July - August - September

AUGUST 27 - From Ron Jeffers
At 01:25 hours, the Belleville FD responded to an alarm for a fire at 248 Washington Avenue, between Academy Street and Van Houten Place. On arrival, they found a two-story frame dwelling, with Sparkle Nails occupying the first floor, heavily involved in fire, with extension to a similar building at #246, which had a recording studio and music supply store on the first floor. Attached to the original fire building, at #242-44, was a fully occupied, five-story brick apartment house. Prior to the arrival of firemen, a mother had rescued her three children, one of who is handicapped, from their second-floor apartment over the nail shop. Policemen went through both buildings, and the apartment house, evacuating tenants. Both buildings became totally involved in fire, resulting in mutual aid being called to the scene and into the town to cover its vacated fire stations. The NFD responded to the scene with Engine 13 and Truck 6. Both buildings were destroyed, and there was some extension to the apartment house. Everyone was allowed back into their apartments the next day as both the fire buildings were being demolished. Two firemen were injured while battling the blaze and taken to Clara Maas Medical Center, where they were treated and released.

AUGUST 24 - Photos and info from Rob Munson
Fire Dispatchers transmitted Box 1327 for a fire reported at 5th and Dickerson Streets. On arrival, firemen found a heavy smoke condition showing from the basement of a three-story frame tenement, with a market on the first floor. Deputy Chief Smith transmitted a Signal 11, indicating the entire first alarm assignment was going to work. Lines were stretched to the basement and floors above, and the fire was found to be in the ceiling and walls of the basement area. The fire was quickly brought under control in 20 minutes. EMS treated one smoke victim on scene.

AUGUST 17 - From Deputy Chief Tom Reiss
I gave Chief Reiss a call, and when he answered he told me it was good timing as he had just walked into Kevin Killeen's hospital room. He handed the phone to Kevin and we chatted for a few minutes. He said he didn't know who it was until I laughed. For the experience he had gone through, he sounded well... a bit groggy, but then Kevin always DID sound a bit groggy! It was nice talkin' with him... I just wish it was under better circumstances. He and his family are in my prayers, and I hope you all will remember them, too.

I then had a short chat with Tom. He advised the new rescue rig has been lettered, and all the graphics have been applied. It will be shown at the annual N.J. State Firemen's Convention, which will be held in Wildwood, NJ, on September 18 and 19, 2009. At some point after that, the rig will have the radio equipment and electronics installed. There will also be some minor rearranging of equipment areas, training sessions conducted, and then the rig will be placed in service probably some time next month.

The American LaFrance loaner rig that the NFD wants to purchase is making its way slowly through the "red tape" on its way to the City Council for approval. The council has assured the department they will approve the purchase of the pumper as soon as it comes before them.

A tip o' the ol' NFH leather, as always, to Chief Tom for his interesting updates.

AUGUST 7 - From Deputy Chief Tom Reiss
Chief Reiss sent these three photos along of the additional lettering and graphics that were done on the new rescue rig. They include: an American flag on the sides of the cab, between the windows and the box; a Rescue 1 company emblem on the sides of the box toward the front; the Newark City Seal on the sides of the box toward the rear, and the wording "Public Safety First" in the striping over the numeral "1" on the side compartment, at the rear. I think they're all pretty sharp-looking. The use of the City Seal is a first for a land-based piece of NFD apparatus, as it has only ever been used prior on the new SeaArk fireboat. A tip o' the ol' NFH leather to Captain Tom Sablom for that tip.

JULY 29 - From Tom Ernst
Rich Sikora, of Buffalo, made one of his annual buffing trips to Tom's. One of their sojourns took them to the Absolute Fire Protection Co., in South Plainfield, NJ,  where they were able to get some shots of the new E-One rig for Rescue 1. Tom has sent them along for our viewing pleasure. Thanx, Commish!

JULY 28 - From Battalion Chief Greg Sereico
Five men were promoted to the rank of Captain in a ceremony held at the Greater Abyssinian Baptist Church, in Newark. In attendance were Mayor Cory A. Booker, Newark municipal council members, Fire Director Dave Giordano. and other NFD dignitaries. The week prior to their promotions was spent attending Fire Officer Training at the Training Academy. After the ceremony, the NFD Pipes & Drums Band played, welcoming the men to their new rank, including one of their own, Tom Sablom. Pictured from left-to-right: Firefighters Michael Wolf, Ronald Lucas, Angelo Guida, Tyrone Jenkins, and Thomas Sablom. A tip o' the ol' NFH leather to them, and wishes for the best of luck in their new rank.

JULY 17 - From Battalion Chief Greg Sereico
The New Jersey Metro Fire Photographers, a group of fire photographers, is based in the northern New Jersey area. They hold a meeting monthly except for the month of July. Over the last five years or so, I held a "Buff Night At Rescue 1" on a Friday night in July when I worked. Some years we had some work, and none others. Because I was transferred to Special Operations prior to my promotion, this year I changed the name to "Buff Night At Special Ops". This year's activities, held on July 24, included a slide show of Newark Fires from the '50s, '60s, and the '70s. Port Authority Police Officer Ed Gray, who owns and operates the web site: www.allhandsgoingtowork.com, showed the Newark FD DVD he prepared for the muster.

Those who attended Buff Night were: (back, left-to-right) Mike Anderson; Paul Anderson; Jimmy Gallager
and son; Paul Stabile; Keith Nicoliello, FDNY;  John Morrison; Jason Patten; Robert Passarello; Joe Chri-
stman, and Mike Dowd, Orange FD Deputy Chief. (front) Greg Sereico, Newark FD; Bobby Morrison, North
Hudson FD Captain; Scott Wentworth, Belleville FD; Ed Gray, Port Authority police officer; Tommy David-
son, and son Justin, and Damien Danis, NJMFP President.

Unbeknownst to me, the members purchased a white leather Chief's helmet, along with a Battalion Chief helmet shield, and presentation plaque for the helmet, and presented it to me prior to the start of the DVD. I was completely blown away by this gesture. My heart goes out to all the members of this fine organization.

So now plans are underway for next years buff night. Hopefully it will still be held at Orange Street next July.

JULY 15 - From Deputy Chief Tom Reiss
Hot from the e-mail box! Chief Reiss just sent me these two photos of Rescue 1's new E-One rescue truck showing the cab graphics and lettering that has been done so far. As always, a hearty thank you to Tom for keeping us in the loop!

JULY 2 - From Deputy Chief Tom Reiss
Chief Reiss sent along a couple of illustrations showing the proposed lettering and graphics for the new rescue rig, which is being done by Agin Signs, in South Brunswick. As you can see, they are going back to the term "Rescue Squad." No matter what, however, it will always be known as "The Squad." Thanx, Chief!