Fire News New Jersey, November 2023

NEW JERSEY Volume 18, No. 6

November 2023

See story on page 6.

- Fire News photo

by Peter Danzo

3-Alarm House Fire in See Loveladies Story on Page 12.

PRSRT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID HICKSVILLE NY PERMIT NO. 298

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Fire News, November 2023, Page 3

In this issue...

Fatality in Manchester Blaze A house is fully involved on arrival, and a body is found after the cause investigation.

See story on page 8

Medevac in Egg Harbor City A man is seriously injured in an MVA and transported safely.

See story on page 10

A Service for New Jersey Firefighters and EMS Heroes 146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY 11713 FRANK C. TROTTA, Publisher TIM EDWARDS, Chief Operating Officer DENNIS WHITTAM, Editor GARY P. JOYCE, Managing Editor MARIE TROTTA, Vice President, Production/Sales LYNN SEDLER, Art Director CLIFF CHIESA, Production Manager BARBARA CONNOLLY, Vice President National Sales SUZANNE BANCROFT, Business Development Manager BRYAN LOPEZ, Editorial Assistant

E. Orange Apartment Building Fire Multiple collapses in a 4-story vacant apartment building.

See story on page 14

Fatality in Paterson MVA The driver is removed from the vehicle in traumatic heart arrest and is pronounced at St. Joseph’s.

See story on page 20

GREGORY JONES, Graphic Artist 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 2023, THE FIRE NEWS LLC., LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Chief Brian McDermott Retires After 28 years on the job, Paterson’s chief calls it a career.

See story on page 23

Truck Overturns on Passaic River Bank The Garfield Fire Department handles an overturned pickup on the banks of the river.

See story on page 26

PLUS: News You Can Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4 Industry News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 22 Special Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 24

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Page 4, Fire News, November 2023

NEW RE TU FEA

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Send or forward items of interest to: frank@firenews.com

IMPORTANT FD TRAINING EVENT

will be available by request only! Please advise if you are coming in your rig.

Free to all Brother and Sister Firemen in Bergen County. Topic: Response to Energy/Lithium Ion/Battery Fires. Instructed by: Ret. Lt. Paul Rogers FDNY. “Response to Energy/Lithium Ion/Battery Fires” will be presented by FDNY Lieutenant Paul Rogers (ret) who, for more than 25 years, served as a Hazardous Material (HazMat) Specialist and is co-founder of ESRG, supervising the FDNY’s premier HazMat team. He also served as HazMat manager for FEMA NY Task Force 1 and continued to work as a consultant with local code officials and sits on the NFPA 855 and IFCAC. Lt. Rogers will discuss battery and electric vehicle fires and how to best fight them. The event will be held on Sunday, October 22, 2023, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at River Dell High School in Oradell, NJ (55 Pyle Street).

The event is hosted by the River Edge FD. Space is limited and interest is strong. Please RSVP as soon as possible to: Asst. Chief Robert Schlossberg @ rschloss berg@riveredgefire.org. Apparatus parking

BOATLIFT: THE UNTOLD 9/11 STORY In the wake of the tragic events that unfolded on September 11, 2001, when the world witnessed the unthinkable destruction of the World Trade Center in New York City, a remarkable story of resilience emerged from the chaos. Amidst the smoke and debris, merchant mariners commanding a flotilla of ferries, tugboats and other vessels came together in a spontaneous act of heroism to evacuate over a half-million people from Lower Manhattan in what became the largest maritime rescue in US history. The short documentary “BOATLIFT: An Untold Tale of 9/11 Resilience” captures this remarkable story of courage, unity and resilience.

Narrated by Tom Hanks, "BOATLIFT" is a powerful and moving short documentary that sheds light on the lesser-known heroes of that fateful day - the boat captains, crew members, and ordinary citizens who embarked on an extraordinary mission to rescue stranded indi-

viduals from lower Manhattan.

"BOATLIFT" is a story that deserves to be remembered and shared. Watch below https://youtu.be/MDOrzF7B2Kg.

