Welcome to the Web Home of Mahwah Fire Rescue Co #1 – Mahwah, NJ

Residing at 100 Miller Rd., Mahwah, NJ, Co No. 1 has proudly served the residents of Mahwah NJ with professionalism, dedication and above all, a domineering volunteer spirit since 1914.

Today, Co No. 1, has 6 pieces of emergency apparatus and the members of Company No. 1 specialize in the area of technical rescue which includes calls such as building and trench collapse, elevator rescues,  motor vehicle accidents, and confined space emergencies. Co No. 1 allows provides water rescue capabilities in the form of our Swift Water and Dive Rescue teams. Co No. 1’s Dive Rescue team is a leading dive team in northern NJ and is a member of the NJ Regional SCUBA Task Force.

We currently house two class A pumpers, two heavy rescue trucks, a rescue support pickup, collapse and confined space trailers and three boats, to include the only fanboat in the tri-state area.

Mahwah Fire Department Chiefs – 2024

Cord Meyer


Chief of Department – 130

Thomas Loreto


First Assistant Chief – 140

Christopher Rupert


Second Assistant Chief – 150

Fire & Rescue Co #1 Officers

Steven Ruit

Battalion 1 Chief

James Warnet

Fire Captain – 171

Michael Walsh

Fire Lieutenant – 161

Kevin Connell

Fire Lieutenant – 151

George Polster

Rescue Captain – 190

James Finneran

Rescue Lieutenant – 191

Timothy Andro

Dive Coordinator – 192

Recent Posts

USR: Entrapment

At around 215 this afternoon, Rescue Co.1 was requested into Upper Saddle River as mutual aid for an entrapment. Initial reports from the scene were that a large tree and power lines had fallen onto a vehicle injuring and trapping the driver. Upon arrival, Rescue 1’s crew followed closely behind by Rescue Engine 117 immediately began to assist Upper Saddle River Fire Department with removing the tree in order to gain access to the patient. After assessing the condition of the vehicle and the patient’s injuries, Mahwah crews immediately began to extricate the driver, using both hydraulic and battery operated Hurst tools. After freeing the patient, our EMS colleagues began to treat the patient and transport them to an area hospital. Great job to the initial crews from USRFD on a difficult operation.

Drill Night: Griphoist

For our weekly drill, the members of Rescue Co.1 refreshed on the use of our Griphoist TU-28. Members brushed up on the basic principles and operation of using this tool including rigging and anchoring it with shackles, snatch blocks, Tuflex round slings and BA products hi-viz chain. The Griphoist is a valuable tool in our cache for stabilizing vehicles, heavy objects, or moving them with precision.

Elevator Rescue and Smoke Condition

This afternoon, Rescue 1 responded to a business in the center of town for an elevator rescue. The trapped party was swiftly removed from the elevator without issue. While clearing the scene, the crew from R-1 noticed that the fire alarms in the building were now going off. R-1 immediately began investigating while Engine 117 assembled a crew to respond. After investigating, crews found a smoke condition in the basement but no fire. Crews continued to search the premises and found some smoldering rags which were removed and extinguished. The building was ventilated by the crew of E-117 and all units cleared the scene.

Drill Night: High Water Rescue Truck

Tonight for our weekly drill, the members of Rescue Co.1 drilled with the Mahwah Police Dept. to review our water rescue SOG’s and train on the PD’s high water vehicle. During floods in the Township, Co.1’s swift water team works with the Police Dept using both our Fan boat, swift water equipment, and their High Water Truck. Having a good working relationship ensures teamwork and a high level of service for our residents. We would like to thank the PD for coming across the parking lot for this training opportunity.

Throwback Thursday: HAZMAT Extrication

Not your average extrication. On the morning of July 17 2007 Company 1 responded to Rt.17 North near the 17/287 split for a motor vehicle accident with entrapment. Rescue 1 arrived to find a tractor trailer with the driver heavily pinned. Due to the cargo containing hazardous materials, the members performed the extrication on air preventing any inhalation hazards.

2023 Calls For Service

2023 is in the books and the Volunteer firefighters of Rescue Co.1 responded to 479 calls for service within the Township and also Mutual Aid to the surrounding area. Since our inception in 1914, this was a record setting year for responses out of Co.1 These calls not only represent each time we answered a call for service but also the countless hours our volunteers spent away from their families and nights of sleep lost. Additionally, not included in this tally is the hundreds of hours our members spent training to provide a high level of service each time we are dispatched.
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