May, 2020 UPS, page 2

DOWNS: One firefighter was injured during a 4-alarm fire at the Elizabeth Truck Center on North Avenue East, March 1st, officials said. The fire caused explosions and a roof collapse. No one was in the building when the alarm was sounded around 11 p.m.

UPS: Citing a drop in volunteers, Stone Harbor Fire Chief Roger Stanford successfully lobbied the Borough Council, in February, to allow for the hiring of seven full-time firefighter-EMTs.

DOWNS: On March 1st, Paterson Engine 4 was involved in a MVA at Carrol & 16th Avenue. There were no injuries.

UPS: New firefighters sworn in at City Hall in Jersey City on March 2nd are: M. Blakey, H. Martinez, J. Tomkowski, A. Sadowski, W. Acevedo, L. Prensa, B. DeJesus, J. Rutter, T. Donnelly, G. Niland, A. Aligo, P. Boyle, E. Sellmeyer, D. Conte, A. Cavaliere, D. Brown, A. Buterbaugh, D. Kent, N. Ferrari, M. Topolewski, M. Rotondo, B. Mills, J. Bowen, J. Ramundo, J. O'Callahan, N. McGinley, S. Pickett, A. Cron, J. Czarnowski and D. Geoghegan.

DOWNS: The historic Ferracute building on Commerce St. in Bridgeton was demolished after a fire tore through the vacant structure on March 4th, officials said.

UPS: Developers who are looking to build new housing projects in Bound Brook will now have to pay for increased security measures at construction sites after the massive Main Street fire in January that investigators claimed was purposely set. A new ordinance was passed, which will be added to the construction code, that will require developers to have 360-degree motion detectors and video surveillance, along with a physical security guard on site at all times once there are flammable materials at the property.

DOWNS: A fire in a High Bridge sports bar and restaurant, on Main St., extended to a one-family home adjacent to the fire building on March 4th, officials said.

UPS: Firefighters aboard Perth Amboy Marine 5 rescued a man standing on his burning boat in the Arthur Kill, off of the Raritan Yacht Club, March 5th.

DOWNS: Hoarding conditions proved difficult for firefighters battling an apartment complex fire at Woodbridge Village in the Avenel section of the township on March 5th.

UPS: Local officials gathered on March 7th at a ground breaking ceremony for a new firehouse and community center in Monatgue. Mayor Richard Inncella said the present firehouse was constructed by volunteers in 1950.

DOWNS: A fire in a Cherry Hill strip mall destroyed several businesses along Evesham Rd., March 6th.

UPS: The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Fire Safety, will begin distributing residential smoke alarms for free to NJ communities for the 22nd year as part of WABC-TV's Operation 7: Save a Life program. The smoke alarm giveaway, which is underwritten by WABC New York and Kidde, provides alarm units for free to vulnerable populations such as senior citizens on fixed incomes, low-income residents and households with children.

DOWNS: Hoboken firefighters walked across the street from their Clinton Street firehouse to extricate a mother and child from an SUV that rolled over on its side in front of Hoboken High School, March 7th. The mother and child were transported to the Jersey City Medical Center for treatment.

UPS: On March 12th, Passaic firefighters, families and friends assembled at the East Side firehouse for the dedication of a new memorial. Fifty years ago, on that date, Battalion Chief Joseph Griffin and Fireman Sam Latona were killed. It looked like the fire in a Third Street building was under control when, unexpectedly, the structure collapsed on Griffin, Latona and four other firemen. Crews worked to free the members. A few hours later, the battalion chief and the new fireman died of their injuries.

DOWNS: Two firefighters were injured, March 24th, battling a fire that destroyed a Center St. dwelling in Lakewood. The two were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, officials said.

UPS: At the Colonia F.D., in Woodbridge Twp., Raymond Huges Jr. was honored for 50-years of active service. He is an ex-chief and has served as a fire commissioner since 1983. John Melasippo was honored for 40-years of active service. He is an ex-chief and currently a fire instructor at the Middlesex County Fire Academy.

DOWNS: As the result of the loss of federal grant money, Camden firefighters have received layoff notices. This comes in the midst of the COVID-19 health crisis. “It feels like we are expendable,” said one firefighter with three years on the job.

UPS: Selket Damon has been promoted to battalion chief in Plainfield. She is a national guard member and joined the P.F.D. after serving 17-years with the Marine Corps. Damon also served two tours in Iraq.

DOWNS: A fire damaged the Prestige Diner on Springfield Ave. in New Providence, March 26th. Firefighters located and extinguished a deep-seated fire in the crawl space under the kitchen, according to Chief Michael Piana.

UPS: In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the football Giants are helping out first responders. The organization funded a new program to provide child care at no cost to emergency response personnel at the Meadowlands YMCA, for ten weeks. The day care at the YMCA has been operating for children of essential personnel during the crisis, according to a press release. Funding from the Giants will allow the Y to expand the program up to 42 children.

DOWNS: The body of a 61-year-old man was found inside a heavily damaged dwelling on Moore St. in Moorestown, March 27th, police said. Police added that three residents were able to escape the burning building. First arriving units found the home heavily involved in fire.

UPS: New probationary firefighters in Hackensack are Michael Cerbo II and Cara Donohue.

DOWNS: Arson investigators began an investigation in reference to a trio of garbage can fires on the same Clifton block, in March. Smoke entered a Highland Ave. home, authorities said. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and vented smoke from the home with fans.