WESTWOOD FIREFIGHTERS START OFF 2026 WITH THIRTY-SIX EMERGENCY INCIDENTS.

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Newly elected Fire Chief Bryan Wiecenski reports that the Westwood fire department was called 36
times for emergencies in January 2026. None of the calls turned out to be a serious fire in Westwood.
These 36 emergency calls, two training drills and five work/maintenance details, three of which were to
clear snow around borough fire hydrants required over 430 hours of volunteer time. Please note: these
hours consist of staff hours where firefighters actually responded to or attended events, not stand by or
on call time.
The Westwood Fire Department was called out of town ten times to assist neighboring fire departments
under the mutual aid agreement. Responding seven times to River Vale and twice to Hillsdale and once
to Montvale. One of the calls to River Vale was to the scene of a serious commercial truck fire where
Westwood fire crews assisted River Vale extinguishing the fire. Westwood firefighters received
assistance on one occasion from the River Vale fire department.
Eleven automatic fire alarms were received in January. Westwood fire department standard operating
procedures require a full fire department response to any fire alarm received. Firefighters check the
entire building to determine if an actual fire exists. None of the automatic alarms in January turned out
to be an actual fire. Alarm malfunctions caused three responses. Cooking caused four alarm activations.
Contractors working in buildings set off alarms on two occasions. Water leaking onto a smoke detector
caused one response.
On three occasions Carbon Monoxide (CO) calls were received. Readers are reminded that CO is an
odorless and colorless gas caused by malfunctioning heating or cooking equipment among other causes.
It can be lethal at high levels. Again, each of these calls require a full fire department response. Fire
crews check the entire building with meters. Low readings were found at two incidents. Cooking smoke
set off the CO detector on one occasion.
On two occasions calls were for smells of natural gas. The fire department responded and investigated
each. On one occasion building occupants left a stove top burner on by mistake. At the other gas call
Public Service gas technicians were on scene prior to fire department arrival and investigated the
source. Westwood Fire Department standard policy is to turn these gas and CO problems over to Public
Service gas technicians for further investigation.
Other emergency calls were: a motor vehicle crash where fire crews assisted with area lighting. Two
boiler malfunctions, at these fire crews ensured the problem was contained to the boiler and
summoned Public Service gas technicians to further investigate. A stove fire that was out on arrival and
a candle that fell over causing smoldering on the table top were checked by firefighters. Neither
extended beyond the stove and table area.
On two occasions callers reported strange odors. Fire crews responded and determined that neither was
an emergency. Equipment leaking water and a burst water pipe required FD response. Fire crews
isolated the leaks to guard against further damage.

The Westwood fire Department reminds readers that winter snow storms are always a possibility.
Please assist area fire departments by clearing ice and snow from around fire hydrants in your
neighborhood. The hydrants are needed to fight fires which may include or threaten your property.
When fire breaks out time is of the essence. Fire fighters must find hydrants closest to the fire. Time
taken to find and dig out a fire hydrant covered in snow takes away from the effort to extinguish the
fire. Please clear three feet in all directions around the hydrant. There is an ordinance in the borough and
the state of NJ, that if you have a hydrant on your property that it should be cleared of snow 3' feet around the
fire hydrant.  
This article was submitted by the Westwood Fire Department. Any Fire Department related questions
can be e-mailed to westwoodfdchief@gmail.com or by calling 201-664-0526. The fire prevention
bureau can be reached at dblankenbush@westwoodnj.gov or by calling 201-664-7100 ext 308. PLEASE
NOTE; THESE PHONE NUMBERS ARE BUSINESS/NON-EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS, FOR
FIRES/EMERGENCIES CALL 911.