Rescue Chief Van Kruiningen recently announced that the Roni Deutch Tax Center located at 24-11 Fair Lawn Ave. in Fair Lawn will once again donate $20 to the Rescue Squad for every tax return completed through April 15, 2010. Last year the funds collected was utilized to purchase Crash Recovery Software for both rescue trucks and the chiefs vehicle software that enables responders proficient technology with the new cars and trucks on the roads today. Each customer who wishes to participate in the fund-raiser has to mention the Rescue Squad when they come into the tax center to have their taxes completed. The tax center makes the $20 contribution to us not the customer. If you have any additional questions on the fund-raiser program, call the Roni Deutch Tax Center at 201-663-9055.

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Rescue 1 responded to 13-59 Abbott Road, Apartment C under the command of 1st Lieutenant Andrew Flax along with Fair Lawn Fire Engine 4 and Truck 1 for a strong smell of natural gas inside the apartment, Fair Lawn Fire Assistant Chief Christopher Hoitsma arrived on location and established command. Rescue 1 and Truck 1 crews walked through the home and found zero readings on their multi gas meters, it was determined the pilot lights on the tenant’s oven were out causing the strong gas smell. The pilots were relit with out incident, all units were released and command was terminated.

Rescue 1 was requested mutual aid to the Borough of Paramus to provide coverage to their Rescue Squad due to a working house fire which occupied their towns Rescue Squad. Rescue 1’s crew stood by at Paramus Rescue Headquarters under the command of 1st Lieutenant Andrew Flax and was released at 1605 hours returning to the Borough of Fair Lawn. Thank you to all who responded!

Rescue 1 responded to 12-24 Jerome Place at the request of the Fair Lawn Fire Department for a General Alarm Assignment for a working house fire, the fire was contained to the rear of the home near the outdoor porch due to a problem with a recently installed fireplace. Rescue 1 stood by on scene under the command of 1st Lieutenant Andrew Flax for any additional alarms in the Borough, no injuries were reported the home was under construction. The fire was knocked down quickly by the Fair Lawn Fire Department, job well done by all.

Hazmat 1 and Rescue 1 responded to 17-11 Radburn Road on a report of a strong chemical odor coming from the basement, within minutes Rescue Chief Eric Van Kruiningen arrived on scene updating an outdoor cleaning solution was used indoors which created a strong chemical odor causing the workers to leave the home. Under the command of Rescue Chief Eric Van Kruiningen, 1st Lieutenant Andrew Flax, member Roi Klipper and member Phil Kearney entered the home in full fire gear and Self Contained Breathing Apparatus to determine what was needed. No levels were found on the multi gas meter and it was determined the best solution would be to remove the outdoor house cleaner from the basement, open windows and provide Positive Pressure Ventilation to remove the chemical odor and bring fresh air into the home. Great job done by all!

Rescue 2 responded to the area of Route 208 South near Virginia Drive on a report of an overturned vehicle off roadway, Police arrived on scene within minutes updating the occupants out of the overturned vehicle however requesting an ambulance. Rescue 2 assisted with scene lighting and removing large branches so the vehicle could be removed from the wooded area off the roadway.

Hazmat 1 and Rescue 1 responded to the area of Willow Street and Cyril Avenue on a report of garbage collectors down from coming in contact with a yellow powder. Police arrived on scene within minutes and updated that the garbage collectors were having difficulty breathing, ambulance and paramedics were also dispatched to the scene. Under the command of Rescue Chief Eric Van Kruiningen, 2nd Lieutenant Geroge Hondros and member Manan Naik both Hazmat Level A Technicians made entry to evaluate the situation. With the assistance of Bergen County Hazmat the product was identified as powder muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) which mixed with the wet snow in the rear of the garbage truck creating liquid vapor which was inhaled by the workers. The product was contained and neutralized by the above technicians, great job done by all!

For a third consecutive year the rescue squad collected new unwrapped toys for needy children in the Northern New Jersey area. The goal is to deliver a new toy as a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will help them become responsible, productive, patriotic citizens. Special thanks to the supporters, borough employees and volunteers, the businesses who participated, and Columbia Bank who made a significant contribution towards our advertisement in the local newspaper for this toy drive.

Additionally many thanks to all the members who assisted with this toy collection drive without the help from all of you this project would not be as successful as it's become. In total 1,700 plus toys were collected and distributed to local Retired Marine Cores for distribution!

Happy holidays and a very Happy New Year from the Rescue Squad to all of you!

