Serving NEW JFire, ERSEY Serving Rescue
Volume 20, No. 9
W W W.FIRENE WS .COM
See story on page 6. – Fire News photos by Eric ‘Doc’ Moran
Fire, Rescue Magazine Serving & EMS Fire, Rescue Serving & EMS Heroes &Fire, EMS Heroes Rescue Heroes Since Heroes 1973 1996 &Since EMS Since 1973 February 2026
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Fire News, February 2026, Page 3
In this issue... Water Tenders & Engines Needed for Structure Fire Multiple firefighters responded to Tuckahoe Road for a report of a structure fire. See story on page 4
Paterson House Fire on Presidential Blvd. The Paterson FD operated at an all-hands afire on Presidential Boulevard. See story on page 8
Electrical Wires Starts Fire in Bargaintown Firefighters were dispatched for a tree down on wires with one wire on the ground and burning. See story on page 10
2-Alarm House Fire in Totowa Totowa Fire Department crews battled a fast-moving house fire on Knollwood Road. See story on page 12
Serving Fire & EMS Heroes Since 1973 FRANK C. TROTTA, Publisher/CEO TIM EDWARDS, Chief Operating Officer GARY P. JOYCE, Editor MYLES QUINN, Long Island Editor MARIE TROTTA, Vice President, Production LYNN SEDLER, Art Director CLIFF CHIESA, Production Manager BARBARA CONNOLLY, Vice President National Sales SUZANNE BANCROFT, Business Development Manager BRYAN LOPEZ, Editorial Assistant GREG JONES, Graphic Artist DENNIS WHITTAM, Editor Emeritus FIRE NEWS NEW JERSEY PHOTOGRAPHERS 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. COPYRIGHT 2026, THE FIRE NEWS LLC., LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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Reaching 17 States with 14 Editions Bergen Co. Firemen’s Home Meeting The Annual Wyckoff Fire Department Breakfast and Meeting was held on November 16, 2025. See story on page 18
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Official Publication of the NJ State Firemen’s Convention
Tribute Galloway Township’s Michael Douglas Lancaster See story on page 30
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Letters to the Editor, byline articles, and columns represent the opinions of the writers and photographers and are not necessarily the views of the Fire News. We reserve the right to edit all of the above. We are not responsible for errors in advertisements beyond the cost of advertising space. Copy submitted is subject to editing for space requirements. The placing of an advertisement in this publication does not constitute endorsement. Contents are copyrighted. Editorial and advertising copy cannot be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Fire News is published monthly by Fire News LLC, with corporate offices at 146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY 11713.
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Multiple Water Tenders & Engines Needed for Structure Fire The volunteer fire companies of Milmay, Dorothy, and Richland responded to Tuckahoe Road for a report of a structure fire. Dorothy Chief Jess Hand established command and upgraded the call to a working structure fire and requested mutual aid from East Vineland, Mays Landing, Laureldale and Estell Manor for a water tender and additional engines. Upon their arrival, East Vineland Chief Mark Corsiglia assumed water supply officer. Multiple water tenders were required for numerous buildings and structures. The fire required extensive overhaul, which took several hours to bring under control. The cause of the fire was under investigation by the N.J. Division of Fire Safety. – Fire News photos by Ken Badger
3rd Floor Fire in Paterson Paterson crews quickly handled a third-floor fire on October 25, 2025. Crews used ground ladders until ladder truck was in place. – Fire News photos by Ron Bombaro
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Cover Story
Multi-Alarm Structure Fire in Mullica Mullica Township fire departments were dispatched for a structure fire on December 17, 2025. On arrival, a fully-involved garage fire that started to extend to the main structure. Egg Harbor City FD was dispatched to assist. First arriving unit lead off with two 1-3/4 inch lines, one to the seat of the fire, the other to protect the main structure. Laureldale assisted with a tanker to supply the initial units. The fire was brought under control quickly and was under investigation. Hammonton provided coverage. – Fire News photos by Eric ‘Doc’ Moran
Bridgeton Quickly Stops Fire at Glen Park Apartments
The City of Bridgeton Fire Department responded to Wayne Road and the Glen Park Apartments for a report of a fire. Firefighters used one engine and ladder for a fire that was quickly contained. – Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe
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Paterson House Fire on Presidential Blvd.
