Firefighters ski for charity

VERNON — The New Jersey Firefighters 30th Annual Ski Race took place at Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon Township on Friday, Feb. 17,
Numerous fire departments from the Garden State participated in the charity event benefiting the Burn Center at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey.
The event is hosted by Jersey City Firefighters and Officers.
A total of 26 fire department ski teams registered to compete at the South Peak of the resort on the Bear Creek "Kamikaze" Trail.
The Birchwood Fire Company No. 4 of Rockaway was first with a time of 24.71, the Pompton Lakes Volunteer Fire Department of Passaic County was second with a time of 24.76 and the Clifton Fire Department of Passaic County was third with a time of 27.14 finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively.
The Vernon Township Fire Department located down the road from Mountain Creek participated, but they got off to a bad start losing a team member who fell then several others along the way. They were able to finish the race but their slow time result put them out of contention.
The Saint Barnabas Medical Center ski team took part in the race. They stood out for not only not being firefighters but also for wearing scrubs. They finished in the top tier with a time of 32.51.
The Paterson Fire Department fielded two teams that did not win but finished in the top tier. This year's firefighters race was extra special for the "Silk City's" bravest. On Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, three Paterson firefighters suffered burns while battling a fire at a three-story residential building located at 746 East 18 Street.
The firefighters were treated at the Burn Center at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. Capt. Frank Liscio and firefighters Daniel Alcala and Brian Hirschmanner suffered burns. Alcala was treated then released the following day. Liscio has been a city firefighter since 1998, while Hirschmanner and Alcala joined the fire department in 2013 and 2012, according to city records.
None of the building's tenants suffered any injuries, according to authorities.
Battalion Chief Michael D'Arco of the Paterson Fire Department explained "The firefighters who were hurt are good men. We have a fundraiser on Thursday, March 2nd at 7 p.m. It's going to be held in Bishop Manning Hall at Saint Bonaventure Church which is located at 173 Ramsey Street Paterson. The fundraiser is for the three firefighters (Liscio, Alcala and Hirschmanner) that got burned on the job battling a fire in December 2016 on East 18 Street. They were treated at the Burn Center at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. Two of the firefighters have since been released from their care and one is still being treated as of today."