JANUARY 26, 2016 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016, 1:21 AM
BY JOHN CICHOWSKI
THE RECORD
You’ve no doubt heard about a sad winter phenomenon that recurs whenever snow and fire converge to cause panic, destruction and homelessness. It happens when firefighters arrive in time to quell a blaze, but they can’t hook up their equipment quickly enough — either because they’re unable to find a snow-covered hydrant, or when they do find one, they’re forced to waste precious minutes digging it out.
“And in a fire, everybody knows each minute counts,” said Ho-Ho-Kus Fire Chief Matt Menzel.
That’s why next Monday — nine days after Mother Nature covered nearly every hydrant from Mahwah to Cape May — a New Jersey law takes effect to make it easier for firefighters to find hydrants and quickly hook up their hoses. The legislation allows New Jersey’s 566 local governments to adopt ordinances requiring municipal installation of tall locator poles on all hydrants while encouraging each local governing body to require property owners to dig them out 24 hours after a snowfall or face a $75 fee if the municipality must do it.
Fire chiefs like Menzel aren’t taking sides, but the law has prompted considerable homeowner debate since Governor Christie signed it in July.
“I didn’t ask to have a fire hydrant on my lawn!” proclaimed Totowa’s Vincent D’Antonio Sr. “Will my taxes go down if I perform this municipal service? If not, I want the hydrant removed. This is absolutely a municipal function, 100 percent.”
Ridgewood Police : Ice & Snow – Remove It Before You Go
Remember to remove all ice and snow from your vehicle before driving, especially from the hood, windows and roof. It’s the law in New Jersey! Motorists who fail to do so face fines of $25 to $75 for each offense, regardless of whether the ice and snow is dislodged from the vehicle. If flying ice or snow causes property damage or injury to others, motorists face fines of $200 to $1,000 for each offense.
Ridgewood Police :Keep fire hydrant clear
If you have a fire hydrant in front of your house, help yourself and help your neighbors by keeping it clear of snow.
Ridgewood Police : Overnight parking is suspended in the Village
Overnight parking is suspended in the Village. Residents are prohibited from parking on village streets overnight. Please reconfirm but residents residing in the Central Business District are permitted to park vehicles in the Cottage Place and Hudson Street lots.
Check your test center, and learn about makeup tests.
RegisterNext Tests:1/23 , 3/5
SAT Test Center Closings
Information about SAT test center closings for the January SAT administration date will be posted to this page as it becomes available. If a makeup date or alternate test center information has been confirmed, that information will also be included.
SAT Test Center Supervisors are instructed to notify local media outlets when their centers are unable to open due to inclement weather, natural disaster, power failure, or other problems. Please check your local media for test center closings in your area.
If your center is listed as closed:
A new center may appear in the listing. In this case, access your online account and print a new, updated ticket with the new center information noted on it. You must bring your updated ticket with you on test day to the reassigned center.
If no new center appears, please be patient while we work to arrange a makeup date — you will be contacted as soon as a makeup is scheduled. Remember: don’t try to test elsewhere on test day — supervisors cannot admit standbys or walk-ins.
Please note: If you had a Waitlist Ticket for a closed center, your original Waitlist request was canceled, and you are not eligible for makeup testing. Please register for the next available date as soon as possible.
Village of Ridgewood Owned Dump Truck Spills Transmission Fluid on South Bound Route 17 ramp
January 14,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, A municipally owned dump truck equipped with a salt spreader and snow plow lost its entire load of transmission fluid at the intersection of Linwood Avenue and the Route 17 southbound on ramp at approximately 7:30 AM on Thursday, 01/14. Ridgewood FD personnel were called to contain the spill, while a Ridgewood PD unit stood by until the truck could be removed from the traveled roadway.
Accident Closes Down East Ridgewood Ave, North Pleasant Intersection Sunday Afternoon in Ridgewood
January 3,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The driver and passenger of a Ford Explorer were transported by ambulance to The Valley Hospital with non-life threatening injuries following a Sunday afternoon, 01/03 collision with a Ford Edge at the intersection of East Ridgewood and North Pleasant Avenues, Ridgewood. RIdgewood PD, EMS, and FD personnel responded to the 1 PM incident.
Both vehicles were removed from the scene by separate flatbed tow trucks. The Explorer appeared to have broadsided the Edge in the middle of the intersection. The accident remains under investigation by Ridgewood PD.
