WESTWOOD FIREFIGHTERS ANSWER THIRTY-THREE EMERGENCIES IN MARCH
​
TOP 100 CALLS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2026
​
Fire Chief Bryan Wiecenski reports that the Westwood Fire Department was called 33 times for
emergency assistance during the month of March 2026. Chief Wiecenski reports that none of
the calls turned out to be a serious fire.
These 33 emergency calls, two training events and two maintenance nights required over 375
hours of volunteer time.
Automatic fire alarms were received twelve times in March. Although no fires existed at any of
these incidents, a full fire department response is required. Firefighters check the entire
building to determine if an actual fire exists. A variety of problems caused these automatic
alarms: workers in the buildings unintentionally activated alarms on two occasions, cooking
smoke caused two alarms, malfunctioning systems on five other responses. A malfunctioning
electric motor caused an alarm activation on one occasion. At this call fire crews shut the power
to the motor, ensured the problem did not spread beyond the device and advised the occupant
to have the motor repaired.
Citizens smelling natural gas was responsible for the fire department responding to five
incidents. At these calls fire crews respond and check the area or building with meters. At one
of the calls fire crews found slight gas readings and turned the scene over to gas company techs
for further investigation. Another call was for a defective stove top burner that could not be
shut. At this scene fire crews shut the gas to the entire stove. At one incident fire fighters met a
plumber who was handling a gas leak and would repair the problem. At one call no readings
were found. Westwood Fire Department standard procedures dictate these incidents are
turned over to Public Service Gas Company technicians for further investigation. One called
turned out to be ana animal smell in the area not gas.
Four fire department responses were for Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms. Carbon monoxide, CO,
is an odorless and colorless gas given off by improperly burning heating or cooking equipment.
It can be fatal at high levels. Again, each of the CO calls required a full fire department
response. Fire crews check the entire building with meters and determined that at three alarms
no CO was present, slight CO readings were found at one incident. The occupancies were
turned over to PSE&G gas technicians for further investigation.
Other calls for March turned out to be a person stuck in an elevator who was out prior to FD
arrival. A smoke odor and burning odor from a clothes dryer. Neither of these problems turned
out to be a fire. A stove fire occurred, was extinguished with a fire extinguisher before fire
crews arrived, and a microwave oven fire was also out on arrival. Fire fighters checked the area
to be sure the fire did not extend beyond the stove and microwave. On another occasion the
fire department was called to the scene to investigate a strange odor, this turned out to be a
sewer backup. Also, the Fd was called to one scene to assist animal control officers.
With the warmer weather approaching (hopefully) many residents turn outdoors for cooking
and entertaining. The Westwood Fire Department and Fire Prevention Bureau remind residents
that fire hazards associated with summer are barbeque grills and outdoor cooking appliances.
Children must not be allowed to play near hot grills. Cooks should exercise caution when
lighting any type of cooking appliance. NEVER spray charcoal lighter fluid on hot coals. This may
cause the flame to reach the can causing it to explode, spraying you and the area with burning
liquid. Only charcoal lighter fluid should be used. NEVER use gasoline, kerosene, or any other
flammable liquid for this purpose. The fluid should be sprayed first when the coals are cool,
then place the can a safe distance away.
Residents who use propane or natural gas grills must always be aware of leaks. Check for leaks
periodically and inspect the hoses and connections for wear. Apply a light soap and water
solution, leaks will appear as bubbles. If you find a leak shut off the source and have the grill
repaired. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.
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, NOT FOR FIRES OR EMERGENCIES. FOR FIRE, POLICE, AMBULANCE EMERGENCIES
CALL 911.