MADISON AVENUE FIREHOUSE
850 MADISON AVENUE

CURRENT OCCUPANTS: Engine Company 1, Ladder 1 
          EMS Headquarters  (Car 9)
          Ambulance Units 91 and 99
​          Apparatus Repair Division (Mechanics Shop)

November 3 1976 News courtesy Dennis Morrison

The Firehouse at 850 Madison Avenue (near Market Street) was built on the grounds of the old Paterson General Hospital. It opened in September 1979. It became Fire Department Headquarters on  July 7, 1982 and remained as such until 2015. Initially it housed Engine Companies 6 and 10. 

As part of opening ceremonies the following Chiefs posed for a photo:  Left-Right -  AC Paul Peterson, DC Solomon Reines, AC Joseph Forbes, AC Gerard Dugan, AC William Comer, retired DC James Chaplain, DC John Mauro, DC Edward Hancock, Chief Harold Kane, DC Joseph Dougherty. Posed in front of Washington Engine Company 3 1863 Steamer

November 21, 1979: Dedication of New Firehouse

Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison

​​Chronological Listing of the Apparatus at Madison Avenue Firehouse

Early photos soon after Firehouse opened (Hancock Collection)

September 1979: Engine Company 6 relocates from the 476 Market Street Firehouse to Madison Avenue. It operates a 1975 Hahn 1250 GPM (Serial # HCP528127624) formerly used by Engine Company 1.

Jim Koper Photo

April 1983: Manhattan Shirt Fire -- River and Lawrence Streets

E 6 Hahn Pumper and 1975 Pirsch Aerial

October 1979: Engine Company 10 from 198 17th Avenue relocates to Madison Avenue. It is using a 1975 Hahn 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # HCP528127621) painted yellow formerly used by Engine Company 5.

The dedication plaque on front of the cab of Engine 10 was in memory of Assistant Chief Richard Walmsley.

Engine Company 6

Engine 6 at Madison Avenue - D/C Joseph Roca, FF B Silowench, FF T Donovan and Captain George Stanton

~ November 1979 - At left are two new yellow ALF pumpers that would go to E5 (Van Houten Street)  and E12 (Circle Avenue). At right are Engine 6 and 10 (1975 Hahn Pumpers).

Courtesy Al Credidio

June 28, 1982: Truck Company 2 relocates from Lakeview Firehouse to Madison Avenue, using the 1975 tillered Pirsch (Serial 3111)

September 3, 1982: The aerial truck at Madison Avenue is now renumbered as Truck Company 1 and receives the 1981 ALF AeroChief rearmount aerial (Serial 7254), painted yellow from the Hillcrest Firehouse. The 1975 Pirsch aerial is sent to Hillcrest Firehouse where it operates as Truck Company 2.

September 3, 1982: Engine Company 10 is renamed as Engine Company 2 and receives a yellow 1975 Hahn (HCP528127621) which was formerly used by Engine Companies 5 and 10. It still carried the dedication plaque to Assistant Chief Richard Walmsley 
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1983 photo of E2's 1975 Hahn (HCP528127621)

1983 photo of E2's 1975 Hahn (HCP528127621)

Captain Warren "Tex" Gallagher

E 10 Hahn

Captain Gallagher on retirement day with FF Al "Ole Fish" Weiss & Russ Ferguson

At Captains desk

With 1863 Jeffers Steamer, FF Weiss & Ferguson

September 3, 1982: The name Engine Company 6 is transferred to Southside Firehouse. The 1975 Hahn apparatus (HCP528127624) used by E6 at Madison Avenue is renamed as Engine Company 1.

June 1983: Engine 10 receives its former 1977 American LaFrance 1250 GPM pumper (Serial (CE175678) now painted white.

