UPS: Bayonne Energy, in conjunction with Guardian Foundation, recently donated a drone for use by Bayonne public safety personnel. It has thermal image ability, a powerful zoom camera and allows “live-stream” of drone footage to police, fire and EMS personnel directly to their smartphones, according to Tap into Bayonne.        

DOWNS: One person was discovered dead due to a fire involving an abandoned Mercer St. dwelling in Paterson, Feb. 29th, officials said. Firefighters encountered a heavy fire condition when they arrived. 

UPS: In March, Mark Keller was promoted to fire lieutenant in Hackensack. 

DOWNS: Two people died as the result of a multiple-alarm fire at a two-story garden apartment complex on Spruce St. in Passaic, March 3rd. The Red Cross assisted ten other displaced occupants, according to NJ.com.

UPS: The state recently announced the award of $20 million in America Rescue Plan Firefighter Grants to fire departments across New Jersey to ensure firefighters have proper protective, cleaning and sanitation equipment. The Department of Community Affairs awarded grants to 353 departments after a competitive application process.

DOWNS: Fire engulfed a large warehouse on Sykes Lane in Monroe Twp. (Gloucester County) that area firefighters battled for several hours to contain, March 7th, according to WCAU-TV.

UPS: The City of Long Branch opened its new Fire & History Museum at the former Olive Byron firehouse. The Oliver Byron Hose Co. 2was organized in 1890. It was named after famous Broadway stage actor and city resident, Oliver D. Byron, who made a large donation to the newly formed fire company, according to The Link news.   

DOWNS: Three adults and two children were displaced due to a fire at their W. 42nd St. home in Bayonne, March 13th. It took nearly six hours to extinguish. According to Chief Keith Weaver, the fire was difficult to put out as firefighters dealt with obstacles, including stored ammunition in the attic and solar panels on the roof. He added that firefighters had to evacuate the attic and go into defensive operations in order to keep everyone safe.        

UPS: In Toms River, firefighters rescued two pet cats as a fire involved the second-floor of a Bergen av. home, in March. Units from East Dover Fire Co. 4, Toms River Co. 2 and the Island Heights Fire Department were called to the scene, according to Shore News Network.

DOWNS: One resident and one firefighter were injured in a dwelling fire on West Scott av. in Rahway, March 11th. The fire started in the basement and extended to the upper floors of the home through void spaces, officials said.

UPS: The Hasbrouck Heights F.D. announced that the department will receive a $52,000 in NJ DCA American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant Program funds. The money will be used to support the purchase of bailout systems for its members. 

DOWNS: Two firefighters were taken to JFK Medical Center with minor injuries as the result of a fire in a South Second St. home in Plainfield, Feb. 24th, according to Tap into Plainfield.         

UPS: Florham Park Firefighter Dave Tappen is celebrating 55-years of service with his volunteer fire department and service to the community. Tappen was the Chief of Department from 1993 to 1998.

DOWNS: One man was found dead in an Asbury Avenue dwelling in Ocean City, March 13th, that was on fire. According to the Ocean City Patch, smoke was showing from the second-floor of the home. The fire was extinguished quickly. First responders found the man on the second-floor landing of an outside staircase, officials said. They did not say how he died. 

UPS: In March, the East Rutherford Fire Department, along with Mayor Lahullier and the Borough Council, recognized volunteer Firefighter John Giancaspro, Sr., for his 41-years of service to the community, upon his retirement.  

DOWNS: Residents of a President St. building, in Passaic, felt the structure starting to shake, and everyone got out. The building partially collapsed, March 14th. Dozens of people were inside. People in the first-floor restaurant also heard a loud noise and shaking, and they got out, according to WCBS-TV. Construction officials were investigating the partial collapse. Mayor Lora said the building is old and experienced a fire years ago. In addition, recent heavy rains and strong winds could have been a factor. 

UPS: Brian Harnois has been promoted to battalion chief in Summit. Brian Tavis is the fire department's new lieutenant. 

DOWNS: Several residents of a Cedar Pl. dwelling, in Hawthorne, were displaced due to a fire on March 18th. Two occupants were treated for smoke. Crews were evacuated from the building briefly after multiple collapses occurred in the back of the structure, according to News 12.

UPS: John Dufour has been appointed to the Jackson Fire Department.

DOWNS: Three people were injured due to a fire in a Pine St. dwelling in Willingboro, March 20th. One person had to jump from a second-story window and suffered a leg injury, according to WPVI-TV. 

UPS: Tyler Kidd has been appointed to the Summit Fire Department.

DOWNS: A fire raced through a duplex dwelling on West 3rd St. in Florence Twp., March 24th. Flames spread to a home next door, according to FOX 29. One person was taken to a local hospital for smoke inhalation. 

UPS: Members of the Franklin Volunteer Fire Company and Franklin Twp. police responded to a call of a dog stuck in a tire rim, in March. Fire officials said they initially tried using soap and water to free Daisy, but it did not work. Lt. Brandon Volpe, along with help from fellow first responders, used a plasma cutter to free the dog from the tire, according to News 12. The dog was not injured.  

DOWNS: A Lithium-Ion battery from an electric bicycle caused a fire at a Schindler Terrace apartment building in Bridgewater on March 26th, according to the Bridgewater Patch. Two people were taken to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital for evaluation. 

UPS: The Cranford Fire Department has been awarded $40,000 from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Firefighter Grant that will help fund six sets of turnout gear. Public Safety Commissioner Paul Gallo praised Fire Chief Dan Czeh and Battalion Chief Matt Lubin on putting the grant together.    

DOWNS: A fire raced through an Oradell Avenue home, in Oradell, displacing a family on March 28th. Local firefighters were assisted by units from River Edge, Westwood and Emerson. Fire Chief Terry Moran said firefighters were able to save two pet cats.   

UPS: William Donnelly was promoted to Fire Warden of the NJ Forest Fire service during a ceremony held at Coyle Field, in Woodlawn Twp., March 21st. He became the 15th chief of the state forest service which was established on July 4, 1906, according to Pine Barrens Tribune.        

DOWNS: On March 23rd, South Bound Brook Deputy Fire Chief Craig Konkle, 54, answered a call for an overturned motor vehicle. Later in the day, Chief Konkle suffered a sudden acute medical emergency and, despite life-saving measures, he died in the Line-of-Duty. The chief was a member of the SBBFD since 2013. He was a Somerset County 200 Club Valor Award recipient for a lifesaving rescue performed in 2017. 

UPS: In March, the Fairview Fire Department recognized members for the years of service. This included: John Pinzone for 50-years, Patrick Cordasco for 46-years, Patrick Buglione for 46-years, and Dennis Licameli for 46-years.