The Montvale and Woodcliff Lake fire departments are being revamped with new tools and a new look. Perhaps most importantly, our “men in red” have receive a long-awaited new new firehouse.
Recently, the Woodcliff Lake Fire Department received a $150,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to replace the breathing equipment used during fires. According to Woodcliff Lake Fire Chief George Lucia Jr., the firefighters use the equipment every time they go on call; it is the essential gear they use to receive air. The grant will come in handy as each new breathing apparatus will cost around $5,000 to $7,000. The station has ordered 31 new apparatuses and they are scheduled to arrive sometime in October.
Meanwhile, the Montvale Fire Department is receiving a complete renovation, and the old house was demolished. The official construction began on June 21; an event was held to honor the old building, and celebrate the new one being built.
At the event, Mayor Mike Ghassali shared some of the new features the new firehouse will have. According to Ghassali, the building will be built to last 80 years, and will include a kitchen, locker rooms, a training room, a conference room and brand new decontamination showers to remove hazardous material. Unimark Construction is in charge of the project. The fire department currently operates out of the Department of Public Works; however, the fire department still plans to maintain its status and service in the new building.
In addition, the Montvale Fire Department acquired an 8-foot steel beam from the World Trade Center in August and plans to create a small monument to honor the firefighters who died during 9/11. Although the Montvale Fire Department was not called in that day, the monument is a way to honor all of those in the profession who gave their lives to save others on that tragic day. Both the new firehouse and memorial are set to be finished in August of 2017.
