CLIFTON – It’s been about two weeks since Fire Station 2 on Dumont Avenue reopened and the firefighters stationed there said they are thrilled to be back.

The stationed was shut down for two months beginning in March after a dozen firefighters were laid off to cut City spending. After the City’s fire union agreed to work without pay for two weeks, the City Council overturned the layoffs and re-opened the station.

Lt. Michael Montague and firefighters Darryl Zuber and Chris Morris all said it was great to be back and working out of the firehouse.

"It’s a lot of relief having our men back, which for us means additional manpower and an additional level of safety for us and the citizens," said Montague. He was not laid off, but was re-assigned to a different firehouse during the two months Station 2 was closed.

"It was stressful the way things were going, not knowing whether our guys were going to come back," Montague said, adding "It’s relief to get back to normal. We’re able to concentrate on our jobs and not all of this other outside stuff."

"I realize that these are not normal economic times," Montague said, adding "There are layoffs going on everywhere. We’re just trying to do our part to get our brother firefighters back and provide the service the people of Clifton deserve." He said "I’m glad we were able to work it out."

Lt. Jim Szep, also working out of Station 2 during a different shift, said losing a dozen men represented a dangerous situation for the City, adding the station’s men have already responded to about 22 calls since the re-opening.

Szep said it’s great for the citizens of Clifton to have the firefighters back and the stationed back in business.

"Every firefighter is giving back 84 hours of pay. That represents about $600,000 for the City." Szep said.

Firefighter Zuber said the men stationed out of the Dumont Avenue firehouse respond to many medical emergencies as well as fires. He said the centrally-located station makes it very important for the City.

Morris, who along with firefighter Bill Lauritano was laid off in the temporary cuts, said he kept busy doing construction jobs while he was unemployed.

"I stayed positive," Morris said. "I knew they were still negotiating so I wasn’t planning out my next career move just yet."

When they announced the station would reopen, Morris said it was a feeling of excitement and relief, adding he was happy "it was over."

After the stationed re-opened the firefighters brought it back up to capacity by retrieving equipment that had been sent out to other stations to be used for backup, Montague said.

"A lot of our equipment went to other Engine companies that had to cover the mutual aid calls while we were closed," he said, adding that while Station 2 was closed, other stations used the equipment to respond to mutual aid calls coming in from Passaic, Paterson, Montclair and Nutley.

Zuber said within an hour of the May 10 re-opening of the station there were two calls in the area, adding it was almost like the station never closed.

Montague said many people in the area have since stopped by to welcome the men and station back and drop off food and cakes.

"I’m really glad," said Frank Smolensky, a neighboring resident. "I’m glad they worked it out. We have kids and animals in the area. I feel safer now."

Smolensky’s brother, Dean, said the firemen are necessary in the area because the next closest on Van Houten Avenue and Broad Street is too far.

"I sided with [the firefighters]," Dean said.

Claire Monroe, another Station 2 neighbor, said, "I understand the financial crisis, but I admit I am very relieved the station has reopened. It needed to reopen."

"Maybe I’m optimistic, but I expected it to reopen," said Dr. Anna Haroutunian, also a Station 2 neighbor. "I was delighted when I heard they reopened because the station does way more than just fighting fires.

"When I heard it closed I found it very distressing. I was pretty upset about it."

E-mail: greenberg@northjersey.com

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