The Paterson Fire Department operated at an all-hands fire on Presidential Boulevard on November 23, 2025. – Fire News photos by Ron Bombaro
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Cargo Truck Cab Up In Flames in Egg Harbor The volunteer fire companies of Farmington and Cardiff from the Egg Harbor Township Fire Department responded to 5 Columbus Avenue for a report of a vehicle fire. Firefighters arrived to find a cargo truck with Fire showing from the cab and engine area of the truck. The fire was contained to the area of origin. – Fire News photo by Brandon Parker
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Electrical Wires Starts Small Fire in Bargaintown
Bargaintown and Cardiff were dispatched to Tremont Avenue for the report of a brush fire. Bargaintown Chief Eugene Sharpe established command and reported a tree down on wires with one wire on the ground and burning. Command ordered all apparatus to stage away from the fire and had fire police block the street and requested Atlantic City Electric to respond. Upon their arrival, they disconnected the power and secured the downed wire. Firefighters dug up the soil around the location of the downed wire to check for extension. The scene was turned over to the electric company who had to bring out a different crew to re-establish power to several homes. – Fire News photos by Ken Badger
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2-Alarm House Fire in Totowa Totowa Fire Department crews battled a fast-moving house fire on Knollwood Road on November 17, 2025. The fire started on the second floor and spread to first. – Fire News photos by Ron Bombaro
NJEPA 2026 Conference: Registration Now Open! The New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Association (NJEPA) 2026 Conference is officially open for registration, and planning is well underway for one of the state’s premier emergency management events. Each year, the NJEPA Conference brings together emergency management professionals, first responders, public-sector partners, private industry, and academic institutions for multiple days of collaboration, education, and networking. Attendee registration is open, and those who register early can take advantage of Early Bird pricing through February 15th. Conference, class, and hotel registrations are available, offering a wide range of training sessions, workshops, and educational opportunities designed to support preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts at all levels. In addition to attendee and hotel registration, Student Scholarships. Emergency Manager of the Year (Kevin H. Tuno Award) & the NJCEM Scholarship applications are open. These opportunities allow students and emerging professionals to engage directly with the emergency management community while gaining valuable conference experience. The Kevin H. Tuno Award recognizes an individual in the emergency management field who exemplifies outstanding leadership, dedication, and service to the profession. Institutions of higher education are also encouraged to participate in the NJEPA Higher Education Challenge, which provides colleges and universities the opportunity to highlight their emergency management, homeland security, and public safety programs while connecting with practitioners from across the State. Higher Education Challenge registration closes March 1st. Additional conference details, session information, application materials, and registration links can be found on the NJEPA website. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of NJEPA 2026 and help continue strengthening New Jersey’s emergency management community.
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Hawthorne Handles Fast Moving Fire
The Hawthorne Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a house fire on Goffle Road at around 1315 hours on December 1, 2025. On arrival, Chief Speranza reported a 2-1/2 story frame dwelling with the rear of the home well involved and requested a second alarm. With heavy fire rapidly spreading throughout the home, command advised all companies to evacuate and go to a defensive attack. Aerial streams and multiple exterior handlines were put into service
as the fire spread throughout the home and through the roof and a third alarm was requested for additional manpower and water supply. The main body of fire was knocked down by 1430, however command reported companies chasing numerous pockets of fire throughout the building. One occupant was transported for smoke inhalation. All companies cleared the scene at 1815. The cause was under investigation. – Fire News photos by Peter Danzo
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Fire In Vacant Row House in Camden
Camden companies arrived to a fire in the rear of a vacant row house on South 8th Street in Camden. – Fire News photos by Ed Hutchinson
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Fast Stop to House Fire in Holiday City All Berkeley Township companies responded to Barbuda Street in Holiday City for a reported house fire. Crews arrived to heavy smoke showing from the home and stretched a 1-3/4 inch line while RIT was requested from Toms River Station 26. Units were able to quickly get water on the fire and confine the fire to the Delta side of the home. Units began to pick up 45 minutes after arrival. – Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti
MOTLEY CREW OF THE MONTH Members of River Edge Fire Company 1 spreading some Christmas joy with Santa. – Fire News photo by Chris Denton