Ridgewood Nj, the Ridgewood Fire Department would like to remind you that CO is an odorless, colorless and potentially deadly gas that is created by incomplete combustion. All natural gas, fuel oil (home heating oil), propane fuels as well as gasoline engines (cars, lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc) are sources that produce carbon monoxide.The danger of carbon monoxide greatly increases over the winter due to doors and windows being closed and heaters/furnaces operating. It is recommended that all homes have at least one carbon monoxide detector per floor especially outside the bedrooms. If your detector activates, immediately dial 9-1-1 and exit the home. If assistance is needed in placing a carbon monoxide detector in your home, please contact our Fire Prevention Bureau at 201.444.7898. Also, additional information can found on First Alert’s website: https://www.firstalert.com/faqs/co-alarm
In wake of Passaic deaths, Christie signs carbon monoxide detector law
NOVEMBER 9, 2015, 7:07 PM LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2015, 7:13 PM
BY RICHARD COWEN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
In his brief life, Noel Korman of Clifton became a skateboarding legend, a man whose personal mantra of “high fives and positive vibes” touched everyone in a sport where having “raditude” counts almost as much as skill.
His death, and that of his girlfriend, Alice Park, of carbon monoxide poisoning inside a studio carved out of an old factory building in Passaic, shed light on a loophole in the state’s fire code.
State fire code requires carbon monoxide detectors be installed in hotels, apartment buildings, rooming houses, and one- and two-family homes, but the law is silent on commercial buildings like the Streets Rehearsal Studio in Passaic where Korman and Park were found dead Dec. 6.
Ridgewood NJ, the Village of Ridgewood swore in two new firefighters at lst nights Village Council meeting ; Firefighter Oscar Martinez and Firefighter Michael Rohrman . Congratulations to both men and congratulations to the Village of Ridgewood .
SEPTEMBER 18, 2015, 11:34 PM LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015, 11:36 PM
BY LINH TAT
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
For months after a five-alarm fire ripped through a massive apartment complex in Edgewater and left a pile of debris in its wake, residents, firefighters and lawmakers called for changes to state regulations that dictate building standards and requirements, in hopes of improving fire safety.
Many provided input to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, which happened to be in the midst of updating the state Uniform Construction Code, a process that takes place every three years.
On Monday, the newly revised code will take effect. But absent are the changes that so many had been pushing for after the Avalon at Edgewater fire.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police report on 07/06/2015 patrol units responded to the rear of 158 East Ridgewood Avenue for a report of a vehicle fire. Patrol officers were first to arrive and determined that a 4 door sedan was engulfed in flames. Patrol units also determined that the vehicle was unoccupied. The vehicle was extinguished and no other property damage was caused. The owner of the vehicle reportedly left it running while inside a restaurant.
According to sources the Volkswagen Jetta was being used as a delivery vehicle by the Tito Burrito’s restaurant in Ridgewood was destroyed by an engine compartment fire shortly after 5 PM on Monday, 07/06. The vehicle was parked behind the restaurant at the time of the fire. Ridgewood FD units responded to quell the blaze. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck.
JULY 2, 2015, 5:47 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015, 6:51 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — The village’s fire department is receiving nearly $38,000 in federal grant money to pay for wellness education and exercise equipment.
The $37,791 award for the Ridgewood Fire Department was announced Wednesday by U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker.
The two lawmakers secured a combined $397,202 in Assistance to Firefighter Grants for fire departments statewide. The grants are administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“It’s a good grant and I was glad to hear it had come through,” said Ridgewood’s Fire Chief James Van Goor, who was notified by a staffer from Menendez’s office early Wednesday.
“Our first responders risk their lives each day to save ours and we must do everything we can to ensure they have the tools they need to protect their residents and communities,” Menendez said. “These grants will allow our fire departments to operate more efficiently and ensure our firefighters are properly equipped to protect themselves and keep residents safe.”
Booker added: “By collaborating at the federal and local levels, we have been able to secure wins for our state’s firefighters amounting to millions of dollars in grants that have translated into more jobs and better protections for those that put their lives on the line to protect us.”
JUNE 24, 2015, 3:46 PM LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2015, 5:33 PM
BY STEFANIE DAZIO
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Forget chasing fires. Three Ridgewood firefighters will be chasing gold medals at the World Police and Fire Games for the next week.
Capt. Chris DuFlocq, Lt. Brendan Corcoran and Fireman Brian Peacock are among the 12,000 international athletes — all police officers and career firefighters from 70 countries — competing in the Olympics-style games in Fairfax County, Va., that begin Friday and run through July 5.
