Author Archives: chuckm

Deputy Chief Robert Paul Retires

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The Woodbridge Board of Fire Commissioners, in collaboration with the Woodbridge Fire Department Administration, held a retirement breakfast for Deputy Chief Robert Paul on Friday, June 17, 2022. Deputy Chief Paul has served the community with the department for 23 years and ascended the ranks to his current position after starting as a firefighter/fire inspector in 1999. Current members of the Department joined retired members, commissioners, colleagues, friends, and family, all to pay tribute to an honorable career and momentous occasion in Deputy Chief Paul’s retirement.
 
“First I want to thank everyone for coming,” Paul said as he addressed the room. “To the Board and current administration, thank you for putting such a nice event together. It really means a lot. To everyone that I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years, thank you for not only making this a great career, but for teaching me everything that I know. Hopefully I’ve been able to share some of that knowledge and experience with those that I’ve worked with as they were hired in the years after me. And finally, a special thank you to my wife Joyce and my daughter and son, Jessica and Ryan. I know there were events and holidays that I wasn’t able to be with you because I was on duty, so thank you for understanding and for always being there to love and support me.”
 
Commissioner Jeff Moran was in attendance to extend his personal congratulations. “Deputy Chief Paul has had a very good career and was a great officer. We worked together on shift for a long time and I want to wish him as much success in his retirement as he’s had in his career!”
 
We would like to wish a long, happy, and healthy retirement to Deputy Chief Paul and thank him for his devoted service to the Woodbridge Fire Department and District #1.

Pride Flag Raising

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On Thursday, June 9th, members of the Woodbridge Fire Department joined the ranks of numerous township first responders, community activists and leaders, as well as state representatives at the second annual LGBTQIA+ Pride flag raising at Town Hall. The Pride flag raising tradition was started in Woodbridge Township last year when township high school student Molly Rubin contacted Mayor John McCormac citing the importance of inclusion, representation, and visibility. On top of the flag raising, Mayor McCormac presented a proclamation this year to highlight the Township’s focus on inclusivity, respect, and equality while also ensuring that all members of the LGBTQIA+ community know that they are welcome, supported, and protected. The Woodbridge Fire Department is also a member of the newly established Woodbridge Police Department Safe Place Program in effect throughout all nine towns in the township that offer refuge, protection, and assistance to LGBTQIA+ individuals that have faced bias and/or hate crimes.
 
                “The members of our Department have dedicated themselves to ensuring the public knows that all residents of our community are seen and respected,” Chief John Golden said. “They continue to put their oath into action by ‘rendering full service to the District’ in all forms. Our jobs go much further than safety and protection and it’s important for our residents, especially those in the LGBTQIA+ community, to know that they are a major part of what makes District #1 so great.”
 
                Commissioner John Kenny agrees. “Events like the Pride flag raising are significant because it sends a message of support and dedication to a community that unjustly faces discrimination and hate to this day. Having our members stand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community shows that we, as a department, unequivocally support equality for all. I, along with the entire Board of Fire Commissioners for Fire District #1, am proud to take that stand along with our members.”

Juneteenth Celebration

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On Saturday, June 18, 2022, members of the Woodbridge Fire Department and Woodbridge Fire Prevention Bureau attended the second annual Juneteenth Celebration on the concert grounds at Woodbridge High School. This event, presented by the Woodbridge Organization of Neighbors Advocating Change, commemorates the day the last remaining slaves in America were informed that they were freed following the Emancipation Proclamation. That occurred on June 19, 1865 in Galveston Bay, Texas and is not only an important moment in American history, but is notable because it occurred just under two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.
 
Chief John Golden expressed his contentment with the Department’s further involvement in community events like this. “As I’ve said in the past, participation in events throughout the year is paramount in building a relationship with the residents of our district. The Juneteenth Celebration was an excellent event for our members to attend not just to spread fire safety and prevention information, but also because of the holiday’s historical importance. It prompts the desire for those that may not know to learn more about the meaning of the holiday itself and that can then be shared with others.”
 
