DOWNS: Joseph Kokulo, 18, was a JROTC cadet and aspiring Airman. A fire broke out in a Trenton row home on North Olden av., in September, and spread rapidly, destroying seven homes, according to WPVI-TV. The fire claimed the life of the Trenton Central H.S. Student. Officials said three residents were injured with one woman in critical condition. First responders also suffered smoke inhalation.      

UPS: In Cherry Hill, Shaun Ferguson has been promoted to fire lieutenant. 

DOWNS: An early-morning fire involved the popular Novino Restaurant on Ramapo Valley Rd., Mahwah, Oct. 2^nd. No one was inside the building at the time of the fire which was fought by fire departments from two states. Assisting local firefighters were units from Ramsey and Wyckoff, along with companies from Suffern and Tallman, N.Y.  

UPS: Englewood has been awarded two FEMA grants in the latest budget cycle. One is for $247,147.30 in Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) to allow firefighters to attend live fire training at the Bergen County Fire Academy over the next two years. A Staffing for Adequate Fire Response (SAFER) grant of $415,637.56 will be used to hire two additional firefighters and boost the department's overall staffing, according to fire department Facebook post.  

DOWNS: On September 28^th, a multiple-alarm fire ripped through three attached wood-frame dwellings on MLK Blvd. in Newark. Twenty-eight adults and four children were displaced, according to News12.  

UPS: On September 25^th, Edison fire units responded to the NJ Turnpike, where it crosses the Raritan River, in reference to a construction worker that fell into the river. The man was brought to shore via a boat. Firefighters set up a rope system to haul the patient up the embankment. EMS personnel from Hackensack Meridan treated and transported the patient to the hospital, according to an IAFF Local 1197 Facebook post.  

DOWNS: Ten people were displaced as the result of a fire that involved a St. George's av. dwelling in Woodbridge, Oct. 4^th. Four residents were treated for smoke inhalation, according to News 12.  

UPS: Avenel ex-Fire Chief Dean Manente was recently recognized for his 40-years of service to the department. He is currently the head of the department's training committee. 

DOWNS: A fire destroyed a commercial building at the Frog Rock Golf & Country Club in Hammonton, Oct. 7^th. A nearby wooden area was also involved in flames. First responders were dispatched to reports of an explosion and fire, according to WCAU-TV.  

UPS: In Westfield, Tom Bottini has been promoted to battalion chief. Ryan Dullea is the new fire captain.  

DOWNS: In Pequannock, Christine Francescone, 55, perished in a dwelling fire on Lyman av., Oct. 4^th. She was remembered in a Facebook post by the township's First Aid & Rescue Squad, where she served as an associate member.  

UPS: New firefighters in Westfield are Corey Menafra, Christian De Esposito, Ben Hasenkopf and Parker Puglisi.  

DOWNS: Nine families were displaced by a multiple-alarm fire in Garfield, Oct. 5^th. The fire was reported to have started in a backyard shed on Palisade av. and spread to the home and two other homes on Prospect av., just after noon. Two vehicles and a boat were also destroyed or damaged by fire. Two mutual aid firefighters were injured. The Red Cross was assisting 29 people from nine families. The fire was brought under control within an hour, with an extended overhaul operation that followed, according to NorthJersey.com.  

UPS: Paterson firefighters rescued two dogs from fire on Hamilton av., Sept. 22^nd. The building appeared to be abandoned but with hoarding conditions, according to Deputy Chief Matthew Hyman.  

DOWNS: On the evening of Oct. 11^th, a fire involved a large pile of metal at EMR Recycling on East Second St., Bayonne. Multiple aerial ladder streams and fire boats were used to quell the flames, according to an OEM Facebook post.  

UPS: In October, the Knights of Columbus Saint Stephen/Saint Cecilia Council # 6928 recognized Kearny Firefighter Shawn Ford as Firefighter of the Year at their annual awards night.

DOWNS: A fire that started in a Hillside auto body shot destroyed several businesses along Maple av., Oct. 14^th.  Explosions were heard in the neighborhood as gas tanks in the body shop erupted in flames, according to WABC-TV.  Fire Chief Rashawn Carey said there were multiple flammable chemicals in the shop. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries, according to officials. At least 31 people were displaced.  

UPS: Keith Rosazza has been promoted to fire chief in Hackensack. Michael Thomasey was promoted to deputy chief.  Jeffrey Giarrusso is the new captain and Jesse D'Amore is the new lieutenant. John Oats was appointed as firefighter.     

DOWNS: Ten firefighters were hospitalized after being overcome by chemical fumes at the scene of a rollover MVA on Route 208 in Fair Lawn, Oct. 16^th. One person was trapped in the two-vehicle collision and was extricated by local first responders, with the assistance from Glen Rock and Hawthorne. EMS took several crash victims to Hackensack UMC.  Ten firefighters were also transported to area hospitals after they were overcome by fumes from unknown chemicals being transported in the overturned minivan, according to the Daily Voice. The firefighters were treated and released, according to Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Deputy Chief of Detectives Jeff Angermeyer.

UPS: Joseph Derienzo has been appointed to the Englewood F.D. He worked for the department for over three-years as a fire inspector before joining the fire suppression ranks. 

DOWNS: A 27^th Street Camden row home was consumed by fire on Oct. 14^th, according to WPVI-TV.

UPS: On September 26^th, firefighters, family and friends gathered at Hackensack Fire Headquarters to congratulate Fire Chief Anthony Riehl on his retirement after 25-years of service. Everyone later assembled in front of the firehouse for the chief's walk-out tribute. “Under Chief Riehl's leadership, the Department advanced training standards, strengthened mutual-aid partnerships and championed modern fire suppression and emergency response practices that enhanced readiness and reinforced trust in the city's emergency services,” read a city statement.