Little Falls crews were dispatched for a garage fire thought to be caused by an electric scooter battery.
See story on page 7
Fire Destroys 4 Homes in Mays Landing
Volunteer fire companies responded to the Tavistock development for the report of a structure fire.
See story on page 8
FF’s Rescue Dog from Paterson Fire
Paterson crews operated at a second-alarm fire in a vacant 2-1/2 frame house on Hamilton Avenue.
See story on page 10
Pleasantville
Juvenile Requires Medevac
Due to the severity of the injury, a juvenile victim required a medevac.
See story on page 20
Wildwood 2025 Photo Recap
50th Annual New Jersey State Fireman’s Convention was held September 12-13, 2025.
See story on pages 24-25
Car Burst into Flames After Hitting Pole
A car crashed into a utility pole and the pole became energized from damaged power lines.
See story on page 28
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A three-alarm fire on Elm Street in Paterson involved 12 and 16 Elm Street. Heavy fire in the rear of the structure, spread to the two other structures. One person was transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation. The Red Cross was notified and 39 occupants were displaced and required temporary housing.
- Fire News photos by Ron Bombaro
Home
Destroyed by Fire in Hopewell
3-Alarm Fire Displaces 39 Residents, 1 Person to Hospital
Firefighters from three counties worked together to battle a fierce blaze that gutted a home in Hopewell Township, Mercer County, during the early hours of Labor Day, September 1, 2025. Hopewell Valley’s three fire companies –Pennington, Hopewell and Union-Titusville – were dispatched. The attached garage and rear of the home were already heavily involved in flames when firstdue units arrived. A full first alarm was transmitted, bringing mutual aid to the scene from Ewing, Hamilton, Lawrence and West Windsor townships. With the nearest hydrant well over 1,000 feet away, with limited volume and pressure available, the second-alarm tanker assignment brought in mutual aid from Somerset and Hunterdon counties. One resident was transported to hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.
- Fire News photos by Michael Ratcliffe
3-Car MVA Sends 3 to Local Hospitals
The volunteer fire companies of Cologne, Laureldale and Mays Landing from the Township of Hamilton Fire Department responded on September 4, 2024, at 1156 hours, to the intersection of Wrangleboro and Tilton roads for the report of an MVA with fire and persons still in the vehicles. An additional request for the Atlantic City Airport Fire Department (Stations 24-1 and 24-2) to respond was made, and arrived to two vehicles involved in the crash; a car and a pickup truck, both heavily damaged, both with multiple traumas, and a car with an engine fire. Atlantic City
Airport Squad 24’s crew pulled two lines and knocked down the engine fire while its ambulance crew began triage. Two additional rescue engines were dispatched from Egg Harbor Township; Farmington and Cardiff and were directed to respond to the airport fire station to land three Medevacs and cover the airport. Only one medevac was landed for one patient who was flown to the Atlantic City Medical Center, City campus. Traffic was diverted for several hours while police investigated the incident. Three persons suffered serious injuries.
- Fire News photo by Ken Badger
Mobile Home Destroyed in Millmay
The volunteer fire companies of Millmay, Dorothy, and Estell Manor in Atlantic County responded to Tuckahoe Road on September 8, 2025, for the report of a trailer fire. Companies responding could see smoke while en route. Dorothy Chief Jess Hand established command upon his arrival and was faced with a working fire in a double-wide trailer. Chief Hand began requesting water tenders from the surrounding area. Estell Manor’s engine
pulled in and had its crew pull several lines and began attacking the fire. An LDH was laid out to Tuckahoe Road where mutual aid water tenders fed the fire. A fill site to fill apparatus was set up at the Dorothy fire station. The fire lasted several hours before it was under control and is under investigation by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety Investigators.
- Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe
Electric Scooter Starts Garage Fire
Little Falls Fire Department crews were dispatched to Williams Street for a garage fire recently. As crews worked the fire it was determined it was caused by an electric scooter battery.
