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Bailey, who is doing well in physical therapy, had the members riveted with his speech at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Many said they were glad to see him among them again.
Mayor Christopher Botta swore in the department line and bench officers in a ceremony attended by all emergency response organizations in town.
The department’s top five officers boast an impressive amount of collective skill and know-how: The three chiefs have more than 100 years combined experience, and both captains are career firefighters, in a department that has served the borough for more than a century.
Taking oaths tonight:
Fire Chief Randy Sterbinsky
Asst. Chief Greg Hewit
Deputy Chief Lou Warnet
Captains Jon Krehel and Brendan Sterbinsky
Lieutenants Matt Mistretta, Jeff Newman, Jeff Saunders, George Fosdick, and Doug Harvey
Bench Officers President Dave Stitz, Vice President Doug Hymans and Treasurer Kerry Conklin
The brass have more than 100 years combined experience. Both Krehel and Sterbinsky are career firefighters.
Bailey, a 26-year veteran of the borough police department, and Sgt. Tim Flanagan were handling emergency calls because of the storm just before 9:30 the night of Oct. 29 when they noticed that a stretch of police tape closing off Oakridge Road at the intersection of Darlington Avenue because of fallen trees had come loose.
As Bailey went to secure it, a tree on the northeast corner behind him came crashing down.
Police and firefighters used chainsaws to cut him out. An ambulance then rushed him to Hackensack University Medical Center.
Bailey had two surgeries after his leg snapped in three places and his shoulder shattered in six. He also sustained broken ribs and torn muscles. He remained in the hospital for a week and is now recovering nicely at home, emergency service workers said tonight.
PHOTO COURTESY: Ramsey Volunteer Fire Dept.
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