Meet, Learn About First Aid Squad Sunday

All-volunteer group will hold open house for residents to see what first responders do.

Chimney Fire Damages Coleman Road Home

No injuries reported by firefighters on scene.

A fire overtaking a chimney in a Coleman Road home required multiple fire companies in Washington Township to respond Friday night, according to firefighters on the scene. No injuries were reported, firefighters said, and the blaze was knocked down after two firefighters attacked the flames from top of the chimney. Long Valley Fire Company was the first on the scene after the report came in shortly before 9 p.m. Friday night, and Fairmount Fire, Schooley's Mountain Fire, and the Long Valley First Aid Squad also responded to the scene. Firefighters used a ladder truck to gain access to the rooftop and subsequently quell the blaze.

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Philanthropic Pizza Offers 'Pride' in Town

Bob's Long Valley Pizza is donating $2 per deal to local non-profit organizations in 2013.

For longtime Long Valley residents, many have a sense of pride about the community in which they live. Two of those residents are Bob and Heidi Prudente, owners of Bob’s Long Valley Pizza and Deli. The couple has so much pride in their town, in fact, they want to give back in a very public way. Back in 2008, Bob Prudente–a staple at the eatery just about any time or day of the week–started Bob’s Bailout program. Under the promotion, a consumer could order one large pizza with a topping, and receive a second plain pizza for just $3. “The bailout idea was supposed to last a month,” Prudente said. “It ended up going on for four years.” The deal became so popular, Prudente said, that when the restaurant ended the promotion just after Hurricane…

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Volunteer First Responders Take Oath for 2013

Fire, first aid squad officers reorganize for new year.

Washington Township has hundreds of volunteers who serve the town on a daily basis, and some put their lives on the line to help their neighbors. Many of those brave and selfless residents were sworn into their official positions on the township’s three fire departments and first aid squad Wednesday night at the annual reorganization meeting. The following is a list of officers sworn into their respective emergency medical responder positions in 2013: Washington Township Fire Department Officers Chief: Kurt Wanner Deputy Chief: Craig Wallenstein Deputy Chief: Bob Drake Long Valley First Aid Squad Chief: Bill Kanen Assistant Chief: Rob Cline Jr. Captain: Chris Maxwell First Lieutenant: Anna Wagner Second Lieutenant: Ryan Gelsinger President…

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First Aid Squad Seeks Help During Day Hours

Township Committee says 'PRIDE' can't work due to lack of manpower.

What was once a convenience and an inter-local shared service has now fallen by the wayside, and likely won’t be replaced any time soon. That was part of the discussion at the Washington Township Committee’s recent work session meeting, when Chief of Police Michael Bailey talked about the potential of the town’s PRIDE unit with the elected officials. PRIDE, according to Bailey, was an agreement between the police department and first aid squad that would allow for on-duty officer, with the ability to drive a first aid squad vehicle, to respond to a call if a volunteer squad member was unavailable to do so. The reason for the discussion, Bailey said, was because the all-volunteer Long Valley First Aid Squad has had trouble establishing a …

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Neighbors Reach Out, Offer Hot Meal Friday

Local real estate company serving free dinner at First Aid Squad.

Dear Clients, Family, Friends and Neighbors: I hope you’re doing as well as can be expected under the challenging circumstances created last week by Superstorm Sandy and our upcoming storm, due to arrive today.  I’m aware that many people in our area are still without power. If you’re among them, and you could use a  hot meal, some warm company and a place to charge up your electronic devices/phones, we’d like to invite you to dinner tomorrow night (Nov. 8). We will be hosting a free pasta dinner for area residents on Friday from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Long Valley First Aid Squad, 70 East Mill Road, Long Valley, 07853.  Please feel free to forward this information to someone you know who may be in need. If you’re among the lucky ones with …

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National Night Out Returns to Washington Twp.

Target, local police and first aid join forces to host event.

Despite a loss of funding from Washington Township, National Night Out still made its presence known on Tuesday, this time in the Target Department Store parking lot on Route 46. Hosted by the national retail chain with support from the Washington Township Police, Long Valley First Aid Squad, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and Piggy’s Deli from Mansfield, the event offered giveaways and fingerprinting for children. This year’s event–the first since 2009 because of budget restraints–was planned in just five weeks, according to Washington Township Police Lt. Art Adams. “(Target Assets Protection Leader) Dave Dreher contacted me and asked if we were interested in partnering,” Adams said. “It’s a good event because it gets the word …

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Paul Winchell

8:31 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Feel free to complain to your locally elected officials about this, in fact one of them frequents this site quite a bit.   more ›

100 Photos! 659 Cyclists 'Tour' Long Valley

Sunday morning event offered three courses for riders of all experience levels.

In its third cycle through Washington Township's winding, mountainous terrain, the Tour de Long Valley went off without a hitch, as 659 cyclists weaved their way through three different courses designed by the David D. Hammar Foundation, organizer of the event. A 20-, 40-, and 62-mile course was available to cyclists, all of which kicked off from Rock Spring Park. Riders from as far north as Massachussetts and far south as North Carolina came out to participate in the event, according to David D. Hammar Foundation chairman Michael D. Savino.  While the registration limit was 600 participants, Savino did not want to turn away late comers, resulting in an extra 59 riders. The event benefitted the Washington Township Police Benevolence …

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Twp. May Get New Fire Truck, Ambulance in '12

Governing body tentatively approves capital improvement items.

The fire and first aid squads may receive much needed equipment in 2012, as both departments of volunteer first responders have requested new vehicles from the Washington Township Committee. One of the fire department’s two engines is now 22 years old, according to Long Valley Fire Chief Jim Rasmussen, and has become a safety issue for members and residents over the past few years. “It left us stranded back in June when we were responding to a call,” Rasmussen said. “There was another time when a passenger door flung open when responding (to a call). Some of our members are almost unwilling to ride in it right now. We have great volunteer members who do a great job, but we need to keep them properly equipped.” To replace the engine, which …

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Tracy Tobin

11:58 am on Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Angelo The fire truck will be put out to auction on govdeals.com, an on-line auction site for municipalities. The town has found that we get a better price at auction than the trade in offered by the truck manufacturers. The proceeds from the sale go back to the township.   more ›