Chief Election

8-Dec.-2013
  The Bogota Volunteer  Fire Dept. held their annual Chief's Election on Saturday Night. Current Fire Chief Dan Klima named Assist Chief  James Berthold of Hose Co. #2 as Fire Chief for Bogota for the year 2014. With that Battalion Mike Brophy of H&L#1 becomes the Assist Chief. While  Chip Greiner of Hose Co. #3 was selected as the new Battalion Chief for next year.  In his address Chief Klima thanked the Borough of finding a way to refurbish the Hook & Ladder #1 vehicle for about 1/3 of the cost of a replacement truck. He then asked if the next priority could upgrading the "turn-out" suits the Firefighter wear while on a call. Chief Klima stressed that these suits are sometime the only thing protecting the Firefighter from harm during a recuse.
   There were three new Captains named Joesph DiMauro of Engine Co. #1, Robert Dirr of  Hose Co.#2 and Ian Cordero of H&L #1. Three new Lieutenants were also name  Nick Attanasion of Engine #1  Eamon Radburn of Hose # Co.2  Ed Reiper of  Hose #2
   Chief Klima thanked his follow Firefighters for their dedication to help ensure the safety of the citizens of Bogota. He also acknowledge the effort of the four different Companies to perform as a single Department both on and off duty. With that Chief Klima talked about how it was a harder task to pick just one Company to win the Chief's Trophy  this time. The winner of the Chief Trophy was  Engine Co. #1 as the top company in Bogota. Also being honoured was  Adam Schaefer of Engine Co. #1 as Firefighter of the Year, for his professionalism and his willingness to help other Companies when needed. Firefighter Schaefer would not  just help on a call , but would also put in time with maintenance, and cleaning if other Companies needed it .
  Chief Klima gave out a special unit citation to members of  the Bogota & Hackensack Fire Dept for their working together to recuse the victims of a car crash  on 8 July at Palisade & West End Ave.  Then Lt. Joseph DiMauro was single out to receive  Citation of Valor for his action during that same incident. Lt. DiMauro while off duty was near by the accident scene, and rush to assist one of the drivers who had been trapped in a vehicle at had ended  on it's side. Lt. DiMauro told about when he arrived he could see the driver was trapped by her legs and was hanging loose inside the car. He proceeded to aid her until Rescue workers could safely remove her from her vehicle.
  Also attending the meeting were members of near-by Fire Dept. including Ridgefield Park Mayor  George Fosdick who  thanked the Bogota Dept. for the years of cooperation between the two Dept.
  The Bogota Fire Dept.  along with the Rescue and First aid Squads are all volunteer organizations.  For more information about volunteering please to to bogotafire.org/  or call; 201-342-1736 ext. 2007. 

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 Mayor Tito Jackson (L) swearing in James Berthold as Bogota Fire Chief for 2014

Mayor Tito Jackson (L) swearing in Michael Brophy as Assist Fire Chief

Mayor Tito Jackson (L) swearing in Joseph DiMauro (E-1) Ian Cordero (H.L #1)
and Robert Dirr  (H#2) as new Captains.

Mayor Tito Jackson (L) swearing in Nick Attanasio (E-1), Eamonn Radburn (H#2)
 and Ed Reiper ( H#2) as new Lieutenants. 

Out going Chief Dam Klima (L) presenting new Chief  James Berthold his Chief Badge.

 New Chief  James Berthold  presenting Assist Chief Michael Brophy with his badge.

Chief Dan Klima with a plaque for his time as Chief for 2013.

Capt. Dave Guddemi of Engine #1 accepting the Chief Trophy
  as top Company for 2013 from Dan Klima

Chief Dan Klima presenting  Lt.Joseph DiMauro (E-1)
 a Citation of Valor for his response to an accident on 8-July.

Ridgefield Park Mayor George Fosdick thanking
Bogota & their Fire Dept. for cooperation over the years