December, 2021, UPS, page 2
DOWNS: The Raritan Township Fire Company's building was damaged by flooding waters as the result of the remnants of Hurricane Ida, rendering it uninhabitable for several months. The company is raising funds to restore its equipment. “We are hoping to (have a) modified return this year, hopefully November, but there is still some work to determine that,” said Chief Keith Paradiso.
UPS: Anthony Schmidtberg has been promoted to battalion chief in Union.
DOWNS: Two Summit firefighters were injured in September as they were exiting their apparatus that was positioned on the side of the road, according to “Tap into Summit.” The rig was struck broadside by a civilian vehicle.
UPS: The Cape May City Council approved a $5.13 million contract for the construction of a new firehouse on Franklin St. Mayor Zack Mullock hopes to begin demolition of the current firehouse in October, with a schedule to have a new building completed by next winter.
DOWNS: Heavy fire involved a Bay Way dwelling in Brick Township on Sept. 28th. Strong winds spread the fire, officials said. The home at 31 Bay Way was destroyed and the wind driven fire caused extensive damage 29 Bay Way.
UPS: Recently promoted to fire captain in Union are Brian Rocklein, Richard Becker, Gerald Di Pisa and provisional Captain Ken Dehart.
DOWNS: Fire units from Passaic, Bergen and Sussex counties operated at a fire involving the B&B Organic Waste Recycling business on Marshall Rd., West Milford, Sept. 26th. The business sells wholesale mulch and topsoil from recycled organic material.
UPS: Recent promotions within the Summit Fire Department are: Paul Imbimbo to deputy chief, Kenneth Jenks to battalion chief and Michael Mammone to lieutenant. William Zagorski is the new probationary firefighter.
DOWNS: Person or persons unknown torched a portable toilet at Griffin Street Park on the morning of September 26th. Monmouth Beach police said vandals threw an office chair into the toilet and lit it up. The fire caused damage to a nearby dugout.
UPS: Two pet cats were rescued by firefighters during a fire involving a Winding Trail home in Mahwah, Sept. 30th. Reportedly, flames ignited by a timer for the front door lights went up the front wall and into the house. First arriving police officers got two residents out of the building.
DOWNS: The driver of a gasoline tanker was killed in a fiery crash on I. 287 in Mahwah, Oct. 2nd. The truck overturned in the southbound lanes, a spokesperson for the state police said.
UPS: Rachel Yates has been appointed as a probationary firefighter in Barrington.
DOWNS: Police say a man sealed the windows and doors of his parent's Dickerson Rd. home in Deptford, Oct. 2nd; and, he then filled the sinks and tubs with bleach and ammonia in an attempt to harm himself and his family. Investigators say the man's father found him and called for help. Arriving police and medics became short of breath and had to exit the house. The victim was in critical condition at a local hospital. His parents, sister, her boyfriend and the first responders all had to be treated at the hospital, officials said.
UPS: The traditional Wallington Fire Department Holiday Parade is back on for November 7th, starting at 6 p.m.
DOWNS: A Spirit Airline flight taking off at Atlantic City International Airport had to be evacuated due to a fire caused by a bird strike on Oct. 2nd. Spirit A320 was departing when the incident occurred. The airline said a bird flew into the plane's engine which caught fire. A total of 102 passengers and seven crew members were on board at the time.
UPS: After four months of extensive cleaning, the Somerville Exempt Firemen's Museum reopened to the public in October. The building suffered heavy smoke damage from a fire in a next door building, June 5th. Volunteers worked hundreds of hours to clean the North Doughty Avenue structure of grime and soot. The restored firehouse was built in 1888.
DOWNS: On October 7th, Bayonne fire companies assisted the IMTT Fire Department at the scene of a storage tank fire at the industrial facility. In a statement from city Fire Chief Keith Weaver, city units arrived and found a storage tank on fire that was damaged due to an explosion of an alcohol product. The B.F.D. struck 2-alarms and worked with the IMTT firefighters to contain the fire to one storage tank and extinguished the fire by applying foam to the flames within the tank. The tank was partially filled. Firefighters also applied water to adjacent tanks to prevent fire extension. Investigators determined the cause of the fire was accidental in nature.
UPS: Recently, the Bloomfield Fire Department had 35 members trained and certified as incident safety officers. The 16-hour course was developed by the National Fire Academy.
DOWNS: An apartment building fire at the Colonial Gardens Apartments in the Avenel section of Woodbridge, Oct. 3rd, displaced 32 people, destroying six units and six others suffered heavy water damage.
UPS: Off of probation, Perth Amboy officials swore in new firefighters, in October. They are: Firefighters Novo, Ruiz, Aponte, Aviles, Snyder and Wicks.
DOWNS: A 3-alarm fire raced through a wellness center on Main St., Hackensack, Oct. 9th. A portion of the ceiling collapsed as fire spread through the second-floor and attic, officials said.
UPS: Philip Bussey has been promoted to deputy fire chief in West Orange. Omar Guzman was promoted to fire captain.
DOWNS: Fire struck the Dunnellen Defender Fire Co. 1 firehouse, on South Madison Ave., Oct. 12th. There were no injuries, but there was serious damage to the department's platform apparatus, plus other damage to rigs and the structure. The fire company thanked area fire departments that responded to the fire, and added that they would be “ensuring mutual aid coverage from the neighboring departments until there apparatus could be restored to full service.”
