Associated Auto

RON JEFFERS

Firefighter Rich Burke with Ridgefield Park Engine 4 during the department's Independence Day fire department inspection, 2017.

Richard Burke Loved Being a Firefighter

As a youngster, former Ridgefield Park mayor and fire commissioner George Fosdick remembered Rich Burke chasing fire engines in the village. He always wanted to be a firefighter.

Firefighter Burke, 65, passed away on October 5th. He served the Village of Ridgefield Park as a volunteer firefighter for some 45- years. He was also a career member with the bordering Teaneck Fire Department for 30-years. He retired less than two-years ago.

As a volunteer, he was assigned to Engine Co. 4. He served as an officer and helped design the company's latest apparatus.

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The fire service was in his blood. In younger days, he could be found “buffing” fires in the Bergen and Hudson county towns. He was described by fellow members as a “firemen's fireman.”

“You made a difference to those that you served within both Ridgefield Park and Teaneck,” said Charles Lind, Jr., President of the New Jersey Deputy & Battalion Fire Chiefs Association.

- RON JEFFERS

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OLD & NEW

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JOHN M. MALECKY

In Gloucester County, the Malaga Fire Company in Franklin Township took delivery of a 2021 Spartan Gladiator/SVI rescue vehicle (Rescue 4348.) In front is the former unit, a 1995 Pemfab/Rescue 1.

RON JEFFERS

On October 9th, Lodi Engine 612's 2021 E-One Typhoon 2000-GPM/750-GWT/30A-GFT top-mount pumper, left, went into service replacing the company's 1992 Spartan/Marion 1500-GPM/750-GWT model.

RON JEFFERS