Fire News New Jersey September, 2023

Duck Rescue in North Wildwood

ANorth Wildwood crew responds to a report of ducklings caught in a storm drain.

See story on page 8

Multi-Alarm in Mays Landing

Three departments respond to a fire in a large metal-and-wood structure.

See story on page 13

Up Close and Personal

Acloser look at first responders around the state.

AService for New Jersey Firefighters and EMS Heroes

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FIRE NEWS NEW JERSEYPHOTOGRAPHERS

See story on page 16

Farmington Single-Car MVA

Apassenger is ejected and the driver found unconscious on Westcoat Road.

See story on page 18

LODDs

See story on page 19

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.

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NEW FEATURE NEW FEATURE

CONGRESS TO CUTAFG AND SAFER GRANTS? YOUR ACTION NEEDED!

The International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Volunteer Fire Council, the Congressional Fire Services Institute, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and the National Fire Protection Association all joined together in a unified voice to express outrage at recently proposed cuts to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing forAdequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) programs. Our organizations call upon Congress to restore funding to these programs. Your support in amplifying our message would be invaluable

Here is a link to their full statement: https://www.iafc.org/docs/default-source/ 1gr/fire-groups-statement-on-afg-and-safergrant-cuts.pdf

ODD HOURS, NO PAY, COOLHAT

The National Volunteer Fire Council is proud to work in collaboration with John

Deere, Hold Fast Features, and Vignette on the volunteer fire service documentary Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat . The film (https://oddhoursfilm.com/watch) is now available nationwide and can be rented or purchased via iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play.

This film aims to expand the visibility of volunteer firefighting and increase recruitment across the country. The trailer can be seen at https://vimeo.com/812127020/ead44de435.

VOLUNTEER FIRST RESPONDER HOUSINGACT

Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY02) introduced the VolunteerFirst 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. The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act would allow volunteers to participate in the loan program even if their income exceeds the maximum allowable income level by up to $18,000. The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program is an existing program that gives law enforcement officers, teachers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians a 50 percent discount from the list price of a home located in a revitalization area. The full text of the bill can be found at https://t.ly/E8EBQ.

Duck Rescue in North Wildwood

On June 31, 2023, a North Wildwood crew responded to West Spruce Avenue fora report of ducks stuck in a storm drain. Ladder2’s crew removed the storm drain and rescued six ducklings. Five ducks were easily grabbed while the last had worked its way fartherinto the drain. The quick-thinking crew and captain from Ladder2 requested a shop vac to the scene and created a filteroverthe hose to “suck” the duck back to the opening and were able to safely reunite all the ducklings with mom, who remained nearby during the entire rescue. - Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

Oakwood Village 2-Alarmer

Hours afterclearing the crash on Route 46, calls came in forsmoke coming from a garage in Oakwood Village. Units arrived to a heavy smoke condition from a garage of a three-story apartment complex. Car91 requested a second alarm as Engine 95 took the first line in and started searching forthe fire. Tower96 laid in from a hydrant. Engine 59 and Engine 53 assisted with searches of upperfloors and venting the building. The fire was placed under control within a half hour. Mutual aid companies were assigned RITand station coverage. There were no injuries and the fire was under investigation by the Mt. Olive Police and Fire Marshal’s Office.

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

Mays Landing Bus-CarMVA

The volunteerFire Companies of Mays Landing and Laureldale responded on May 18, 2023, at 0736, to Harding Highway (Route 40) and 19th Street foran MVAwith entrapment aftera passengervehicle crossed the centerline and collided with a school bus trapping the driverof the passengervehicle and sending the school bus careening onto the shoulderof the highway. Firefighters and EMS worked to free the driverof the passengervehicle and there were no students on the bus. Both drivers were evaluated and transported by EMS with the crash underinvestigation by Township of Hamilton Police. Also responding were Atlanticare Paramedics.

