Fire News New Jersey, October 2020 edition

Serving NEW JFire, ERSEY Serving Rescue

VOLUME 15, NO. 5

W W W .FIRENE WS .COM

Fire,Serving Rescue & EMS Fire, Rescue & EMS Heroes & EMS Heroes Heroes Since 1973 Since 1996 1973 OCTOBER 2020

See story on page 6.

- Fire News photo by FirstDuePhotography.com

Restaurant Blaze in Fair Lawn See story on pages 26 & 27.

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Fire News, October 2020, Page 3

In this issue...

1 Fatality, 4 Injured in MVA As Cardiff firefighters were finishing one MVA, they are alerted for another — a head-on crash.

See story on page 8

Galloway Township Blaze Held Firefighters from multiple township companies make a good stop on a two-story residential fire.

See story on page 18

Mt. Olive Trucks on Fire Police receive a call for a truck fire, but when crews arrive, they find three tractors on fire.

See story on page 22

Fairlawn Restaurant Blaze A fire gets above the sprinkler system before breaking through the roof.

See story on page 26

A Service for New Jersey Firefighters and EMS Heroes 146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY 11713 FRANK C. TROTTA, Publisher TIM EDWARDS, Executive Editor DENNIS WHITTAM, Editor GARY P. JOYCE, Asst. Editor MARIE TROTTA, Vice President, Production/Sales LYNN SEDLER, Art Director CLIFF CHIESA, Production Manager Advertising Sales: BARBARA CONNOLLY Graphic Artist: GREGORY JONES FIRE NEWS NEW JERSEY PHOTOGRAPHERS Chad Aaronson, John Axford, Keith Addie, Adam Alberti, Ted Aurig, Kenneth E.Badger, Dick Berry, Tommy Bilancia, Thomas Bischoff, James Bonner, Joseph Brecko, John Buttino, Bob Chester, John Clark, Alex Coulter, Carl Crossman, Damien Davis, Chris Denton, Alan Dumoff, Brian Duddy, Brett M. Dzadik, Dan Eckert, Doug Fenichel, Tom Finnegan, Joe Fortunato, Liam Glinane, Israel Goldstein, Thomas Hayden Jr., David Hernandez, Robert Halberstadt, Roman Izaryk, Erica Jacoby, Jeffrey Konya, Kevin Maloney, Robert Munson, Paul Newborn, Robert F. Newkirk, Denis Niland, Mike Nowacki, Elvin Padilla, Ed Pinkevicz, Dane Policastro, Michael Ratcliffe, Joe Repici, Paul Rodriquez, Mark Rosetti, Chris Saraceno, Robert Scollan, Dennis C. Sharpe, Steve Sperlak, Steve Skipton, Matt Spadaro, Danielle Tagerty, Tim Sullivan, Robert Tallaksen, Wayne Tasaki, Giuseppe Tartaglia, Jim Trepeos, Gregory Taylor, Ron Trout, Ken VanPelt, Kevin Umbach, Jose Vazquez, Ronnie Viola, Tom Vogel, Tom Walker, Mike Wallace, Chris Whitam, Wells P. Wilson, Gerald Wyhopen, Jr., Peter Danzo. Columnists: Bruce Johnson, John Salka, Billy Goldfeder.

COPYRIGHT 2020, THE FIRE NEWS LLC., LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Lenghty Extrication in West AC A simple vehicle-into-pole call turns into a passenger impaled at the leg by a metal pole.

See story on page 35

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Up Close and Personal A closer look at first responders from around the state.

See story on pages 36-37

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Official Publication

of the NJ State Firemen’s Convention Letters to the Editor, byline articles, and columns represent the opinions of the writers and photographers and are not necessarily the views of the Fire News. We reserve the right to edit all of the above. We are not responsible for errors in advertisements beyond the cost of advertising space. Copy submitted is subject to editing for space requirements.

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Contents are copyrighted. Editorial and advertising copy cannot be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Fire News is published monthly by Fire News LLC, with corporate offices at 146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY 11713.

Page 4, Fire News, October 2020

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From the Editor’s Desk Dennis Whittam, Editor

Give a Thought to 2020 Fire Prevention It is that time of the year, when fire departments reach out to their community and schools to educate everyone about Fire Prevention. Since 1922, the NFPA has sponsored the public observation of Fire Prevention week. President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country.

According to the NFPA, Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9 in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.

For 2020, the NFPA has chosen, “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!” as the campaign for 2020. According to the NFPA, cooking is the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of fires in the kitchen. As first responders, it is our job to educate our community about fire safety.

