The Fire Chief’s Inspection Parade kicked off from Mill Ridge Road and Stonewall Lane at 2 p.m. on Sept. 9. Although weather forecasters called for thunderstorms later in the day, not a drop fell onto the heads of the marchers as they weaved their way out of the narrow streets of the north end down Paterson Plank Road to the center of town and eventually to Kane Stadium near County Avenue, where the real party began.
Every two years, the volunteer firefighters gather for a celebration to honor the person who served as their chief as his term comes to an end and the department prepares to adopt a new chief. For 98 years, Secaucus has done it this way, and in some ways, this year’s parade resembled some of the parades from earlier in the century, as the streets – particularly in the north end – became one huge block party with residents cheering on not only their own fire department, but the 20 other fire departments that sent men and equipment to take part in the celebration.
Residents at Hops Lane and Poplar Drive – where the parade made its turn out of the twisted north end streets onto Plank Road – filled the sidewalks with lawn chairs and cheered.
“We even roasted a pig for the occasion,” one resident said.
Led off by a 1929 Mack truck loaded with trophies that would eventually get distributed to the various guest fire companies for oldest vehicle or best vehicle, or vehicle that had come the farthest, the parade included marching bands and floats and even a Secaucus beauty queen.
Those lucky enough to be driving avoided the long, hot walk through the streets – one small sour note in an otherwise delightful day.
“I shed my jacket right away,” said 1st Ward Councilman Mike Grecco when he and the other officials finally reached the reviewing stand in front of Town Hall, several miles from where they started.
Moonachie, Rutherford, Passaic, and Lyndhurst were only a few of the many companies that sent vehicles, although Garfield seemed to reflect the old time flavor of the event when – during a pause in the parade – their trucks blasted each other with fire extinguisher spray, leaving residents along the sides roaring with laughter.
Included in the parade were two former Secaucus fire chiefs, George Shoenrock and Art Glaeser, each driving an historic car. Meadowlands Hospital sent a float that included not only high officials from the hospital, but members of Liberty Health Care System. Firefighters also arranged for entertainment including pony and horse rides for kids at the Little League Field in Plaza Center.
“The people who came out to watch the parade showed just how much they felt about the job the Secaucus Fire Department does here in town,” said Councilman John Reilly. “People are proud of what we’ve done.”
The parade and the crowds seemed to reflect the good feelings people had for Chief Lawrence Sanzari – whose term of office saw heroism and tragedy, noble rescues and the sad demise of an on-duty firefighter. During his term, Sanzari arranged for the last major piece of fire vehicles to be purchased, part of the modernization of the fleet that began in 1993.
Before the parade, fire officials toured the town’s firehouses, an inspection that had kept firefighters busy for more than a week painting floors and cleaning windows.
The tour started at in the south end on County Avenue, said First Assistant Chief Robert Cordes. Then, it went to the Plaza fire house and to the fire houses on Centre Avenue, Seventh Street and in north end.
Cordes is scheduled to become the new chief in January, with second Assistant Chief Frank Walters moving up to take his place as first assistant chief. Elections for second assistant chief will take place between now and January.
Because Secaucus has a volunteer fire department, it has set up a system that allows the responsibilities of chief to shift from fire house to fire house. But by setting up two assistant chiefs that will eventually move up to become “the chief,” the department gives these firefighters experience before they actually take the reins of power.
“This really is a great event,” said 2nd Ward Councilman John Bueckner as he joined Mayor Dennis Elwell and the rest of the council at the reviewing stand as the parade made its way past. Elwell said this was one of the many traditions that helped shape Secaucus into a community.