Northwood Engine Company No. 2

05/25/2026

With deepest grief we share the following message on the passing of our beloved life member, past chief, neighbor and life long friend, Donald Bogardus, Sr.

A "Pillar of the Community" is a prominent, highly respected, and actively involved member of a locality. These individuals significantly contribute to the well-being of their community by volunteering, supporting local businesses, and leading initiatives that keep neighborhoods thriving.

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

Key Characteristics of “A Pillar of the Community”
Reliability: They are a dependable "pillar of strength", providing support during difficult times.
Civic Engagement: They actively participate in civic life, local government, or community boards.
Philanthropy: They frequently give their time, money, or resources to local charities and causes.
Leadership: They act as role models and bring people together to build a sense of connectedness.

I can't think of a better way to describe this man. He embodies the definition.

Decades ago standing protecting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as a member of the "Old Guard " in the 3rd Infantry , transitioning to civilian life but still wanting to protect, he became a police officer and rose to the rank of Captain of the Hopatcong Police Department while at the same time Volunteering as a firefighter in Northwood Engine Company No. 2 and becoming Chief of the Hopatcong Fire Department . He was a trustee who was integral in the founding of the Sussex County Fire Academy .

When not doing either of those you would see him volunteering at the West Side methodist Church which ran a local childcare and food pantry.

His favorite thing in life was being a husband to his wife, a dad to his kids, grandpa to his grandkids and great grandkids. He loved his family and everyone knew it.

While his family knew him as Dad, Grandpa, Uncle Don, etc... The Hopatcong community knew him as Don, Chief, or Mr. B. Seeing him around town and being his audience or running an idea past him wouldn't be a wasted hour or two. Almost always over coffee. He would listen, give advice, but never force his opinions on you. The perfect gentleman. Over the decades so many of us young fireman , police officers, and residents learned from him and sought his guidance.

You will be missed Chief Bogardus. ( Mr. B. ) Thank you for all the time and wisdom you gave to us all and simply our morning cup of coffee at the firehouse on the way to work.

- Michael Rahill, Past Chief

05/25/2026

05/19/2026

Last night, Hopatcong Fire Department members responded to a motor vehicle accident on Lakeside Avenue that resulted in a broken utility pole, downed live wires, and brush fires on both sides of the roadway.

The incident required Lakeside Avenue to remain closed overnight while crews worked to safely control the scene, remove the vehicle, replace the utility pole, and complete cleanup operations.

Protecting nearby homes and residents quickly became a priority as live wires and brush fires threatened the surrounding area. Members worked together to secure the scene, control the fires, and help keep neighboring structures and the community safe.

This response was a true example of teamwork and coordination. Members of the Hopatcong Fire Department worked alongside the Hopatcong Police Department and Hopatcong Ambulance Squad, with mutual aid assistance from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service and Jefferson Township Fire Company #2, to safely manage the incident from start to finish.

Incidents like these remind us how much can be accomplished when departments and agencies work together toward a common goal. Thank you to all involved for the teamwork, professionalism, and long hours spent ensuring the scene was handled safely and the surrounding neighborhood remained protected.

Neighbors helping neighbors.

Would you like to learn more about joining a team dedicated to supporting your neighbors? Stop by one of our firehouses on Thursday nights or Sunday mornings to learn more about becoming part of the Hopatcong Fire Department.

05/15/2026

Last night was a great example of what the Hopatcong Fire Department is all about.

Members from all three companies came together at the State Park for a department-wide water supply drill, working side-by-side to practice drafting operations, tanker shuttle operations, and moving water as a team.

For our newer members and cadets, it was a chance to learn alongside experienced firefighters, ask questions, get hands-on experience, and be part of the teamwork that keeps our department strong. For the rest of us, it’s always a reminder that no company operates alone. We train together, we learn together, and we respond together.

Proud of our Northwood members and proud to be part of the Hopatcong Fire Department.

05/08/2026

Tonight, members of Northwood Engine Company No. 2 spent the evening at Mountain Inlet practicing drafting and pumping operations while working alongside our cadets on equipment setup, breakdown, and packing everything back into service.

Drills like this are about more than just learning the equipment. They’re about teamwork, communication, and passing knowledge from experienced firefighters to the next generation. It was great to see our senior members working side-by-side with the cadets, helping build confidence and skills with every evolution.

One of the best parts of the cadet program is watching high school friends become part of the firehouse family. The friendships grow, the teamwork grows, and so does the sense of responsibility to each other and the community.

This is how we learn. This is how we prepare.

If you’ve ever thought about getting involved, stop by the firehouse on Thursday nights or Sunday mornings and learn more about what we do.

05/04/2026

Reminder to participate and/or attend the Memorial Day Parade on May 23 10am. A ceremony is to follow @ 11am. Please see flyer for more info.

We are looking for convertible vehicles to participate in the parade! Please contact [email protected] if you have a convertible and are looking to participate in the parade!

05/04/2026