The question is, how are you going to do this keeping the rules and practices for Covid-19 safety?

I recently asked my Chief of Department what our plans were for dealing with our Fire

Prevention Program during Covid? Together, we discussed numerous ideas and ways to initiate a modified Fire Safety Program. I will share my thoughts with you.

For 35 years, I was an industrial arts/technology teacher in Nassau County, Long Island.

Every year, one of the Nassau County Fire Marshals came to our school to speak with the students. The program was simple. He held an interactive discussion with the students at each grade level. Using an overhead projector, he challenged the students with tough, provoking question on what to do if a fire broke out in their home. To this day, I remember the incredible conversations the students had with Fire Marshal Andy Steinmuller. What Andy didn’t realize was that the teachers walked away learning that fire prevention is something of which even adults must be aware.

So, how are we going to handle Fire Prevention Awareness in 2020? I came up with an idea that might be an answer to the problem.

Here is my plan for 2020; to avoid large crowds coming to the firehouse for our fire safety program, my department is planning on using the props that we use during our community program to create a video that reinforces the theme of Fire Safety in the Kitchen. Once the video is

made, we will notify our community and local schools to visit our website, where there will be a link to the video that can be shared with the students and community. I feel confident that next year, our community will be back to visiting the firehouse to learn about fire prevention. In the meantime, visit www.nfpa.org/PublicEducation /Staying-safe/Preparedness/Fire-PreventionWeek/About, to learn more about the NFPA’s program ideas.

- Dennis

Good Stop in Northfield

The City of Northfield Fire Department responded to Northwood Court on September 9, 2020, at 0625 for a structure fire.

Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke showing from a two-story, wood frame, single-family dwelling. Crews stretched in and quickly contained the fire.

- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Page 6, Fire News, October 2020

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Cover Story

Clifton 4-Alarmer

Shortly after 2030 on August 30, 2020, Clifton fire companies responded for a house fire on East Second Street. Upon arrival, units found heavy fire extending to two occupied private dwellings from a parked car in the driveway. Second,and then third alarms were quickly struck, bringing mutual aid from the surrounding

area including Nutley, Bloomfield, Paterson and Passaic. The fire spread rapidly through both structures and eventually through the roof of one. A fourth alarm was later transmitted to bring the fire under control.

- Fire News photos by www.FirstDuePhotography.com

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Fatality at Scullville MVA

The Scullville Volunteer Fire Company responded to Ocean Heights and Virginia Avenues on July 11, 2020, at approximately 0840, for an MVA with entrapment. Scullville Chief Steve Prisament advised all units to respond for an extrication and recovery operation. The incident involved a 10-wheel dump truck that struck a civilian vehicle, with the momentum of the truck pushing both vehicles into a utility pole and severing the pole. The driver of the dump truck was uninjured.

Firefighters extricated the victim.

- Fire News photos by Cindy Badger

Fire News, October 2020, Page 7

Page 8, Fire News, October 2020

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1 Fatal, 4 Injured at Cardiff Head-on

As firefighters were finishing an extrication on the Black Horse Pike and Tower Avenue on June 19, 2020, they were alerted by police of another crash on Delilah Road and Elmwood Avenue.

Cardiff Engine 1512 and Assistant Chief William Danz III responded to the head-on crash with multiple entrapments in both vehicles.

A/C Danz immediately requested assistance from Farmington and the Atlantic City Airport Fire Department for additional extrication tools. Bargaintown Engine 1522, responding to the LZ for the Black Horse Pike assignment, diverted to the Delilah Road with their extrication tools. Adding to this incident and the quick arrival of EMS, multiple medevacs were requested and it was decided to land them at the already established LZ at the shopping center as it was in close proximity of the second crash. The first vehicle contained three occupants — two front seat passengers and a rear seat passenger who later succumbed to injuries suffered. The front seat passengers were the most difficult to extricate. The second vehicle contained one passenger and required door and roof removal. One person was flown to the trauma center and the rest were transported

by EMS by ground. A side note for the incidents; EHT EMS Chief William Higbee declared an EMS emergency and had an EMS Strike Team assembled to cover. - Fire News photos by Ken Badger

Page 10, Fire News, October 2020

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Tractor-Trailer Fire on I-80

...Story on next page

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Tractor-Trailer Fire ...continued from previous page On August 9, 2020, around 0330, the New Jersey State Police reported a truck on fire on Interstate 80 east at mile marker 25. The Mount Olive Police requested the Budd Lake Fire Department to respond.

Chiefs 51 and 52 arrived and reported a trailer fully involved.

