TEANECK FIRE DEPARTMENT

1231 Teaneck Road

Teaneck, NJ 07666

(201) 837-2085

        There aren't many guarantees in life, but if you’re a member of the Teaneck Fire Department's "Good Morning Wake-Up Program", you’re guaranteed a phone call every morning.

        The program was originally established by Firefighters John Draney and Charles Macintosh on May 05, 1985. Since then, members of the Teaneck Fire Department have made welfare check phone calls every morning to members of the program.

        The program is set up for residents within the community who typically are elderly and live alone; although any township resident that feels the program would be beneficial is welcome. The Good Morning Wake Up Program calls members 365 days a year between the hours of 8:00 – 9:00 AM. Residents receive a friendly voice on the end of the line making sure everything is okay. If the resident does not answer the phone, the Fire Department dispatcher will call a second time approximately 5 minutes later. If there is still no response, a Fire Department unit will be sent to check on the welfare of the member.

        On occasion, we have found participants in need of medical care. All members of the Teaneck Fire Department are trained first responders or certified Emergency Medical Technicians and we will provide emergency care until the ambulance arrives. If a participant will be out of the house earlier than 8 AM they can call the Fire Dept. to inform the dispatcher that they will not be home between 8:00 – 9:00 AM that morning. The same is true if the participant goes away for a period of time. They can notify the Fire Department to temporarily suspend calling until they return. The number to call is 201-837-2085 

        For anyone that is interested, or for more information on the program, please contact the Teaneck Fire Dept. at 201-837-2085 and ask to speak to Battalion Chief Richard Burchell, FF Ian Seidel or FF Sean Rodriguez. One of them will come out to meet with you, collect some basic information, and conduct a home fire safety inspection. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. We look forward to hearing from you.

–Teaneck Fire Department Good Morning Committee