November - December

DECEMBER 31 - Submitted by Frank Martucci
At about 10:30 hours, Engine 14 radioed in for Fire Alarm to transmit their home for a working fire in a vacant two-story frame dwelling. Box 5414 was struck and the fire was made a Signal 11.

At about 19:00 hours, a two-alarm fire gutted a 2-1/2-story frame dwelling at Ferry and Somme Streets. As this fire was being knocked down, a full assignment was sent to 329 Ferry Street, near Magazine Street, (two blocks from the first fire) where firefighters found heavy fire in a mixed-occupancy building.

DECEMBER 29 - Submitted by Tom Aurnhammer
At about 17:15 hours, Newark's Bravest were called to the Pilgrim Baptist Village, on 18th Avenue, after an electrical explosion shook the apartment complex. Residents reported that the whole building shook, a back door blew open,  there was a smell of electricity burning, and smoke in some apartments. Some thought the boiler had exploded. Concerns were expressed about the handicapped people and needy children living in the building. Firefighters evacuated a score of families from the building as they checked for any danger. Several apartments lacked heat and electricity, and the Red Cross was called to help find overnight lodgings for those sent out into the night's frigid weather by the blast.

DECEMBER 27 - Submitted by Frank Martucci & Tom Aurnhammer - Photo by Andrew Carl
Around 10:20 hours, Box 5136 was struck for a fire at 42 Hawkins Street, between Ferry and Horatio Streets. Arriving firefighters found a working fire in an occupied three-story frame tenement, with rescue and exposure problems. Battalion 5 banged a deuce upon his arrival, with initial reports that a person was missing. Truck 11, who responded as the FAST team was put to work, resulting in an additional truck being sent to the scene. An engine was special-called for ember patrol, and then an additional engine and truck were special-called to the scene. As the fire took full control of the main fire building and the adjoining exposure, a third-alarm was struck. With companies still operating at the Foundry Street fire, this prompted the necessity of calling in mutual aid to cover Newark's empty firehouses. It took firefighters a little over an hour to bring the blaze under control. One captain suffered minor injuries, and was treated at the scene. All the residents of both dwellings were eventually accounted for.

DECEMBER 26 - Submitted by Frank Martucci
Shortly after 13:00 hours, a Signal 11 fire was fought on the top floor of a vacant five-story brick apartment at Spruce and Somerset Streets.

Later than night, a spectacular three-alarm fire destroyed a warehouse on Foundry Street. A detailed account of this blaze can be found at:

http://www.newarkfirehistory.com/FoundryStFire2008.htm

DECEMBER 24 - Submitted by Frank Martucci - Photos by Rob Munson
A full first-alarm assignment operated at 10 Park Avenue, between North 15th Street and the City Line, in East Orange, for a four-alarm fire involving a one-story brick, approximately 300-by-300-foot furniture warehouse. Newark firefighters had answered an alarm for Park Avenue and North 13th Street, and operated on the North 15th Street side of the fire. An interior attack was attempted, but firefighters were quickly withdrawn as conditions quickly deteriorated. Collapsing walls forced firefighters to keep their distance. In addition to Newark, mutual aid was called in from five other municipalities. Numerous master streams were used to bring the blaze under control in about three hours. The cause of the fire is reportedly to be arson.

More photos and excellent videos of this fire can be viewed at: http://www.redvideo.us/

DECEMBER 24 - Submitted by Tom Aurnhammer - Photo by Detective Ray Irizarry, NFD Arson Squad
U.S. Navy veteran Paul Leber returned from military service to take his oath as a Newark firefighter at a fire headquarters ceremony on Christmas Eve, joining the next class of fire recruits.

Labor achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a Newark firefighter by filling out his paperwork during his final Navy deployment aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), passed his make-up examination and physical after returning to Newark, and took his oath from Director Giordano and Fire Chief Michael Lalor before friends and family at the Wednesday ceremony.

Leber, 29, already is state-certified as a firefighter from the Bergen County Fire Academy. He is waiting to take his second-stage class at the Bergen County Fire Academy in March. Once he gains that second-stage certification, he will take his place in the Newark ranks. Newark Firefighters are required to have both first-and second-stage state certification. First-stage certification covers basic firefighting, while second-stage includes advanced fire suppression and rescue techniques, including CPR.

"We are honoring a man who has served his country with honor, courage, and commitment, by offering a position that gives him an opportunity to define the values he manifested so well across the world's oceans here in our neighborhoods," Mayor Cory A. Booker said in a statement. "Paul Leber will be a role model and mentor for his colleagues in the Fire Department and an inspiration to an entire City. We are privileged to help him achieve his life's dream."

Born in Passaic, Leber, who graduated from Wayne Valley High School, served on the Roosevelt for four years as a tower supervisor in primary flight control. His uncle, Bob Morgenfruh, is a former assistant fire chief for the Wayne Fire Department, serving for 15 years, as well as 30 years as a Wayne police officer. He was present at the ceremony, along with Leber's father, Charles Leber.

