve the department in handling rescue operations it assumed upon the disbandment of the Saddle River Rescue Squad last year. “We’re very happy the town is on board with this. They asked the fire department to do tasks above and beyond what we normally do, so we need the equipment to handle it,” said Fire Chief John Schianchi, who also chaired the truck committee. He added that the department has revised its training program to include extrication techniques. Councilman Vincent Durante, the council’s fire commissioner, said the governing body was totally supportive of the upgrade, which is expected to cost $100,000-$125,000. “Even though the utility vehicle is only five years old, its service body is no longer conducive to support the equip- Fire department gets OK for converted rescue vehicle ment we now have,” Durante explained. He said the borough purchased $40,000 worth of rescue equipment last year, but it cannot be used efficiently in the old truck. He said the converted truck will not only be outfitted with a winch for extrication purposes, but it will also carry heavy saws and other equipment needed to clear the roads after a heavy storm. It will also feature enhanced lighting. “It will be money well spent,” Durante said. He added that the additional duties and the proper equipment to carry them out are also bringing the department members closer together. Durante said the fire department is putting the finishing touches on the specifications so that they can go out for bid. Funding will be provided through the 2013 municipal capital budget. Moneys will be diverted from two other projects already budgeted which the fire department will forego for now: upgrades to the tanker truck and the purchase of a replacement vehicle for the assistant fire chief, the councilman said. The current utility body on the Ford F450 cab and chassis will be replaced with a light duty walk-around rescue body. The body will have roll up doors, a diesel generator, deep and usable compartments, ample 360 degree scene lighting, and an electric hydraulic pump with two hydraulic hose reels. The hydraulic reels allow the department to have the tools pre-connected, essentially saving minutes of time when on scene, the chief said. When the fire department took over all rescue company operation responsibilities in April 2012, it inherited an assortment of extrication equipment, including The play ‘Slow White’ was recently performed by the Family Faith Formation program at the Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River. Participants included youths and adults from the parish. The play was the first of many 2013 events to be offered by Family Faith Formation, which has received wide acclaim for its vigor and variety of events. Pictured is Madelyn Nicpon in her role of Mrs. White. For details regarding the program and upcoming events, contact Christopher Lee, Family Faith Formation, Church of the Presentation, 271 West Saddle River Road, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. Call (201) 327-1313 x843 or e-mail christopher@churchofprese ntation.org. Auspicious beginning but not limited to multiple extrication hydraulic tools, a hydraulic pump, stabilization struts, cribbing, air bags, etc. Compartment space that was once ample on the utility truck all the sudden became non-existent, according to Chief Schianchi. He said some required equipment was even removed to make room and to properly position priority tools used for extrications. Equipment on the truck was packed in, and much required other gear to be taken out to get to the needed piece. “Not only are the lives of residents or visitors in jeopardy by our either not having or finding it difficult to retrieve the equipment on scene that we need, but the lives and well being of the firefighters (continued on page 14)