Remembering the Hackensack Ford Fire

On July 1, 1988, when firefighters of the Hackensack Fire Department arrived on scene of the Ford dealership on River Street in Hackensack, NJ around 3pm, they did not know how deceptive the fire would prove to be. They did not know that five of their fellow firefighters would not be coming home. On the initial alarm, Hackensack firefighters on two engines, one ladder and chief car responded to a reported fire at the Hackensack Ford auto dealership. During fire operations, fire was discovered to be burning above in the truss over the service area and was vented by the truck company on scene. Fire suppression was attempted by both engine companies through two ceiling hatches above the service area. Shortly thereafter, an evacuation order was transmitted over the radio of which were not acknowledged by any of the units working on scene.

Otherwise known as the Hackensack Ford Fire, this fire claimed the lives of five firefighters battling a fire in a bowstring-truss building when the roof suddenly collapsed. Three of the five firefighters lost their lives in the middle of the service area of the dealership. The other two firefighters became trapped in the rear storage room and were unable to be rescued. After approximately 1 hour into the operation, these five firefighter lost their lives and were the first line of duty deaths in the department's 117 year history to that point.

Remember & Honor

Capt. Richard L. Williams (Engine Co. No. 304)

Lt. Richard R. Reinhagen (Engine Co. No. 302)

Firefighter William Krejsa (Engine Co. No. 301)

Firefighter Leonard Radumski (Engine Co. No. 302)

Firefighter Stephen Ennis (Engine Co. No. 308).

34 years later this fire has had significant impact on today's fire service. This fire is one of the most analyzed LODD events in the history of the fire service. Numerous issues were noted from the incident including a breakdown in communications. The findings and observations of this fire are still valid today.

The lessons of this fire has resonated deeply within the fire service across the country. The Hackensack Ford Fire caused the fire service to begin looking at building construction on a more serious level especially when operation in and around truss construction and having the ability to identify construction types and truss. It also highlighted a weak command structure, insufficient and ineffective radio communications along with a lack of portable radios for firefighters and a lack of manpower. These lesson stay true to this day.

In an article published the day after the tragedy, Fire Chief Anthony Aiellos said, “There are only 100 of us in this department, and this is just a small place. In a town like this, these are your friends. These were good men.”

A New Decade

As we enter a new year, a new decade, we want to say thank you to all of our friends, followers and partners we’ve had throughout our journey and those we gained this year. Each and every one of you has helped us become better at what we do and helped us provide meaningful content to the fire service.

The next year will be a great year for us as well add more speaking engagements to our list and look forward to spreading our message to more people and more departments.

Without any of you, we couldn’t do what we do. When we started this, we didn’t expect the type of support and response we’ve received and we are wholeheartedly grateful for that.

From all of us here at The Firehouse Tribune, have a happy, healthy and safe New Year.

Until next time; work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

-FHTribune Staff

Dedication and Commitment

In order to be in the fire service, each person needs to have a level of dedication to the job and a level of respect for the job. A few years while training in marital arts I had the opportunity to train with a professional MMA fighter, who at the time was in the UFC. Currently, this fighter who I won't mention is now retired from active competition. During this time, I would only train on the techniques while at school I trained at 3 days a week. That was until I met and trained with this pro fighter who did train with former UFC Middleweight and Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre. While training with him, I learned tons of techniques, gain valuable tips and other tidbits of information I could use in competitions and also in other facets of my life especially as a firefighter. Along with the information he shared, he asked me one question. "How would I train if no one was watching?" He went on further to say, because we all want to put on a show when the cameras are on us. After that conversation, those words had me reevaluate my training to see if I had that same level of enthusiasm and dedication as I did when I was training by myself or with other people outside the MMA gym and off the baseball field. To be honest, it wasn't as fulfilling and once our training was over, that question changed my course and enhanced my personal wellbeing and dedication to my crafts. 

Why am I telling this story? Because just as a professional athlete will train with or without an audience, us too as firefighter should train. 

This fighter made mention that no matter where he was training he dedicated himself 100% each time he was in there. It didn't matter if the coaches were around or he was alone, he made sure it was everything he had for that session. Cellphones, selfies and social media were nonexistent to him while he was training and for obviously reasons, the work paid off and never took any of it for granted.

Since those training sessions, I took that advise and used it for myself as a firefighter and would like to share them with you. 

Dedicate yourself to the job in the firehouseand also when out of the firehouse. Utilize as many resources as you could to better yourself as a firefighter. Do not just attend certification courses at a fire academy but also read educational books (which my book shelf is now loaded with), understand the changes in the service and how you could adapt to them. To go even further, attend fire service conferences with or without departmental funding so you could attend seminars, see new advancements and network. Networking pay huge dividends when it comes to advancing yourself and gaining wealth's of knowledge from fire service leaders. Also, read and stay on top of NIOSH reports in order to understand the line of duty deaths and the findings reported after the investigations. Make your body your machine and develop a healthy lifestyle through physical and mental fitness along with proper nutrition for an optimal lifestyle worthy of the functionally fit firefighter. Always ask yourself, would you want YOU rescuing YOU? 

Fire doesn't care of your status, career, part time, per diem or volunteer so why should you train yourself as if it's a job I just need to get through to retirement or a volunteer gig I do as a hobby?

Think about why you started with in the first place. What made you sign up for this?

To be successful and dedicated to the fire service it takes hundreds of thousands of hours of dedication and commitment to the books, in the gym, in the firehouse and on your own time to be a battle ready, battled tested firefighter. The time to prepare isn't when the bell rings because then it's too late. To be battle ready is to always stay battle ready. 

Until next time; work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

About the Author

NICHOLAS J. HIGGINS is a firefighter with 17 years in the fire service in Piscataway, NJ, a NJ State certified level 2 fire instructor, a State of New Jersey Advocate for the National Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation and is the founder/contributor of the Firehouse Tribune website. A martial arts practitioner and former collegiate athlete in baseball, Nick is also a National Exercise & Sports Trainer Association Battle Ropes Instructor, Functional Fitness Instructor and Nutrition Coach.  He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Kean University, and a A.A.S in Liberal Arts - Business from Middlesex County College. Nick has spoken at the 2017 & 2018 Firehouse Expo in Nashville, TN as well as at numerous fire departments within NJ and fire service podcasts.

A Day of Remembrance 17 Years After

September 11, 2001. There are no words needed to describe this day. A day of remembrance. A day of sorrow. A day of honor. Millions of people went to bed the evening of Sept 10th not knowing what tomorrow had in store. They woke up and said goodbye to their families not knowing this may be their last or not knowing this would be the day they stood up to help a neighbor in need. The events of Sept 11th brought people together, regardless of race, religion or of any personal and political belief. It's a day that mankind stepped up and helped a friend, a colleague, a stranger in need because that day told them it was their calling to do so.

Three hundred and forty three firefighters died that day and many more after, doing what they always do - their job. They answered the call the same way they answered the ones before, feet in their boots one foot at a time and geared up on their rigs to help the common man in their time of need. 17 years later we remember and honor those brave men and women who came from all walks of life to help those in their time of need. Thousands of these men and women perished that day but their memory, their legacy and their bravery live on.

Remember all those who stood up that day and honor their memory and legacy not only in words but in action. Take this time to make yourself better than you were yesterday. Become stronger, smarter and learn to forgive. The life we have is short, make it count and make it all you got.

May all the souls of those lost and those who live on each day from the tragic events of 9/11/2001 never be forgotten and may they always be honored and always be remembered.

Until next time; work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

- Firehouse Tribune Staff