PARK RIDGE—The Park Ridge Fire Prevention Bureau hosted its annual Peter J. Harkin Babysitters Program on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, preparing approximately 50 exceptional girls and boys, ages 10 and up, for the responsibilities of caring for little ones.
The program, run with the able assistance of the GFWC Pascack Junior Woman’s Club, featured speakers from the fire department, powered by Lt. Brad Moser and Fire Marshal John Hansen. Presentations were given by Yale Glazer of the Tri-Boro Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Park Ridge Police Detective Gerry Powers, Joseph Derienzo of Northwest Bergen Central Dispatch, and Dr. Michelle Mayer of Chestnut Ridge Pediatric Associates.
Participants learned about babysitting safety through presentations and videos, and shared tips from their own experiences.
Mayor Keith Misciagna congratulated the attendees and helped distribute certification cards. He said of the occasion that the clinic was inaugurated 50 years ago by Pete Harkin, Joe Mauro and John Hansen. “The clinic is designed to help kids, who are babysitters, with the skills necessary to handle caring for a child—from playing and feeding tips to learning basic first aid, fire safety, and [situational] awareness.
“Thank you to John Hansen and all those involved for coming together and making this clinic possible. Babysitting jobs come with significant responsibilities and having this clinic available helps these babysitters be better prepared to handle the job safely and responsibly,” said his honor.
Harkin, a U.S. Army veteran, was a dedicated member of the community. He worked as a chief lineman for Consolidated Edison in the Bronx, N.Y, before retiring. Harkin, who passed in 2010 at age 71, was a parishioner at Our Lady of Mercy and deeply involved in the Park Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as both lieutenant and captain. He was president of the Park Ridge Firemen’s Association from 1980 to 1982 and co-founded the department’s annual babysitting course, which has been offered each fall since 1974.
The Fire Prevention Bureau for the Borough of Park Ridge plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of the community. The bureau, staffed by Fire Official John Hansen and four inspectors—William I. Diedtrich, Sr., Thomas Lepore, John Sigillito, and Thomas Derienzo Jr.—is responsible for conducting routine inspections of buildings throughout the town to ensure they meet fire code compliance.
In addition to fire code enforcement, the Fire Prevention Bureau oversees fire investigations within the borough, ensuring that each incident is thoroughly examined to determine cause and prevent future occurrences. This team’s dedication helps safeguard residents and businesses by promoting fire safety and preventing potential hazards.
The Tri-Boro Volunteer Ambulance Corps, serving Park Ridge, Montvale, and Woodcliff Lake, is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to providing emergency medical services, non-emergency ambulance transportation, and safety training to the Tri-Boro community
It’s staffed solely by volunteers and is funded mainly through contributions and the generous support of the three municipal governments. All of its services are provided free of charge. The corps is run by officers and a Board of Governors.
Northwest Bergen Central Dispatch notes it (NWBCD) serves as a critical link between the citizens of its service communities and public safety responders, providing both emergency and non-emergency assistance. Its mission is to ensure that public safety personnel receive accurate and timely information, enabling them to deliver prompt and professional services. The staff is trained to gather and relay essential details with precision, accuracy, and speed to support responders in the field.
Originally formed as a partnership among three municipalities, NWBCD now operates as a consolidated dispatch center, handling all public safety requests for its primary communities. It also functions as a 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point for multiple towns, providing call-taking and radio dispatch services to Franklin Lakes, Glen Rock, Montvale, New Milford, Oakland, Old Tappan, Oradell, Park Ridge, Ridgewood, River Edge, River Vale, Rutherford, Waldwick, Washington Township, and Woodcliff Lake.
Chestnut Ridge Pediatric Associates says on its website that it’s committed to providing comprehensive medical care for children from birth to age 23. “Our physicians work with patients and families as partners in health. Our board certified pediatricians have served Bergen and Rockland counties and the Pascack Valley area for over 40 years and are on staff at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood.”
For more information, visit parkridgefire.com, tbvacnj.org, nwbcd.org, parkridgepolice.com, and chestnutridgepediatrics.com.