Garage Fire Extends in Holiday City
On March 4, 2025, Berkeley Township Stations 18 and 20 were dispatched to a reported house fire on Harrington Drive in Holiday City. Crews arrived to an active fire in the garage that had extended to the home. Units worked on scene for20 minutes before placing the fire undercontrol. Toms River Station 26 and Bayville Fire also responded.
- Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti
Massive Fire in Freezing Conditions Takes Out 3 Homes
On March 3, 2025, in the early morning hours, the Newark Fire Department was dispatched to Woodside Avenue fora reported building fire. Units arrived to heavy fire in a large three-story home that had already extended to both the Bravo and Delta exposures. An offensive attack was attempted but crews were forced to evacuate as heavy fire consumed all three buildings and soon spread to a nearby four-story apartment building. Crews worked in below freezing temperatures into the late morning bringing the fire undercontrol.
- Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti
Collings Lake Grass Fire Ignites Vehicle & Shed
The volunteerfire companies of Collings Lakes and Newtonville, along with the City of Hammonton Fire Department and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, responded to East Collings Drive on February 25, 2025, fora report of a brush fire. Collings Lakes Assistant Chief Bill Collins arrived, established command, and reported a fire in the rearyard 20 feet from the house. Upon investigating, command found a fast-moving grass fire that extended to a van that was fully involved, storage sheds with fire, and debris burn-
ing. Command had the first-due Collings Lakes engine crew pull two lines and begin attacking the van fire. Forest Fire crews attacked the grass fire that extended to two otherproperties with heat damage to two dwellings. Newtonville and Hammonton firefighters extinguished the remaining areas of fire while the Collings Lakes and Newtonville watertenders supplied the scene. The cause of the fire was under investigation. - Fire News photo by Ken Badger
Crews were called to a fire located on NJ 35 south in Sayreville. Initial calls came in at 1508 hours on April 9, 2025, forheavy smoke showing from the property next to
ed
Discount Tire which had extend-
Mavis
to the Mavis building. Multiple surrounding fire departments were called to the scene along with Middlesex County Coordinator and the NJ State Fire Marshal. - Fire News photos by Rich Masterson
Bergen County Firemen’s Home Association April Meeting
It was another successful day at the NJ State Firemen’s Home Association (NJSFHA), which held their April 7, 2025, meeting. Fundraising has been going wonderfully and the association is ahead of its goals in preparation for the summer barbecues. We want to thank all those fire companies in Bergen County who donated to the organization. Your generosity has helped us so much in this effort.
We are now planning our June and August barbecues and starting the plans for our Christmas party for the guests. There will be a lot going on in the next several months between the summer activities and the upcoming holidays.
After the meeting was over, we went into the main room to greet the
residents. We had an afternoon planned with entertainment from singer, Gigi, who is very popular with everyone at the home.
We gave our greetings and well wishes to the residents and let them know of our upcoming barbecues planned this summer. Then the entertainment started. It was a great concert and everyone had a nice time. It was another wonderful afternoon at the home.
We are always looking for new members and any member of a Bergen County firehouse who wants to help support our retired members of the fire service who reside at the NJ State Firemen’s Home in Boonton, are welcome. It is a great brotherhood and we benefit just as much as our fellow brothers at the home with these visits. - Submitted by Justin Watrel
West Paterson Handles Driveway CarFire
The West Paterson Fire Department was dispatched to 84 Maple Avenue fora caron fire. Car11 arrived on scene and found a car fully involved in the driveway. Crews quickly handled fire it with no extensions. - Fire News photos by
Truck Up in Flames in Atlantic City
The volunteerfire companies of Cologne, Laureldale and Mays Landing were dispatched at 0100 hours on April 5, 2025, to the rearof Bob’s Discount Furniture at the Hamilton Mall on the Black Horse Pike fora report of a vehicle fire. Firefighters arrived to find a tractortrailerloaded with produce involved with fire. Firefighters utilized a nearby hydrant forwaterwith numerous handlines being used to stop the fire.
Michael Saggau, Jr.
