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Havekost.net

Saddle Brook Volunteer Fire Dept.

Roy Havekost Jr.

Saddle Brook, N.J.:  Under the Civil Defense program in 1963, Ted Topoleski CD-DC Coordinator was able to recruit 5 local teenagers who became the first junior firefighters in the township. Under this program the junior firefighters were insured and after a twenty hour training course at the Fire Academy in Mahwah, NJ were able to respond to fire calls and assist the regular firefighters. Time limit restraints were imposed for answering alarms, so that school studies would not be adversely affected. Junior firefighters were also not allowed to enter burning structure fires. The following teens were the first CD Firemen in Saddle Brook. Roy Havekost Jr. Jack Ficker Mark Schaeffer Larry Reyngoudt Ralph DeJulia Sr.  I remained in the CD program until I was 21 years old and then transferred into the regular service with Engine Company #2 after my release from active duty with the U.S. Navy. I would go on to hold the ranks of Firefighter, Lieutenant and Captain before resigning from Company #2 in 1973 when I moved out of Saddle Brook to live in Pompton Lakes, NJ.  I would again rejoin Engine Company #2 in 1998. Due to my lapse of service I was required to attend the Firefighter One training course at the Fire Academy in Mahwah, NJ. The course was now more than one hundred hours and state mandated. Again as a Firefighter I would now go on and be elected to the positions of, Assistant Chaplain, Secretary of Company 2, Department Secretary and Department Website webmaster.  In 2004 I resigned for the last time to move myself and family to the sunshine state of Florida. No more white stuff to shovel. I still keep in contact with many of 'the guys' maintaining a lasting friendship.