About Us

The Wood-Ridge Fire Department (WRFD) has proudly served the Borough of Wood-Ridge and neighboring communities since its establishment in 1897. For more than a century, we have been dedicated to protecting lives and property through fire suppression, rescue operations, and emergency services. Staffed by approximately 40 committed volunteers, our department operates around the clock, providing 24/7 service from our Fire Headquarters located at 85 Humboldt Street.

As an active member of the 5th Battalion of the Bergen County Fire Services, the WRFD plays a critical role in coordinating multi-department responses to large-scale incidents. This partnership allows us to deliver prompt, well-organized support during major emergencies, ensuring a comprehensive safety net for our community and beyond.

The department is led by a dedicated command staff:

• Chief of Department Kevin Cribben
• First Assistant Chief Nicholas Meglio
• Second Assistant Chief Michael Cribben

Apparatus and Equipment

Our department is equipped with a diverse fleet of firefighting and rescue vehicles, including:

• Three engines
• One ladder truck
• One heavy rescue unit
• Three command vehicles

These apparatus are outfitted with state-of-the-art tools and equipment to handle a wide variety of emergencies. Each vehicle is designed to meet specific operational needs, whether it’s extinguishing fires, performing rescues, or managing hazardous materials incidents. Pictures and detailed descriptions of our fleet can be found in the Gallery section of our website.

Training and Expertise

The WRFD values professionalism and preparedness. Our members undergo rigorous training and are certified in key areas such as:

• Fire Suppression
• Hazardous Materials Management
• Vehicle Extrication
• Incident Command Systems
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 
• Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) 

This specialized training ensures our team is ready to handle emergencies ranging from structural fires to medical crises and hazardous material spills.

Communications and Coordination

Effective communication is vital to our operations. The WRFD uses a range of dedicated radio frequencies to ensure seamless coordination during emergencies:

• F1 (154.160 MHz): Dispatch
• F2 (159.1275 MHz): Fireground Ops.

These channels enable real-time updates and ensure smooth collaboration with neighboring departments during mutual aid operations.

About the Borough of Wood-Ridge

The Borough of Wood-Ridge, located in southern Bergen County, New Jersey, is a vibrant community covering one square mile. Situated just 1.5 miles from the Meadowlands Sports Complex and 11 miles from New York City, Wood-Ridge offers a unique blend of suburban charm and urban proximity. Home to approximately 10,000 residents, the borough’s tight-knit community and active lifestyle make it an ideal place to live and work. The WRFD is honored to serve and protect this thriving community.

We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our department’s history, services, and community involvement. Don’t forget to leave a message in our Guestbook—we’d love to hear from you!

History of the Wood-Ridge Fire Department

The story of the Wood-Ridge Fire Department reflects a proud legacy of service, growth, and innovation. Starting as a small, community-focused team, the WRFD has evolved into a modern and highly trained organization capable of meeting the complex demands of firefighting and emergency response.

According to the map of Wood-Ridge in the Walker Atlas and Gazetter, in 1876 there were a dozen or more homes in the area now known as Wood-Ridge, however there was no local fire department. Fire protection was provided by the Village of Carlstadt from the firehouse located on Friedrich Strasse (now Third St.), next to the school house. Around 1890, with the number of houses increasing, it became necessary to form the Hook & Ladder Company No. 2 of the Carlstadt Fire Department. This company was located on Humboldt St. and provided fire protection to the developing area. On December 5, 1894, the Borough of Wood-Ridge was incorporated and the Mayor and Council organized on January 1, 1895. One of the inheritances of the newly formed borough was the Carlstadt Fire Department Hook & Ladder Co. No. 2. This company provided fire protection until July 9, 1897 when the WoodRidge Fire Department was organized. It cost the borough fifty dollars to take over the building on Humboldt St. and the 1895 hook and ladder with it's long string of buckets hanging underneath. The first Chief of the department was Louis Euverard. Other charter members were G.P.Young, W.W. Young, J. Keifer, C. Stahl, W. H. White, E.H. Pirovano, C. Krohn, H. Randolph, M.H. Story, E. L. Terry, P. Paret, E. H. Vincent, E. H. Sabin, and S. Scruton. 

