(July 24) Past Chief Neil VanDyke was honored in a very special ceremony at this year’s Jefferson Township Day as he was named Citizen of the Year. Neil was honored for his service to the JTFD#1, as he completed his fifth term as Fire Chief in 2005. Neil is the only chief in JTFD#1 history to have served as chief that many years. He is still an active member and has been appointed fire police officer as of 2006. Neil is universally respected, among his peers and friends who have served with him these past decades, and among the younger members, who look to him as a role model and a great public servant.

(July 12) JTFD#1 and 2 were dispatched tonight to Casa Bianca restaurant on Berkshire Valley Rd for a commercial structure fire. Units arriving found a working fire at the large landmark restaurant. Interior crews under the direction of Lt. Schaller and Asst Chief E. Mangold made an aggressive attack, containing the fire one section of the building. Master streams were put into service from Truck 711 and the Picatinny Truck, as Ladder 728 was out of service. Due to the lack of municipal water at the scene, a tanker shuttle was successfully established from a hydrant on Dover-Milton Road. Units on scene were Engines 722, 24 and 27, Rescue 725 and JTFD#2, Picatinny Arsenal, West Milford Station 2. Chief Corsaro was Casa Bianca Command. Photos courtesy of E. Patrick, JTFD2.

(July 3) JTFD#1 has taken delivery of a 2006 Ford F550 Crew Cab with Reading utility body. Utility 726 replaces the old Brush Unit 726, which was a 1976 Dodge restored by members of the company in 1997 at virtually no cost to taxpayers. The Dodge was pulled from service last year due to safety concerns. The new 726 will be lettered and equipped in the next few weeks and will be placed into service at that time.