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Several members went to Warren Point Elementary School the meeting location for Fair Lawn's Cub Scout 217. Cub Scout leader / Firefighter B Lyons had made arrangements with Captain Scopac for the members to demonstrate ropes and knots to all the youngsters and allow them time to see our vehicle and ask questions about the Rescue Squad.

Great job to all who participated!

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Rescue members Tom Spear, Dom Rizzo and youth members Phil Kearney, Jon Blair, and Kyle McGowan successfully completed Firefighter One a state approved program that is 150 hours in length. Both lecture and practical programs were administered over a six month period. Some of the training was fire attack, automobile fires, ladders, ropes and knots, hazmat training, sprinklers, search, and various hose evolutions.

I congratulate all five members and wish them continued success in their positions!

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The Rescue Squad and Rescue Squad Association held their 2010 elections recently and would like to congratulate the following officers elected for 2010:

• Chief: Eric Van Kruiningen
• Captain JimVan Kruiningen
• 1st Lt.:Andrew Flax
• 2nd Lt: George Hondros
• Engineer: Travis Gildersleeve

• President: Michael Rosenberg
• Vice President: Mike Hazecamp
• Treasurer:Joe Mazur
• Secretary: Anthony Ferreira
• Sgt. At Arms: Vincent Gioia
• Trustees: Steven Milnes
• Travis Gildersleeve
• Tom Spear

-President

One of our responsibilities is to remove drivers and passengers from vehicles after a collision occurs. If victims are unable to remove themselves, the Rescue Squad uses our extrication tools and techniques to remove parts of the vehicle to be able to safely remove them. Each year 2.9 million people are injured in an automobile collision throughout the USA this statistic is provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association. Towards the middle of the tool bars on the left side of this main page is an icon titled Vehicle Donations. If you can offer a vehicle through our donation program, it will benefit our members to continue our practice sessions. At no cost to the owner, the vehicle will be disposed of at a vehicle recycle facility once the training is completed. Click on the Vehicle Donations link for a more detailed explanation of our program if you have any questions feel free to contact the rescue building 201.794.5388.

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The Nabisco Bakery in Fair Lawn was the site for our department drill in cooperation with their Facilities, Security, Safety, and Environmental departments. Representatives of each of the departments were were present and observing our members safely remove victims from two separate confined space entries in the boiler room. Engineer G. Hondros was in command and Lt. A. Flax assumed operations and together they carried out a successful drill using our regular members and our youth members as victims for the scenarios. Good job to all and the host Nabisco Bakery who still continues to make Premium Crackers, Oreos, Ritz Crackers, Barnum's Animal Crackers, Fig Newton's, and Wheatsworth Crackers at the Fair Lawn location. Nabisco is owned by Kraft Foods Global and has operated in Fair Lawn, NJ since 1951 occupying 800,000 square feet of space spanning 40 acres of property.

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Our annual fall blood drive was a success with additional support from the Division of Highway Safety and the owners of "Champ".the Rescue Squad completed a busy weekend that began with training and ended by filling our communities need with blood using Community Blood Services of Paramus, NJ. The Division of Highway Safety brought their Highway Cruiser a children friendly vehicle that has information about the road and sidewalk safety, seat belts for all persons in vehicles, and plenty of giveaways.

Meanwhile "Champ" a beagle found in Paterson, NJ who suffered burns over his entire body was rescued by Mike Martin who brought Champ into his life and travels throughout New Jersey telling the story and allowing Champ to interact with children because Mike Martin and his wife have a passion for animal fostering. For more information on Champ and his story visit http://www.champthemiracledog.org

Lastly I would like to thank Fair Lawn's own Daniellas Track Side Grille who gave a complimentary dinner certificate to one successful blood donor that attended the Fair Lawn Rescue Blood Drive.

The restaurant is located at 14-26 Plaza Road and is open seven days a week! They can be contacted at 201.796.3113

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Instructors Billy Dictson and Joseph Kowalski spent the day speaking about Agro terrorism a lecture program that was given to our members, county health employees, fellow mutual aid communities, our Emergency Management staff, Auxiliary Police Department officers and EMS Department.

Agro terrorism was defined as the use of a biological, chemical, radiological or other agent against either the pre-harvest or post-harvest stages of food systems to inspire fear or cause economic damage, public health impact, or any other adverse impact to the USA. The USA Agriculture directly and indirectly provides %22 percent of all jobs in America due to it's widely diverse industry and should not be overlooked by anyone. If a incident takes place in your community you should contact your state veterinarian office using your county OEM or health office to have the appropriate personnel notified who can evaluate the situation.

For more information on courses like this one or any other Homeland Security funded program visit the following links. www.ncbrt.lsu.edu or www.fema.gov

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