VOLUNTEER FIRST RESPONDER HOUSING ACT On June 21, 2023, Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY-02) introduced the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act, legislation to expand eligibility for qualified volunteer emergency responders to participate in certain federal housing assistance programs. Specifically, this bill would expand eligibility for the Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program. The Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program assists approved lenders in providing loans to low and moderate income households to build, rehabilitate or improve a home in eligible rural areas. The income limit for the program is no more than 115 percent of the median household income.

Page 6, Fire News, November 2023

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Cover Story

River Edge Home Collapse

On May 27, 2023, the River Edge Fire Department was dispatched to Eastbrook Drive for a reported garage fire. Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy fire in a three-car attached garage under a large two-story home and several vehicles burning in the driveway.

Due to the amount of fire, a second alarm was requested, bringing mutual aid companies to the scene. The home was located in a culde-sac at the end of a long dead-end street which presented water supply problems. The fire quickly spread throughout the home which collapsed less than two hours after the fire was reported.

Companies remained on the scene through the night and responded back several times over the Memorial Day weekend to control flare-ups until a demolition crew could pull the rubble apart.

- Fire News photos by Peter Danzo

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Fire News, November 2023, Page 7

Garage Fire in Independence Township

On September 2, 2023, at 1100, a house fire call came in for the 100 block on Route 46. Crews arrived to a well-involved garage fire on the extension of the house. Multiple units responded from Independence and Hackettstown. A long and winding driveway complicated the fight, with some units having to hike up the long driveway. Allamuchy grabbed a hydrant at the bottom of the driveway, mutual aid came from Mt. Olive, Washington Boro and Belvedere among other Warren County companies. Crews were released about four hours after fire was under brought under control.

- Fire News photos by Kevin Maloney

Page 8, Fire News, November 2023

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Fatality at Massive Manchester House Fire

On July 24, 2023, all Manchester Fire Companies were dispatched to a home on Laketree Court for a reported house fire. On arrival of the first engine, the 2-1/2 story house was already fully involved. A water supply was immediately established and a tower ladder and handlines were put into operation. The structure was severely compromised which limited a search. In the following days investigators and crews returned to the scene to determine a cause and located the body of the lone occupant.

- Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

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Truck Collides with School Bus Paterson Fire Department responded to an overturned scrap metal truck and school bus MVA on Route 19 on July 11, 2023. No students were on the bus and the drivers of both vehicles suffered only minor injuries.

- Fire News photos by Ronald Bombaro

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Egg Harbor City Medevac

The Egg Harbor City Fire Department received a call to establish an LZ for a Medevac. Car 100, Engine 10-1 and Engine 10-2 handled setting up the landing zone and awaited arrival of Galloway

Township Ambulance who brought the patient from a serious MVA. The Atlanticare Paramedics loaded the patient without incident.

- Fire News photo by Eric ‘Doc’ Moran

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Fire News, November 2023, Page 11

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3-Alarm Garage Fire in Loveladies

A structure fire call on September 3, 2023, in Loveladies. Fire was contained to garage and part of the “work out” room.

No occupants, or first responders were injured.

Quick response and great team work by all of the responding departments; High Point Volunteer Fire Company, Surf City Volunteer Fire Company, and Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Company.

- Fire News photos by Bob Birdsall

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Fire News, November 2023, Page 13

Fully-Engulfed Shed Fire in Medford Twp.

District 25 units were alerted for a reported shed fire with gas inside. Deputy Chief Guelich arrived and confirmed a shed well off. Engine Company 2521 stretched a line and made quick work of the shed.

The siding of the home was damaged by radiant heat. No injuries were reported.

- Fire News photos by David Hernandez

Page 14, Fire News, November 2023

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Budd Lake Residence a Total Loss

Shortly after 1000 on September 16, 2023, Budd Lake and Flanders Fire Departments were dispatched to a structure fire on Meadow Lane in the Budd Lake section. First arriving units found the residence fully involved inside with fire showing from all floors. An interior attack was attempted but crews were quickly pulled out due to the fire conditions and parts of the structure beginning to collapse. The rest of the incident was defensive operations. Due to no hydrants in the area, a tender task

force was called in and a water fill site was established. A tower ladder was set up in front of house. The fire was under investigation by the Mt. Olive Fire Marshal’s office and the Mt. Olive Police. Crews did return several times that day and night to put out hot spots. Mutual aid came from Atlantic EMS 2 and 3, Netcong Fire, Chester Fire, Picatinny Arsenal Fire, Fairmont Fire, Mt. Arlington Fire and Ralston Fire.