- Fire News photos by Ken Badger
Ewing Duplex Fire Night Before Easter
An EasterWeekend 2025 fire damaged both sides of a duplex in Ewing Township, Mercer County. It was 1814 hours on April 19, 2025, that on-duty Ewing careerfirefighters and volunteers from West Trenton and Prospect Heights were dispatched to Carrigg Avenue. They arrived to find heavy smoke blanketing the neighborhood and flames showing from a second-floorwindow on the left side of the 21/2-story structure. While there were initial reports of entrapment, it was soon confirmed that all residents were out. Mutual aid came from Pennington Borough and Hamilton Township. Hoselines were put to work on the duplex’s left side, while anotherline was stretched into the right side. The fire was declared undercontrol at 1915. One resident and one firefighterwere hurt and transported to hospital by Ewing EMS. The Red Cross was requested to assist displaced residents.
- Fire News photos by Michael Ratcliffe
Farmington Gets NJ Forest Fire Service Wildfire Training
Members of the Farmington VolunteerFire Company in Egg HarborTownship were given training by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service on April 1, 2025, forpreparation forthe upcoming forest fire season. Farmington firefighters has already experienced several large wildland fires and the training included structural protection, tool familiarization, dos and don’ts, and filling their engines. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe
Jones Road Wildfire
Over15,000 Acres
Abandoned Row House Fire Stopped in Camden
Looking Ahead to the 2026 NJEPA Conference!
Planning is officially underway for the 27th New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Association (NJEPA) Conference! Mark your calendars and join us in April 2026 at the iconic Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City for another unforgettable week of nationally recognized training, engaging breakout sessions, dynamic programs for emerging emergency managers, and inspiring awards and scholarship presentations.
We're excited to once again bring together professionals from across the state and beyond for a week of learning, networking, and fun - all in the heart of Atlantic City. Be sure to keep an eye on our website and check your inbox for updates as we roll out details on the 2026 conference program! Apply for Awards & Challenges!
• Higher Education Challenge: Submissions open in October.
• 2026 Awards: Applications open January 1st. Stay tuned - we can't wait to see you in Atlantic City!
Crews were called to Lansdowne Avenue to a vacant row house between two otherunits. Crews were able to limit damage.
- Fire News photos by Ed Hutchinson
Police CruiserInvolved in Accident in Wayne
On April 26, 2025, at 1300 hours the Wayne Fire Department was dispatched to Route 23 northbound in front of the Wayne Mazda Dealership foran MVAinvolving a police cruiserwith a large fuel spill. Company 1 and Rescue 5 were called to the scene.
- Fire News photos by Michael Saggau, Jr.
2-Alarm Row House Fire in Trenton
Two alarms were transmitted fora blaze involving the cockloft of a row of houses in Trenton on April 7, 2025. It was 1728 hours when Engines 6, 10 and 1, Ladder4 and Rescue 1 were dispatched in response to multiple 911 calls reporting smoke coming from the roofs of several twostory homes on Poplar Street. First-due companies confirmed a working fire and the all-hands was called, sending Engine 7, Ladder2 and Special Services 1 to the scene. Faced with flames extending through the attic void of the row of homes, Battalion Chief Kevin Rice ordered a second alarm foradditional manpower. Engine 9 and Ladder1 responded. Aftermany ceilings were pulled, three well-place hoselines halted the spread of the flames and the fire was declared undercontrol. - Fire News photos by Michael Ratcliffe
Fire Contained to 3rd Floorin Long Branch
On April 13, 2025, at 1707 hours the Long Branch Fire Department along with Long Branch First Aid, Long Branch Fire Police, and Elberon EMS responded to a callerstating a room was on fire. Command requested an Asbury Park truck to the scene along with Squad 43 from Sea Bright and also notified the Fire Marshal’s Office foradditional resources to backfill fire headquarters. JCP&Lwas requested to the scene. The fire was contained to a room on the third floor.
