February, 2025, UPS, page 2
DOWNS: A 2-alarm fire consumed the abandoned South Camden Alternative School building, on Mt. Vernon St., Dec. 21st.
UPS: New firefighters in Passaic are Adrian Betancourt, John Cuco, Meldri Guerrero-Garcia and Jordan Ramirez.
DOWNS: A school bus was involved in a MVA with two autos, then hit a traffic signal, and crashed into the front of the Black Oak Pharmacy building, Dec. 19th, in Wayne. One student was on the bus at the time. The student and bus driver complained of pain. Their injuries appeared to be minor, according to police. No other injuries were reported.
UPS: New firefighters were sworn in at Bayonne City Hall in December. They are: Sean Brow, Vincent Crawford, Moataz Elnaggar, Patrick Jarczewski, Matthew Blanchard, Evan Smith, Brandon Russo, Jeremy Ives, Jacob Lucarelli, James Marnell, James Tyminski, Jan Skora, James Ryan, David Folger, Nicholas Pivano, Jayro Navedo Mercedes and Conor Farley.
DOWNS: On the morning of Dec. 31st, Hackensack fire companies responded to the River Street McDonalds restaurant for a pickup truck that struck the side of the building, causing structural damage. One restaurant employee, inside, was injured. The employee was transported to HUMC. Utilities were secured by firefighters due to natural gas and water leaks, according to a department Facebook post.
UPS: A man that fell through the ice at Pines Lakes in Wayne, Dec. 25th, was rescued by township firefighters and rescue squad personnel. The victim was cross-country skiing across the body of water, officials said. First responders gave the man blankets and sheets to warm him and place him into an ambulance. “Luckily, he was wearing a life jacket,” Fire Commissioner Frank Velardi said.
DOWNS: A woman died shortly after being rescued from a fire in a Madison St. apartment building in Passaic, Dec. 31st. Firefighters took the woman out of a window of a first-floor apartment, according to NorthJersey.com. She was taken to St. Mary's Hospital, where she died. A 66-year-old occupant was reported in critical condition at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center. Two police officers were treated for smoke inhalation.
UPS: The Bloomfield F.D. named Deputy Chief Joseph Coletta the department's 2024 Firefighter of the Year. The deputy chief consistently takes on additional responsibilities, ensuring their successful completion. Among his contributions are organizing the Bloomfield H.S. drunk driving simulation, leading the fire department's involvement in OEM active shooter drills, coordinating the Fire Prevention Week open house and serving as the master of ceremony at numerous department events. “What truly sets him apart is his ability to lead by example, inspiring and uplifting his colleagues through his actions,” Chief Louis Venezia noted.
DOWNS: Wayne firefighters battled a fire that consumed a maintenance building at the Preakness Hills Country Club, Dec. 31st. The building was fully involved with exposure to a fuel storage tank and a large storage container that possessed hazardous materials, according to NorthJersey.com. Fire Commissioner Frank Velardi said the tank was cooled to mitigate a possible “catastrophic failure”.
UPS: In December, Scott Della Salla was promoted to fire captain in North Hudson.
DOWNS: As the result of a MVA on I.495 in North Bergen, Jan. 4th, Port Authority Tunnel & Bridge agents teamed up with North Hudson fire companies to extricate a person that was trapped underneath an overturned auto after being partially ejected.
UPS: Jeremy Cannon has been promoted to deputy fire chief in Orange.
DOWNS: A crossing guard was struck and stuck underneath an auto on Hooper av. & Arnold St., Fair Lawn, Jan. 22nd. The Fair Lawn Rescue Squad utilized airbags to lift the vehicle. The victim was carefully placed onto a backboard and turned over to medical personnel, according to a rescue squad Facebook post.
UPS: New firefighters in Englewood are Zach Smith, Kyle Farrington, Jonathan Gonzalez, Jake Schoffelen and Tim Slattery.
DOWNS: Fire consumed the roof area of a two-story mixed occupancy building on Pacific av., Jersey City, Jan. 23rd. Firefighters encountered fire from a ground floor pizzeria that had extended to apartments above and into the cockloft, a city spokesperson said. While battling the 2-alarm fire, the roof began to collapse.
UPS: Recent promotions in Teaneck include Christopher Robins and Sean Mackey to deputy fire chief. Kyle Kovacs and Nicholas Barca to battalion chief, and Paul O'Connor to provisional battalion chief. Jason Sorrenti and Christopher Connolly were raised to captain. The new lieutenants are Dennis Schlereth and Evan Costanza.
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