On May 21st, 2023, the New Jersey/New York Volunteer Firemen’s Association honored former Hasbrouck Heights Fire Chief Chris Semenecz for his years of service to the fire service. Chief Semenecz passed away last July after 37 years on the fire department. Former Chief Semenecz was an active member of the Hasbrouck Heights Volunteer Fire Department for 37 years, retiring in 2021.
He has the Second Assistant Chief in 1990-91, the Assistant Chief in 1991-92 before serving as Chief in 1992-93. He also served as President of the Hasbrouck Heights Exempt Association from 1990 to 2000, and server as the Treasurer of the Hasbrouck Heights Relief Association from 1994 until present. Many Hasbrouck Heights residents will remember him as one of Santa’s representatives during the Fire Department’s Annual “Santa Around Town.”
The honor was presented to his widow, Janie Semenecz, by former Chief of the Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department, Tim Moots and by former Engine One and Department Secretary, Justin Watrel. Mrs. Semenecz was joined by her sister for the presentation at her home and was very honored to accept recognition from the organization in honor of her husband’s dedication for years at the Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department.
The picture features former HHFD Chief Tim Moots, Mrs. Janie Semenecz and former HHFD Secretary Justin Watrel.
It is tough when you lose a fellow fire fighter but when it is someone you have known for your entire time on the fire department and someone you have worked with for years, it hurts even more.
We recently suffered the loss of our fellow brother, former Chief Chris Semenecz of the Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department. Chief Semenecz joined the Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department in November of 1984 and was an active and productive member until his retirement from the department in October of 2021. He always put his best into his work for the fire service.
Chief Semenecz to the far right with Chief Moots first to left, Chief Roccamo next to him and Chief Monohan to the immediate left of him (members Bernie Valente and Hippen Shah in the middle) at the 2019 Installation Dinner
Chris had been a long-time member of the former Engine One Company (before we merged the Department in 2019) serving as its Treasurer, Lieutenant, and Captain in 1989-1990. He then did his rotation as Second Assistant Chief, First Assistant Chief and then Chief of the Department in 1992-93.
Chief Semenecz standing for Inspection with Chief Roccamo at the Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department Annual Inspection
He also served many other positions within the Department as well. He had served as a Fire Inspector in 1987, was EMT Certified in 1986, served as a mechanic for the Engine One Company from 2000-2004 and again from 2013-2018. He served as the President of the Exempt Association and the Treasurer of the Relief Association of the Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department.
Chief Semenecz was proud of his time on Engine One HHFD
On top of running his own business in business transport, he also served on the Hasbrouck Heights Borough Council from 1979-1981 and again from 2013-2015 and running for Mayor of the Hasbrouck Heights in 2014.
Heros are not born but over time they contribute to a community in many ways. Chief Semenecz showed that you can wear many hats in life, a devoted husband and family man both to his wife, Jayne and his family, active member of the Hasbrouck Heights community including being a Hasbrouck Heights High School Alumnus to assisting Santa each year in the department’s “Santa Around Town” celebration greeting members of the community during the holiday season.
Chief Semenecz welcoming in the holidays with other members of the Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department including special guest, Mr. Snowman. Chief Tim Moots, former Captain Bernie Valente, former Secretary Justin Watrel and Chief Angelo Roccamo.
Chief Semenecz showed that being a hero can be accomplished in many different ways but of him giving of himself to everyone surrounding him.
He will be missed!
All the members of the former Engine One Company congratulating Chief Angelo Roccamo in becoming Chief in 2019 of the newly formed Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department
Santa is going on his next journey in life. We wish him all the best!
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