Mar., 2021, UPS, page 2

DOWNS: A Christmas Eve fire consumed all three floors of a Park Place dwelling in Metuchen that killed two pet dogs. Family members were out for the night, reports said. The home was heavily involved when firefighters arrived. Firefighters rescued five pet snakes from the basement.

UPS: The new Hamilton municipal fire department went into operation on January 1, replacing eight autonomous tax-levying fire districts that each covered a portion of the township.On January 1, Mayor Jeff Martin swore in the new Chief of Department, Richard Kraemer, and other officers. The 135 member department has a budget of about $28 million, according to NJ.com. The department will consist of four deputy chiefs, five battalion chiefs, with captains in charge of four engine companies, two squad companies and two ladder companies, according to the report.

DOWNS: Two Newark firefighters suffered burns at a 2-alarm fire that involved a Leslie St. dwelling on Jan. 1st, officials said. Both firefighters were taken to University Hospital, treated and released.

UPS: The Belmar Bureau of Fire Protection has been awarded a $1,663 fire prevention grant from FM Global to acquire a hydrocarbons and accelerants meter, used to help determine fire origins and causes. FM Global is a commercial property insurer. The Belmar bureau also provides fire prevention and investigation services to the municipalities of Lake Como, Spring Lake and Spring Lake heights.

DOWNS: Fire raced through a Shamong dwelling and six vehicles, Dec. 26th, consuming half of the 3,800-square-foot building, officials said. Twenty three fire companies responded to the fire according to Indian Mills Vol. Fire Company Chief John Smith.

UPS: New firefighters in Teaneck are Max Chazen, Michael DePompeo, Scott Brunner, Bilal Beg, John Notarangelo and Michael Morrell.

DOWNS: A 28-year-old Paterson man walked into the Madison Avenue firehouse seeking help after he was shot on Dec. 27th, officials said. Firefighters rendered aid and transported the victim to St. Joseph's UMC for treatment of a wound that was described as non-life-threatening.

UPS: New fire captains in Bayonne are Raccys Pozo and Cailin Brodel.

DOWNS: A 75-year-old Brick woman was injured due to a 3-alarm fire at the George J. Conway apartment building, Dec. 12th. Firefighters carried the victim out to safety and she was taken to Ocean Medical Center for treatment, officials said.

UPS: In January, the Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders approved the award of a competitive bid contract of $3.6 million for the construction of a new 5,500-square-foot burn building training facility. The new four-story structure will replace a 25-year-old facility in Clinton Twp. The building will be equipped with various simulators, props and obstacles to afford realistic training exercises, officials said.

DOWNS: A Passaic ladder company was involved in a MVA at Paulson & Main Avenues while en route to an alarm, Jan. 3rd. Three firefighters were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Daily Voice. The driver of the civilian vehicle wasn't seriously injured, police said. That driver was issued summonses for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle and improper passing.

UPS: Members of Hackensack Rescue 1 and Ladder 1 rescued a construction worker that fell off the top roof and on to a lower roof on State St., Jan. 8th. Firefighters used a stokes basket and an aerial ladder to remove the worker, officials said. The victim was lowered to the ground and transported to Hackensack Meridian Health. His injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.

DOWNS: An overnight fire in a row home at Everett & Norris St.'s, Camden, injured four people, Jan. 7th, officials said. Some residents jumped from the house, including a 38-year-old woman who suffered a fractured hip.

UPS: Millburn firefighters have been supporting St. John's Church in Newark since 2015 with an annual winter coat drive. This year, the collecting period of donations ended at firehouse #2 on Jan. 9th. Coats were delivered to the parish and distributed to those in need for the winter of 2021.

DOWNS: Camden firefighters found a dead resident of a Collings Rd. dwelling on the floor of the burning home on Jan. 7th. Neighbors said the victim used a wheelchair. Neighbors kicked open the door of the building before firefighters arrived to help the resident, but they were held back by heavy smoke, they told authorities.

UPS: West New York has acquired a new Freightliner Sprinter 15 passenger emergency van, valued at over $70,000, at no cost to the local taxpayers via the town's participation as a host agency for the New Jersey State EMS Task Force, officials said.