"Paul will be a great addition to our Fire Department's latest class. I am proud to be able to swear in a veteran on Christmas Eve, and look forward to bringing more veterans into our Department," Fire Director David Giordano said.

"I always wanted to be a Newark firefighter," Leber said. "My father's family grew up in Newark which is why it was important for me to return to this busy city. I filled out the paperwork while I was overseas and getting to the end of my deployment, and took the make-up examination and physical tests, while on leave. They were tough exams and I'm very happy to have passed it. I have friends on the Fire Department already, who helped me with the preparation, and I'm grateful to them. Now my goal is to have a wonderful career, helping people, and doing my job to the best of my ability."

The Fire Department will be giving out applications starting on Feb. 1 and will continue until May 31. Applications will be available at all fire stations in Newark and at fire headquarters at 1010 18th Ave.

Anyone seeking to become a Newark firefighter must be a U.S. citizen, a Newark resident, age 18-34, with a high school diploma or GED, and have a valid New Jersey driver's license. The city will offer training classes after the application period ends for the New Jersey Firefighter entry-level examination. For more information, call (973) 733-4759.

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(Left-to-right) Deputy City Clerk Louis, Firefighter Paul Leber, Barbara Leber,
Charles Leber, Fire Director Dave Giordano, Fire Chief Michael Lalor.

DECEMBER 22 - From Deputy Chief Tom Reiss
The construction of the new American-LaFrance pumpers has once again been beset by delays, due to ALF moving production lines and personnel around between their primary and secondary plants. They are saying now that the pumpers should be ready by the end of January.

The new ladders are in good shape with some minor problems that are being, or have been, rectified.

DECEMBER 17 - Submitted by Frank Martucci
Box 1438 was struck for a Signal 11 fire involving a 2-1/2-story frame dwelling, at 13th Avenue and South 10th Street.

DECEMBER 14 - Submitted by Frank Martucci
A three-alarm fire damaged several buildings, including a two-story frame dwelling at 52 Cortland Street, at Horatio Street. The fire reportedly started on Horatio Street and spread to buildings on Cortland Street.

DECEMBER 7 - Submitted by Frank Martucci
Box 1414 was struck for a Signal 11 fire on the third floor of a five-story brick apartment building at 1 South 8th Street, at West Market Street.

DECEMBER 6 - Submitted by Frank Martucci
Box 1417 was struck for a working fire at 221 North 7th Street, near 6th Avenue. On arrival, Engine 15 reported the top floor of an occupied four-story brick apartment building fully involved, with a rescue problem. An additional Signal 9 was special-called to the scene. EMS was called to the scene for a victim down.

DECEMBER 5 - Submitted by Frank Martucci
A disturbance occurred at Northern State Prison, on Frontage Road, when an inmate set himself on fire. Several corrections officers were injured in the event. The Mass Casualty Unit was special-called to the scene. The inmate eventually succumbed to his injuries.

DECEMBER 2 - Submitted by Deputy Chief Tom Reiss
Engine 16 was the first to be retrofitted with the new "FDNY-style" front bumper. All new apparatus received will have the new bumper. It was discovered that while the old chrome and diamond plate bumpers looked quite strong, they weren't. There was no underlying support, thereby resulting in major damage to the bumpers from any minor impact. The photo below illustrates the new bumper.

NOVEMBER 24 - Submitted by Frank Martucci
Box 1358 was struck for a fire in Littleton Avenue School, 33 Littleton Avenue, near West Market Street. An additional Signal 9 was special-called.

NOVEMBER 22 - Submitted by Tom Aurnhammer
The Star-Ledger ran a story, written by Chanta L. Jackson, about the Newark Museum's "Fire Escapes: Danger and Survival" permanent exhibit that was opened in the Newark Fire Museum in September. The exhibit is an attempt to educate people about fire safety, and possibly save some lives in the process. Kids can try on fire gear, view a remnant of the World Trade Center, and watch a video demonstrating how to find fire hazards in their homes. The exhibit also features a rookie firefighter computer game, a kitchen filled with fire hazards, and 19th and 20th century fire apparatus. Fire Museum hours are 12:00 to 17:00, Wednesday through Friday, and 10:00 to 17:00 Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is $9; $6 for children, students, and seniors.

NOVEMBER 21 - Submitted by Frank Martucci
Hillside had a two-alarm fire in apartment building at 186 Grumman Avenue. Newark operated with a full assignment, in addition to an engine and truck from Irvington.

NOVEMBER 11 - Submitted by Deputy Chief Tom Reiss
Chief Reiss sent along this photo of one of the new pumpers under construction at American-LaFrance. He reported they were expecting to make the final inspection soon.