- Fire News photos by Ken Badger

FirstNet Response Operations Demo

In late June, FirstNet hosted a response operations demo in New Jersey which provided a behind-the-scenes look at the FirstNet experience and how the FirstNet Response Operations Group and AT&T Network Disaster Recovery teams mobilize to support public safe ty. Members of the Fire, EMS and Police community were able to see some of the FirstNet dedicated deployable assets used to support disas-

ters. Local and national experts from FirstNet, the FirstNet A uthority and AT&Twere on hand to explain these resources, demo the products, discuss the public-private partnership between the FirstNet Aut hority and AT&Tand answer questions.

- Fire News photos by Tim Edwards

Multi-Alarm Commercial Fire in Mays Landing

The volunteerfire Companies of Laureldale, Cologne and Mays Landing were dispatched at 2131 hours on April 21, 2023, to Holly Street fora report of a structure fire. Almost immediately, Township Fire Official Chris Dibiase called dispatch and reques ted a second alarm and a tankertask force response. The fire involved the South Jersey Lumberman’s, a 50- x 300-foot metaland-wood frame structure that ran deeply into the woodlands with several storage buildings well involved. The fire grew to multiple alarm status bringing firefighters from throughout Atlantic and surrounding counties. Machinery was brought in to pull the metal siding and roofs apart to fully extinguish the fire; one firefighter was transported to the hospital forevaluation. Command was terminated at 0515 hours April 22, with the fire being investigated by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety Investigations Unit.

- Fire News photos by Ken Badger

Possible Lightning Strike Cause of N. Plainfield 3-Alarmer

On July 4, 2023, North Plainfield firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke showing from the top floorof a vacant dwelling on Myrtle Avenue. Multiple alarms were transmitted as a result of the heat and humidity. Firefighters chased the fire throughout the top floorand void spaces before bringing the fire undercontrol within an hour. The fire eventually went to three alarms. The cause of the fire was believed to be a lightning strike. - Fire News photos by Glenn Duda, Allhandsworking

Hot Day fora Fire in Flanders

Recently, calls came in from a neighborreporting smoke from a garage with alarms going off. Car91 and Car50 arrived and called fora second alarm. There was fire coming from the kitchen area with smoke pushing through the roof on the garage side. Engine 95 and 59 made entry through the reargarage area and started knocking down the fire. Mutual aid arrived and assisted with stretching additional lines to the second floor. All companies were pulled out briefly due to a possible floorcollapse. Shortly aftermaking sure the structure was safe, crews continued to operate and hit hot spots and overhauled. Two firefighters were checked by EMS but were able to return to work. The fire was underinvestigation by the Mount Olive Police and Fire Marshal’s office. Due to the heat a third alarm was dispatched forrelief by a canteen unit and rehab bus.

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

Up Close & Personal

Members of the Newtonville Fire Company celebrating with their new recruits following theirgraduation on July 10, 2023.

South Egg Harbor House Fire

Totowa Garage Fire

In the early morning of July 12, 2023, the South Egg Harborand Egg HarborCity fire departments were dispatched fora reported structure fire. Car26-50 arrived and confirmed a working fire with smoke showing from a single-story residential. The first-due engine arrived and stretched a single 1-3/4 inch attack line and the fire was quickly extinguished. Crews ventilated the structure and opened up the interiorwalls checking forextension. There were n o reported injuries. The fire was underinvestigation.

- Fire News photo by Eric ‘Doc’Moran

Totowa Fire Department operated at a fire in an attached garage on Gordon Avenue on June 29, 2023.

- Fire News photo by Richard Bombaro

(Above)

- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

(Left) Anthony Baldesaro, Malaga Fire Chief, and City of Vineland Station 2 Chief Robert Cresi at the Buena fire on August 3, 2023.

- Fire News photo by Ken Badger

The new Directorof Training forthe Atlantic County Fire Academy, Brian Middleton.

- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Looking Back

Glendora - 1928, 1959, 1980

(Clockwise from above)

Looking Back to 1980 when Glendora won first place with their International Ladderat the New Jersey FirefighterConvention in Wildwood.

Looking Back at the Glendora Fire Company in 1959. The Glendora Fire Company’s 1928 Seagrave.

- Fire News photos from the Dennis C. Sharpe Collection

Injured in Farmington 1-CarMVA

The Farmington VolunteerFire Company responded to Westcoat Road at Aifam Avenue fora report of a vehicle fire following an MVAon August 2, 2023, at 1910. Farmington Assistant Chief Dennis Sharpe arrived, established command, and gave a brief report of no fire orentrapment and had the crew of Rescue 1547 assist EMS with patient removal and de-energizing the vehicle. The crash involved a single vehicle into a utility pole with the passengerlaying out on the shoulderand the driverunconscious being attended to by EMTs. There was also a large spill of paint. Two BLS and one ALS responded to the scene and transported the occupants to the local trauma center. The crash was underinvestigation by EHTPolice and the EMS crews were Egg Harb or Township and Atlanticare Paramedics.

- Fire News photos by Ken Badger

Pleasantville National Night Out

On August 1, 2023, members of the Pleasantville Fire Department held an extrication demonstration for theirannual National Night Out. Onlookers saw how members removed the vehicle doors and roof. Members were also able to answerquestions afterwards. National Night Out is only one of the many events the City of Pleasantville Fire Department holds annually.

Fire News photos by Eric ‘Doc’Moran

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4 Injured in Route 46 3-CarMVA

Recently, calls came in fora three-carMVAin front of the Days Inn on Route 46. Units arrived and found two cars in the roadway with a panel van fully involved in fire also in the roadway. Engine 59 and 95 arrived and started fire attack with the assistance of Fire Marshals 3, 4 and 5. Fourambulances from Atlantic EMS started patient care along with a medic unit. Rig 89 from Flanders was on scene to assist. Two people were taken by separate helicopters to Morristown Medical Centerand two were taken by ground to Morristown as well.

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

House Destroyed in Brick Blaze

On June 15, 2023, all Brick Fire companies were dispatched to a home on 19th Avenue in Brick, fora reported house fire. Police and the first chiefs arrived to a single-story home with heavy fire showing from one bedroom. On the arrival of the first engine, heavy fire

consumed the majority of the home. An interiorattack was attempted but all units were evacuated from the building as heavy fire overcame the crews. Multiple handlines and a deck gun were placed into service fora defensive attack. - Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

New FFs in the Pipeline in Atlantic County

The Atlantic County Firefighters Association held graduation ceremonies fortheirFall 2022 / Spring 2023 FirefighterI classes on July 11, 2023, at the Egg HarborTownship Community Center. Welcoming remarks were given by Directorof Training Brian Middleton, ACFFA 1st Vice President Dennis Sharpe, Executive Committee Vice Chairman Levon Clayton, and Atlantic County Directorof Public

Safety Michael Fedorko with comments and blessing from association Deacon Richard Maxwell. Fifteen graduates from Fall 2022 and 34 graduates from the Spring 2023 classes received certificates and all were urged to continue theirtraining and the firefighters in attendance were urged to mentorthe new firefighters.

- Fire News photos by Wm. McFarland and Dennis C. Sharpe

NJ Fireman’s Parade

Who doesn’t love a parade? When it comes to the New Jersey State Fireman’s Association, the parade history is long. Video records going back as far as 1915, show the NJ Fireman’s Parade in Wildwood. Marching down Pacific Avenue where thousands of people were lined up to witness fire departments from all over the state displaying their new-fangled fire trucks and marching with bands comprised of fire company members.

The pride that fire departments take in displaying their equipment is still as strong today. Residents from all over the state appreciate and respect the dedication that their fire departments show toward their communities. Firefighters are a highly visible, well respected force in their towns, and community spirit makes us all proud to know our local firefighters.