DuFlocq, a 56-year-old Midland Park resident, placed an ad in a union magazine in 2011 to pull together a soccer team. Firefighters and cops from all over the state responded. “It was more successful that I thought it would be,” he said.
The team — dubbed “N.J. Guns and Hoses” — went on to win national gold medals in 2013 and 2014. More than a dozen players practice once or twice a week and they play in tournaments throughout the year.
“We’ve got national, now we want to see if we can compete with the world,” DuFlocq said. “It’s going to be a struggle. It’s going to be some tough games.”
Corcoran, 37, of Ridgewood said he has already broken two world records. He has smashed the Guinness World Records for one-mile and half-marathon runs in full firefighter gear but he is waiting for it to be made official. He ran in 25 pounds of gear to raise awareness for firefighter fitness, as well as raise money for Code 3 for a Cure Foundation, a national non-profit charity that supports firefighters with cancer.
June 6,2015
Chief John M. Ward and the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, In response yesterdays stand off situation Chief John Ward issued the following statement on facebook , ” I would like to once again thank our officers for doing an excellent job containing the situation and Sheriff Saudino, Under Sheriff Shortway and Members of the County Regional SWAT, Bomb Squad and Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office for another successful joint effort.
Members of our (ERT) Emergency Response Team integrated with county team members flawlessly. Officers from Glen Rock surrounding towns also provided valuable assistance. Without this type of team work and commitment to integrated training events, incidents such as these become very difficult and may not go as well as they have.
Fortunately the young man was ultimately taken into custody and the matter ended without incident or injury. I would also like to thank Chief Benjamin Ramos and the members of the Palisades Park Police for the work on this case and on scene assistance during the event.
Unfortunately we did have to shut down a portion of S. Maple Ave and evacuate many residents for safety concerns. The young man is at Bergen Regional medical center being evaluated and charges are pending. The matter is under investigation.
I would also like to mention and thank Chief Van Goor and Ridgewood Fire, Ridgewood OEM Director Kleiman and Ridgewood ES. With their assistance Capt. Lyons and I were able to handle our responsibilities with both tactical command and Unified Command for the other support services.”
Ridgewood Fire Lieutenant Brendan Corcoran recently ran the fastest ever half marathon in full firefighter gear. He is hoping to run the fastest mile in gear at the upcoming Ridgewood Run on Memorial Day.
MAY 1, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY GAIL KISLEVITZ
CORRESPONDENT |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
It’s not easy to set a Guinness World Record but that’s what Ridgewood resident and Fire Lieutenant Brendan Corcoran has done. Not once, but in all likelihood, twice. Corcoran, 37, recently set a new world record for running the fastest half marathon in full firefighter gear at the Michelob Ultra Queens 13.1 on March 21 in an official time of 1:48:24. Stuart Ruston of the United Kingdom set the previous record of 2:00:41 in March of 2013. Corcoran carried 25 pounds of gear on him, as per the official record, which consisted of his firefighter uniform boots, jacket, helmet, and pants.
On May 25, at the Memorial Day Ridgewood Run, Corcoran plans to break the Guinness World Record for running the fastest mile in full gear plus air packs, for a total of 45 pounds. The current Guinness record for fastest mile in a fireman’s uniform is 7 minutes and 58.02 seconds, set in April of 2013 by Ashrita Furman at the Jamaica High School athletics track in New York. Corcoran has already beaten that record in his training for the mile event.
Guinness World Records, known from its inception in 1955 through 1998 as The Guinness Book of Records, is a reference book published annually, listing world records. Sir Hugh Beaver, chairman of the Guinness Brewery in Ireland, created the book when he missed a shot at a golden plover. He wondered if the plover is the fastest game bird in Europe but couldn’t find a reference book that answered the question. So he undertook the task of finding and recording records and his book was created. It is the best selling book in the world.
The Ridgewood blog was founded in March of 2006 by James J Foytlin aka PJ Blogger . Mr. Foytlin was born and raised in Ridgewood ,New Jersey and is a graduate of Ridgewood High School .