- Fire News photos by Ronald Bombaro
Memorial in Honor of Lives Lost on 9/11
On September 11, 2025, at 1800 hours, the River Edge Volunteer Fire Department, the River Edge Police Department, The River Edge Volunteer Ambulance, and the River Edge Police Auxiliaries along with other community and civic groups and residents came to honor those who lost their lives in the September 11 attacks, and especially the residents of River Edge. Various guest speakers spoke at the event and department members placed memorial wreaths at the Memorial Garden located by the library.
- Fire News photo by Chris Denton
Massive Fire Destroys 4 Homes in Mays Landing
The volunteer fire companies of Mays Landing, Laureldale and Cologne from the Township of Hamilton responded to Gasko Road in the Tavistock development at 1311 hours on September 1, 2025, for the report of a structure fire. Mays Landing Chief Lou DiMartine responded and police reported two houses on fire. Chief requested mutual aid from Cardiff and Bargaintown. Mays Landing Assistant Chief, Ken Badger, Jr., took a line to the rear of one of the structures and began hitting the fire. Cologne’s tower, came in the opposite end of Gasko Road and grabbed a hydrant hitting the opposite end of the row of houses and cutting off the western end of the fire. Command then had cover-ups put into place for all of the empty stations, and once all of the major bodies of fire were knocked down, crews spent several hours doing mop-up and checking for extension. The cause of the fire was under investigation, with a total of two houses destroyed and two houses heavily damaged.
Greetings New Jersey Fire Service Partners
Have you heard, New Jersey Weekend is being offered on 10/25-10/26/2025 at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. We are proud of the partnership we enjoy with Kean University and the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety and have an amazing offering of classes scheduled.
W0142 – Residential Sprinkler Plan Re-view
W0296 – Command and Control for Company-Level Operations
W0609 – Introduction to Unified Command for AllHazard Incidents
W0761 – New Fire Chief
W0952 – Building Resilience in Leadership: Strategies for Growth and Confidence
W0256 – Safety for Hazardous Materials Incidents
W0756 – Fire Investigation: Fire as a Weapon
For additional information or to register https://keanfire safety.com/wpcontent/uploads/2025/07/2025_NJWeekendBrochure.pdf
Look forward to packing the house for NJ Weekend!
- Submitted by Eriks Gabliks, Superintendent | National Fire Academy | U.S. Fire Administration
- Fire News photos by Ken & Cindy Badger
Dumpster Fire in North Arlington
The North Arlington Fire Department was called to Argyle Place for a dumpster fire in the rear of a building. Command arrived and the crew started to work on a well involved dumpster with cans of polyurethane inside. The fire was contained to the dumpster and was quickly knocked down.
- Fire News photos by Michael Saggau, Jr.
FFs Rescue Dog from Paterson Vacant Home
Paterson crews operated at a second-alarm fire in a vacant 2-1/2 frame house on Hamilton Avenue on September 22, 2025. On interior search firefighter rescued a dog from the second floor.
- Fire News photos by Ronald Bombaro
Trenton Duplex Fire Displaces 5
Five people were temporarily displaced by a blaze that damaged both sides of a duplex in Trenton. Engines 7, 3 and 10, Ladder 2 and Rescue 1 were dispatched to Franklin Street, where companies arrived to find smoke showing from a 2-1/2story structure. The all-hands signal was transmitted and Engine 6, Ladder 4 and Special Services 1 responded to the scene as the balance of the first alarm. The fire was mostly contained to the shared roof at the rear of the duplex. The Red Cross was called out to aid the displaced residents.