- Fire News photos by Chris ‘Doc’Denton
CarFire at TD Bank in Egg Harbor
The volunteerfire companies of Cardiff and Bargaintown were dispatched to the TD Bank on English Creek Avenue on April 4, 2025, fora report of a vehicle fire. Scullville Lieutenant Anthony Ang, who was across the street at The Home Depot, radioed in the working vehicle fire. Engine 1516 quickly arrived and made short work of the fire, confining it to the engine compartment and keeping it from extending to the bank.
- Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe
Up Close & Personal
Fire Department Station 27 who attended the Spring Valley Fallen Firefighters training drill held in the memory of Spring Valley firefighterJared Lloyd. - Fire News photo by Chris ‘Doc’Denton
Overturned Vehicle Engulfed in Flames in Lawrence
Firefighters from Lawrence Township and Princeton were called out to handle a fully-engulfed vehicle fire on April 6, 2025. It was shortly before 2200 hours that the vehicle veered off the southbound side of Interstate 295, rolled over and came to rest on its roof on the grass. The driver, fortunately, was able to crawl from the wreckage before it caught fire and became engulfed in flames. As firefighters were nearing the scene, an explosion sent a large fireball rocketing into the night sky. Princeton’s Rescue 60 was called in as a precaution in case additional waterwas needed. Ultimately, the blaze was quickly knocked down.
- Fire News photos by Michael Ratcliffe
FIRE APPARATUS MANUFACTURERS’ASSOCIATION
The Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’Association (FAMA) will be held on Tuesday, October 21 through Friday, October 24, 2025 at the Rosen Centre, 9840 International Drive, Orlando, FL32819.
It’s an opportunity all fire chiefs, fleet managers and spec committees, to join FAMA’s 1st Annual Fire Apparatus Design Symposium! Sign up by May 30, 2025, forSpecial early bird pricing at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fama-fireapparatus-design-symposium-2025-tickets1127532884209?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Afire apparatus is a huge investment for any fire department, and making sure it’s specified properly from the start is critical. Committees spend countless hours developing these specifications and have many questions such as: What changes to codes should I be considering? How will the new EPA engine emissions affect my design? How can I maximize the space inside my compartments? What is the latest electronic technology for controls, lighting, and other devices that can make my apparatus more efficient and carry it into the next decade? Are there new technologies that can reduce my annual operating and maintenance costs?
their own conclusions on which product to purchase.
FAMAis a non-profit organization and is recognized as the most comprehensive resource to the emergency vehicle industry. The association consists of apparatus manufacturers, as well as component manufacturers, and has existed for over 75 years.
As a Fire Chief or Apparatus Committee, who can better answer your questions than the people who actually engineer, test and produce the products?
The FAMAFire Apparatus Design Symposium brings together the resources you need to guide you on safety, new technology, and apparatus design in general. By offering presentations delivered by competing vendor suppliers, you can be assured that the information will be fact-based on the technologies, and not a typical sales pitch.
Industry Leading sessions will address such issues as Apparatus Purchasing 101; Modern Electrical Systems; Compartment Management; Foam Systems; Lighting Control Technology; Cab Design Considerations; Engines for 2027; Occupant Protection; Aerial Controls; and Idle Reduction Technology.
There appear to be many resources for getting answers to these types of questions, but often those answers are integrated into advertisements, and sales pitches from specific manufacturers. All too often, a committee ends up getting a specific opinion from one manufacturer, guiding them towards purchasing their product, instead of fact-based information on the technology, allowing them to make
The FAMAFire Apparatus Design Symposium has been strategically scheduled in a location that is easy to access from anywhere in North America, at a top-rate facility, with presentations from industry experts.
If your department wants to stay on top of apparatus tewchnology, and make connections with industry leaders, this is the one event you don’t want to miss!
Irvington Fire Fight Hindered Due to Hoarding
On March 10, 2025, all Irvington Fire Companies, South Essex Squad 32, and two engines and a Truck from Newark responded to Grove Street in Irvington fora reported house fire. Crews arrived to moderate smoke showing from a large three-story frame and were faced with heavy hoarding conditions, which made containment difficult. Eventually, heavy fire consumed the attic and all crews were evacuated from the building. Heavy fire was knocked down with exteriorlines before crews re-entered the building to conduct overhaul. - Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti
