July 1st, 1988....I remember.

[dfdex1]

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

However, there was nothing that could be done. Nothing.

Whatever could have been done, should have been done before those guys were sent in there.

[NJFFSA16]

Originally posted by FiRsqDvr45
They were in a car dealership that had a truss roof. The roof collapsed and they became trapped. Their radio calls on the single FG channel went unheard and they perished.

True...except I, and others, did hear the radio calls of those who were trapped.
However, there was nothing that could be done. Nothing.

I am haunted by those radio transmissions. I will never forget.

[Firebraun]

There's a whole lot more to the story than this, but I was able to find this quickly at www.NFPA.org. I'm sure that you would be able to find out more if you looked. I remember learning many lessons from the tragedy of this fire at a couple of "Firefighter Safety and Survival" classes I took in the early 90's. Shame that it's still not being "taught" nowadays. I guess there have been more tragedies since then and this one has gotten brushed aside, so to speak. Anyway, read and (hopefully) learn...

Hackensack, New Jersey Fire Fighter Fatalities July 1, 1988

SUMMARY:

Five fire fighters from the Hackensack, New Jersey Fire Department were killed while they were engaged in interior fire suppression efforts at an automobile dealership when portions of the building's wood bowstring truss roof suddenly collapsed. The incident occurred on Friday, July 1, 1988, at approximately 3:00 p.m., when the fire department began to receive the first of a series of telephone calls reporting "flames and smoke" coming from the roof of the Hackensack Ford Dealership.

Two engines, a ladder company, and a battalion chief responded to the first alarm assignment. The first arriving fire fighters observed a "heavy smoke condition" at the roof area of the building. Engine company crews investigated the source of the smoke inside the building while the truck company crew assessed conditions on the roof. For the next 20 minutes, the focus of the suppression effort was concentrated on these initial tactics. During this time, however, little headway appeared to have been made by the initial suppression efforts, and the magnitude of the fire continued to grow. The overall fire ground tactics were shifted to a more "defensive" posture (exterior operation) and the battalion chief gave the order to "back your lines out."

However, before suppression crews could exit form the interior, a sudden partial collapse of the truss roof occurred, trapping six fire fighters. An intense fire immediately engulfed the area of the collapse. One trapped fire fighter was able to escape through an opening in the debris. The other five died as a result of the collapse.

This incident and several others before and since, provide important lessons to the fire service regarding the fire ground hazards of wood truss roof assemblies.

This Summary may be reproduced in whole or in part for fire safety educational purposes as long as the meaning of the summary is not altered, credit is given to NFPA and the copyright of the NFPA is protected. This may not be used for advertising or commercial purposes without the express written consent of the NFPA.

2001 NFPA, Quincy, MA

[FiRsqDvr45]

My recollection is as follows and may NJFFSA16 please correct me to give the full story.They were in a car dealership that had a truss roof. THe roof collapsed and they became trapped. Their radio calls on the single FG channel went unheard and they perished. Alot of lessons were learned by the Hackensack FD and the American Fire Service that day about FG comms, truss roof and how fire affects them, and FG accountability at a terrible,terrible price.

[EoneTiller]

I was just a year and half years old, and lived in michigan so I dont know what happened in this fire, anyone care to enlighten me??

From looking at the website once the bagpipes start playing it really hits home and you realize what has happened.I think the song puts a alot of meaning into the site.When i went to the funeral of the Deputy chief from Gloucester who died on July 4,2002 and they played that in that instant i realized this Fireman lost his life trying to save others and doing what he loves best.When the family and friends started to cry it really touches you and you realize someone you dont know is the closest person you know.He is your brother, we are all brothers, in the greatest family of all.

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

Even after 15 years, the senselessness of those deaths are haunting. As firefighters we need to keep reminding those coming into the fire service about the tragic sacrifices that have been made. The Hackensack incident was so very preventable, yet we continue to see some of the same mistakes killing our brothers and sisters across the country. Yes, we wont forget, but will we ever truly LEARN from these incidents?

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Anybody who has ever seen the video of this fire would know what an unnecessary waste of five careers this was.

The State of NJ can never forget. If a positive can come from a tragic loss, it is that we now have laws in NJ which require the posting of buildings with truss roofs to aid in rapid identity and preservation of FF lives.

[FyredUp]

NJFFSA16...

They have not been forgotten. Every time I teach a fire fighter class that includes either building construction or firefighter safety those brothers are remembered.

If there loss has done nothing else it has helped me raise the awareness of the hazards of bowstring truss roofs in my little part of the world.

May they rest in peace.

FyredUp

[NJFFSA16]

Hackensack Fire Department
July 1st, 1988
Truss roof collapse-Hackensack Ford

I'm a few days late.....but may we all pause to remember our brothers who made the ultimate sacrifice....15 years ago.

CAPT. RICHARD L. WILLIAMS
Engine Co. No. 304
July 1, 1988

LIEUT. RICHARD REINHAGEN (Who unknowingly taught me so much)
Engine Co. No. 302
July 1, 1988

F/F WILLIAM KREJSA
Engine Co. No. 301
July 1, 1988

F/F LEONARD RADUMSKI
Engine Co. No. 302
July 1, 1988

F/F STEPHEN ENNIS
Rescue Co. No. 308
July 1, 1988


Rest in peace brothers! You have not been forgotten!

Visit Memorial Park, Hackensack, NJ