The driver disconnected his tractor from the trailer and reported the truck was loaded with plastic bottles. Engine 59 arrived and stretched two handlines and started hitting the fire.

Engine 53 and Tender 57 helped with extinguishment and water supply. Two tenders from Byram Township also assisted.

- Fire News photos by A/C Kevin J. Maloney; Budd Lake FC

Fire News, October 2020, Page 11

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Looking Back

The Clayton Fire Department, circa 1920.

- Fire News photo courtesy The Library of Congress

Page 14, Fire News, October 2020

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Nice Stop in Belleville

On May 15, 2020, the Belleville Fire Department received calls reporting a fire on Washington Avenue. Engine reported visible fire showing from the roof. Mutual aid was requested to the scene but upon further investigation the fire was contained to the exterior of

the roof and was quickly extinguished. Car 2 arrived and established command and returned mutual aid companies.

- Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

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Fire News, October 2020, Page 15

Northfield Storage Building Blaze

The City of Northfield Fire Department in Atlantic County responded to Wabash Avenue at 2301 on September 5, 2020, for a structure fire. The first arriving officer found a fully storage building in the rear of the property, exposing on two additional structures, both residences. A request was made for a FAST from the City of Somers Point, an engine from the City of Pleasantville, and

a piece of apparatus from the City of Linwood to cover. Two handlines were placed into service and the fire was quickly brought under control. The fire is being investigated by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety Investigators. Also responding were the City of Northfield Police, Northfield Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, and Tricare EMS. - Fire News photo by Ken Badger

Black Horse Pike MVA

The volunteer fire companies of Cardiff and Bargaintown responded to the Black Horse Pike and English Creek Avenue on July 11, 2020, for an MVA with entrapment. Firefighters arrived to two vehicles involved with no entrapment. Cardiff firefighters opened

up the hood of the vehicles and disconnected the batteries and applied oil dry to the spills. EMS removed the injured.

- Fire News photo by Ken Badger

Page 16, Fire News, October 2020

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Cologne MVA

The volunteer fire companies of Cologne and Mays Landing, along with the township EMS and police, responded to the intersection of Cologne Avenue and the Black Horse Pike for an MVA. Upon arrival, it was discovered the crash was further down the pike and involved a vehicle on its side with one occupant entrapped, which prompted the dispatch of Laureldale. Firefighters and EMS worked together using numerous types of tools to do a roof removal and remove the occupant, who was transported by EMS to the trauma center. - Fire News photos by Ken Badger

Page 18, Fire News, October 2020

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Fire Held in Galloway Twp.

On the evening of September 8, 2020, multiple fire departments from Galloway Township were dispatched for a structure fire in a two-story residence. Units were able to contain the fire to the fire building. The fire was under investigation.

- Fire News photos by Eric ‘Doc’ Moran

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Fixin’ Farmington Farmington firefighters put the final touches on their new sign which replaced the one damaged during the August 4, 2020, Tropical Storm Isais.

- Fire News photo

by Dennis C. Sharpe

Fire News, October 2020, Page 19

Page 22, Fire News, October 2020

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Tractor Truck Fires in Mt. Olive

On August 6, 2020, around 0200, calls came into the Mount Olive Police desk for a truck on fire on Continental Drive. Car 51 arrived to one truck fully involved and starting a second truck on fire.

Within minutes all three tractors were involved. Engine 59 arrived and stretched two handlines. Tender 57 came in and fed the engine with their 3,000-gallon tank. Flanders Engine 95 and Rescue 97, along with Netcong Fire 1, assisted with the rest of the extinguishment and overhaul. The fire was under investigation by the Mount Olive Fire Marshal’s Office, Mount Olive Police and Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

- Fire News photos by A/C Kevin J. Maloney; Budd Lake FC

Page 24, Fire News, October 2020

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Route 3 Utility Pole Fires

Mays Landing Kitchen Fire

On May 14, 2020, Clifton Engines 5 and 4, and Truck 2 responded to Route 3 westbound for a brush fire. On arrival, Engine 5 had about 10 separate fires stretching about a quarter-mile down the length of the highway and each appeared to be situated at the base of a utility pole leading crews to believe the fire was started due to an electrical issue. Engines 4 and 5 attacked the fire from opposite ends and Engine 6 was also added to the assignment for additional water. Companies were on scene for approximately 30 minutes extinguishing the fires.

- Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

The volunteer fire companies of Mays Landing, Laureldale and Cologne were dispatched to Main Street on June 28, 2020, at 1700, for a kitchen fire. The occupant had a cooking fire. She took towels out of a clothes dryer that was next to the stove and put them on the stove fire and they caught fire. She tried to extinguish the fire with a dry powder extinguisher before calling the fire department. Mays Landing Chief Lou DiMartine reported heavy smoke coming from the D-side rear of the structure. Mays Landing Squad 16 arrived and its crew entered the kitchen and took what was left of the towels and threw them outside and extinguished the remaining fire.

- Fire News photo by Ken Badger

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Restaurant Blaze in Fair Lawn On the morning of August 18, 2020, the Fair Lawn Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched for a structure fire on Fair Lawn Avenue. Units arrived to heavy smoke pushing from a single-story restaurant.

Crews stretched lines and launched an aggressive attack to start darkening down the fire. Fire had gotten above the sprinkler heads and was pushing through the roof shortly after arrival. Mutual aid was called. The fire was brought under control and out in roughly 90 minutes.

- Fire News photos

by David Kempter

More Photos on Next Page

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Fire News, October 2020, Page 27

Restaurant Blaze in Fair Lawn...Continued from previous page

Page 28, Fire News, October 2020

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Hydraulic Lift Fire

The volunteer fire companies of Scullville and Bargaintown respond- hydraulic lift on fire with an exposure to an empty shipping contained to Ocean Heights Avenue, at Clayton’s Self Storage on July 28, er. The crew of Scullville Engine 1532 pulled a preconnect line and 2020, at 0857, for a vehicle fire. Firefighters arrived to find a made quick work of the fire.

- Fire News photo by Ken Badger

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Fire News, October 2020, Page 29

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Car Fires in EHT The volunteer fire companies of Cardiff and Bargaintown responded to Black Horse Pike at Matt Blatt Kia on August 10, 2020, at 1340, for a vehicle fire. Firefighters arrived to find a vehicle fully involved with a second vehicle beginning to catch. Cardiff Engine 1512 stretched a preconnect and attacked the first car, then turned their attention to the second vehicle. The fire was investigated by EHT Fire officials and no injuries were reported.

Also responding were EHT EMS and EHT Police.

- Fire News photos by Ken Badger

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Fire News, October 2020, Page 31

An Impromptu Blessing

New Milford House Fire

It's amazing who you come across while out photographing fire apparatus. A group of photographers went to the Breton Woods Fire Company in Brick Township and were using the local church for the back drop when Father Ed Blanchett wandered out to inquire what was going on, and offered an impromptu blessing of the apparatus. We were all very honored.

- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

On August 25, 2020, the Milford Fire Department was dispatched to a two-story home on the 600 block of River Road for a house fire. New Milford Deputy Chief Jared Birnbaum confirmed a fire in the attic and requested mutual aid from surrounding companies.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire quickly. One civilian was checked out by EMS for smoke inhalation.

- Fire News photo by Chris ‘Doc’ Denton

Page 32, Fire News, October 2020

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Congratulations!

Hitchin’ a Ride

Congratulations to the new Mrs. Kory Gipson, the former Elisabeth Sharpe, as she is escorted down the aisle by her father, Eugene Sharpe.

Elisabeth is a member of the Bargaintown Fire Company’s Ladies Auxiliary and Gene is the Chief. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Gritty, the mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team, made an appearance in Sea Isle City on August 10, 2020, and caught a ride on Sea Isle’s ladder.

- Fire News photo by William McFarland

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Fire News, October 2020, Page 33

Page 34, Fire News, October 2020

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VCI FORMS VEHICLE CONVERSION BUSINESS VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists is proud to announce the formation of the Vehicle Conversion Division to our business to help better serve our existing and new customers.

We will be taking our 40-plus years of experience in the ambulance business and applying it to this new division. The new division will focus on chief’s vehicles, quick response vehicles, ESU trucks, incident command, paramedic units, SAR, quick attack and brush trucks, mini-pumpers, prisoner transport, K-9 units, and fleet vehicles with the ability to provide a one-stop resource for our customers from the chassis, to upfit, to paint, to graphics.

Overseeing this new division will be Milt Grimes who has been promoted to Market Manager - Conversions and Stock Remounts.

He will be overseeing the sales and production efforts of the conversion division as well as our established Stock Remount program. Milt brings over 15 years of experience in emergency vehicle sales and production to this new position including the last 10 at VCI Emergency Vehicles.

So, if you’re in the market for a new command vehicle, give us a call at 1-800-394-2162 and ask for Milt.