Ridgewood NJ, – Oct. 26, 2009 – RIDGEWOOD, N.J. — The Ridgewood blog ( https://theridgewoodblog.blogspot.com/ ) was founded in March of 2006 by James J Foytlin aka PJ Blogger .[1] Mr. Foytlin was born and raised in Ridgewood ,New Jersey and is a graduate of Ridgewood High School .[2] [3]
After many years living in New York City[4] Mr Foytlin returned to Ridgewood after a divorce and the tragic events of 9/11 . Once he settled in he noticed a lack of sufficient news coverage of local events . One day a friend from Brazil[5] showed him her home town on the internet and to Mr. Foytlin’s great surprise when he tried to reciprocate he was utterly dismayed at the absolute lake coverage of his home town. After all Ridgewood is only 18 miles from midtown Manhattan[6] the media capitol of world and there was not a single picture of Ridgewood to be found . How could this be? Ridgewood is a picturesque upper middle class village of around 25,000 located in Bergen county in northern New Jersey[7] . Founded by Dutch settlers before it became an English colony[8] . The town or village as its called is steeped in rich history and tradition .Known for a large amount of Victorian era housing , a quality school system and a family friendly atmosphere.
Though busy getting reacquainted with his home town the fact that the Village of Ridgewood was so under represented on the internet continued to disturb Mr. Foytlin. Mr. Foytlin had been writing news letters for his job in financial services since the mid 1990’s . The popular flip, off beat investment strategy news letters had become email blasts with the advent of readily accessible internet.[9] By 2004 the email blasts were converted into blog format for the One Small Voice blog (https://onesmallvoice.blogspot.com/ ). [10]
Around that time the Village of Ridgewood had finally completed it’s much anticipated and long delayed renovation of the Village hall which has been flooded out due to Hurricane Floyd.[11] The renovation was marred by huge cost over runs and lengthy delays. In 2005 it opened with great fan fare , was once again flooded with the very first rain . Mr. Foytlin was more shocked by the abject lack of responsibility taken by elected officials than the fact that the $9 million dollar renovation had to some extent been a failure . That was the breaking point and Mr. Foytlin had had enough so he decided to give , citizen journalism a go and created the Ridgewood blog in March of 2006. [12]
The birth of PJ Blogger .By this time Blogging its seems had become quite the rage and mainstream news anchors such as Dan Rather had questioned the validity of information from non professionals sitting around in their Pajama’s blogging.[13] Mr. Foytlin not a fan of Dan Rather or any of the mainstream media decided to blog under the name PJ Blogger as a play on words and to plant himself firmly in the camp of the new digital media.
Innovations by the Ridgewood blog to citizen journalism.
“The Fly” is a column on the Ridgewood blog the originates from the expression ,”I’d like to be a fly on the wall “ . The idea is that every citizen has both a unique perspective and experience and these two factors can be used to gather news and opinions about local issues. Originally only of handful of people in town participated but with time the Ridgewood blog can now count on 20–40 semi regular contributors. These post are both anonymous and signed and are largely opinion as well a breaking news.[14]
The Ridgewood blog brings a free market lassie fare point of view to local issues . Mr. Foytlin aka PJ Blogger has stated that for local issues there are only two kinds of people ;the ones who say spend what every you want because I will not be around to pay the bill and the second group which are more focused on the ,”be careful this is my money your spending” . The Ridgewood blog is dedicated to the interplay of there two groups.[15]
[1][12] the Ridgewood blog website https://theridgewoodblog.blogspot.com/
[2] Birth Certificate born in Valley Hospital , Ridgewood 04/09/1962
[3] Ridgewood High School Class 1980
[4] 444 East 86th street ,530 East 72nd
[5] Monica Rocha
[6] Mapquest
[7] United States 2000 Census, the village population was 24,936.
[8] https://www.americantowns.com/nj/ridgewood/organization/vi…
[9] Fahnestock & Co. now Oppenheimer & Co.
[10] https://onesmallvoice.blogspot.com/
[11] https://www.ridgewoodlibrary.org/localhistory/lh_vh_pease.htm
[13] https://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110005611
[14] [15] James J Foytlin
April 3, 2015, 5:05 PM Last updated: Friday, April 3, 2015, 5:08 PM
By CHRIS HARRIS
Staff Writer |
The Record
RIDGEWOOD — Village officials have shut the doors over at Finca, a tapas restaurant that opened along East Ridgewood Avenue a little less than three months ago.
A notice adorning Finca’s front door Friday claims the eatery will remain closed “until further notice due to fire code violations.” The notice further says the restaurant will “reopen as soon as possible” while inviting patrons to visit its nearby sister restaurant, Cravings Tapas Bistro.
Ridgewood Fire Chief James Van Goor said on Friday that Finca was cited Thursday evening for nine violations to both the fire and building codes.