- Fire News photo by Kevin Maloney

East Orange 4-Story Apt. Building Fire On May 14, 2023, the East Orange Fire Department was dispatched to Beech Street for a reported house fire. Upon arrival, companies reported heavy smoke and fire showing from the building, which was a large four-story vacant apartment building, Initial reports were of fire on the top floor, but as companies operated, fire was also reported on the second floor.

Within 10 minutes the interior crews reported a collapse on the third floor and command ordered all companies out of the building. A second alarm was requested as heavy fire broke out from the fourth floor and though the roof. Ladder pipes were set up, and command special-called an additional truck to set up in the rear of the building as additional collapses occurred. The fire took several hours to be placed under control.

- Fire News photo by Peter Danzo

Page 16, Fire News, November 2023

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Atlantic City 4-H Fair with Germania VFC Members of the Atlantic County Firefighters Association helped to make the 2023 4-H Fair a success. Germania Volunteer Fire Company members posing with their brush truck while 1st Vice President Dennis Sharpe shows some youths the finer points of using a booster hose off of South Egg Harbor’s new engine.

- Fire News photo by Ken Badger

Cement Truck Overturned on Ramp in Paterson The Paterson Fire Department responded to an overturned cement mixer truck on Route 19 south’s ramp on August 28, 2023. The Hazmat Special Unit wascalled to the scene.

- Fire News photo by Ronald Bombaro

North Plainfield House Fire On July 4, 2023, the North Plainfield Fire Department was dispatched to Myrtle Avenue for the report of a house on fire. Crews arrived to find smoke showing from the top floor of a large home.

Crews quickly stretched lines and found fire in the walls and in multiple voids in the home. Due to the high humidity and heavy workload, second and third alarms were struck for extra manpower to the scene. The fire was under brought under control a short time later. The fire was believed to have been started by a lightning strike.

- Fire News photo by PuckStopperPhotography.com

Scullville Chief Transfers Injured Boater The Scullville Volunteer Fire Company along with Egg Harbor Township EMS and police, responded to Shady River Marina on August 7, 2023 at 1539, for a water rescue. A short while later, the person involved in a boat crash was located at Somerset Cove Marina at a slip. Supposedly, the watercraft operator struck an overpass and was injured. The operator of the watercraft was found lying on the floor of the craft and was treated on scene by EMTs and paramedics before being transferred to a waiting watercraft owned by Scullville’s chief and then transferred to a waiting BLS unit and transported to Shore Medical Center in Somers Point.

- Fire News photo by Ken Badger

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Fire News, November 2023, Page 17

Egg Harbor 2-Car MVA

The volunteer fire companies of Cardiff and Bargaintown responded to the intersection of Ridge Avenue and West Jersey Avenue on September 20, 2023, for a report of an MVA with entrapment. Firefighters worked to remove an occupant whose vehicle was struck at the intersection, crashing through a guardrail and coming to rest at the woodline.

Once extricated, they were transported by EMS. The cause of the crash was under investigation by the Egg Harbor Township Police Department.

- Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe

Page 18, Fire News, November 2023

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Trenton Bedroom Blaze Quickly Knocked Down

Trenton firefighters made quick work of a bedroom blaze on September 5, 2023. Engines 7, 3 and 10, Ladder 2, Rescue 1 and the South Battalion were dispatched to 900 block of Melrose Avenue just after 1840. They arrived to find smoke and fire showing from the second floor of the 2-1/2 story semi-detached home. A hose line

was placed in service and searches initiated. An all-hands signal brought Engine 6, Ladder 4, Special Services 1 and the North Battalion to the scene, however, the extra help ultimately proved unnecessary as the fire was quickly brought under control.

- Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliffe

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Car Fire on I-295

A burning car brought firefighters out to Interstate 295 in Mercer County on August 26, 2023. The Lawrence Township fire companies responded to the blaze which was initially reported to be along I-295 south in the area of Exit 67 (Route 1) in their town. Lawrence firefighters found no fire when they arrived in the area, but continued south on I-295, and soon discovered the fire just over the border into Hamilton. The blaze was quickly extinguished.

- Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliffe

Fire News, November 2023, Page 19

Resident Burned in Ewing Twp. Fire

An early-morning fire damaged a home in Ewing Township, and sent a resident to the hospital on September 19, 2023. It was 0606 when Ewing Township career firefighters and volunteers from Prospect Heights and West Trenton were dispatched. They arrived to find heavy fire showing from several first-floor windows of the 1-1/2 story home on Beacon Avenue. A resident, who had reportedly tried to fight the fire himself before running to a neighbor’s house to call for help, suffered burns to his hands in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue his cat, which died in the blaze. The resident was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center.

Mutual aid companies from Trenton, Hopewell, Pennington and Lawrence were called to the scene and the blaze was declared under control at 0633.

- Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliffe

Page 20, Fire News, November 2023

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Fatality in Paterson MVA The Paterson Fire Department operated at a fatal MVA on Chamberlain Avenue on July 8, 2023. The driver was removed from vehicle in traumatic heart arrest, CPR was initiated, and the patient was transported to St Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson where the victim was pronounced dead.

- Fire News photos by Ronald Bombaro

Overturned Single-Car Accident The volunteer fire companies of Bargaintown and Cardiff responded to the intersection of Ridge Avenue and LaCosta Road for a report of an MVA with entrapment.

Firefighters arrived to find a vehicle on its side with one person trapped. Firefighters went to work and quickly extricated the occupant who was turned over to EMS for treatment and transport.

- Fire News photo by Eugene Sharpe

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Fire News, November 2023, Page 21

Third Annual Cornhole Tournament

On September 23, 2023, the Surf City Fire Department held their 3rd Annual Cornhole Tournament and block party. Over 60-plus teams competed in the cornhole tournament and at the block party held a silent auction with various prizes from the local businesses and local sports teams. During the event, members of the Surf City Fire Department and their guests wished their oldest active member and 82nd Airborne veteran, John Gutbrod, a happy 102nd birthday. John is the most senior active member of Surf City Fire & EMS! - Fire News photos by Chris ‘Doc’ Denton

Page 22, Fire News, November 2023

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Newark Fire Academy Graduation

On July 26, 2023, the Newark Fire Academy Class 50 held their graduation ceremony. The newly appointed firefighters were from Newark, West Orange, Clifton, Bloomfield and Nutley. The ceremo-

ny was held at Clear View Baptist Church in Newark. They started their careers the following week.

- Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

Fully-Engulfed Car Fire on Route 80

Shortly after returning from a mutual-aid call, Cars 50 and 51, and front bumper line and quickly put the fire out. Byram Fire and Engine 59 were dispatched to Route 80 for a car fire. Units arrived Lakeland EMS were also dispatched to this call. to a fully-engulfed car with flames showing. Engine 59 used their - Fire News photo by Kevin Maloney

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Fire News, November 2023, Page 23

Retirement Dedication for Chief Brian McDermott

Paterson Fire Chief Brian McDermott, retired on July 31, 2023, after serving over 28 years with the Paterson Fire Department.

Chief McDermott joined the department in June 1995, was promoted to Captain in 2004, Battalion Chief in 2009, Deputy Chief in 2014 and Chief of Department on January 1, 2018. His walk out took place at Paterson Fire Headquarters on July 28, 2023, and was

attended by his family, numerous members of the department, as well as, members of surrounding fire departments and politicians including Congressman Bill Pascrell, who presented Chief McDermott with a Congressional Proclamation. We wish Chief McDermott a long, happy, and well-deserved retirement.

- Fire News photos by Peter Danzo

Page 24, Fire News, November 2023

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THEY SAVED NEW YORK is about people who head into burning buildings when everyone else is running out.

Glenn Usdin is a professional photographer and a firefighter for over 40 years who has been photographing fires and firefighters in NYC since the mid 1970s. Dan Potter is a retired FDNY firefighter with the ability to tell the stories that bring the reader right into the firehouse or on the fireground.

Together, Usdin and Potter conceived, photographed and told the stories that captures a wide range of firefighters in They Saved New York.

