In April, the International Association of Arson Investigators held their annual conference in Atlantic City.  

At this conference, the New Jersey Chapter introduced a new award that covered both accidental and incendiary photography. This award has been named in honor of the late Richie Wolfson, who was a senior fire investigator, and he was also a mentor to many fire scene photographers and fire investigators.  

Wolfson organized the New Jersey Metro Fire Photographers Association (NJMFPA). This group was formed after Wolfson held a meeting with local fire photographers at Garfield Engine Co. 1's firehouse, where he was a member.  

At the IAAI New Jersey Chapter meeting, the Richard S. Wolfson Photography Award was presented to Hasbrouck Heights Fire Official and volunteer Fire Chief Robert Knobloch. Robbie, as he is known by, possesses many credentials.  Besides the titles mentioned, he is also the part-time fire officials for Teterboro and a fire investigator for Atlantic Professional Services. His full-time position is a senior public safety communicator for the NJ State Police. 

Coincidentally, Knobloch is also a Life Member of the NJMFPA, and his late father, Artie Knobloch, was a former president of the organization as well as a former Hasbrouck Heights fire chief. 

A long-time friend of Wolfson's, retired Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Arson Squad Investigator, John Lightbody, had the honor of presenting the award to Chief Knobloch. Lightbody now operates his own fire investigation business, Find the Cause Fire Investigations.  

Wolfson loved his job and he was always available to offer advice. Richie served as an expert witness in court and authored a chapter in Fire Engineering's Handbook. He retired from Atlantic Professional Services as a senior fire investigator after a career of over 30-years. He was a volunteer firefighter for 40-years.   

One of Wolfson's proudest accomplishments was organizing the NJMFPA to demonstrate the value of fire scene photographers to the general fire service. This year, the group is celebrating its 40^th anniversary.  

The NJMFPA's annual Photo Night and award ceremonies were attended by many firefighters and buffs from various parts of the country, and England! Fire apparatus sales personnel, representatives of various fire service publications, such as Fire Engineering, Firehouse and 1^st Responder News were also in attendance.  

Chief Knobloch grew up around the NJMFPA photographers. As a youth, members of the organization would assemble at his home where his father would host club executive board meetings.

When Robbie was very young, he was upset to see his father, and other club members, leave the house to attend a fire or an apparatus photo shoot. His father would say, “Someday, you'll be my driver!”  

Virginia Fire Captain, and fire investigator, Josh Tomon is a close friend of the Jersey Boys. He said of his friend, Richie Wolfson, “He was always there to offer mentoring and guidance.”