Wood-Ridge Hose Co. 1 was organized on August 17, 1901. It's first piece of equipment was a two-wheeled hose cart, which resembled a huge garden hose reel. Long handles attached to the axle extended across the width of the cart. Two or three men abreast would pull the cart while other members pushed it. The rest of the company, running along the streets to the fire, relieved them. The hose cart was often kept in the stable on the Robinson property The hook and ladder was also pulled by the men. To keep it from getting away whenever necessary to go down a hill, a thick rope was tied to the rear axle. The rope was then placed around a stout tree trunk to control the wagon's descent. Many times after a fire, John Adelung lent his team of white horses to pull the hook and ladder back up the hill to the firehouse. 

On June 25, 1917, Chemical Co. No.1 was organized and a two-wheeled chemical cart was purchased by the borough. 

On October 26, 1921, the Wood-Ridge Fire Department was reorganized by merging the three existing companies. James W. Kerr became the first elected Chief of the Department. Prior to the reorganization, the Mayor and Council had appointed the fire chiefs. In order to summon the men to the firehouse, three gongs were strategically placed throughout the borough. These gongs remained in use even after the installation of the "1904" bell on the firehouse. The bell was replaced by an electronically operated siren and the gongs were then abandoned. The bell remained in the tower of the firehouse for twenty five more years, serving as a back up should the siren fail. 

In 1935, the siren was replaced by an air horn, the system that is still in use today. When the old municipal building was torn down in 1952, the bell was removed and it was placed in Veteran's Park, in memory of the firemen. It was subsequently removed and on May 27, 1964 placed in front of the new municipal building, where it is today. On the bell is inscribed the names of those deceased firefighters who were exempt or had died while on the active roll. 

In 1922, the first motor-driven engine, a Reo combination pumper and hose truck, was purchased. In 1924, the men of the department purchased a Model T Ford chassis upon which a body was built to carry equipment. With the coming of the Sunshine City development, the need for better equipment was evident and the first of many American LaFrance fire apparatus was purchased by the borough. In 1928, an American LaFrance 1000 GPM (Gallons Per Minute ) pumper was placed into service. During the next two decades, much equipment was purchased. In 1941, a Ford light truck was delivered and in 1947 a Seagrave ladder and pumper combination truck was added to the growing fleet. In 1954, a GMC 750 GPM pumper was purchased and 1956 saw the arrival of the second American LaFrance pumper, 1000 GPM (Engine 905). This unit remained in service until 1996, as a reserve engine.

A new municipal building was constructed in 1953, complete with suitable headquarters for the Fire Department which included space for the housing of four pieces of fire apparatus, a workshop for repairs, a meeting room and a well equipped kitchen. A new GMC rescue truck (Rescue 903) was placed into service in 1960. This unit replaced the original light truck. In 1967, an American LaFrance 65 ft. / 1250 GPM ladder truck (Truck 904) was delivered, replacing the Seagrave. This unit worked many fires, both in town and on mutual aid, as it was one of the first ladder trucks in the area to be equipped with a pump. 

1972 saw the arrival of a 1250 GPM American LaFrance engine (Engine 902) and in 1978 another American LaFrance engine (Engine 901), this one 1500 GPM, was purchased. In 1982, an American LaFrance / Saulsbury rescue - communications truck (R903) was placed into service, replacing the 1960 GMC. (The GMC was then purchased by the Bergen County Sheriff's Department and refurbished for use as a SWAT vehicle). In 1988, an American LaFrance 100 ft. / 2000 GPM ladder truck (T904) was delivered, replacing the 1967 American LaFrance. This unit had the department's first totally enclosed cab. 

