On Tuesday June 10 2008 at approximately 0930 hrs dispatch toned out for an activated fire alarm at the Eastern Christian Childrens Retreat. The ECCR is a medical facility that handles all types of developmental disabilities for all ages. Chief Murphy 230 Engine233OIC DC Baker Engine232OIC BN ZuckermanEngine231OIC Capt FisherTruck241OIC Capt. VanderPlatt and Rescue 242OIC FF Ciampo responded to the scene. While enroute dispatch confirmed a smoke condition throughout the building. Due to the high patient occupancy and possible evacuations Chief Murphy requested the designated ECCR second alarm assignment. This dispatched Waldwick Truck Franklin Lakes Engine HoHoKus Fast Team North Haledon Engine Hawthorne Engine and Allendale Truck. Upon the arrival of Chief Murphy it was learned that the smoke condition was in one of the smaller cottages in the rear and not inside the main facility. Crews arrived on scene and determined that the smoke condition was from a burned belt on a washing machine. The second alarm assignment was returned enroute and the Wyckoff crews secured the unit and removed the smoke. Three remaining calls were handled during the blazing heat of the day. Two were for activated fire alarms at the Coolidge School. Due to the automatic high occupancy policy Midland Park Eng533 responded. It was reported to be a system malfunction both times. The last call of the day was for the Tower Ladder and the Rescue TruckFast Teamto respond to Waldwick for a confirmed structure fire with trapped occupants. The units responded and rendered assistance. Congratulations to the first due Waldwick crew for making a tremendous grab of the victim. Unfortunately the victim succombed to her injuries. Follow the link for full story about Waldwick Fire.
