Joke of the Week

Several crews try, but none can get through. Suddenly, FL1 calls in 10-16, comes roaring up Main St, and barrels straight into the center of the inferno. The other companies watch, as the old-timers hop off the rig and heroically extinguish the fire, saving the classic film reels.

Captain Porrino beams as he walks over to accept to accept the award. Upon turning the award over to his company, he asks the volunteers "What do you plan to do with the money?". The driver looks at him and answers, "The first thing we're going to do is fix the goddamn brakes on that truck."

How To Volunteer For the Fort Lee Fire Department

1. Come out to the firehouse on a Sunday morning between 10:00 and 12:00 or Tuesday evening between 6:30 and 8:00. Tell one of the officers that you are interested in becoming a volunteer.
   
2. You will need to complete the Firefighting I class at the Bergen County Fire Academy. The class meets for approximately 120 hours over a period of 5 months, typically Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 - 10:30 in Mahwah, NJ and a written final examination plus a rigorous evaluation held all day on a Saturday.
   
3. You will need to attend some events at the firehouse, including:
   1. House duty Sundays from 10:00 - 12:00
      
   2. Engineers' duty Tuesdays at 6:30
      
   3. Responding to fire calls (between 6AM and midnight only)
      
   4. Assisting with food for the meeting at 8:00 on the first Friday of each month
      
   5. Going door-to-door for 10 hours in October (plus 1 hour on the highway) collecting for our annual Fund Drive
      
   6. Attending the annual Inspection and Memorial Service
      

Fire Safety

Holiday Precautions

If choosing a live Christmas tree, choose a fresh one.
If choosing an artificial tree, choose a fire-retardant one.
Keep your tree away from fireplaces, radiators, and space heaters.
Burning evergreens or wreaths in a fireplace or wood stove can flare out of control.
Use only non-flammable tinsel and decorations.
Burning wrapping paper in a fireplace can produce toxic fumes.
Keep candles away from trees, boughs, and curtains.
Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, and loose connections.
Don't use outdoor lights indoors.
Turn off all lights and decorations when going to sleep or leaving the house.

General Precautions

Install smoke detectors on every level of the home. Change batteries whenever moving the clocks forward or back.
Store fireplace ashes in a metal trash can.
Don't smoke in bed or when drowsy.
Don't let children use the toaster or microwave oven..
Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, garage, and basement.
Properly store turpentine, paint, antifreeze, and other hazmats.
Plug space heaters directly into wall sockets. Keep away from curtains and furniture, and where they cannot be knocked over.
Keep electric cords in good repair.
Don't overload outlets.
Clean out fireplaces and chimneys annually.
Keep a protective screen in front of the fireplace.
Keep electric blankets in good repair.
If you have a fire, call me at 9-1-1. If you wake me up, please make sure you have either a fire or a good explanation.

Child Fire Prevention

Keep lighters and matches out of children's reach.
Teach children to call 9-1-1 (only if there's a fire, please).
Install safety plugs in electrical outlets.

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