The Department members handed out fire safety/prevention materials and giveaways and had turn out gear for attendees to try on. Engine 3 was also on site for all to see, to get a tour of the apparatus, and to enjoy pictures while seated inside.

Woodbridge Fire Department POAC Walk

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“On Sunday, May 1, 2022, members of the Woodbridge Fire Department participated in the Woodbridge Township POAC Walk. POAC (Parents of Autistic Children) Autism Services is a New Jersey based nonprofit organization that provides training, education, and support to educators, first responders, parents, families, and individuals living with autism spectrum disorders. This year however, their participation included an idea come-to-life from Captain and Fire Official Robert Fizer. He realized that while first responders are afforded trainings and seminars on autism spectrum disorders and how communication can vary, it would still be beneficial to have an indication that a resident or individual inside of a building may have special needs. So, with inspiration from the “Tot Finder” stickers that were widely used in the 1980s and 1990s, he designed and created stickers to notify first responding personnel that an occupant of that space may require alternative actions and assistance during emergencies. He was proud to be able to distribute these stickers to attendees.
 
‘I realize that in an emergency, everyone will react differently, but an individual with special needs may react in a way that some may not expect at all,’ Fizer said. ‘As fire, police, and EMS personnel, we always try our best to expect the unexpected in any situation. These stickers are just an extra step for first responders to better understand the scene and to be able to more effectively execute their response.’
 
Chief John Golden agrees and is outspoken in his support of this new program. ‘The Administration at Woodbridge Fire commends Fire Official Fizer for addressing this and for taking the initiative to further connect the Woodbridge Fire Department to its community. With every positive step taken by our members, we expand our unity with and ability to protect the residents of Fire District #1.’
 
While they state that it is always an honor being asked to participate in the multitude of events they are involved in throughout the year, this event is particularly close to home for Woodbridge Fire. Deputy Chief Robert Paul is an active member not just of the Department, but in the community as well as the POAC Walk. His son Ryan has autism and he knows first-hand just how important these types of programs can be. “Captain Fizer’s initiative to further protect children with special needs in town is incredibly important and deserves every ounce of gratitude and appreciation it has received not just from myself and my family, but from the community as a whole. It’s an added measure taken to ensure crews know what to possibly expect when they arrive on scene.’”

In the News

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(From Left to Right) Daniel Eagan, Alina Rivera, Eric Seniakevgch, Ryan Hilliard, Kyle Figueredo, Jeffrey Joyce, Andrea Schelmety, and Rebecca Haggerty
(From Left to Right) Commissioner Jeff Moran, Commissioner James Barcellona, Commissioner Jack Kenny, Commissioner Robert Minkler, and Commissioner Patrick Kenny

At the Board of Fire Commissioners’ meeting on Wednesday, March 3, 2022 James Barcellona and Robert Minkler Sr. were sworn in to assume their duties as Fire Commissioners for Fire District #1. They will serve on the Board of Fire Commissioners for a term of three years. At the same meeting, Department history was made as Woodbridge Fire Department’s first female firefighters, Rebecca Haggerty, Alina Rivera, and Andrea Schelmety, were sworn in with their fellow newly appointed firefighters Daniel Eagan, Kyle Figueredo, Ryan Hilliard, Jeffrey Joyce, and Eric Seniakevgch. The Woodbridge Fire Department would like to congratulate Commissioners Barcellona and Minkler as well as Firefighters Eagan, Figueredo, Haggerty, Hilliard, Joyce, Rivera, Schelmety, and Seniakevgch and wish them much success in their positions!

