UPS:                      Katie Barnes has been appointed as a career firefighter in Monroe Township Fire District 3  

DOWNS:               Some 60 residents at the Whiting Gardens Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, in Manchester Twp., were evacuated after freezing pipes caused issues with the sprinkler system on Feb. 3^rd, according to the NY Daily News.  The residents had to leave the building and were transported to facilities in Toms River and Trenton.

UPS:                       Steve Kraemer has been promoted to Chief of the Hamilton Fire Department.  

DOWNS:                Firefighters battled a multi-alarm fire in a commercial building in Bernardsville, February 7^th, in below-zero temperatures.  It took five hours to bring the fire under control, according to News 12.  

UPS:                        The Garfield Fire Department has honored Firefighter Edward S. Kovach for his 50-years of service with Company 5.  

DOWNS:                 One person died as the result of an early morning fire in a Cedarbrook av. dwelling in South Plainfield, Feb. 4^th, according to News 12.  Two other residents escaped with minor injuries.  Three first responders were treated for minor injuries. 

UPS:                         David Wikilanski has been promoted to Deputy Fire Chief in New Brunswick.

DOWNS:                 At 12:15 am on February 19^th, Newark fire units were dispatched to a reported truck fire on Doremus av.  Firefighters found three electric tractor cabs fully involved, a trailer burning, and minor extension to a warehouse.  Fire blankets were deployed and a Level I haz mat was transmitted.  Operations extended until approximately 3:30 am, according to reports.  

UPS:                         Newly promoted fire captains in New Brunswick are Peter Ohliger and Robert Boyle. 

DOWNS:                  Firefighters battled a 3-alarm fire in the Mc Wayne Ductile Plant, in Phillipsburg, February 8^th.  The 1,000-square-foot building's “paint room”  was “fully engulfed,” according to The Express Times.  All employees were safely evacuated.   

UPS:                          John Seelinger has been promoted to fire lieutenant in New Brunswick.  

DOWNS:                   Eight cats died as the result of a fire in a Highland av. dwelling in River Vale, February 17^th.  Another cat was treated by the River Vale Ambulance Corps and transported to an animal hospital in Paramus, according to an ambulance spokesman.  The cat was “doing well.”  

UPS:                          New firefighters in New Brunswick are Daniel Aparicio, Xavier Cladd, Michael Cruz-Perez, Anthony Fulwider, Jordan Keefe and Bryan Latham Jr.  

DOWNS:                   An 85-year-old woman died as the result of a 2-alarm fire involving a College Dr. apartment in Jersey City, January 27^th.   

UPS:                          Members of the Newark Fire Department  helped retired Fire Captain Theodore Popovich celebrate his 100^th birthday, in February. About a dozen firefighters, Engine 10's apparatus and the department's pipe band visited the captain  at his Cranford home. He was presented with a plaque recognizing his 30-years of service.  Captain Popovich is also a WW II hero receiving a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.  “We're all together from day one until out last days,” said Fire Chief Del Ortiz.  

DOWNS:                   An overnight fire at a Winston Drive 31-story high-rise forced evacuation of occupants into the blizzard, Feb. 23^rd. The residents were taken down stairs to the lobby, where older residents were given priority to remain inside when space got tight, according to Independent Online News.  There were no injuries.  Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, allowing residents to return to their condominiums. Residents praised the quick and professional work of building staff and firefighters from Cliffside Park, Fort Lee and Edgewater.    

UPS:                             On February 28^th, the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps celebrated their 55^thanniversary serving the city.  

DOWNS:                      Several dogs were killed as the result of a fire at the One Step Closer Animal Rescue, February 11^th. Police officers from Hopatcong and Stanhope, members of the OSCAR staff, employees from Lakeside Construction and bystanders acted swiftly to rescue the majority of animals prior to the arrival of fire units, according to reports. Several dogs were loss in the area.  The facility holds about 40 dogs.      

MEMO:                        New Jersey firefighters mourn the loss of Camden Firefighter Howard Bennett who died in the Line-of-Duty on February 5^th.  Also, the loss of retired Hackensack Lt. James Walker III who died of 9-11 related cancer.  Both were described as valued members of their departments and mentors.