In 1973, when the Fireman’s Convention was in Atlantic City, it was decided that having a parade would not be permitted anymore. Robert Hentges, a member of the West Wildwood Fire Company made a motion to move the convention to Wildwood so that the fire departments around the state could still maintain their parade. So, in 1974 the first of Wildwood’s Parades took place. The six fire departments of the Wildwood’s formed an association to put on the parade and what would become the Fire Expo. Anglesea Fire

Company, North Wildwood Vol Fire Co, Wildwood Volunteer Fire Company, Holly Beach Vol Fire Company, West Wildwood Vol Fire Co, and Wildwood Crest Volunteer Fire Company make up the Five Mile Beach Volunteer Fireman’s Association who have been hosting NJ firefighters in Wildwood for the last 49 years.

Ed Beck, a life member of the Anglesea Fire Company is the parade chairman, and has been participating in convention preparation for 43 years. “I’ve never had so much fun in helping put on this convention and parade” Ed said when asked about his tenure with the convention. The fire companies on the island have enjoyed hosting this convention for all these years and hope that it will continue long into the future, Beck said.

Wildwood Convention Hall where the convention is held, was built in part to house the Fireman’s Convention. The old convention hall was small and couldn’t hold the amount of delegates and life members that attended. So, with the support of the NJ Fireman’s Association, the State of New Jersey constructed this beautiful hall to accommodate our NJ Fireman.

When asked what the future holds for the convention and parade, Beck said: “We all want this convention to flourish, and having active participation from our state fire companies is vital to this effort.” Beck also went on to say that over the

years, the parade has lost momentum. In the 70s, 80s and 90s the parade lasted for seven or eight hours. Now the parade lasts approximately one hour. When asked why the parade has suffered like this, he said that it is a combination of factors. Staffing, fuel costs, toll costs, coverage issues in removing apparatus from town, lack of volunteer members, and a lack of interest on the part of companies to participate. It’s a very sad thing to witness.

Beck went on to say that the Five Mile Beach Volunteer Fireman’s Association has actively been discussing canceling the parade due to the lack of participation. Beck stated that the parade is a Memorial Parade that honors Firefighter LODDs, and it would a shame to not have this venue to honor those who have died. Beck said that there are approximately 750 fire companies in the state, and only about 60 are now participating. In order to continue with the Fireman’s Parade, it will be imperative for more fire departments to participate. Canceling the parade would be a horrible decision to have to make, but without involvement from state fire companies, the NJ Fireman’s parade may just be answering its last alarm.

To register for the Fireman’s Parade, go to the Fire Expo Website at: WWW.NJFIREEXPO.com and click on parade registration.

FIREHOUSE EXPO PREVIEW: MORE LESSONS LEARNED, VOLUNTEER DAYS, ‘AFAMILYBUSINESS’

If you haven’t joined us in Columbus at this point for Firehouse Expo and experienced all that the city offers, know that an article in Forbes Magazine called Columbus a “hidden gem” and touted its diverse food and art scenes and highlighted unique offerings of the country's 14th largest city. We continue to partner with Columbus Division of Fire, the Ohio Fire Academy and departments throughout Central Ohio to provide unique training opportunities with top national instructors.

Schedule Change forFirst Day

To add more educational opportunities to Wednesday happenings, we updated the day’s schedule. Three groups of sessions will be offered between 0800-1230. There will be a break for lunch and then the opening ceremonies will begin at 1400, including awards and the keynote address. The day then will transition to the exhibit floor, where there will be a welcome reception, a Tailboard Talk and a roundtable.

New Classes

This year’s expanded classroom schedule includes the return of popular classes and instructors along with a variety of new instructors and topics.

We are excited to have David Decker, who is the host of the wellknown @CommandVisionFire channel on YouTube, bring his sessions to Firehouse Expo this year. Many of you have ridden virtually with him as he captures video and audio of incidents in Newark, OH. Now you can attend his class, “Incident Command: Defining the Expectation.” Expanding on his videos, Decker will set the pace for incident command with tips, tricks and how to use tactical worksheets.

