Background

Currently Riverdale has two 3 story residential complexes and several 3 story commercial buildings. The fire department relies on a 35' ground ladder to assist with fire suppression and rescue operations on those buildings. Mutual aid agreements are in place with Pompton Lakes, Butler, Bloomingdale, and Pequannock for the use of their Arial Ladders if an incident requires it.

Construction on 600 more units of 4.5 story buildings has begun on route 23 at the Valley Spring Lake property.

Types of Arial Devices:

There are several different types of Arial devices you can purchase. They range from a Ladder truck with just mechanical and ground ladders, to a Quint which has mechanical and ground ladders, a Pump, a Water Tank, and fire hose.

Basically a Quint is both a ladder truck and a pumper.

Early this year at the Town budget presentation the Fire Chief outlined 3 options to increase Riverdale's Arial Ladder capabilities to the Mayor, Council, and residents.
 

• Purchase a Arial Ladder and increase the number of fire apparatus from 3 to 4.
   

• Subcontract services from a mutual aid town for an automatic response to certain mid-rise buildings .

• Sell Riverdale's 1996 Pumper and replace it with a Quint Arial device.
  
   

Option 1 was too costly at this time. Option 2 and 3 were similar in cost, but option 3 gives the Borough ladder coverage for every building in town, vs. only a select few mid-rise.

The council approved the 3rd option and allocated the funds in the 2004 budget.

The Bid was awarded to Pierce Manufacturing the largest manufacturer of fire apparatus in the world.

The Fire Department was able to identify a buyer for the 1996 pumper, and the sale is scheduled for the End of July.
 

Capabilities