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Bergen Co. Firemen’s Home Notes The Annual Wyckoff Fire Department Breakfast and Meeting was held on November 16, 2025. The members of the Bergen County Firemen’s Home Association met for their annual breakfast meeting at the Wyckoff Firehouse to discuss the upcoming holiday party and entertainment the first weekend of December. We also discussed the upcoming fundraiser scheduled for January 2026. We started talking about some of the upcoming events that we will be sponsoring at the Home and the Thanksgiving holidays. We were also able to peek in the kitchen and watch the guys work their magic in their newly renovated kitchen. Then it was time to eat and the one of the things I like about being a fireman is that we eat well. The guys up in Wyckoff really know how to cook and it was a great breakfast. The menu consisted of scrambled eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, two different types of potatoes, rolls, bagels and everyone’s favorite, steaks. Our host’s wife also baked both the amazing Chocolate Chip and the Apple Cakes. It was a real feast. After we finished eating, it was time to get down to business. We started our meeting with our flag salute and prayer for our fallen brothers. Then we discussed our fundraising success and with
raising the much-needed funds to buy the extras to make our fellow brothers at the home stay there extra special. After the meeting adjourned, we took our group shot. We have such a dedicated group of volunteers. Then we asked the guys from the Wyckoff Fire Department to come out so we all could formerly thank them for all their hard work and their hospitality. It was another productive and wonderful afternoon for everyone there. Again, we want to thank our brothers at the Wyckoff Fire Department for their hospitality and generous amount of time to cook breakfast for us. Also, to our member, Nick Ciampo, a long service member of the Wyckoff Fire Department and the Bergen County Firemen’s Home Association for arranging this special morning meeting each year and his gracious hospitality. This is what the Brotherhood is all about. The biggest “Thank you” goes to all the firehouses in Bergen County, that donate to our organization. Your donation has helped us achieve so much in benefiting our fellow retired brothers at the NJ brotherhood takes care of one another. Please be on the lookout for our fundraiser mailing in January. – Submitted by Justin Watrel
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Egg Harbor Departments Participate in ‘Shop with a Hero’ Sponsored by Walmart and the Mainland PBA the “Shop with a Hero” gives under privileged children an opportunity to obtain gifts for the holidays at the Walmart in Hamilton Township, Atlantic County. A pre-event breakfast is given and the opportunity for STEM projects to be showcased is held at the Egg Harbor Township PAL building. – Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe
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2 Crewmen Rescued From Radio Tower, 1 Fatality
On December 4, 2025, the Atlantic City Ladder 1 and Rescue 1 were requested to the radio tower on Murray Avenue in Western Atlantic City for a high-angle rescue. Units arrived to find three workers nearly 300 feet in the air of a 400-plus-foot radio tower following a collapse of equipment. One of the crew members was knocked unconscious and the workers were unable to lower themselves down. Fire units worked into the cold evening with temperatures below freezing to initiate a rescue plan to bring the workers to the ground. Engines 1, 2, and 3, and Hazmat 1 also responded to the scene to help assist with manpower and lighting along with AC Police, EMS, and Atlanticare. Unfortunately, following the rescue the injured worker succumbed to his injuries; the other two refused medical treatment. – Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti
Dumpster Fire Behind New Lidl in Totowa
The Totowa Fire Department operated at a well involved large dumpster fire on Route 46 West behind the new Lidl Food Market (under construction) on November 25, 2025. – Fire News photos by Ron Bombaro
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FFs Rescue Man from Burning House in Smithville
The Volunteer Fire companies of Oceanville and Bayview from the Galloway Township Fire Department responded to the 100 block of Waterview Road in Smithville on December 10, 2025, for a report of a structure fire. First-in firefighters discovered a man who was removed and turned over to EMS and then medevac’d from the scene. The fire went to two alarms, bringing the remaining Galloway Township and surrounding companies to the scene and for cover. The incident was under investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office. – Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe
Vacant Building Fire Ends in Total Collapse
Battalion 1 arrived to a twostory vacant building with heavy fire throughout at Carl Miller Boulevard and South 6th Street for an all-hands call. In approximately 40 minutes a total collapse of the structure occurred and crews worked from the exterior on the remainder of the fire. – Fire News photos by Ed Hutchinson
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Bergenfield Annual Holiday Parade On December 13, 2025, the Bergenfield Volunteer Fire Department, and Volunteer Ambulance hosted their Annual Holiday Parade. The Auxiliary Police assisted with the parade by providing traffic control throughout the parade route. Various fire departments and ambulance squads, local businesses and privately owned fire apparatus attended. – Fire News photos by Chris Denton
2-Car MVA Sends 1 to Hospital in Cologne Cologne, Laureldale and Mays Landing responded to Lombard Street and Liepzig Avenue for a report of an MVA with rollover. First responders arrived to find one vehicle on its side on the front lawn of a dwelling and one person lying on the lawn with a knee injury. EMS treated the knee injury with ice and transported the person to ACMC City Division. Firefighters de-energized the vehicle and stood by until the vehicle was removed. The cause of the crash was under investigation by Township of Hamilton police. – Fire News photos by Ken Badger
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It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like….
