DOWNS: The body of a 9-year-old boy was found inside a burning car located behind Sayreville War Memorial H.S., March 28th. The boy's father was outside the gasoline-doused vehicle with a self-inflected wound and burns on his body, according to police. The father was taken to Robert Wood Johnson U.H. to be treated for life-threatening injuries. He was charged with second-degree aggravated arson with additional charges pending, according to the NY Post. 

UPS: A new probationary firefighter in Teaneck is Matthew DePompeo. 

DOWNS: Firefighters in New Brunswick battled a 2-alarm fire in an abandoned warehouse on Jersey av., April 1st. Deputy Fire Director Bill Borke said the building possessed holes in the floor and other structural damage that made it hazardous for firefighters who worked in teams of four to maneuver in the building.  

UPS: In March, the Norfolk Southern Railroad, Norfolk Southern P.D. and Norfolk Southern's Croxton Terminal donated two Frontline 500 vapor total encapsulating suits to the Jersey City F.D. hazmat unit. 

DOWNS: Firefighters in Franklin Twp. battled fire in multiple large sheds along West Point av., March 31st. 

UPS: The River Edge F.D. has been awarded $23,000 in NJDCA ARPFFG funds. The money will go to the purchase of new turnout gear. The department has also received a $3,000 grant from the Bergen County 200 Club for mandated training on swift water operations.

DOWNS: Waldwick firefighters rescued a driver that was trapped in a BMW that went off the road and down an embankment, April 4th. The vehicle was destroyed after hitting a tree. Firefighters said the rescue was a very difficult operation due to mud on the slope and the damage to the vehicle, according to News 12. The driver's condition was unknown. 

UPS: At an April council meeting, Ridgewood Firefighter Greg Corcoran was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.  The council also honored Lt. Jordan Zales and Firefighters Chris Mead, Matt Musicant and Matt Bombace for their CPR rescue, in January. 

DOWNS: It took Hackensack firefighters nearly seven-hours to fully extinguish a fire involving an electric vehicle in the lower-level parking garage at The Walcott-a six-story apartment building on Main St., March 8th. One firefighter was injured and treated at HUMC. The initial flames in the Audi Q5 SUV were quickly knocked down. Lithium-ion batteries that power electric cars can rupture in a fire, igniting a super-heated chemical reaction so hot that it is difficult to extinguish quickly. “Firefighters operated at the scene for about seven-hours until the vehicle was fully extinguished and able to be safely removed from below the apartments,” according to the Daily Voice.

UPS: At an April mayor and council meeting in Carlstadt, several members of the volunteer fire department were honored by the borough for their 50-years of service. They are: FF Daniel Kunz (Engine 3), past Chief Thomas Ondrof (Engine 2), past Chief Kenneth Schwarz, Jr. (Engine 2) and Fire Commissioner David A. Stoltz (Engine 1). 

DOWNS: Firefighters battled a 3-alarm fire on the Atlantic City boardwalk, April 18th. Flames were showing in the rear of the Central Pier near Tennessee Avenue. According to Fire Chief Scott Evans, the fire spread below the pier and to several nearby structures within the property. 

UPS: In April, members of the Paterson PD, FD, and city officials honored dispatchers at Fire Headquarters with a lunch and ceremony during National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. 

DOWNS: A fire at a convenience and smoke shop along Bloomfield av. in Fairfield, April 20th, produced heavy smoke that spread to an adjacent K-9 resorts boarding facility. First responders rescued some 46 dogs, according to WKXW-FM. 

UPS: Toms River Company 1 Firefighters Mark Autenrieth and Stephen Hayes were both recognized for 50-years of service during a firehouse ceremony in April. 

DOWNS: A firefighter fell through the floor at the Colonial Manor United Methodist Church, in West Deptford, during a fire on April 20th. A suspect was arrested and charged with arson according to WCAU-TV. The firefighter was treated at a local hospital and released. 

UPS: A good Samaritan reported hearing a kitten crying for help under a parked vehicle, in March. North Hudson Firefighter Calandrillo crawled under the vehicle, located the “very young” and cold kitten, and brought it out to safety. The happy caller volunteered to take the kitten home and care for it, according to the North Hudson Firefighter's Facebook page. 

DOWNS: A multiple-alarm fire consumed a Gaither Drive warehouse in Mount Laurel, April 7th, according to the Burlington Daily Voice.

UPS: In April, the Rutherford Fire Department recognized ex-Chief William Rodd for 50-years of service to the community.

DOWNS: A tractor-trailer crashed into a building on Pompton Rd. in Cedar Grove, April 26th, resulting in structural damage. Units from the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) responded to assist with stabilizing the building.

UPS: After competing their training, twenty-two probationary firefighters were sworn in as North Hudson Regional firefighters, April 8th. This was the first group hired after the five municipalities involved renewed their contract with the regional department after the first 25-year contract. They are: Nicholas Garcia, Josue Gonzales, Pablo Cabrera, Devereaux Blanco, Adrian Escobar, Damien Damore, Enes Hoti, Mariah McLean, Kenneth Llano, Joshua Rivas, Michael Gonzalez, Mumin Awadeh, Christopher Lopez, Anthony Tapia, Damian Corredor, Gabriel Hernandez Jr., Nicola Mitarotonda, Ronny Campoverde, Jose Ramos III, Jospeh Rovito, Jonathan Sorto and Tanner Miick.