- Fire News photos by Michael Ratcliffe
MOTLEY CREW OF THE MONTH
Englewood Truck 2 3rd Platoon members following an intense fight in a Bergenfield three-alarmer on September 5, 2025. Later in the evening they fought a car fire and three additional working building fires in their city. - Fire News photo by Peter Danzo
Garden State Well Represented at Nevada Wildfire
In mid-August more than 1000 personnel were assigned to the 130,000-acre Cottonwood Peak Wildfire located three miles north of Tuscarora (NV) on the BLM Nevada Elko District and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Assigned to the fire were more than 100 members of the Eastern Area Complex Incident Management Team. In the photo are New Jersey residents from various state and federal agencies who were members of the team - Taylor Devlin and Amanda Long (Personnel Time Recorders), Eric Weber and Matt Watson (Division Supervisors), Chris Franek (Structural Protection Specialist), Maris Gabliks (Incident Commander Complex Incident), Ken Delrossi (Ground Support Unit Leader), and Ed Apalinski (GIS Specialist). - Submitted by Kelly Gabliks
Hands-on Training for River Edge and Elmwood Park
On August 26, 2025, the River Edge Fire Department, along with Elmwood Park Engine companies 2 and 3 participated in a joint drill at River Edge Company 1’s firehouse. Members conducted the Denver Drill, firefighter CPR, proper removal of the gear from the rescued firefighter and calling for a Mayday. The fire officers from both agencies were involved in the drill. It was a great opportunity for new firefighters and veteran firefighters to work together. Both departments said they will work together with other training evolutions and lecture classes in the future.
- Fire News photos by Chris Denton
Call for Papers and Exhibit/ Sponsor Registration is Open!
The New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Association (NJEPA) is excited to share some important updates as we prepare for the 27th Annual NJEPA Conference, scheduled for April 20–24, 2026 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City.
On September 1st, NJEPA officially opened its Call for Papers, inviting presenters from across the nation to submit proposals. This is a unique opportunity for emergency managers, first responders, and professionals in the field to share their knowledge, lessons learned, and innovative practices with colleagues from every discipline of emergency management. Submissions can be made directly through www.njepa.org.
In addition, exhibitor and sponsor registration opens October 1st. Each year, the Exhibit Hall serves as a hub for connections, where more than a thousand emergency management professionals and decision-makers come together to engage with vendors, learn about the latest tools and resources, and strengthen partnerships across the field. Sponsors and exhibitors not only gain visibility but also demonstrate their commitment to building a more resilient New Jersey and region.
To encourage early registration for exhibitors, NJEPA is offering a special incentive: those who register and submit payment by February 1, 2026, will receive priority booth placement as well as a complimentary single-day advertisement on Conference TVs – a $150 value. Full details on sponsorship levels, exhibitor packages, and registration can be found at www.njepa.org/sponsors.
Between the opportunity to present and the chance to connect with hundreds of emergency management professionals in the Exhibit Hall, the 2026 NJEPA Conference promises to be an outstanding event. We encourage you to get involved early and look forward to seeing you in Atlantic City this spring.
No Fire But FFs Rescue Baby Birds
The volunteer fire companies of Mays Landing, Richland, Weymouth and Laureldale from Atlantic County were dispatched to Klondyke Avenue in the Mizpah section of the Township of Hamilton for a report of a strong electrical smell in a second-floor bedroom. Crews investigated and found no cause for action. However, firefighters did find birds that fell from their nest on the secondfloor and returned them to their nest.
- Fire News photo by Ken Badger
New Chief Named in Radnor, PA
Several members of the New Jersey Career Fire Chiefs Association crossed the Delaware River on September 8, 2025, to attend the swearing-in ceremony of James P. Smith, Jr., as the new Radnor Township (PA) Chief of Fire and Emergency Medical Services. Chief Smith, who has an extensive 30-year career in emergency services, formerly served as Chief of Ocean City (NJ) Fire and Rescue Services. Chief Smith, will serve as Radnor’s first career Fire & EMS Chief. Mr. Smith will be charged with the overall direction, administration and evaluation of the Township Fire and EMS and will plan, develop, implement, and evaluate a townshipwide combination fire and EMS system, policies, and procedures. He will also work closely with the Radnor, Bryn Mawr and Broomall fire departments as well as Radnor Township Police Department to promote fire prevention and protect the lives and property of Radnor Township residents.
- Submitted by Kelly Gabliks
17th Annual Cigar Dinner Fundraiser in Long Branch
The Long Branch Fire Department FMBA Local 68 held their 17th Annual Cigar Dinner fundraiser on September 4, 2025, at Rooney’s Ocean Front in Long Branch. The event helps the union raise funds to give back to local charities and charitable organizations within the township.
- Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti
Food Truck
Up in Flames
Totowa firefighters operated at a fully involved truck with a food trailer on September 14, 2025. The truck and trailer were total losses.
- Fire News photo by Ronald Bombaro
New Roof Smokin’ Hot
The volunteer fire companies of Farmington and Cardiff from the Egg Harbor Township Fire Department responded on September 24, 2025, to Fire Road for the report of a structure fire. Farmington Assistant Chief Dennis Sharpe arrived, and established command, investigated and found an odor. Command had Cardiff Tower 15 ladder the roof and found a recently installed roof top unit burning off its oils. Crews ventilated the interior.
- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe
Pleasantville Juvenile Required Medevac
On August 22, 2025, the Pleasantville Fire Department was requested to establish An LZ for an injured juvenile. Due to the severity of the injury, the juvenile was to be transported to Cooper. Engine 1’s crew set up the LZ and assisted with loading the juvenile.
- Fire News photos by Ken Badger
OEM Director Vince Jones Retires
The Atlantic County Firefighters Association and the Atlantic County Fire Chiefs Association presented Atlantic County OEM Director Vince Jones two plaques in thanks for his years of service at their meeting in Hammonton on September 17, 2025, and wished him well in his retirement.
- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe
Old Tappan Hosts Multi-Station Drill
The Old Tappan Volunteer Fire Department was invited by their brother firefighters (or “da Brothas”) from the Sparkill-Palisades Fire District to participate in a multi-station/multi-task firefighting drill; the Alpine Volunteer Department also participated. The drill featured training in the use of the gasoline-powered metal cutting saw, a standard tool used in the fire service, used for defeating extra security devices often found on commercial buildings. There was a search-and-rescue station where firemen drilled on one of the most important fireground tasks they perform, the search for victims in the zero-visibility environment. With their protective hoods donned backwards to blind themselves for a primary search for victims and then removed them to a safe zone, no easy task when wearing well
over 50 pounds of PPE. Members made a primary search; would close doors of searched rooms to retard the spread of the fire throughout the structure, while trying determine the location of the main body of fire. Finally, there was a rolling response to a motor vehicle fire. Each department sent an engine, stretched a 1-¾ inch handline and extinguished the fire. There was an EMS Re-Hab station set up to monitor the well being of all participants. The drill ended with refreshments and a debriefing led by Sparkill-Palisades Chief of Department Josh Panter. The Old Tappan Volunteers were led by Deputy Chief Chris Reilly, Captain Kristel Mockler and Lieutenant Nick Criscuolo.
- Submitted by Bill Auth; photos by Vinny Sloat
Wildwood 2025
Wildwood 2025
- Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti & Dennis C. Sharpe
Basement Fire Extends to Upper Floors in Bergenfield
On September 5, 2025, the Bergenfield Fire Department was dispatched to a basement fire on Carnation Street. On arrival, a working fire was transmitted, quickly followed by a second alarm, bringing mutual aid to the scene. Crews were confronted with heavy fire in the basement, rapidly spreading to the upper floors. Vertical ventilation was hampered due to roof-mounted solar panels. As the conditions continued to deteriorate, command requested a third alarm, bringing additional mutual aid companies to the scene. With four handlines stretched and operating, interior crews were able to start getting the upper hand and all visible fire was knocked down in about 30 minutes. No injuries were reported.
- Fire News photos by Peter Danzo
Car Burst into Flames After Hitting Pole in Lawrence
A car became engulfed in flames after it crashed into a utility pole and the pole became energized from damaged power lines. The unusual crash occurred about 0600 hours on July 6, 2025, on Whitehead Road near the Trenton Freeway (Route 1) overpass in Lawrence Township. Firefighters from both Hamilton and Lawrence responded and arrived to find that the driver had already self-extricated. At that time, a small fire was burning on the pole and a priority response was requested from PSE&G. Before utility crews could arrive and de-energize the damaged power lines, however, the fire intensified and spread to the car. Firefighters could only stand by and watch the fire grow. Once power was off, they moved in with a hoseline to extinguish the blaze.
