At 16:16 hours the FAST Team was requested to Tenafly for a fire in a commercial building at 1 Highwood Avenue.  The Rescue along with Chief Byrd and Assistant Chief Molinaro responded to the scene.  Rescue 3 arrived 3rd due and was immediately put to work.  Tenafly FD was on scene searching for the seat of the fire believed be between the second floor and roof.  Rescue 3 split its crew sending members into the structure with a handline and to the roof to start opening up.  The fire was located running in the cock-loft between the first and second floor extending up to the roof of the three story building.  After the fire was knocked down the Rescue's crews assisted with extensive overhaul before finally being released from the scene just after 18:00 hours.  Additional mutual aid to the scene was a Ladder from Bergenfield, an Engine from Cresskill and a Ladder from Englewood.  A Bergenfield Engine and a Fort Lee Ladder covered Tenafly.  Tenafly Chief Philpott was command. 

Just as the annual Fourth of July Fireworks were starting to blast off in Tenafly, they received a report of a possible house fire in the area of Clover.  Tenafly Chief Philpott arrived on scene at 49 Evergreen Pl and confirmed a structure fire.  At 21:38 hours Dumont FD was toned out for the FAST Team to respond.  Chief Byrd (210) and Asst. Chief Molinaro (211) responded to the scene along with the Rescue.  Upon arrival the FAST Team set up on at the front of the structure.  Tenafly FD crews made quick work of the fire knocking it down shortly after their arrival.  Dumont stood by as crews opened up checking for hot spots and overhauled the structure.  The Rescue returned to the borough by 22:30 hours.

Shortly after 07:30 hours the FD was toned out to respond to Washington Avenue in front of the library for a fluid spill.  Police units were on scene with a hit and run accident.  A large box truck was pulling out of the Dumont Public Library when it struck a utility pole bringing it down across Washington Ave.  A car traveling north bound was struck by the falling pole and transformers.  The operator of the car self extricated herself but was injured from the falling pole.  She was transported by Dumont BLS to a local hospital.  FD units put down speedy dry and used dikes to contain the fluids leaking from the down transformers.  PSE&G responded to the scene and cut power to the grid.  At 14:30 hours as I write this article, Washington Ave still remains closed to traffic as crews work to repair the utility pole.  FD Units cleared the scene at 09:40 hours.

At 02:17 hours the DFD was toned out to respond to the area of Thompson St and Magnolia Ave for a report of smoke coming from a house.  PD units arrived on scene and confirmed smoke coming from 44 Thompson.  Chief Byrd arrived shortly after assuming command and reported a working fire in the attic.  Engine 5 arrived first due and stretched an 1 3/4" line.  Engine 3's crew secured a water supply for Engine 5 and forced entry for their hose team.  Heavy fire conditions were located in the attic.  An aggressive attack was made on the fire and it was knocked down in a matter of minutes.  Squad 1's crew arrived and secured the utilities and assisted the Truck company with laddering the building.  Rescue 3's crew conducted primary and secondary searches (negative). 

Mutual aid to the scene was Tenafly Tower 2 as the FAST Team.  Cresskill Engine 1 stood by at Company 3 covering the East and Bergenfield Engine 743 stood by at Indenpendent covering the West.

Chief Byrd was command and Assistant Chief Molinaro was interior. 

All units were back in service by 04:00 hours.

At 20:00 hours Dumont Police started receiving multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting a house fire on Berkely Place.  Chief Byrd arrived first on scene and confirmed a working fire at 125 Berkely Place.  Fire was showing from the attic of the split level home.  Engine 3 arrived first due and stretched a 2" inch attack line into the structure.  There was no access to the portion of the attic that was involved in fire.  Second due Engine 5 was ordered to supply a 5" feeder line to Engine 3 and its crew was sent in to start pulling the ceilings on the second floor to assist Engine 3's crew making a push on the fire.  Truck 2 arrived on scene and went right to the roof to provide ventilation for crews on the interior.  Squad 1 arrived and was ordered to cut the utilities and conduct searches (which turned up negative).  Rescue 3's crew assisted in opening up the second floor.  The fire in the attic was knocked down quickly.  Squad 1's crew performing searches located a fire in a 1st floor bed room extending into the foyer.  Engine 3's crew brought an additional handline down to the 1st floor room and knocked down the fire.  Assistant Chief Molinaro was interior command and Deputy Chief Spina handled the exterior operations.  Chief Byrd was command.  Firefigher's Maddolin and Schiraldi were both nearby when the call was dispatched and went directly to the scene.  Both firefighters arrived and were told that there was a dog inside.  They entered the structure and successfully rescued a golden retriever from the house.

