DOWNS: Fire involved the abandoned Holy Spirit Church on Second av. in Asbury Park, in March. One person found inside the rectory was taken to a local hospital, according to News 12.

UPS: In March, Hasbrouck heights First Assistant Chief Miguel Gonzalez received the 2025 Community Service Award presented by Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco.  

DOWNS: On March 4^th, Wood-Ridge fire units were dispatched to Doyle School for a reported fire. Firefighters found construction materials burning on the second floor of the new school wing. The fire was extinguished and all searches were negative. The occupied section of the school was inspected for smoke and readings of hazardous gases. The area was clear and students were allowed back into their classrooms to retrieve their belongings and dismissed, according to a department Facebook report. 

UPS: The Bradley Gardens Fire Company of Bridgewater Twp. has donated their 1957 Diamond T/Great Eastern pumper to the New Jersey Fire Museum.               

DOWNS: A fast-moving fire involved several dwellings on North 11^th Street in Prospect Park, March 5^th. There were no injuries reported and a cat was rescued from one of the burning buildings, according to Mayor Mohamed Khairullah.  

UPS: A new e-bike safety ordinance was reported to go into effect in March in the city of Hoboken. Under the ordinance, the use, sale and repair of second-hand batteries are banned. E-bike and e-scooter riders will also be prohibited from charging or storing their devices in the common areas of residential properties with three or more units. Anyone found to be violating the ordinance will be issued a warning. If the problem continues, violators can be hit with fines of up to $2,000 per violation, per day, according to NJ.com.  

DOWNS: Two Paterson EMT/firefighters were assaulted on 16^th Avenue by a would-be patient, who then ran away on March 2^nd. After an investigation by detectives, a 25-year-old city man was arrested and charged with assaulting the two firefighters, according to NJ.com. The firefighters were treated at a local hospital for minor injuries.  

UPS: Newly promoted fire captains in Ewing are Thomas Johnson, Michele Anderson and Jason Carty.   

DOWNS: A school bus veered off the northbound side of the Garden State Parkway in Montvale, March 10^th, and overturned. The accident drew a large response of emergency crews from the area. A 14-year-old boy was pinned beneath the overturned bus, and was “fighting for his life,” at this writing, according to Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali.  First responders stabilized and lifted the bus to rescue the trapped teen. The driver sustained moderate injuries. Thirteen other students sustained minor injuries, according to NorthJersey.com.  

UPS: In February, the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps celebrated their 54^th anniversary serving the city, “365/24/7.”  The celebration included putting a new ambulance into service in the fleet of five.    

DOWNS: South Plainfield firefighters responded to a report of smoke coming from the roof of a restaurant on New World Way, March 16^th. Firefighters found an extinguished mulch fire; however, occupants inside stated the kitchen was filling up with smoke. The fire extended into the building via the pipe chase and a working fire signal was transmitted. Crews opened up the interior and exterior walls. The fire was extinguished before it reached the cockloft space, according to a department Facebook post.  

UPS: The Upper Greenwood Lake Volunteer Fire Company is celebrating their 90^th anniversary.  

DOWNS: A fire destroyed a newly constructed multi-million-dollar home in Paramus, Feb. 17^th. According to the Daily Voice, the fire started in a car parked in the driveway and quickly spread to the house, around 2 a.m. Fire spread to the garage and up the side of the home and extended to the second-floor and roof. One firefighter slipped on marble flooring inside the home and injured his wrist. He was transported to The Valley Hospital.  

UPS: New firefighters in Summit are Jacob Baskin, Nicholas Ciraco, Joshua Evers and Braeden Almgren.  

DOWNS: Fire involved a large apartment complex on Birchwood Ct. in North Brunswick, March 24^th. Heavy smoke covered the area as residents left the complex and ran out into the pouring rain.  

UPS: On April 1^st, Clifton Deputy Fire Chief Mike Rowan was named the city's acting chief of department.  

