On January 5, 2010, during the Borough’s annual Re-Organization meeting, the Westwood Fire Department, lead by Chief Marc Fedorchak singled out one member for the Volunteer of the Year (2009) Award. This year the award went to James Voorhis, currently 2nd Lieutenant and former Chief of the Department.

Pictured are (L to R) Councilman and WFD member William Phayre, Councilman and WFD Liason Jay Sciara, WFD Chief Marc Fedorchak, 2nd Lieutenant and 2009 WFD Volunteer of the Year James Voorhis, and Westwood Mayor John Birkner.

The Westwood Fire Department is proud to announce the birth of Colleen Grace Kelley, daughter of Deputy Chief Chris Kelley and his wife Erica. Colleen was born at 8:36 am this morning and weighed in at 9 pounds 2 oz. Mother and baby are doing great.

The Westwood Fire Department and the entire Pascack Valley continue to mourn the loss of Sergeant Christopher Hrbek, killed while on patrol in Afghanistan on January 14, 2010. A funeral procession welcoming him home will occur on Thursday, January 21 beginning at 2:45 pm starting at the Westwood High School in Washington Township. The complete procession route can be found after the jump.

We ask that residents be aware of this event. Those who wish to pay their respects are invited and welcomed to attend the homecoming event. Please stand along the processional route with your American Flag to pay tribute to Sgt. Hrbek's sacrifice. We expect excessive traffic delays due to this event and those traveling the area of the route are encouraged to find an alternate route to their destination.

We ask all non-Westwood Fire Department members to wear their Class A uniform and line Westwood Ave between Broadway and Kinderkamack Rd.

On Friday, January 22, from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm those wishing to pay their respects may do so at the wake at Zion Lutheran Church on Second Ave. A special Fire Department service is tentatively scheduled for 7:00 pm. All members of the fire service are asked to attend at that time in their Class A uniform.

On Saturday, January 23, the funeral mass will commence at 9:00 am at Zion Lutheran Church, in Westwood, and internment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, NJ.

A Repast is scheduled for that afternoon, but please note that this event is by invitation only. Please contact the Westwood Fire Department if you have any questions.

The Westwood Fire Department mourns the loss of Christopher Hrbek, an active firefighter in the department and a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps who was killed in the line of duty this morning (1/14/2010) while on patrol in Afghanistan. Sgt. Hrbek is the step-son of Westwood Senior Captain Jaymee Hodges, and is the step-brother of Westwood and FDNY Firefighters Jim Hodges and Beau Hodges. The entire Fire Department family extends our deepest sympathies to the Hrbek and Hodges families.

UPDATE: As of today (1/18/10) the date of Sgt. Hrbek's funeral has not been finalized. As soon as the correct date is known, it will be posted here. However, we do have the preocession route and it is listed after the jump. We are asking everyone to please line the Procession route to honor Chris Hrbek.