Dumont Ambulance responded to the scene with two rigs and also called Bergenfield Ambulance for an additional two rigs.  Paramedics from Holy Name Hospital were also on scene.  The homeowner as well as a Dumont Police Officer were both transported to local hospitals for smoke inhalation.

Mutual Aid to the scene was Tenafly Tower 2 as the FAST Team.  Shortly after their arrival the Tower 2 crew was put to work opening up and checking for extension.  Tenafly assisted with overhauling as well before being released from the scene.  Additional mutual aid was called to provide cover up.  Engine 1 from Cresskill stood by on the East and Engine 743 from Bergenfield covered the West.

An important event that needs mentioning.  Shortly after the dispatch of this fire a North bound CSX train cut the town in half, delaying the response of 3 out of the 4 East side apparatus for more then 5 minutes.

The Dumont Fire Department participated in the borough's annual Memorial Day Parade to honor all veterans.  The day started at 08:30 hours at the Firefighter's Memorial, where we gathered for prayers and a moment of silence to honor the veterans as well as our brother firefighters that are no longer with us.  The parade kicked off at 10:00 hours from Madison and Pershing Avenues and made its way through the newly opened intersection of Washington Avenue and New Milford and Virginia Avenues.  The parade finished at Veterans Memorial Park where services were held at the boroughs monuments to honor all those who have served and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.   God Bless America!

Congratulations to Matt and Monica Banta for exchanging their wedding vows on May 8, 2010.  The day's events were held at the Rockleigh Country Club.

After a beautiful ceremony the guests were treated to a cocktail hour that was beyond belief.  The sun was shining so a lot of guests were able to enjoy the outside patio area.  As Assistant Chief Jim Molinaro was diving into the shrimp, Firefighter Jesse Magnotta was diving into the fountain!

The dinner and dessert that followed was excellent, along with hours of music and dancing that was enjoyed by all.  You two really know how to throw a party!!!

Again, congratulations and the best of luck in your life together.

Chief Glenn Byrd

At 11:00 hours Tenafly FD requested the FAST Team to respond to 78 Walnut Drive for a house fire.  Rescue 3 along with Chief Byrd and Assistant Chief Molinaro responded to the scene.  Tenafly FD made quick work of a fire in an attached garage.  The FAST Team stood by on scene with mutual aid units from Englewood and Cresskill.  The Rescue returned to the borough by 11:30 hours.  Tenafly Chief Philpott (Car 510) was command.

At 14:50 hours the tones sounded requesting the FAST Team to Tenafly.  Chief's Byrd and Molinaro responded along with the Rescue to 253 West Clinton Ave in Tenafly.  TFD was operating at a 2 1/2 store home with fire on the 2nd floor and attic.  Rescue 3's crew arrived and set up as the FAST Team and placed ground ladders as a means of egress for units operating on the interior (Tenafly FD and Englewood FD).  Crews then began opening up the outside of the building pulling off the siding and opening up the eaves of the structure to locate pockets of fire.  Shortly into the operation, Tenafly command requested an Engine from Dumont for cover up.  Engine 5 responded to Tenafly's firehouse and covered their borough.  Additional mutual aid on scene was a Ladder from Englewood and an Engine from Cresskill.  Engine 5 stood by with a Ladder from Bergenfield at the firehouse.  Once the fire was knocked and placed under control the Rescue was released and back in the borough by 16:30.  Engine 5 was released shortly before 17:00.  Chief Richard Philpott was command.  A special thanks to our brother, Brett Dzadik for his pictures!  Click on the link below to see more of his shots!

At 20:01 hours, Bergenfield requested an Engine from Dumont to respond to their Alert Firehouse for cover up.  Engine 5 responded to Alert and covered the borough.  Bergenfield FD was operating at a working fire located at 17 West Main Street.  Bergenfield FD made an aggressive attack on the fire knocking it down quickly.  Engine 5 stood by with and Engine from Teaneck and a Ladder from Englewood.  They took in no runs and returned to the borough by 21:30 hours.  Chief Byrd and Assistant Chief Molinaro responded into Bergenfield as well.