After purchasing five consecutive vehicles from American LaFrance, the department had to look elsewhere to replace the 1956 American LaFrance engine, as American LaFrance was no longer in business. In 1995, a 2000 GPM KME engine (E905) was delivered. This impressive piece features a ten men enclosed cab, 600 gallon water tank and a 40 gallon foam tank. In 2002, the department again went back to American LaFrance and purchased a 2000 GPM Eagle engine (E902) with an eight man cab and a 600 gallon water tank. 

On September 11, 2001, the Wood-Ridge Fire Department was called to assist in the aftermath of the terrorist attack. Truck 904 responded as part of the Bergen County Task Force to the George Washington Bridge to provide aid to the FDNY however all units were held in New Jersey for the fear of the bridge being wired with bombs. EMS 907 responded to Liberty State Park and later Ellis Island where the crew assisted in transporting survivors, including an FDNY firefighter, to area hospitals and setting up a temporary morgue.  On September 14th, Rescue 903 responded to the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island and assisted the NYPD and other law enforcement with evidence recovery in vehicles destroyed in the attack. 

In 2006, the department replaced the 1978 American LaFrance with a 1989 Pierce Lance 2000 gpm engine (E901). This unit originally saw duty in Rutherford, NJ as Red 2-4 and 56 Engine 4. In 2006, the Wood-Ridge Junior Fire Department was formed which allowed individuals between the ages of 16 through 18 to join the department and attend fire training classes and to assist at a fire scene and around the firehouse. 

In 2008, the department placed into service a new 2008 KME Heavy Duty Combination Rescue (R903). This truck carries a wide array of hydraulic and pneumatic rescue tools, air bags, fans, saws and flood water rescue equipment. It also has a command center and a 9000 watt light tower. In the Fall of 2011, Truck 904, the 1988 American LaFrance 100 ft. aerial ladder, suffered major mechanical damage and was taken out of service. The truck was considered a "total loss" and ladder truck coverage was provided by mutual aid towns. 

In November 2012, the department placed in service a 2012 Sutphen SL100 ladder truck (Truck 904). This truck has a 100 foot aerial ladder and a 2000 gpm pump. In May 2017, the department placed in service a 2017 KME Predator engine (Engine 901) replacing the 1989 Pierce engine. This engine has a 2000 gpm pump and a 750 gallon water tank. 

In 2019, Elizabeth Ferry became the first female Fire Chief of our department. She rose through the ranks of the department from the office of Lieutenant through Chief of the Department. 

At the April 2021 Wood-Ridge Mayor and Council meeting, Ordinance No. 2021-7 was passed establishing the Wood-Ridge Fire Department and the Wood-Ridge Emergency Squad as separate organizations. After 84 years, the Wood-Ridge Emergency Squad was no longer a branch of the Wood-Ridge Fire Department. 

On January 5, 2022, the Wood-Ridge Fire Department suffered our first line of duty death as FF Timothy A. Sullivan succumbed to 9/11 related cancer. Tim dedicated 48 years of his life serving the residents of our community and received numerous citations for bravery throughout his career as a firefighter. 

On May 21, 2023, the Wood-Ridge Fire Department suffered another line of duty death as FF James J. Bartlett succumbed to 9/11 related cancer.  JImmy served the WRFD for seven years and later continued his firefighting career with the Glen Rock, NJ Fire Department.  

In late 2023, Engine 905 was taken out of service due to mechanical issues.  A new Seagrave engine was ordered to replace the KME. 

All units from 2002 to 2017 are in service today proudly protecting the borough and its residents and assisting the surrounding communities when requested. 

Present and Future

Today, the WRFD handles approximately 400 fire calls annually, ranging from routine incidents to large-scale emergencies. With a focus on safety, preparedness, and innovation, the borough and department continue to invest in advanced training and state-of-the-art equipment to meet the evolving needs of the community.

As we look to the future, the Wood-Ridge Fire Department remains steadfast in its mission: protecting lives, safeguarding property, and serving the residents of Wood-Ridge with integrity, professionalism, and dedication.

Explore our Gallery for a closer look at our apparatus and personnel, and feel free to connect with us to learn more about how we serve the community. We’re proud to be part of Wood-Ridge’s rich history and vibrant future.