Bernardsville Fire Company #1

Did You Know? - There is an ordinance in Bernardsville requiring that house numbers be clearly displayed and visible from the street. The numbers are to be 6 inches in height. Why is this important to the fire company? Simply put, we want to be able to find you when you need us. The faster we can locate your home, the faster we can get in and protect you and your property. In a fire, time is of the essence and even a delay of 30 seconds can be devastating.

The fire company is making available signs that conform with the ordinance in town for $15.00. They are available in white with green numbers, green with white numbers and blue with white numbers (for those houses with a water source - cistern, pool, etc). The signs can be purchased by filling out the online form and sending to PO Box 745 along with a check for 15.00 (made payable to the Bernardsville Fire Company), at the farmers market on Saturday mornings or by stopping at the fire house on Monday night between 7pm and 9pm.

Bernardsville Takes 1st Overall and 1st Double Hose Lay at Firematics - On Saturday, June 13th, members of the Fire Company participated in the Tri-County Firematics Competition in Martinsville, NJ. The competion included 8 other fire companies competing in 3 events (plus one special event) - Single Hose Lay, Ladder and Double Hose Lay and is the culmination of months of planning. The Bernardsville team was led by caption Ronnie Salko and included Chuck Ferrante, Jerry Negri, Joe Negri, Greg Hoyt, Mike Cofalka, Mark Tamke and Robbie Robinson.

Bernardsville started with a 3rd place in the single hole lay and followed with a 7th place in the ladder event and was on the clock first on the final event. With a time of 1:07.33 in the double hose lay they posted an overall time of 2:52.46 seconds. Their time in the final event was low enough to secure first place in the event and when Chatham was unable to match it, made Bernardsville the overall winner for this years event. Congratulations to all of the competitors: Basking Ridge, Far Hills, Liberty Corner (First Place Single Hose Lay), Mendham, New Vernon, Peapack-Gladstone, Chatham and Green Village (First Place Ladder). A special thanks to this years host - Martinsville Fire - who put on an extraordinary event!

5/17/2009 - "If you can't stand the heat..." - Members of the Fire Company took part in a live burn drill at the Somerset County Burn Tower in Somerville, NJ on Sunday. Also participating in the drill were Peapack-Gladstone Fire and Bernardsville First Aid. This training is an invaluable resource in the ongoing training of our firefighters. It provides exposure to the heat of a fire in a monitored and controlled environment with a focus on safety and fire behavior. In addition to the fire training, we are also able to practice search and rescue techniques in a high heat and low visibilty atmosphere similar to what we would face when responding to a call in our towns. With the emphasis placed on mutual aid between towns in Somerset County, being able to train with our neighboring fire companies provides a familiarity with personnel and equipment that is absolutely essential for effective on scene coordination.

June 6th, 2009 - The First Annual Summer Bash is right around the corner! Please come down and enjoy some good food and drinks with your friends and neighbors and enjoy music by Jerseys Own Hoi Polloi. The event will be fun for the entire family and runs from 6pm until 11pm. Tickets are being sold at the door on the day of the event.

Pictures from the annual dinner have been loaded. Click HERE to view.

Mothers Day Plant Sale - The Bernardsville Fire Department is pleased to announce the return of our Mothers Day Plant Sale! Prices range from $4 - $40. Come by and show Mom how much you care with a beautiful plant AND support your local ALL VOLUNTEER Fire Company.

Friday, May 8th - 3pm until 7pm

Saturday, May 9th - 9am until 3pm

Sunday, May 10th - 9am until supplies run out

03/23/09 - approx 1930 - Bernardsville Fire and Rescue was dispatched into Mendham Township for mutual aid for a reported working structure fire on Queens Rd. Crews on scene provided water supply for firefighting efforts as well as working the fill site for the tanker task force. Click here for additional information.

03/15/09 - The Bernardsville Fire Company would like to extend its appreciation to everyone who turned out for our annual Pancake Breakfast. With your assistance and generous donations, the fire company will continue to fund the operations of the all VOLUNTEER fire company and rescue squad.

The Bernardsville Fire Company is now accepting memorial and other donations via PayPal. Please click on the icon on the left to make your donation. As always, we thank you for your continued support of the All VOLUNTEER Fire Company and Rescue Squad.

The Bernardsville Fire Company is pleased to announce it's schedule of events and fundraising activities for 2009.:

Pancake Breakfast - March 15th
Summer Bash - June 6th
Unity Day - October 3rd
Far Hills Race Meeting - Car Parking/Coin Toss - October 17th
Spaghetti Dinner - November 7th - 5pm - 8 pm
Santa Claus Comes to Town - December 19th

Please check back often as more details will be posted as the date approaches. In addition, you may contact the Fundraising Committee via email or by phone at 908.766.6625.

March 15, 2009 - 7am - 1pm- The Bernardsville Fire Company will be hosting a pancake breakfast on Sunday, March 15th - admission is $8 for adults, $4 for children 10 and under and $6 for seniors. Class of 2009 eats for just $5!! Contact the fundraising committe via email using the link to the right or call 908-766-6625 with any questions. You may pay at the door or click below to purchase your tickets online via PayPal:

Feburary 15th - 12:00 Noon - The Bernardsville Fire Company will be hosting a venison dinner on Sunday, February 15th beginning at 12:00 Noon. Tickets are on sale for $25 and include all you can eat and drink. Please see a member of the fire company for tickets or stop by the firehouse on Monday night after 7:00pm. We look forward to seeing you there.

2009 Calendar of Events has been updated and the 2009 EMS Class Schedule has also been loaded. Please click on the Events page to view both.

01/17/09 - approx 2000 hrs - The Fire Company and first aid squad was dispatched for mutual aid into Bernards Township for additional manpower to a reported structure fire. Responding crews along with 22-10 and 22-11 assisted with checking for extension of the fire into the walls surrounding a fireplace and overhaul. Fire units were released by on-scene command and cleared at approximately 9:00pm.

Truck Floor and Company Elections - Elections were held during the December monthly meetings for fire and first aid squad officers as well as the Executive Committee. Rich Pierson who has served as president for the past 5 years has completed his term. During this time, Rich has overseen the construction and completion of the building addition, the purchase of new apparatus and has been our voice to the community - along with a score of other responsibilities. We were extrememly fortunate to have had his leadership during his term as president and look forward to his continued service as a trustee of the fire company.

The newly elected fire company and executive committee is as follows:

Fire Chief: Jerry Negri
1st Asst Chief: Rich Schiavoni
2nd Asst Chief: Larry Welle

22-103: Captain - Danny Hart, Driver - Matt Kneafsey
22-104: Captain - Chuck Ferrante, Driver - Jerry Negri, Jr
22-102: Captain - Rich Maddaluna, Driver - Frank Ferrante
22-135: Captain - Randy Steinkopf, Driver - Ron Salko
22-141: Driver - Bob Young

Squad Captain: John Orfan
Lieutenant: Amy Montgomery
Lieutenant: Matt Kneafsey

President: Jimmy Pickell
Vice President: John Orfan
Treasurer: Dan Hart
Asst Treasurer: Anthony Falconeri
Recording Secretary: Conny Beam
Corresponding Secretary: Cathi Losavio
Financial Secretary: Judy Castrilli

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