the staff oif the Ridgewood blog
UPPER SADDLE RIVER , NJ — On August 24, 2025, the Upper Saddle River Fire Department (USRFD) stepped in to provide critical support to Fair Lawn after a massive water main break in Paterson left the town at elevated fire risk.
Firefighters Bertollo and Cusumano from USRFD delivered a 3,000-gallon tanker to supply water for fire calls, ensuring residents remained safe while local infrastructure was being repaired.
“With the lack of water, even a small fire condition could have turned catastrophic,” officials explained. “A fire can double in size every minute without proper suppression.”
Mutual Aid: A Regional Effort
The response involved a network of North Jersey fire departments:
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Saddle River FD — 3,000-gallon tanker (already on scene upon USRFD’s arrival)
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Ridgefield FD — 3,500-gallon tanker
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Fort Lee FD — arrived around midnight to relieve existing support apparatus
From 6 p.m. to midnight, firefighters responded to four separate calls, keeping what one responder described as a “conga line of water to the front door” flowing as needed.
Fair Lawn Water Woes Continue
According to News 12, parts of Paterson and all of Fair Lawn were without water Sunday due to the break. While service was partially restored by Sunday night, a boil water advisory was issued for at least 48 hours—with full repairs expected to take 7 to 10 days.
Longtime resident Frank Stupsky described the disruption:
“I hopped in the shower. I got just about done, and my leg, I saw a little soap on there. That’s it—the water stopped. There was not even a drop. It was horrible. I’ve lived here 50 years and never experienced anything like it.”
Looking Ahead
With water infrastructure repairs ongoing and Fair Lawn residents still under advisories, mutual aid tanker responses highlight the importance of regional cooperation during emergencies. Fire departments across Bergen County continue to monitor conditions and remain on standby should additional support be needed.
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Thanks, fellas. We can always count on our firefighters.