Pictured: President of VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists - Robert Bohny Market Manager - Conversions & Stock Remounts - Milton Grimes

KOCHEK AND AWG TEAM UP TO DELIVER OUTSTANDING VALVE QUALITY Kochek Company, LLC, has announced its new alliance with AWG Fittings, GmbH. The two companies have partnered to provide Kochek loose equipment dealers with the superior performance and reliability for which AWG valves are known throughout the industry.

As Kochek’s primary supplier of several sizes of gate, ball, intake, hydrassist, manifold, Siamese, and pressure relief valves, AWG plays an important role in Kochek's efforts to ensure the continued satisfaction of its dealers and customers. With every order, Kochek custom fits each valve to exacting specifications.

Kochek President and CEO, George J. Wessner, said of the relationship with AWG, “We’re thrilled to work with AWG to make

this quality possible for our customers. They rely on their Kochek equipment when it matters most, and our valve performance is

something they can always count on in the field.”

Headquartered in Putnam, Connecticut, Kochek Company is a leading producer of water movement products for fire, water works, and irrigation markets throughout North America and abroad. In order to achieve its mission to manufacture and deliver the highest quality products at competitive prices, Kochek follows the guiding principles of lean manufacturing. More information about Kochek and the company’s entire product line may be found at www.kochek.com. AWG Fittings is a unit of IDEX Corporation.

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Fire News, October 2020, Page 35

Pole Thru Leg in West AC MVA On August 23, 2020, the West Atlantic City Volunteer Fire Company responded to Black Horse Pike after Chief Wally Bakely radioed in a report of a vehicle through a utility pole with the pole snapped. The vehicle came to rest off the roadway and, upon investigating, Chief Bakely discovered the passenger had aleg impaled by a metal pole. Chief Bakely immediately requested a response from the City of Pleasantville and Farmington for extrication equipment. The extrication proved to be a tricky one as the metal pole through the passenger’s leg was right at the door and impinging on it. Firefighters used sockets to remove the door’s hinges. Once this was accomplished the pole was carefully cut, and the patient was removed, with the pole still through their leg, packaged and transported to the trauma center where it was removed by surgeons.

- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

New Apparatus for Morris Plains In the last week of August 2020, the Morris Plains Volunteer Fire Department placed a new 2020 Pierce Arrow XT Mid Mount 100-foot Ascendant Tower Ladder into service. This new Truck 23 will be replacing the current ladder, which is a 27-yearold 1993 Seagrave 100-foot Rearmost which will be sent to auction. - Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

Page 36, Fire News, October 2020

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Up Close & Personal Safety Officer Chris Fredericks and Lieutenant Tom Thieme, Jr., of the Breton Woods Volunteer Fire Company in Brick Township along with Fr. Ed Blanchett with Breton Woods’ new aerial.

- Fire News photo

by Dennis C. Sharpe

Port Norris Firefighter Bob Hoffman, Sr., with the new (to them) aerial recently put in service in Port Norris. Bob owns a beautifully restored antique motorized aerial that constantly takes best in show and is a good mentor to the “younger” firefighters. The aerial came from Bedford Hills.

- Fire News photo

by Dennis C. Sharpe

This 1997 KME 55foot Firestix now serves in Mullica Township, Atlantic County. The apparatus formerly served Egg Harbor Township.

- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

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Fire News, October 2020, Page 37

Up Close & Personal

A firefighter comes out to take a breather after battling a dwelling fire on Chateau Road in Palisades Park on July 27, 2020.

- Fire News photo by PuckStopperPhotography.com

Demarest Assistant Chief John McLaughlin at the Palisades Parkway four-alarmer on New Year’s Day 2020.

- Fire News photo

by Chris ‘Doc’ Denton

Members of Garfield Rescue Engine 3 attending a parade for a terminally ill young boy’s birthday in Elmwood Park.

- Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

Good luck to Fire News contributing photographer Carl Crossman of the Somers Point FD on his retirement. Carl is heading to Myrtle Beach and asked Exec. Ed. Tim Edwards “Can we start a South Carolina issue of Fire News?”

- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Members of the Bargaintown Volunteer Fire Company following a July 4, 2020, crash on the Atlantic City Expressway.

- Fire News photo by Ken Badger

Page 38, Fire News, October 2020

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Happy Birthday, Jason On August 23, 2020, fire apparatus, police vehicles, ambulances, and many residents with show cars, motorcycles and more turned out to show their support and wish Jason a very Happy 14th birthday in a parade down Mola Boulevard in Elmwood Park. Jason suffers from a rare and aggressively debilitating disease called mucopolysaccharidosis type II or MPS II. It was a great turnout for a great cause and it was amazing to see the smiles on Jason and his family! Many first responders and residents stopped the parade to hand deliver gifts to Jason. - Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti