February - March 2003 Edition

Fire Fighters   By Jerry Jastrab   Fire Company 4 has welcomed three new members after watching them demonstrate a commitment in time and work throughout 2002. Rich Healey, Wendy Demeraski and Brent Pohlman joined the ranks of the volunteer force in December, taking the Company's oath to protect the lives and property of their neighbors.   "What three wonderful new members we have," said 2002 Captain Jeffrey Greco. "They're an asset to the Company."   Before being approved for service by a vote of the membership, the three recruits each completed the Firefighter I course at the Bergen County Police and Fire Academy, an exhaustive and often-exhausting program of theory and techniques that includes months of lectures and hands-on training using state-of-the-art equipment.   Demeraski, 22, is new to firefighting, but knew exactly what she was getting into. She joined the volunteer force after watching her father respond to calls at all hours for all kinds of emergencies for decades. Walter Demeraski has served Company 4 as Captain, 1st and 2nd Lieutenant, and Engineer, and even served the borough as Fire Chief.     Wendy, who lives at home after graduating in 2002 from Montclair University, now often arrives at the fire scene with her father. With a degree in psychology, Wendy plans to add a bachelor's degree in sociology from William Paterson University. But she somehow found the time and energy to extend her public safety studies as well. After passing the grueling Firefighter I course, Wendy recently completed Firefighter II, an advanced program that is not required for a recruit to serve.   The firefighter's job, Wendy noted, is a classroom itself. "You're always learning new things," she said. But Wendy's main incentive is serving the community. "I like just helping people out. You can't do that in many other places," she said.   "I've been around it for a long time," Wendy said about her choice to fight fires as a volunteer like her father. "It seems like it's a part of my life."     When Pohlman, 24, isn't responding to fire calls, he's hitting the law books as a first-year student at the Seton Hall School of Law in Newark. After coming home as a graduate of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., Pohlman was moved to join his town's Fire Department after the attacks of September 11.     "I enjoy what I do, but you have to be able to make the sacrifices that are involved," Pohlman said. "This is not something that everyone can do."   Firefighting helps in other facets of his life, Pohlman says, training him to "be cool under pressure in responding to other situations."   Helping out his fellow residents has a social component as well.  "You gain an appreciation for neighbors around town that you might not have known — for people who are different from you," Pohlman said. "It opens your eyes to the diversity of your community. You see other points of view."       Healey, 35, began working for emergency services 18 years ago, but did it then for his hometown, Little Ferry. Trained as a member of Heavy Rescue and as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), he served the town from 1984 to 1990.   After getting married and moving to Fair Lawn, Healey and his wife Nancy began raising a family, which now includes two daughters, 8 and 6 years, who attend the Milnes School.  Healey works for Lantis Eyewear in Secaucus as Director of Materials Management.   "I want to give something back to the community," Healey explained about his choice to resume his work in public safety. "There's a sense of accomplishment."   In late 2001, soon after he joined Company 4 as an Auxiliary Member, Healey's EMT training was put to use in the Firehouse itself as he performed CPR on a member's relative who was stricken there during a family party. The lifesaving response by him and two other members saved the victim and was cited by a plaque from the American Heart Association.   "Firefighting is a physical and an emotional challenge but I approach it as if it were me and I needed help at 3 in the morning I'd like that help, so why shouldn't I do it?" Healey said. "That's what makes me tick. That's why I do what I do."     Fire Company 4 has installed its slates of firematic and civil officers for 2003:  Captain Walter Demeraski, 1st Lieutenant Joseph Collins, 2nd Lieutenant Kevin Twiggs and Engineer Matt Bray.  The civil leadership for 2003 comprises President Rudy Hennecke, Vice President Michael Jones, Recording Secretary Kevin Wilson, Corresponding Secretary Ted King and Treasurer Jack Donohue III.  For answers to your questions on firefighting, or to join the service, call the Fire Department at (201) 794-5408.