Blackwood firefighters preparing the engine for their Annual Christmas Parade on December 6, 2025. – Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe
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CONGRESS PASSES LEGISLATION PROVIDING CANCER BENEFITS TO FAMILIES OF FALLEN PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS National Fallen Firefighters Foundation applauds lawmakers for including the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act as key provision in 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. Honor Act ensures families of public safety officers who have died or become permanently disabled due to certain service-related cancers can receive federal benefits. EMMITSBURG, MD (December 17, 2025) — Congress has approved legislation that extends line-of-duty death and disability benefits to the families of public safety officers who have died or become permanently disabled in the line of duty. The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, which was included as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, expands the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program to include certain occupational cancers. The PSOB program provides one-time financial payments to the families of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other first responders who have died or become permanently disabled in the line of duty, as well as educational benefits to the spouses and children of fallen officers. “On behalf of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, I applaud the House and Senate for passing this important bipartisan legislation. I especially would like to thank Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Kevin Cramer, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, and Congressman Carlos Gimenez for leading this effort,” said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. “Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep their communities safe. By recognizing fire service–related cancers under the
PSOB program, we ensure that those who risk their health for others receive the support they and their families deserve. I especially want to thank our brave Fire Hero Families who tirelessly advocated for the passage of this vital legislation. Their dedication, passion, and tenacity are why this bill will soon become law.” The legislation will now go to the White House for President Donald Trump to sign into law. For more information on the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program, please visit: https://bja.ojp.gov/program/psob. For more information on the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, please visit: https://www.firehero.org/. About the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) was established by the United States Congress in 1992 to lead a national effort in honoring America’s fallen firefighters. Since then, the Foundation has created powerful programs that pay lasting tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while providing meaningful support to their families and colleagues. Through its close partnership with the fire service and its affiliate, the First Responder Center for Excellence (FRCE), the NFFF is also deeply committed to reducing firefighter line-of-duty deaths and injuries. To learn how you can support this important mission, visit www.firehero.org.
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Camden 4-Alarm Fire Gloucester City Captain Tom Quinn, works the aerial stream at a Camden four-alarmer on Mt. Ephraim Avenue. Ladder 5 operated as fire went through the roof at this vacant food and flea market building on January 3, 2026. – Fire News photos by Frank Saia
Looking Back This 2001 Seagrave 2000-gpm; 700-gal.; Tank Pumper was built and served in Secaucus, Hudson County. When this picture was taken in 2018, it was in service but was replaced by a 2024 KME Pumper. The pumper was sold to North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue, was repainted red-over-black and known as Engine 18. The pumper was used as a spare for the department. – Fire News photo by Chris Denton
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Tribute
Michael Douglas Lancaster – Galloway Township The Oceanville and Bayview Fire Companies from the Galloway Township Fire Department in Atlantic County announced the passing of Mike Douglas Lancaster on December 9, 2025. He was 70-years old. Born to George and Vernell Lancaster in Washington, DC, they moved to Ocean City, NJ, where he graduated from Ocean City High School in 1973. He then went to work for Atlantic City Electric Company, while being a volunteer at Oceanville 1 and Bayview 4 in Galloway Township . He was also a coach for the Egg Harbor Township Soccer Club. He married the love of his life, Mary (Hamon) Lancaster. They blended into one family as he became a dad to Luisa, Michael
and Kathleen. He spent his days volunteering, watching and coaching his daughter, Luisa’s soccer team, going on trips with his family and pups. He especially loved watching his children grow up. He was also a ‘Pee-Paw’ to Dorian and Audrelita Hood. He was a founding member of the Galloway Elks Lodge. His numerous accolades showed that he truly had a giving heart.
Multiple Cars Involved with Rollover in Paterson The Paterson Fire Department operated at a serious MVA involving an overturned truck with entrapment on 33rd Street on November 23, 2025. – Fire News photos by Ron Bombaro
He leaves behind his wife, Mary; brothers, Robert (Darnaise) and Reginald; his daughters, Luisa Lancaster and Kathleen Hamon; his brother-in-law, Denis Hamon; sister-in-law, Beverly (Ronald) Baker; mother-in-law, Estrellita Hamon; countless nieces and nephews and friends who became family. He is up there partying with his son, Michael William Lancaster, and his parents, George and Vernell, and father-in-law, Michael Hamon. – Submitted by Dennis Sharpe