UPS: In October, Paterson Firefighter Frank Lozada received the Hispanic Heritage Award for saving the life of a young boy.
DOWNS: A 3-alarm fire burned through the floors of a South Broad St. commercial building in Trenton, Oct. 14th, leading to the collapse of part of the structure, officials said.
UPS: Trenton firefighters rescued two people trapped inside of a burning row house on Carroll St., Oct. 17th. Neither was injured, officials said.
DOWNS: A 2-alarm fire damaged the Zoodo African and American Restaurant on William St., Newark, on Oct. 17th, officials said.
UPS: Firefighters rescued several pets during a roaring fire that involved a Westervelt Pl. home in Lodi, Oct. 18th. There were no injuries reported.
DOWNS: Firefighters in Lakewood found a 40-year-old man suffering first-degree burns to his face due to a flash oven fire at a Wood Lake Manor Dr. dwelling, Oct. 17th. The victim was airlifted to St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston as a precaution, officials said.
UPS: After learning that Garfield Deputy 3's car was totaled as a result of recent floods, the Silverton VFC turned over a spare chief's vehicle to Garfield until a replacement is secured, according to Company 3's Facebook page. The two fire companies have had a relationship dating back before Sandy with Garfield members that responded down to assist Silverton with their emergency calls.
DOWNS: Two people were injured when they jumped from a window of a burning Chadwick Ave. dwelling in Newark, Oct. 21st. The jumpers were taken to University Hospital, according to Public Safety Director Brian O'Hara. Ten residents were displaced.
UPS: On October 25th, the Guttenberg Mayor and Council recognized Richard Reilly with a Proclamation for his 50-years serving the town as a volunteer firefighter, with Eclipse Hose Co. 4, and his 35-years as a devoted employee of the local school district. Reilly served in all line positions with the company.
DOWNS: Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company and Honorary Fire Chief Nicholas A. Prioli died after returning from a MVA incident, October 23rd. He experienced a “medical emergency,” Jackson Fire District 3 said on Facebook. He was a 26-year member and most recently served as the department's safety officer and treasurer.
UPS: The Bayville Fire Company has been celebrating 75-years of service all year long with special events.
DOWNS: A 4-alarm fire destroyed an auto sales and repair business on South Crescent Blvd. in Pennsauken, Oct. 26th. Flames consumed the building and small explosions also occurred, according to reports.
UPS: Members of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Local 253 have volunteered their services to help renovate Paramus Fire Company 1's firehouse. In October, they installed new drywall in the second-floor meeting room and staircase. Volunteer members of the International Union of Painters & Tapers District Council 711 Local 1976 later joined in taping and finishing the drywall. Local 253 has a long history of volunteering to help area front line workers. Providing the equipment was Sloan & Co., with materials from L & W Supply, according to the Paramus Daily Voice.
DOWNS: A pet dog died as the result of a 3-alarm fire at a Wilcox Court home in Old Bridge, Oct. 21st. No one was home at the time of the fire, officials said.
UPS: The Ramsey Fire Department congratulates their own Lt. Danielle “Dani” Dougherty on his appointment to the Myrtle Beach, S.C., Fire Department as a career probationary firefighter.
DOWNS: Four people were displaced after a fire ripped through a dwelling on St. Andrews Ct. in Mount Laurel, Oct. 23rd, officials said. Two cats were rescued and treated at an animal hospital.
UPS: Daniel Fresse has been promoted to deputy fire chief in North Hudson.
DOWNS: A fire broke out between the roof and second-floor at the Ross Berrie Home for Jewish Living in Rockleigh, Oct. 22nd. The building was evacuated and there were no serious injuries reported, officials said.
UPS: New battalion chiefs in North Hudson are Jose Ramos, Jr., and Brian Miller.
DOWNS: Arriving first responders reportedly found a man on the ground that had jumped out of a window due to a dwelling fire on Queen St. in Woodbury, Oct. 18th.
UPS: New fire captains in North Hudson are Brian Testino, Kamil Mizinski and John Woltman, Jr.
DOWNS: A 3-alarm fire tore through the Reydel Volkswagen Service Center on East Elizabeth Ave. in Linden, Oct. 29th. Several master streams were used on the heavy volume of fire.
UPS: On Halloween, Garfield Company 3 took part in the Garfield Middle School Trunk or Treat event at Century Field. Squad 3's truck was decorated and 2,500 pieces of candy were secured for handout.
DOWNS: A Newark fire captain suffered burns to his face and was taken to St. Barnabas M.C. for treatment as the result of a multiple-alarm fire on North 9th St., Oct. 28th., officials said.
UPS: At the monthly meeting of Lodi Hose Co. 1, ex-Chief Richard (Archie) Dowson was recognized for his 50-years of proud and dedicated services to the Borough of Lodi.
DOWNS: One person was killed in a fire on Long Pine Trail in Hampton Twp., Nov. 1st, according to the NJSP.
UPS: Newly promoted fire captains at Picatinny Arsenal Fire & Emergency Services are Kevin Kasko and Charles Dickerson.
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