Apartment buildings can be found in any community in the nation, and Firehouse Magazine Engine Essentials columnist Jonathan Hall will bring his popular article on apartment fires to life in his new session, “Engine Company Operations at Apartment Fires.” Getting t he hoseline into operation at the seat of the fire as soon as possible increases survivability and reduces damage in the home of many. Attend Hall’s session to learn more about engine tactics in the se challenging environments.

Departments have parsed various rapid intervention operations and skills to meet their resources and responses, but critical points might be overlooked when different programs fight for training time. Robert Policht will help attendees look at current RITneeds and deployment practices to assess their own needs in “RIT? FAST? RIC? WHO?”

Are you prepared to use your department’s drone? During “Flying into a New Era: Building a Drone Program and Utilization in the Fire Service,” Christopher Yoch will explain his department’s drone program, from concept, to equipment, to deployment at fires, for searches for missing people, and at large-scale incidents for victim search and responder safety.

VolunteerDays

Firehouse Expo will offer special programs for volunteer firefighters with a special discounted rate of $75 registration for either Wednesday or Friday. Sessions those days include tactics and leadership, training, and best practices for recruitment and retentio n. There also will be roundtables regarding various volunteer-focused topics.

Don’t miss “CPR for the Volunteer Fire Service,” a program with Ohio Fire Academy Fire Chief Jack Smith and Candice McDonald, who is the deputy CEO of the National Volunteer Fire Council. They will discuss recruitment and retention strategies that aren’t b ased on costly campaigns and incentives but, rather, on practical, professional applications.

Brandon Fletcher will deliver two sessions, including “AFG Strategies for Success,” which will walk attendees through the process of writing grants for the Assistance to Firefighter Grants program from FEMA, including how his department has successfully navigated the process. This involves professional appearance and computer score justification, among others.

Lessons Learned

Attendees of Firehouse Expo in 2022 requested more classes/speakers that concentrate on lessons learned and that p rovide examination of close calls and fireground incidents.

Shawn Corder will detail his crew’s near-miss when members

became disoriented and separated on the second floor of the church and were running low on air as heavy fire conditions threatened their lives inside of a church. He will share what happened and what you need to train on now in his session, “Out of Air, Can YOU Make It to Safety?”

Various factors led to veteran fire instructor Ragan Underwood being trapped by a unilateral flow path after he evacuated his students during a live fire training exercise. Join Underwood in his session, “I Was Not Ready for This!” He will explain what happened that daydespite hundreds of hours of training -how it has affected his role as a firefighter and instructor, and what attendees can do during their operations and training.

Pre-conference Workshops

Our in-depth pre-conference workshops will allow participants to take a deep dive into leadership, tactics and the human side of firefighting, among other topics.

Getting out with the crew in your first-due always creates great discussions between members, and Firehouse Expo’s “Walking Columbus: Talking Tactics and Construction” will bring together a group of veteran fire instructors and attendees to discuss building construction and tactics. Join Columbus Division of Fire’s legendary Capt. (ret.) Greg Lash, Firefighter Nelvin Young and their cadre as they take you on a full-day tour of Columbus to look at myriad types of buildings to understand size-up, construction, and strategies and tactics. Registration is limited, so sign-up today.

This new class conference includes several “Thru-the-Lock, the Not-So Forcible Entry Method” with John Hayowyk, Jr., Battalion Chief (ret.), City of Passaic Fire Department.

Life Safety, incident stabilization and property conservation a re the three incident priorities we follow in the fire service. At every incident, these priorities must be maintained. One of the many tasks firefighters must be proficient in is forcible entry. The Thru-the-Lock method of forcible entry conserves property damage while obtaining the goal of gaining entry. This method is utilized when life safety and property conservation come together to make access to buildings and homes for a vast array of incident responses. When seconds count and lives hang in the balance, it takes trained professionals to do their job and get it done right. Thru-the-Lock has proven effective to access patients, making entry for water flow activation, as well as ma intaining door control for smoke conditions. An additional benefit of Thruthe-Lock is the ability to secure the entry point upon terminat ion of the incident. Thru-the-Lock is a skill every firefighter needs in their proverbial toolbox.

