UPS: Newly appointed firefighters in Harrison are Anderson Gonzalez, Malik Haynes-Smith and Elijah Pollas. 

DOWNS: A sedan crashed into an auditorium wall at Elizabeth High School at Bridge & Pearl St.'s, Jan. 5^th, shortly after 8 a.m. The driver and a person inside the school were injured. Prior to the collision, the car was driving erratically and drove over the curb before crashing into the wall, authorities said. The driver and a student were hospitalized with minor injuries, according to the Daily Voice.     

UPS: Wallington Firefighter Stash Kisala has completed 50-years of service with Company 202 and he has been awarded Honorary Chief status. Kisala retired as a captain and officer in charge of the Wallington Police Department after 37-years of service. 

DOWNS: Atlantic City firefighters responded to reports of a man in distress off the jetty near Rhode Island Avenue Beach, Dec. 31^st. FF Dominic Gitto reached the man using a long board, when officials said the man attempted to stab the firefighter with a screwdriver. FF Gitto was able to deflect the weapon and continue rescue operations. FF Gitto was treated for hypothermia at a local hospital and released. The rescued man faced multiple charges, according to CBS Philadelphia. 

UPS: Wallington Engine Co. 202 members have awarded FF Paul Stolarz Life Member status. He has served as an officer several times and does a lot of “behind the scenes work,” for the company.    

DOWNS: On the morning of Jan. 9^th the Hasbrouck Heights F.D. was dispatched to the Hilton Hotel for an activated alarm. Firefighters found high readings of carbon monoxide throughout the building. The entire hotel was evacuated and ventilated. A 2^nd alarm was transmitted by Chief of Department Robert Knobloch and a special call for the Bergen County Fan Unit. It was determined by PSE&G that the carbon monoxide was caused by a malfunctioning boiler in the basement.

UPS: The National Firefighters Foundation has recognized retired Wildwood Fire Chief Daniel Speigel as this year's recipient of the Arthur J. Glatfelter Distinguished Service Award, according to the organization's Facebook post. The chief is recognized for his contributions to the organization and his community, and his continued dedication to those in the fire service and their families.    

DOWNS: A Camden firefighter suffered minor injuries during a response to a fire in a Spruce St. dwelling on Jan. 6^th, according to WCAU-TV. The firefighter was taken to an area hospital for treatment.   

UPS: In Kearny, Dan Neves has been promoted to fire official. In addition, John Albizu has been promoted to fire prevention specialist.

DOWNS: On January 14^th, an auto struck the firehouse on Sanford & South Orange Avenues, in Newark. Four occupants of the vehicle suffered non-life-threatening injuries. No firefighters were inured, according to a media report. 

UPS: New firefighters in Passaic are: Lenny Ramirez, Joaquin Rodriguez, Roberto Umana, Nucholas Kovacs, Gregory Drelich, Kevin Burgos and Messiah Stevens.  

DOWNS: A suspicious fire in a multi-family structure on Third St., Carlstadt, claimed the life of one occupant, January 16^th.  Firefighters knocked down the fire in about 20 minutes, according to Independent Online News. Bergen County arson detectives were investigating the cause of the fire along with borough police.

UPS: Fair Lawn Police Sgt. Luis Vasquez ran into a smoke-filled Third St. home, January 21^st, and rescued a kitten trapped during a fast-moving fire. The fire originated in a second-floor bedroom, officials said. Two other police officers entered the building to make a search. One was later treated for smoke inhalation at a local hospital. Fire Chief Mike Salvini said the fire was quickly knocked down.  

DOWNS: Nine people were displaced due to a fire involving a Buttonwood St. duplex home in Mount Holly, Jan. 18^th, according to News 12. 

UPS: Emily Sa has been appointed to the Millburn Fire Department..  

DOWNS: A fire destroyed a High Street dwelling in Rahway, January 20th. 

UPS: Asbury Park's new firehouse at 200 Memorial Dr. is set to open in the near future. It is replacing a firehouse built in1899 that has “faced numerous challenges over the last 50-years,” according to “The Coaster Editorial Staff,” article.  The new building is a 32,000-square-feet structure and a New Jersey certified Division of Fire safety training site.     

DOWNS: An 85-year-old woman died as the result of a 2-alarm fire at a College Dr. apartment in Jersey City, Jan. 27^th.  Firefighters removed the unconscious victim from the building and turned her over to medical personnel. She was transported to JCMC where she expired, according to news reports. 

UPS: During the 2025 NJSPBA Valor Awards ceremony, North Hudson Firefighter Tim Colacci, senior member of Squad Co 1, was presented with the Friend In Labor Award. “Through his service as vice chair of the Police and Firemen's retirement System (PFRS) Trustee Board, Tim Colacci has been of great service to all members. According to the PBA publication, “New Jersey Cops,” Whenever any of our members had a problem with getting a pension or there was an issue with accidental disability or an ordinary disability, Timmy was there for us.  So we are proud to cal him our friend.”