Election Day Community Assistance

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On Saturday, February 19, 2022, an election was held for two commissioner seats and the working budget for the Woodbridge Fire Department. Aside from the overall importance of participating in the democratic process, it’s also important that the democratic process is easily understandable and accessible to all registered voters within Fire District #1. Chief John Golden saw this as the perfect opportunity to work with the Woodbridge Township School District to ensure that the diversity in Fire District #1 was represented at the polls. “One of the most important parts of being a civil servant is understanding that our communities are culturally vast and diverse. We have to make sure we are doing everything in our power to let the residents in our district know that we not only welcome, but appreciate that diversity and want to accommodate everyone from all walks of life,” Golden said. With that, he enlisted the help of Woodbridge High School Principal, Dr. Glenn Lottmann, and stellar students Jackie Morel, Hirmi Patel, and Musfirah Sohail to aid residents in better understanding their ballots and special questions. If a resident spoke another language more proficiently than English, these Woodbridge High School students were on site to ensure that a proper translation was given. Their bilingual expertise helped expand the opportunity for residents within the community to fully comprehend the ballot information. The Woodbridge Fire Department would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to Dr. Lottmann, Jackie Morel, Hirmi Patel, and Musfirah Sohail for their assistance with providing this crucial service to the residents of Fire District #1. “It is greatly appreciated and, as always, an honor to work for and with our community.

Memorial Vigil

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On the evening of Thursday, February 3, 2022, the Woodbridge Fire Department participated in a silent memorial vigil at Woodbridge Police Headquarters honoring officers across the country that gave the ultimate sacrifice. It was a privilege for the Department to be asked to display the American flag for the vigil and to pay tribute to these fallen officers whose lives were taken while serving their communities. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends, and fellow officers that are mourning their loss and may they never be forgotten.

IMPORTANT LIFE SAFETY NOTICE TO HOMEOWNERS…

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“With the tragic recent events that have unfolded in both New York and Philadelphia, the New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s office has issued safety tips on fire prevention and actions to take should a fire occur to increase the chances of saving your homes and families. As always, ensuring you have functional and reliable smoke detectors in every bedroom, outside of each separate sleeping area, and on each level of your home including your basement is paramount. If your smoke detectors use batteries, it is recommended to change the batteries every six (6) months (an easy way to remember this is to change the batteries when you change your clocks to observe Daylight Savings Time) and if you have sealed units, to replace the entire smoke detector after no more than ten (10) years. If your smoke detector is chirping abnormally and changing the batteries (in unsealed units) does not resolve the issue, replace the entire smoke detector completely. It’s imperative to have a home escape plan to ensure that all occupants of the home know where to meet in a safe and distanced location from the home should a fire occur. This helps with accounting for everyone that may be in the structure and will aid firefighting personnel in knowing if anyone has not evacuated. Should space heaters or any other heating equipment/appliances be needed during winter months, it’s important to ensure at least a three (3) foot clearance from any combustible or flammable materials and objects. Finally, it is best practice to start closing interior doors within the home before retiring for the evening. Doing so actually helps to keep toxic smoke from entering these rooms, can delay or completely keep out fire from spreading into these rooms, maintains more oxygen to breathe within that area, and can actually hold back heat from the fire keeping the temperature of the room under 100°F! Should a fire occur, closing doors behind you as you exit the building can aid in slowing the fire spread as well.

There is more useful and important information located in the publication from the Division of Fire Safety (DFS) through the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) in the link below. Please review this information and enact the recommendations from the DFS in your homes to expand your fire safety knowledge, awareness, and preparedness while also keeping your families as safe as possible!”

https://www.nj.gov/dca/news/news/2021/approved/20220112.shtml

Woodbridge township holiday stroll and light parade

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On Saturday, November 27th, members from the Woodbridge Fire Department and Fire Prevention Bureau participated in the 14th annual Woodbridge Township Holiday Stroll and Light Parade. This year, members set up and monitored fire pits while they handed out marshmallows for attendees to roast while enjoying the festivities. After the Holiday Stroll, a decorated and festive Engine 1 took part in the Light Parade that started on Main Street in downtown Woodbridge and traveled throughout the entire township to spread holiday cheer to all Woodbridge Township residents. On behalf of the Woodbridge Fire Department, we wish everyone a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season!

  • Holiday stroll fire pits
  • Engine 1 lights parade