Bergen Group Honors Firefighters Who Work with Children

Firefighters from the Bergen County Juvenile Fire Prevention Program (BCJFPP) were honored during a 25th anniversary celebration at the Hillsdale Fire Department Saturday.

The honorees included founding firefighters William Drew, Neal Carroll, William Lynn, Leroy Mullay and George Lucia, charter members William Quinn, Robert Lewissohn and Michele Lynn and Joe Masciandaro, the CEO and president of the Paramus-based CarePlus.

The BCJFPP seeks to prevent children and teenagers from starting fires. The program works with the Bergen County Superior Court, probation, police and fire departments, the Division of Child Protection and Permanency and social service agencies in order to keep children with firesetting tendencies out of the juvenile justice system. 

Between 60 and 75 percent of people arrested for arson are under the age of 18, according to the BCJFPP. 

The group's volunteers donate more than 400 hours of their own time each year to work with childen "that are displaying or involved in firesetting behaviors."

Any Bergen County firefighters who are interested in joining the BCJFPP can call 201-797-2660 ext 144.