During his two-year terms as chief of the Secaucus Volunteer Fire Department, Robert Cordes faced some of the most dramatic and troubling moments in the history of the department. The 29-year veteran of the department took office on Jan. 1, 2001 and was immediately faced with questions about alcohol use in the firehouses. Over his two years, he also saw the attack on the World Trade Center, and the death of firefighter Mark Vogel of complications from surgery.
“I tried my best to work for the town, and I believe I had the best interests of the town at heart,” Cordes said. “We took care of all the people and protected the town fully.”
Although the all-volunteer department responded to numerous house, car and other fires throughout the town, the explosion of a house on Gail Place proved one of the most dramatic. The explosion was caused by a gas leak, and there were no deaths.
Cordes’ department also helped fight several significant meadow fires, particularly one that spread throughout the Rutherford/North Arlington meadows in 2001, where firefighters battled the blaze from the fire boat as well as from ground units.
“We did not have many people die during my watch,” Cordes said, referring to victims of fires and accidents – although he said one man expired during a car accident on the Turnpike a day before his interview on Monday.
Cordes, who worked full-time as a mechanic for United Parcel Service for over 30 years, served out of the Rescue Company No. 1 and Engine Company No. 1 in the North End firehouse. Before titles changed, Cordes also served as First and Second assistant chief before becoming chief of the department. For 17 years, Cordes also served as the fire department’s one-man trophy committee as part of the every-two-year Fire Chief’s Inspection Parade – a tradition he sadly saw come to an end during his tenure as chief. (An official had cited lack of interest on the part of the public in ending it.)
Perhaps the most significant moment in his term came during the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center, when he led his department in efforts that lent support to those working at Ground Zero in New York City.
“All of my guys wanted to go over to New York to help,” Cordes said. “But we wouldn’t have been covered by insurance.”
He said his, like other departments from around the state, set up in the Giant’s Stadium parking lot in preparation to go. “But we were never called,” he said. “It was hard. We were there with units from as far away as Cape May. We all wanted to go. Some of the companies that tried were turned away.”
While several members of his department were involved in the cleanup effort, most local firefighters worked with the Secaucus Office of Emergency Management to handle some of the thousands of tons of supplies that came in from across the nation to aid rescuers at Ground Zero.
“We were in a unique situation in that we handled a lot of the supplies that came in from across the country,” he said. “We helped drive the school buses full of doctors to Jersey City. We helped with the warehouses where supplies were kept.”
During his two years, Cordes said he managed to accomplish many of the things he set out to do, such as helping to cut down the number of false alarms the fire department had to respond to.
“I worked closely with the inspection department to make sure alarms are set properly,” Cordes said. “When a business comes into town, Vinnie Prieto [director of inspections] tells the owners what they need to do.”
During his two years, he saw the North End firehouse get a new engine, and the establishing of a repeater system for the fire radios that cut down or even eliminated many of the dead spots in the town. Three units installed at the Dog Kennel, the North End Fire House and Washington Hook and Ladder in the back row allow portable units to talk to each other throughout the town.
Cordes said that his six years in various levels of chief have taught him a lot, and he will miss the interaction with numerous people throughout the community.
“I’m tired, but I’m glad to have done it,” he said.
Cordes will return to the ranks as a regular firefighter. He offered several pieces of advice to his replacement. “Keep the company moving forward in training,” he said. “Keep the department up-to-date with new equipment. And keep the men trained by providing schooling and tapes that help teach them the techniques of firefighting.”
The fire department will hold a dinner on Dec. 28 at the LaReggia restaurant on Woods Avenue in Secaucus to say goodbye to Cordes and to welcome the new chief. This is instead of the parade formerly held for this purpose.
“The Town of Secaucus has traditionally budgeted $10,000 for the parade,” said Town Administrator and firefighter Anthony Iacono. “This year that money goes to pay for the dinner.”
Walters takes over
Frank Walters will take over as chief of the Secaucus Fire Department on Jan. 1 as part of the every-two year ritual.
Because the Secaucus Fire Department has an all volunteer staff, the position of chief changes every two years.
Walters replaces outgoing Chief Robert Cordes after one of the most difficult two-year stints in the history of the department.
Walters, a 16-year veteran of the department, hails from Hose Company No. 2, although he was previously a member of the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corp. and the Weehawken Ambulance Squad for seven years. Walters also worked at a paid dispatcher for the Hoboken Fire Department for seven years.
Walters serves as a sergeant with the New York Board of Fire Underwriters and the New York Fire Patrol – which provides services to the New York City Fire Department.
Walters served two years as Deputy Chief for the Secaucus Volunteer Fire Department and before a state-mandated title change, served as Second Assistant chief for two years before that.
Born and raised in Hoboken, Walters moved to Secaucus in 1982. His father was a firefighter in Hoboken for more than 25 years.
Raymond Cieciuch, a member of the Washington Hook and Ladder Company, will take Walter’s place as deputy chief. His position as battalion chief will be filled by election on Friday, Dec. 13.
In order to assure that each of the town’s five firehouses has representation among the chiefs, the election rotates. Firefighters vote for the battalion chief, who in two years becomes the deputy chief, and two years after that becomes the chief in charge. This year firefighters will choose from two members of Engine Company No. 1, the Plaza Center firehouse.
Cordes will return to the ranks as a regular firefighter. He offered several pieces of advice to his replacement.