Borough's Braves celebrate new addition

Stanhope - The Stanhope Fire Department is flying high, well, walking high is more accurate. On Saturday, the volunteer department hosted a party to officially dedicate a new 75-foot aerial ladder truck. The 2005 truck, which replaces another emergency vehicle that was more than 20 years old, cost the municipality $555,000. Although the vehicle was delivered late last year, it took the department months to get it fitted with all the emergency equipment. To celebrate the truck’s operational status the department hosted a “wet down,” the traditional party in which members of neighboring departments pay their tribute by hosing down the new truck. Members from Netcong, Roxbury, Byram and Hopatcong, attended the wet down at the Stanhope fire department. Aside from its pivoting 75-foot ladder, the new truck is capable of delivering 2,000 gallons of water a minute. It carries a state-of-the-art breathing system that includes a carbon monoxide detector, a 5,000 kilowatts generator, as well as firefighting, extrication, rescue and medical equipment. “This is the truck that’s going to go in first to any type of structural fire,” said Stanhope Fire Chief Ed Frenemski. “It will let us get to the scene of an accident with all the equipment we need.” The purchase of the truck, which was financed by the council, has been in the making for more than three years. According to Frenemski, the council even hired a consulting firm to verify the need for the new vehicle. “The council thought it would be wise to get another opinion,” he said. “They determined that this would be the best for the borough.” Frenemski said the new truck will prepare the department to face the challenges of the borough in the foreseeable future. “This is certainly going to increase our level of protection,” said the chief. “This has our future in our plans.” The Stanhope Fire Department is currently comprised of 35 active members and five associate members. It has been in service since 1905. Stanhope’s new fire truck was on display at the annual Family Fun Day held on Sunday, where Frenemski led residents on tours of the inside of the vehicle. “Thank you for providing us with a state-of-art fire truck so that we can better protect the citizens of Stanhope,” he said.