The fire chief of the River Edge Fire Department has shut down bars at both of the borough's firehouses after a firefighter's DUI arrest outside a station last week.
Fire Chief John Mauthe made the move after Firefighter Joseph Cerciello was arrested on Oct. 16 after clipping a vehicle in the parking lot of Company No. 1 on Kinderkamack Road, according to The Record.
The firefighter entered the parking lot, attempted to back up and failed to judge the proper clearance leading to the 9:44 p.m. crash that left minor damage on both vehicles, according to Police Chief Tom Cariddi.
Mauthe announced his decision to the department's members Wednesday night.
Mayor Sandy Moscaritolo told the newspaper that while Cerciello did not have a drink inside the firehouse the night of his arrest, since the crash occurred on borough property, Mauthe ordered that both fire companies cease serving alcohol.
“It’s a serious situation when a volunteer firefighter shows up at a company, maybe under the influence," Moscaritolo said. "There could have been a fire call."
It was unclear whether the fire department has taken action against Cerciello.
