DOWNS: A fire broke out at Siren's Seafood Restaurant on Route 36 in Middletown, Memorial Day morning.  Fire units from Brevent Park, Leonardo and Community Fire Company responded. 

UPS: South Brunswick's three fire districts have formed a joint daytime response crew, Fire Chief Scott Smith announced.  The crew was formed through a shared services agreement.  A crew of four firefighters now man one of the firehouses with in the township Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The three districts involved are Kendall Park, Monmouth Junction and Kingston, according to South Brunswick Patch.

DOWNS: On the morning of May 22nd, a multi-vehicle collision occurred on Route 80 near Exit 65 in Hackensack. This included a tractor trailer, with people trapped in their vehicles.  City Engines 1,2,4, Rescue 1 and Deputy 3 responded to extinguish the resulting fire and extricate victims from the vehicles, according to a department Facebook post.

UPS: Westfield Fire Chief Michael Duelcks recently presented the Unit Citation Award to Captain Thomas Ryan and Firefighters Brian Richards and Richard Allocco.  On Feb. 18th, they responded to a cardiac arrest call.  Performing multiple rounds of CPR, the members were able to restore a steady pulse before the local resident was transported to a hospital.  Captain Ryan was also presented with the Good Samaritan Award for his efforts, while off duty, to assist at a fire in his neighborhood in Somerset County, Feb. 24th, according to Tap into Westfield.  

DOWNS: A fire that involved Tommy's Pallet, off Route 206 in Columbus, Burlington County, burned over night on June 3rd into the morning of June 4th before it was declared contained, according to WPVI-TV.

UPS: A “street honor blade” was installed at the corner of West Circuit Dr. & Eyland av. in Succasunna, in June, to honor former Roxbury Firefighter Charlie Alpaugh.  The firefighter died in 2023 after 65-years of service as a local first responder.  Alpaugh lived on the avenue which now bears the “Charlie Alpaugh Way” honor blade, according to Tap Into Roxbury. 

DOWNS: A 4-alarm fire on West Main Street in Somerville, June 4th, raced through at least four restaurants and apartments above, according to Tap Into Somerville.

UPS: In May, Rutherford Firefighter Neil O'Hara, of Engine Co. 3, was honored by the Mayor and Council for 55-years of service to the community.  O'Hara was Chief of Department in 1989 and he is still an active member of Engine 3. 

DOWNS: Because of “critically low” staffing, Winslow Township will close three of its four remaining fire stations by the end of the year and consolidate the department into one headquarters, Fire Chief Marc Rigberg announced, according to NJ.com.  The Albion, Elm and Tansboro stations will close, leaving Station 25-3 on Cedar Brook Road as the department's solo location.      

UPS: Herman Hofmann is celebrating 65-years with the Maywood Fire Department, according to a Facebook post.

DOWNS: Three Jackson Township police officers and one civilian were treated for smoke inhalation after a fire involved The Ponds housing community, June 1st.  Police officers helped evacuate a woman that was inside of the burning building.  A preliminary investigation suggested that a candle was the cause of the fire, according to authorities.  

UPS: New firefighters in Perth Amboy are: W. Nunez, D. Lopez, R. Bromkrski, R. Jobin, F. Solano, A. Ingles, D. Dominguez, S. Bromirski Jr., V. Breton, J. Curbeco, R. Matusewicz, C. Tageart, A. Rodriguez, A. Tamargo, S. Johnson, C. Estrada, C. Medina,  and J. Rodriguez (currently deployed).

DOWNS: Four homes were affected by a 4-alarm fire on W. 11th St., Bayonne, June 7th.  Twenty three people were left homeless.  The rapid extension of fire forced the firefighters to “pull everyone out and go on the offensive,” city Battalion Chief  Frank Pawlowski said.

UPS: Jersey City firefighters rescued a 75-year-old resident from a burning second-floor unit at the Unico Towers senior building on Manila av., June 10th.  The victim was taken to a local hospital and treated for smoke inhalation and burns, according to the Jersey Journal. 

DOWNS: A Highstown woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries when a grenade detonated inside of her Deerfield-Westerlea Arms apartment, June 10th.  The local fire department and the NJSP bomb squad were called to the scene.  Authorities determined the grenade was an inert device that still had a fuse, according to Across NJ Patch. 

UPS: In May, the Hoboken High School Student Government extended a helping hand to the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps by donating essential supplies. 

DOWNS: Nearly 50 people were displaced due to a 3-alarm fire involving an Avon Dr. apartment building in East Windsor, June 10th.  Twenty units suffered heavy fire and water damage, according to WPVI-TV.    

UPS: In May, Ramsey Rescue Squad Assistant Chief Hunter Torchin was honored by the Knights of Columbus at the 47th Annual Shield Awards.  “He can constantly be found elevating his training either at one of the state's various academies or participating in outside rescue training for confined space, swift water rescue or ice rescue.    

DOWNS: An Elmwood Park firefighter was injured rescuing a trapped guest of a Route 46 motel through a second-floor window during an “intense motel room fire,” June 12th, according to The Daily Voice. Firefighters smashed a window to get the victim out of the burning building.  One firefighter sustained a serious cut to their arm, according to Police Chief Michael Foligno.  The guest was helped out of the window and down a ladder.  Both were taken to St. Joseph's U.M.C.  Two other firefighters were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

UPS: Newly promoted fire captains in Newark are: D. Alexander II, K. Alfano, Z. Barnette, J. Centanni III, H. Malhado, K. Nyamekye, A. Prayear, D. Pereira, E. Pinto, W. Pires, E. Tanis and J. Troise. 

DOWNS: Around 3:30 a.m., June 21st, Hackensack firefighters operated at a serious MVA on Route 80.  A passenger vehicle rear ended a truck with the driver pinned inside of the car.  Firefighters used cribbing, airbags, plus hydraulic tools to remove the roof and door of the auto.  They stabilized and removed the victim, working with EMS personnel.  The driver was transported to H.U.M.C., in serious condition, according to a department Facebook post. 

UPS: New probationary firefighters in Jersey City are: M. Carberry, E. Sanchez, S. Ortiz, D. Tran, A, Camejo, T. O'Connor, H. Bolante Jr., E. Pereira, M. Cuccaro, S. Misa, J. Pagano, L. Alston, M. Roman, R. Mc Cann, Jr.