In the late 1960s, through the 1980s, the New York Fire Department experienced a historic rapid amount of fire duty. The firefighters who worked those years saw more actual fires in a week than most firefighters across the country saw in a year. Usdin felt strongly that these firefighter’s

legacies needed to be preserved and honored in a unique way. That was the inspiration for the project that became They Saved New York.

Dan Potter spent hundreds of hours interviewing featured firefighters and then crafted their stories for the book with his deft writing style. Usdin captured evocative portraits of each of them, as well as hundreds of action photos he shot at fire scenes over 40 plus years.

The result is a large format photo documentary that honors the profession as well as the featured individuals.

A portion of the proceeds from this book will support four foundations that serve the needs of retired and current firefighters.

You may find out more about those foundations and the book here: www.TheySaved NY.com.

FIRE & SAFETY SERVICES 2024 CALENDAR The calendar will feature 12 Pierces from around New Jersey spanning truck type, unique features and territory.

We’re looking forward to celebrating our 60th year in business in 2024. This milestone felt like the perfect time to launch this long-awaited project and ‘thank you’ to our customers, said Ashley Ross, Director of Brand Development.

“There are so many stories to tell behind the build of a fire truck and the department that puts it in service. We’re partnering with National Fire Radio for the next year to help us tell these stories through candid conversations, educational segments and detailed photography for each Pierce and department.”

Fire & Safety will be sharing more calendar reveals and information via their social media channels.

Photo taken at the 2023 New Jersey Firemen’s Convention. From left to right, Jeremy Donch of National Fire Radio; Ashley Ross; David Russell, Principal and President of Fire & Safety Services.

- Fire News photo provided

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Fire News, November 2023, Page 25

Egg Harbor Township 911 Ceremony

The Egg Harbor Township 911 ceremony was hosted by the Farmington Fire Company presented by Assistant Chief Dennis Sharpe, with commentary from Mayor Laura Pfrommer, and Keynote Speaker Michael Fedorko, formerly of the New York New Jersey Port Authority.

- Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe

16th Annual Tribute in Lights Apparatus Shoot at Liberty State Park On September 11, 2023, several photographers gathered at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, for the 16th Annual Tribute in Lights Apparatus Shoot, in remembrance to all the first responders who lost their lives in 2001. Fire apparatus, EMS, and police vehicles from the Tri-State area line-up every year for this event to be photographed with the twin beams and the Freedom Tower in the backdrop. The photo shoot is no cost to participating agencies and each will receive a CD with the photos of their vehicle(s) shot by each photographer. May we never forget.

- Fire News photos by Peter Danzo

Page 26, Fire News, November 2023

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Bergen Firemen’s Home Assn. 2023 BBQ It was a spectacular sunny August 5, 2023, afternoon that the Bergen County Firemen’s Home Association met to host their second barbecue of the summer. This one was made even more special as we celebrated the 100th birthday of one of our members, Maywood Fire Department member Firefighter George Steiger.

Because we were hosting the barbecue with the Maywood Fire Department, many members of their department along with members of the Steiger family joined in the festivities.

We had a large crowd to feed and our grillmasters were up to the task. Chief Prince from the NJ Firemen’s Home and BCFHA member and President of the NJ Firemen’s Association, Bob Ordway, kept the supply of hot dogs, hamburgers and other delicious barbecue foods coming. Our entertainment for the afternoon was the Bloomingdale’s Marching Band who played big band and contemporary pieces.

The Maywood Fire Department pulled out all stops to wish George well on his birthday. They brought both their current fire truck and their antique truck to the event to the delight of the guests who attended.

There was a very touching speech from Maywood Fire Department and Bergen County Firemen’s Home Association member, Roy DeYoung, Jr., wishing George well and talking about all the accomplishments that George had both in his military career and his firefighting career.

This barbecue could not happen without the support of donations from fire departments all over Bergen County. We want to thank everyone for their continued support of these projects to make the residents of the NJ State Firemen’s Home know that the Brotherhood still looks out for them.

- Fire News photos by Justin Watrel

Truck Overturned on Bank of Passaic River

On July 8, 2023, the Garfield Fire Department was dispatched to an overturned vehicle down the bank of the Passaic River at River Drive and Passaic Street. There was no entrapment.

- Fire News photos by Ronald Bombaro

Page 28, Fire News, November 2023

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