The St. Barnabas Medical Center ski team also took part, competing in scrubs.
By George Hunter | For The Jersey Journal
Jersey City firefighters and officers hosted the New Jersey Firefighters 30th annual Ski Race last month to raise funds for the Burn Center at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.
The event took place at Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon Township on Feb. 17.
In all, 26 fire department ski teams registered to compete at the South Peak of the resort on the Bear Creek "Kamikaze" Trail.
Birchwood Fire Company No. 4 of Rockaway came in first place with a time of 24.71, followed by the Pompton Lakes Volunteer Fire Department of Passaic County with a time of 24.76 and the Clifton Fire Department with a time of 27.14.
The Vernon Township Fire Department, located down the road from Mountain Creek, got off to a bad start, losing a team member who fell then several others along the way. They were able to finish the race but their slow time put them out of contention.
The St. Barnabas Medical Center ski team also took part, competing in scrubs. They finished in the top tier with a respectable time of 32.51.
The Paterson Fire Department fielded two teams that did not win but finished in the top tier.
This year's firefighters race was extra special for the "Silk City's" Bravest. On Dec. 10, three Paterson firefighters suffered burns while battling a fire at a three-story residential building on East 18th Street.
The firefighters were treated at the Burn Center at St. Barnabas.
Capt. Frank Liscio and Firefighters Daniel Alcala and Brian Hirschmanner suffered burns. Alcala was treated and released the following day.
Hirschmanner and Liscio have since been released but are still in the Burn Center's care, Battalion Chief Michael D'Arco said.
None of the building's tenants suffered any injuries, according to authorities.
Ironically, the host team didn't finish as the Jersey City firefighters had a disqualifying crash at the finish line.