Fire departments across the country face many challenges in the post-COVID-19 era, including leadership changes, culture issues and exhaustion, which all can bring down morale in firefighters. Join Charleston, SC, Fire Chief Dan Curia and Assistant Chief David Griffin (author of Firehouse’s Leadership Lessons column) for “The Morale Dilemma,” as they show how to guide a department forward by reevaluating its culture, examining leadership, and setting goals and timelines to boost the morale and make the organization mor e successful.

Find the full list of pre-conference workshops here: firehouseexpo.com/2023/workshops. You must preregister for these four- and eight-hour workshops, so do it today.

LODD: Bayville’s Brian J. Letrent

On Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at 1830, Firefighter Brian Joseph Letrent of the Bayville Volunteer Fire Company 1 participated in a fire-department-mandated full-scale drill/exercise. On Wednesday, June 21, 2023, while returning home from his job, he suffered a cardiac emergency and was immediately transported to the Bayshore Medical Center where he passed away a short time later. He was 34-years old.

Surviving are his mother and stepfather Kathleen and Roy Whitley, his father and stepmother Richard and Donna Letrent, one brother Richard Letrent and his companion Yasmin Moreno, and his aunt and uncle Cherrie and Tim Kennedy and his cousins, Jennifer Freit, Eddie Beach, Kristen Kenny and Amanda Kennedy

Donations in Brian’s memory may be made to: Bayville Fire Company Station 17, 645 Atlantic City Blvd., Bayville, NJ 08721.

Remembering Hasbrouck Heights’Chris Semenecz

On May 21, 2023, the New Jersey/New York Volunteer Firemen’s Association honored former Hasbrouck Heights Fire Chief Chris Semenecz for his years of service. Chief Semenecz passed away last July 2022 after 37 years on the fire department. Former Chief Semenecz was an active member of the Hasbrouck Heights Volunteer Fire Department for 37 years, retiring in 2021. He was the Second Assistant Chief in 1990-91, the Assistant Chief in 1991-92 before serving as Chief in 1992-93. He also served as President of the Hasbrouck Heights Exempt Association from 1990 to 2000, and served as the Treasurer of the Hasbrouck Heights Relief Association from 1994 until passing. Many Hasbrouck Heights residents will remember him as one of Santa’s representatives during the Fire Department’s Annual “Santa Around Town.”

The honor was presented to his widow, Janie Semenecz, by former Chief of the Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department Tim Moots and by former Engine One and Department Secretary, Justin Watrel. Mrs. Semenecz was joined by her sister for the presentation at her home and was very honored to accept recognition from the organization in honor of her husband’s dedication to the Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department and community. Pictured: former Chief Tim Moots, Mrs. Janie Semenecz and former Secretary Justin Watrel.

- Photo courtesy of Kathleen Whitley

- Fire News photo courtesy Justin Watrel

Obituary LODDs: Newark’s Augusto Acabou and Wayne Brooks, Jr.

On July 5, 2023, while battling a fire in Port Newark aboard a container/roll-on-roll-off ship, the MVGrande Costa d’Avorio, two experienced Newark firefighters, FF Augusto ‘Augie’Acabou and FF Wayne ‘Bear’Brooks, Jr., of Engine 16 and Ladder 4, respectively, were tragically killed in the line of duty.

Both men’s funerals were held at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark and both men were posthumously promoted to Captain. Acabou’s funeral was held on July 13; Brooks’funeral was held July 14.

- Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

FFWayne ‘Bear’Brooks, Jr.

FFAugusto ‘Augie’Acabou