This off-the-beat coverage could be called “Pictures That Rarely Make The Papers.” The Sloatsburg Fire Department has uploaded a collection of interesting photos on its FB site showing the department in action over recent years. Some of the images are quite spectacular while others demonstrate the mundane aspects of managing an emergency situation. In any case, the photos are a good introduction to the fire department as well as show the very present dangers of firefighting.Facebook being Facebook, the rule still applies that says be careful what you publish because one never knows who is watching.

The photo here shows the Sloatsburg hardware store fire back when current Fire Chief Nello Vacchiano was just 27 years old and new to the force. A yellowed news clipping describes then Chief Richard Manning commending Vacchiano and other Sloatsburg firefighters, including John Johnston, Todd Hansen and Sean White for taking the first hose line into the building and dousing the flames. Johnston and White are still with the fire department — Johnston is a member of the Board of Governors while White is an active member.

The hardware store fire was apparently caused by an exploding paint can. A person driving on Rt. 17 witnessed gray and brown smoke coming from the building and stopped to help but couldn’t report the fire immediately because the pay phone across the street from the hardware store was being used.

Additionally, the department has included several great structure fire shots in all their blazing glory. The Davis Sports Shop fire back in August of 2009 is documented as well, showing the roof literally burning off. Take a peek here.

Just a note to say that a SloatsburgVillage link to another site in no way endorses all material and content on that site.

While links are being discussed, here is the SloatsburgVillage FB page and here is the Twitter feed.

Photo Credit: Vincent DiSalvio