NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ — August 20, 2026 — From a junior police academy event to a second-alarm structure fire in nearby Summit, New Providence volunteer firemen managed a full day of community outreach, emergency operations, and mutual aid on Thursday.

Members started the day by going to the New Providence Junior Police Academy, where firefighters showed trainees around a fire engine and prepared for a helicopter landing.

After a tough week of band camp, firemen helped cool down members of the Pride & Class New Providence High School Marching Band later in the day, which was a very different kind of service, according to the department.

As severe weather moved into the area, firefighters returned to emergency operations. Members remained available during the heavy rain and also provided mutual aid to the Summit Fire Department during a two-alarm fire on Kent Place Boulevard.

The Summit Fire Department reported that the fire was in the attic of a multi-apartment home and was dispatched at about 6:21 p.m. A second alarm was struck, and crews searched all floors before evacuating nine residents, three cats and one dog. The fire was placed under control at approximately 7:16 p.m. No occupants or firefighters were injured.

New Providence personnel operating on Engine 4 were assigned as the firefighter rapid intervention team, according to the department's account.

Mutual aid at the Summit fire also included the Millburn and Springfield fire departments, while Union County Mutual Aid provided station coverage for Summit. The Summit Police Department and Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad also assisted at the incident.