SCMUA's saviors

To the Editor: On Wednesday, Aug. 17, the Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority experienced a fire at its Bulky Waste and Recycled Materials Building. The SCMUA would like to extend its sincere appreciation to the numerous emergency personnel whose quick response controlled the blaze, and ensured the safety of the staff and public, with minimal building damage. Approximately 75 firefighters and 40 emergency personnel responded from Lafayette, Hampton, Frankford, Branchville, Andover, Hardyston, Green, Fredon, Byram, McAfee, Stillwater, Sandyston, Vernon and Sparta. Morris County responders included Mendham, Morris Township, Parsippany/Troy Hills, Boonton, Whippany, Rockaway, Parsippany, Picatinny Arsenal and Riverdale. Also on the scene were Sussex County and Lafayette Office of Emergency Management, County Sheriff, County Prosecutor, NJDEP and Sussex County HazMat, and New Jersey State Police and numerous area Rescue Squads. It took six hours to control the blaze and extinguish the fire completely. Thankfully, only two firefighters suffered from heat exhaustion, and one required stitches for a laceration to his hand. We wish them a speedy recovery. The SCMUA would like to thank all the firefighters and emergency responders who act ed unselfishly in combating the fire and safeguarding the community. It would also be appropriate to thank and acknowledge the SCMUA staff who assisted in the firefighting effort and massive cleanup afterward. Wayne Dietz SCMUA Chairman John Hatzelis Adminstrator