DOWNS: A 3-alarm fire at a four-story OMD on Clinton St., Hoboken, displaced residents of all six apartments on Jan. 12th, officials said.

UPS: As a result of receiving the 2020 $5000 Home Depot Foundation Grant, in January, the Wallington FD/EMS received tools and materials to upgrade equipment and buildings.

DOWNS: Newark firefighters located an unresponsive man just beyond the front door of a burning Hedden Terrace dwelling on the evening of Jan. 15th. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Another man was rescued from the building's roof and a firefighter suffered an ankle injury, officers said.

UPS: The Union County Board of Commissioners has given authorization for the former county juvenile detention center to be converted into a new county fire academy, officials said. Forty-three firefighters will begin classroom instructions, soon.

DOWNS: Three firefighters were injured battling a 3-alarm fire at the Longhorn Steakhouse on International Drive South in Mount Olive, Jan. 19th. Fire units from Flanders and Budd Lake, in the township, plus mutual aid companies, fought the fire during the early morning hours. The fire appeared to have been gas fed, officials said.

UPS: Allenhurst and Asbury Park firefighters assisted Deal police officers in the rescue of a 66-year-old man that was in distress in Deal Lake on Jan. 15th, officials said. The man was hanging from a bulkhead with his left leg trapped. The victim was freed and taken to Jersey Shore M.C. for evaluation.

DOWNS: One resident was killed as the result of a fire in a South Inman Ave. dwelling in the Avenel section of Woodbridge Twp., Jan. 21st. The fire was knocked down quickly, but the victim was found dead in the basement, officials said.

UPS: Nicole Golden was recently appointed as Asbury Park's first female firefighter. She is already a certified NJ fire inspector and Department of Health EMT, as well as a Rutgers University graduate.

DOWNS: While Newark firefighters battled a fire in a Rosevelle Ave. dwelling on Jan. 21st., other members made a search and found an “unresponsive” male on the 2nd floor, officials said. The victim died from his injuries.

UPS: On Jan. 19th, the Cape May City Council introduced a $5-million bond ordinance for the construction of a “new state-of-the-art” firehouse. The new building is to be constructed on the site of the existing firehouse on Franklin St.

DOWNS: Two fires broke out almost simultaneously in Newark on Jan. 24th that displaced 27 residents, officials said. There were no injuries. The fires occurred on Springfield Ave. and Sunset Ave.

UPS: Ocean State Job Lot recently donated personal protection equipment to the South Plainfield Fire Department.

DOWNS: Six residents of a Pacific Ave. dwelling in Garfield were displaced after a fire raced through the building, Jan. 24th. At least one dog and four cats were rescued from the burning structure, it was reported. One of the two apartments in the house apparently housed rescue pets, responders said. Other animals perished in the fire.

UPS: On Jan. 29th, New York's Country 94.7 radio station honored Jersey City Firefighter Paul Tremitiedi, a 25-year veteran of the department. He is the man behind his group's visits to our Wounded Warriors & Armed Forces at Walter Reed National Medical Center. He is also a city Santa during the holidays visiting children in schools. He was honored on First Responder Friday, sponsored by Ramsey Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram.

DOWNS: A MVA between a pickup truck and a 1956 Chevy Belair, in Galloway Twp. on Jan. 24th, caused the antique car to burst into flames. The truck careened across the street, smashing through the corner of a firehouse. The accident was captured on multiple security cameras and broadcast on NBC News Philadelphia. “It was very hard to get to the firehouse because of the location of the car on fire and where cop cars were,” said Bayview VFC Ass't Chief Louis Miranda. “We had guys park down the street and run to the firehouse to try and come here and help somebody.”

UPS: On the morning of January 21st., Closter firefighters responded to a structure fire in the borough. While at the scene, Firefighter Kyu Chay's wife pulled up to the scene and announced that her water broke and needed to go to the hospital. The couple left for the hospital, as the local volunteer firefighters waited for the news. “It's a girl!” Congratulations.