Bernardsville Fire Company #1

Saturday, May 10th - Mothers Day Pasta Dinner - The Fire Company is excited to be hosting a pasta dinner on Saturday evening from 5:00pm - 8:00pm. The dinner will feature Pasta with marinara, bolognese or vodka sauce; meatballs; salad; bread and butter; soda/milk

Adults: $10.00

Childred: $6.00

Moms & Children under 3 eat free!!!

BYOB

TAKE-OUT AVAILABLE!!!!!

Wetdown - July 19, 2008 - The Bernardsville Fire Company #1 will host a Triple Wetdown as we welcome our new Pierce Attack Engine 22-103, Road Rescue Ambulance 22-176 and Dodge Durango Incident Command Vehicle 22-161.

Food, drinks, live band (7pm - 11pm) and DJ will be on hand for the festivities.

All are welcome to attend!!!

Date & Time: July 19th, 6:00pm

Location: Bernardsville Firehouse - 118 Minebrook Road, Bernardsville, NJ

5/4/08 - Members of the fire company participated in a live burn drill at the training academy in Somerville, NJ. Click on the photo for more pictures.

04/19/08 - approx 1400 hrs - Fire units were dispatched to a report of a fire as a result of a gas leak possibly involving the structure. 22-11 and 22-12 responded to the scene and reported a propane grill on fire. The fire was contained using a dry chemical extinguisher by the Bernardsville Police Department. Fire units moved ensure that the fire was completely extinguished and to check for extension on to the deck at the rear of the house.

03/08/08 - 1845 hrs - The fire company was kept busy on Saturday night when a storm with winds gusting up to 70+ mph passed through the area. As a result of the severe weather, the fire company and rescue squad received 12 calls for reports of downed power lines and trees. Dispatched units secured the scenes of the wires down while awaiting local CERT teams to temporarily close the roads while waiting for the utility company to arrive. Several trees were toppled across local roadways. Crews worked to cut through the trees and branches to clear a passage for residents as well as to ensure that emergency assistance would be able to navigate the roadways in the event of an emergency.

2/24/08 - At approximately 7:00pm, the fire company was dispatched to Bernards High School for a smoke condition in the gymnasium reported by a custodian working at the school. Upon arrival, the first due engine encountered a moderate smoke condition in the rear of the school. A search of the school, led by 2nd Asst chief Larry Welle and under the direction of Chief Jerry Negri, found the fire burning in a pile of construction materials in a small cinder block storage closet. The fire was quickly extinguished using approximately 160 gallons of water.

Mutual aid was called for from Liberty Corner and Basking Ridge Fire companies.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The fire at the Olcott Avenue school was the second this month. The first, which occurred Feb. 10, was ruled accidental, the result of an electrical malfunction linked to construction at the school.

02/11/08 - Bernardsville firefighters were requested to respond to the Bernardsville Car Wash on Quimby Lane for the report of a fire.

Under the direction of 2nd Asst. Chief Welle firefighters arrived on location to find a fire in a motor compartment of an air dryer on the wash line inside the 1 story building.

Power was secured and the fire was quickly extinguished. Crews were on scene for an additional 45 minutes checking the ductwork for any extension and ventilation of the building.

There were no injuries at this incident and all crews were back in service by 11 am.

02/10/08 - On Sunday evening at 6:40 PM, the Bernardsville Fire Company and First Aid Squad was dispatched to an activated fire alarm at Bernards High School on Olcott Avenue. Under the direction of Chief Jerry Negri, members arrived on location to search the large 3 story masonry building for the cause of the alarm. Firefighters proceeded to check the hallways adjacent to the main office when they encountered a moderate smoke condition.

Chief Negri requested a 2nd alarm bringing Sta. 20 ( Basking Ridge), Sta. 29 (FarHills-Bedminster), and Sta. 40 (Liberty Corner FAST) in addition to a retone for B'ville.

Interior crews were able to locate the seat of the fire in a storage room in the basement. Apparatus and manpower was positioned near the Upper Gym at the school for an aggressive, interior attack on the fire using Bernardsville's new Pierce CAFS pumper.

Over 1000 feet of LDH was used to secure a water supply from the nearest hydrant. Extinguishment of the fire occurred with less than 600 gallons of water and 2 gallons of foam.

Crews from Basking Ridge, Far Hills and Liberty Corner assisted Bernardsville firefighters with extinguishment and a check for any extension. An open pipe chase was observed near the fire and firefighters completed a thorough search of the building with no further extension observed.

Additional assistance was requested from Mendham Twp. Brookside and Ralston Engine Companies to assist with ventilation of the school.

All emergency responders endured bitter cold temperatures and snow showers during the incident and fortunately there were no injuries. All units cleared the scene by 11:15 PM.

Sunday, February 24th, 7am - 1pm - The Bernardsville Fire Company will be hosting a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, February 24th from 7am - 1 pm. Admission for adults is $6, children - $5, and children under 3 eat for free. Please join us for breakfast while supporting your local all volunteer fire company.

01/25/2008 - The Bernardsville Fire Compnay regrets to annouce the passing of longtime member Jim Fennimore. A copy of the obituary including viewing and funeral arrangements is reprinted below:

From the Courier News

James H. Fennimore of Bridgewater died Friday (Jan. 25, 2008) at Somerset Medical Center. He was 82.

Jim was born and raised in Basking Ridge where he spent most of his life before moving to Bernardsville, and finally to Bridgewater. He married Arleen Kubernek in 1956 and was married for 51 years before her passing earlier this month.

He was employed by Herms and Young Crane Service of Morristown and then by Anthony Ferrante & Sons of Bernardsville where he worked for 31 years before retiring in 1987.

Jim was a member of Operating Engineers Local 825 and was a member of the Bernardsville Fire Company. He also was a member of First United Methodist Church of Somerville and the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 2137 in Bridgewater.

An avid bowler and pool player, Jim loved to grow roses, and participated in the Bridgewater Senior Citizens Club.

He is survived by two daughters, Nancy Alexander of Hillsborough and Linda Bell of Bridgewater; and a granddaughter, Megan Alexander of Hillsborough.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Bridgewater Funeral Home, 707 E. Main St., Bridgewater. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Basking Ridge. Visiting hours will be 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Bernardsville Fire Co., Route 202 North, Bernardsville, NJ 07924.

1/1/2008 - Happy and Healthy New Year from The Bernardsville Fire Company! A recent edition of U.S. News and World Report titled, "50 Ways to Improve Your Life in 2008," included joining your local volunteer fire company as a way to improve your life in 2008. The members of the Bernardsville Fire Company couldn't agree with them more!

The Bernardsville Fire Company and First Aid Squad is always looking for new active members - both male and female - to join the fire company and first aid squad. No experience is necessary and all training costs are paid for by the department. There are many rewards to being a member, both physical and mental. The people of our community need your help. You will also gain valuable life saving skills and leadership experience, along with a sense of camraderie with fellow members.

Don't feel like you are ready for active duty? We also have a business member class for those with unique skills that could benefit our department. Interested in making a difference? Come by the firehouse on Monday evenings after 7:00pm. Those interested in the fire company should ask for Anthony Falconeri or a chief. Those interested in the first aid squad should see John Orfan or Anthony Falconeri. You can also call us at (908) 766-6625, option 1, then option 4 to leave a message for the membership committee or send an email to join22fire@gmail.com.