- Fire News photos by Michael Ratcliffe
STATE FARM AND THE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COUNCIL SUPPORT LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS WITH $1.5 MILLION IN GRANTS
State Farm® and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have teamed up for the second year to support local volunteer fire departments with funding to secure needed equipment to help keep their responders safe and protect their communities. Through this year’s Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program, 150 departments in 44 states received a $10,000 grant, for a total of $1.5 million donated.
The announcement was made on August 18, a date many celebrate as Volunteer Firefighters Recognition Day. Volunteer firefighters make up 65% of the U.S. fire service, and communities across the country rely on volunteers to respond to emergencies of all kinds – from structure and wildland fires, to vehicle crashes and medical emergencies, to natural disasters and hazmat incidents.
Many of these small-town and rural fire departments operate with limited budgets, making it difficult to meet the rising costs of the equipment and gear they need to best serve their community. These grants are a lifeline for local departments to obtain equipment that will increase safety, efficiency, and effectiveness. Grants will be used to purchase a wide variety of department necessities, including personal protective equipment, EMS and rescue tools, communication devices, and much more.
State Farm and the NVFC will also join 10 of the fire department recipients at a community engagement event this fall, which may
include an open house, fire prevention event, parade, or other local gathering.
“The NVFC is proud to team up with State Farm to continue the Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program and provide critical assistance to volunteer fire departments,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “Firefighting and rescue equipment is expensive, and many departments struggle to find the funding they need. These grants from State Farm enable small departments to secure equipment they need to be better prepared to serve their communities and protect their responders.”
“We are proud to support volunteer firefighters – the ultimate good neighbors who risk their lives daily,” said Rasheed Merritt, State Farm corporate responsibility assistant vice president. “At State Farm, we’re committed to helping people manage everyday risks and building safer, stronger communities.” In addition to the 150 grants, State Farm provided complimentary NVFC memberships to the first 2,000 eligible applicants to provide more responders with access to an array of benefits, including free training, support services, and more.
Since the Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program launched in 2024, $2.5 million has been awarded to 250 local fire departments. Find information about the grant program, including a list of departments receiving the grants, on the NVFC web site at www.nvfc.org/statefarm.
Up Close & Personal
New Jersey State Fire Chiefs Parade Judges Association was judging the Tabernacle Fire Company’s 1st Annual Muster (and truck dedication) on August 23, 2025.
- Fire News photo by Dennis C.
Members of the City of Woodbury 1st Responders at the Woodbury Car Show on August 30, 2025. The event drew over 300 vehicles.
- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe
First due of Dumont Fire Department (left to right) Joemar Funtila, Nick Sinanian, Ross Rhein, Aidan Mckenna, Daniel Drew.
- Fire News photo by Chris Denton
Farmington Chief Harry Goodman IV at the controls of Farmington Rescue 1547 at a vehicle fire on the Garden State Parkway on August 17, 2025.
- Fire News photo by Ken Badger
Mays Landing Assistant Chief Ken Badger, Jr., who was ops for the Gasko Road fire on September 1, 2025, advancing a line to the rear of the structure.
- Fire News photo by Cindy Badger
Atlantic City Airport Firefighter A.J. Berenato as he rolls hose following an MVA at Wrangleboro and Tilton roads on September 4, 2025. Notice he’s rolling a true donut roll.
- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe
Sharpe
Farmington’s Howard Willetts, Jr.
The Farmington Volunteer Fire Company 4 of the Egg Harbor Township Fire Department in Atlantic County regrets to announce the passing of Howard Willetts, Jr., on August 14, 2025. Howard was a life member and served his community for many
years. The Farmington Fire Company would like to thank the many firefighters who came out and paid their respects. The mural was created by Farmington Firefighter Brandon Parker and posing with it is Howard’s daughter Jennifer Ranger. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe
