First Associate Members Join Heights Fire Department

Hasbrouck Heights Volunteer Fire Department brought on one new firefighter and two of the first associate members to the team this week.

Ed Mucha joins as a volunteer firefighter for Engine Co.#2 while Maria Hayes and Nancy Riordan have joined as associate members.

Upon welcoming Mucha at the council meeting Tuesday night, Councilman Christian Semenecz, who is a longtime volunteer firefighter and former chief, said, "He was on the department before and we're glad to have him back."

The associate membership was created last summer to serve as a support crew for the firefighters. They are not qualified to fight fires but can assist in other roles assigned by the chiefs in command which could include representing the department at events, serving refreshments at a scene or playing other roles based on his or her qualifications.

"Maria and Nancy are wives of two of our members in the department. They are the first on the associate membership we created and they will be an asset to the department," said Fire Chief Richard Giarratana.

The associate membership was created as the volunteer department had been notably shrinking in numbers over the past year. A large number had resigned in 2012, some for personal reasons but most were unable to put in the required amount of time, the chiefs had said.

Due to the amount of hours training involved in becoming a volunteer firefighter getting new recruits has become challenging, fire officials have said.

When the associate membership was first introduced last year it was met with some concern from residents and criticism from former firefighters who had challenged the leadership in the department.