What is the first image that comes to mind when you think of
your community’s fire company and first aid squad? It might be
the front-page photos of fire fighters pouring water onto a
blazing automobile, or EMTs hurrying a sick neighbor into an
ambulance. Behind every one of those high-profile moments are
many hours of preparation. Here are some glimpses behind the
scenes.
Always Ready
Whether the big event is a structure fire
or multiple car collision, the news photographers are sure to
show up to take the action pictures. An hour later, though,
when the photographers are back in their offices, the members of
the Basking Ridge Fire Company and First Aid Squad are still
hard at work. The fire fighters are drying out their hoses and
their turnout gear, while the EMTs are mopping and restocking
their ambulances. And then they turn to the paperwork.
Every Monday night, the Company meets for a
7:00-9:00 work night at our firehouse on Washington Avenue. The
first hour is almost always the same: going over every vehicle
with a checklist and a fine-tooth comb, ensuring that all the
gear is in place and ready for action. Chain saws and suction
units are tested, oxygen tanks and the Jaws of Life are checked,
vehicles are washed, and the innards of dozens of kits are
inspected to ensure that every piece is in place. The second
hour might be devoted to fixing that back-up light that fails
every now and then, or refueling the vehicles, or testing a new
piece of gear.
More important than maintaining gear,
though, is maintaining the high readiness of the people who use
it. Monthly drills allow the Company to practice rarely used
skills in realistic contexts, and continuing education classes
teach new skills.
Serving the Community
The Company is happy to be present at many
community events. At Charter Day, our fire trucks are always a
big hit with the kids who come by to try their hand using the
fire hose; adults drop by to take a tour of our ambulances or
get their blood pressures checked. When the National Night Out
Against Crime happens to be on a warm August evening, our fire
engines spray water into the air to allow the kids to run
through and cool off. Our ambulances and EMS crews stand by for
events such as Ridge High football games, the cycling “Tour of
Basking Ridge”, driving events at Lord Stirling Stables, and
anywhere else they might be needed.
The Company is proud to represent the
township in parades and in events such as the dedication of the
September 11th Memorial or sending packages off to
the troops. We delight in visiting day care and summer park
department programs to show the kids our vehicles and to remind
them of some safety fundamentals. Children’s groups frequently
tour our firehouse to see the gear and the people.
In addition to helping out at existing
events, we also make some events of our own. Our Halloween
festivities are fun for kids of all ages. A few weeks later,
the Company installs and decorates the holiday tree in the
center of town. Shortly thereafter, a direct mail box to Santa
at the North Pole shows up at our fire house, and Santa can
sometimes be seen using our fire trucks to deliver presents.
Keeping the Organization Running
All organizations require work. In the
field, our Company is led by its line officers: the Fire Chiefs,
the Fire Captains, and the First Aid Captain and Lieutenants.
Behind the scenes, though, our Company is led by a President,
Secretary, and Treasurer. Most members attend our monthly
meetings, at which all substantial business is transacted before
the eyes of the entire company.
Much of the day-to-day work is performed in
committees. Some of the committees directly support the field
operations: Communications, Equipment Maintenance, Fire Police
and First Aid. Other committees will be found in any
organization: Membership, Insurance, Auditing and Building and
Grounds. Because of our critical dependence on community
support, one of our most important committees is Fund Raising.
And if you are unlucky enough to be appointed to the Publicity
Committee, you might end up writing a sentence like this, with
the hope of informing the people of Basking Ridge what goes on
behind the scenes in the Basking Ridge Fire Company.
We have much work to do, both in the
limelight and behind the scenes, and not enough hands to do it.
For more information on volunteering, see
Joining the
Company. And if you don’t have time enough for that, please
contribute your financial support Here.
