May, 2026, UPS, page 2

May 01, 2026 | NEW JERSEY Ron Jeffers, New Jersey Editor

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DOWNS:               An overnight fire displaced 24 residents from two Getty av. buildings in Paterson, March 2^nd.  One firefighter was taken to a local hospital with a concussion from falling debris, according to news reports.    

UPS:                     The Carteret Fire Department has acquired new equipment purchased with a $114,000 grant from the Carteret Business Partnership.  Twenty-five year old gasoline-powered rescue tools are being replaced.   

DOWNS:             Firefighters responded to a fire on Berkshire av. in Paterson, March 2^nd, and found fire burning in the basement of a 1.5-story wood-frame home.  Preliminary reports to firefighters indicated that the fire many have been set by an EDP barricaded inside the dwelling.  The 25-year-old man gave himself up peacefully to police after several hours of negotiations.  The 25-year-old also reportedly stabbed both of his parents in the home, according to the Daily Voice. The father was stabbed in the chest and the mother was stabbed in the hand.  Due to a fire in progress on Getty av., there were mutual aid fire companies that responded to this incident.   

UPS:                    Scott Clarke has been promoted to battalion chief in Elizabeth.  Francis Fischler, Jr. is the department's new fire captain.  

DOWNS:             On person died as the result of a fire in a commercial building on Colt St. in Irvington, March 2^nd.  The Newark and Nutley FD Haz Mat units were called in to the scene for a release of some 1,000-gallons of motor oil, according to news reports.  

UPS:                     Chris Gilmore has been promoted to fire lieutenant in Englewood. 

DOWNS:              A huge explosion leveled a commercial building on Heron Dr., in the Swedesboro section of Logan Twp., March 4^th. Five people were taken to the hospital, with four listed in critical condition. The business processed coca butter for the chocolate industry, according to the Daily Dispatch.  The building contained propane tanks.  

UPS:                      On the morning of March 6^th, Englewood firefighters rescued three occupants of a burning two-story apartment building on Coriander Way.  Firefighters used portable ladders to make the rescues, as flames blocked the residents way out, according to Independent Online News.  All three were taken to Englewood M.C. for evaluation.  

DOWNS:               A large fire consumed a dwelling on Lagund Dr. in Egg Harbor Twp., March 2^nd.   No one was home at the time, but police officers were able to rescue a family dog, according to WPVI-TV. One firefighter was treated for a minor injury at the scene. 

UPS:                     In February, the NJ Forest Fire Service deployed a specialized task force to the Texas Panhandle to assist with wild fire efforts as the state faced widespread fire activity.  The ten-person crew brought one Type 4 engine, 3 Type 6 engines and a pick up truck, according to the Daily Dispatch.  

DOWNS               A 3-alarm fire involving two Madison av. dwellings in Paterson displaced a total of 22 people, March 4^th, according to NorthJersey.com.  A fire captain was taken to St. Joseph's UMC with second-degree burns.  Three residents suffered from smoke inhalation. 

UPS:                     In March, Jersey City Deputy Fire Chief Loren Hart was named acting Deputy Public Safety Director, serving as the number two under Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose.  

DOWNS:              On the morning of March 7^th, Newark Engine 10 was involved in a MVA at S. 17^th St. & Avon av., while responding to a multiple alarm fire.  The driver of the auto and one firefighter were transported to University Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and the rig was out-of-service, according to reports. The fire, on Dover St., displaced 18 residents.

UPS:                     Newly promoted battalion chiefs in Paterson are Saul Cintron and Kenneth Jeltema.

DOWNS:              In March, Montclair Truck Co. 2 was officially “browned out.”  The minimum manpower dropped to 14 members per shift, according to a local firefighters foundation Facebook post.  

UPS:                      On March 22^nd, the Township of Wyckoff officials, family and friends, celebrated Firefighter Joe Landi's 100^th birthday,  He joined the department in 1947.  He worked as deputy fire marshal for the Wyckoff Fire Prevention Bureau for 20-years.  He now resides at the NJ Firemen's Home in Boonton.  The celebration was held at Protection Fire Co. 1.  The highlight of the celebration was taking FF Landi for a ride in Tower 241 for a NJ State Police helicopter flyover.  

DOWNS:                Fire raced through a row of townhouses on Old York Rd, in Branchburg, March 18^th.  Twenty-four units were impacted.  At least 65 residents were displaced, but there were no serious injuries, according to WABC-TV.  

UPS:                       Newly promoted fire captains in Paterson are Israel Montes Jr., Frank Morrell, Luis Sanchez III and James Benfatti.  

DOWNS:                On March 21^st  firefighters in Egg Harbor Twp. battled a fire involving numerous solar panels on the roof of the ShopRite on English Creek av.  Cardiff and Bargaintown V.F.C. units operated for two hours at the scene, according to Shore Local News Magazine.  

UPS:                       In March, ex Fire Chief Al Evangelista was recognized for his 50-years of service with the Pompton Lakes Fire Department.  

DOWNS;                 One person was killed in a dwelling fire on Green Grove av. in Keyport, March 24^th.  A dog was rescued and revived according to reports.