DOWNS: While a tractor-trailer was making a delivery of frozen chickens on Industrial av., in Fairview on March 26^th, its brakes gave out and the rig rolled backward down the hill. It veered off to the side of the road and slammed into a parked vehicle, according to Deputy Police Chief John Pieortti. The impact caused both the truck and parked vehicle to catch fire.  There was also “minor extension” of fire to the commercial building. Local firefighters were assisted by units from Cliffside Park, Ridgefield, Edgewater Palisade Park, Leonia and Fort Lee.     

UPS: Newly promoted fire lieutenants in Teaneck are Michael Naylis, Steven Naylis, Ashley Hahn and Corey Goodall. 

DOWNS: A small plane crashed in a wooded area of Franklin Twp. (Somerset County), on March 20^th, killing the 61-year-old pilot. The plane departed Princeton Airport and was headed for Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina, according to the Daily Voice.

UPS: In April, Peter Greco was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief in Hackensack. Mike Martinelli was promoted to captain and Shaun Tucker to lieutenant.  

DOWNS: A 3-alarm fire raced through eight units of an apartment complex on Vista Dr. in Edison, March 30^th. Winds helped fan the fire. Over 70 people were displaced and were assisted by the Red Cross, according to News 12.   

UPS: The Westfield Fire department is celebrating its 150^th anniversary with a parade on June 21^st, starting at 11 a.m. The celebration continues at the local armory at 1 p.m.  Check WFD150th@westfieldnj.gov . 

DOWNS: The resident of a Julian Terrace dwelling, in Union, was killed as the result of a fire in the home on April 2^nd.  Township Fire Chief Gregory Ricciardi said the homeowner was found dead in the kitchen, which is where the fire appeared to have started.

UPS: Selket Damon and John Reed have been promoted to the rank of deputy fire chief in Plainfield.  

DOWNS: A 77-year-old woman and a 88-year-old man died as the result of an early-morning fire in their 10^th floor apartment at the Cullum Towers senor apartments on Grand av., North Bergen, April 3^rd. Fire was showing out two windows when first responders arrived. Seventeen residents were displaced and two police officers treated for smoke inhalation due to the 3-alarm fire, according to News 12.  

UPS: Newly promoted fire lieutenants in Plainfield are Jonathan Callands, Randell Pearson, Collin Gadiare amd Kareem Schenk.  

DOWNS: A resident of a South 11^th Street dwelling, in Newark, died as the result of a fire on April 3rd.     

UPS: New firefighters in Carteret are Caleb De Los Santos, Lester Castillo, Ahm Abdelnabi and Jason Chapman.                

DOWNS: Linden and area firefighters battled a fire that consumed a Blanche St. dwelling April 1^st.  Initial reports indicated that residents may be trapped in the home. Firefighters began a search, but all residents safely evacuated, according to the Daily Voice. During the search, two firefighters fell through the floor. They were treated for minor injuries at the scene.  

UPS: In Belleville, Rich Hromoko has been promoted to fire captain. The new lieutenant is Dave Leinho.  

DOWNS: A two-car collision occurred in the driveway of a high-rise apartment building on Prospect av., Hackensack, March 28^th. One car was left up against the building and erupted into flames, according to the Daily Voice. City firefighters knocked down the flames, preventing fire from entering the building. A large amount of smoke filled the garage and the floors above, forcing extensive searches and ventilation, according to Deputy Chief Justin Dereuyanik.      

UPS: Kearny Firefighter Shawn Ford has been selected by the Meritorious Acts Review Board (MARB) as the 2024 Firefighter of the Year for 2024, according to a department Facebook post. 

DOWNS: Officials reported a fatal fire that involved a three-story building on Black Horse Tpke. in Gloucester Twp., April 9^th.   

UPS: Hackesnack Fire Headquarters was filled with firefighters, family and friends, March 27^th, to wish well-respected Deputy Chief John Taylor best wishes upon his retirement after 32-years of service.