October 1982: Engine Company 1 receives 1977 ALF 1250 GPM Telesquirt conversion. This ALF (Serial #CE175679) just 3 months after entering service at Engine Company 5 was severely damaged at Fulton Street Fire in 1978 and then converted to a telesquirt

Serial #CE175679

Serial #CE175679

James Wensel photo August 1983

Serial #CE175679

Serial #CE175679

Engine 1's 1977 ALF Telesquirt (# CE175679) Conversion drilling along Passaic River at Bridge Street (Natoli Collection photos)

Engine 1 Telesquirt in action

September 3, 1982: Truck Company 1 is renamed Truck 2 and relocates from the Lakeview Firehouse  on Trenton Avenue to Madison Avenue. It uses a 1981 American LaFrance 100' Aerochief (Serial # 7254) painted yellow (originally used by Truck Company 2 at Van Houten Street)
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November 19, 1982: Firehouse ownership issues

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

​December 3, 1984: Engine Company 2 receives 1977 ALF 1250 GPM (CE175678) painted white
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~1984/1985 photo: with ALF apparatus:  L-R  Engine ?E5 Telesquirt conversion (1979 Model CE6620), Gig, Engine 2 ALF Engine 1 Telesquirt conversion (1977 model CE175679) 

1985 photo

Rescue 1 pictured at Madison Avenue

Captain Ted Gallus at left

February 19, 1985 Engine Company 1 acquires a Spartan Thibault Redi-Tower Telesquirt 55' telescoping ​with a 1250 GPM with 300 gallon booster tank

Drill on River Street alongside Passaic River -  CLICK TO ENLARGE

April 26, 1985: Truck Company 1 receives an 110' Pirsch rearmount aerial painted white

90th Anniversary Parade 1985 (Hancock Collection)

1989 Ball Book Photo

Courtesy Michael Ventimiglia

September 4, 1985:  Engine 2 receives a 1975 Hahn HCP-12 Pumper -HCP528127624 which had been in service at Engine 8

Chief's Gig at Madison Avenue

1987: Engine Company 1 receives a new Emergency One Pumper

1989 Ball Book Photo

Seen here at rear apron of Madison Ave FH - courtesy Armindo Cortez

April 14, 1989: Elmo the firehouse Dalmatian disappears

February 1990 newspaper photo from Madison Avenue kitchen (chicken and sausage meal): Tour 1: L-R: Joe Ciarleglio, Tom Hirz, Pat Tuohey (partially hidden), George Duin (in back), Tony Puglia (chef), Steve Morley, Alphonse Francavilla Sr. (sitting), Richie Warner, Angel Gonzales, Joe Francese.  

1990:  Photo of Engine Company 1with 1987 E-One pumper and Truck 1 with 1985 Pirsch aerial on apron at Madison Avenue

T Dayspring Photo

T Dayspring Photo

T Dayspring Photo

T Dayspring Photo with Vince Marchese enhancement

T Dayspring Photo

Gig used by Chief Mauro 1990 -- T Dayspring photo

Truck Companies renamed Ladder Companies
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1991: Ladder 1 receives a E-One Hurricane rear mounted 100' aerial.

Emergency One Rearmount 1991 photo

Adam Alberti Photo

1995 Photo: 100th Anniversary of Paid Paterson Fire Department Photo of  Ladder 1 Emergency One aerial posed with West Paterson's restored Ahrens Fox (Paterson Engine Company 9).

VInce Marchese p

Vince Marchese photo retouch in 2020

Ladder 1 seen here as a spare at Hillcrest Firehouse

1994: Engine Company 1 E-One RD Murray with Spartan cab 1500 GPM pumper

Courtesy Michael Vemtimiglia

1994 photo

November 27, 1996:  Thanksgiving feasts at the firehouse

November 29 Herald courtesy Dennis Morrison

September 4, 1957:  150-152 5th Avenue 3rd alarm fire. Engine 1 Tour 1 -  L-R: FF Ray Allex, FF Chris Babcock, FF Larry Rodriguez, Captain Rich Hoffman, FF Chris Tice.

Below is the 1999 Spartan Innovation 105' rear mounted aerial of Ladder 2 (posed at Madison Avenue)-  Chief officers in front (L-R): DiGuglielmo, Pasquariello, Postorino, McLaughlin and Fleming - Photo taken at the 2000 retirement of Captain William Henderson (in blue shirt at right of B/C Fleming with his two sons on each side)

Chief Pasquariello and the Madison Ave Tour 4 Firefighters alongside T1

1999: Apparatus photo at Madison Avenue​  - labelled as "New Apparatus" in 1999 Ball Book. The aerial is Ladder 2.

Photo was in May 27 1999 Ball Book

circa 1999 photo  Ladder 1 with Tour 2 Firefighters at Madison Avenue

Ladder 1 with Tour 2 members D/C Norman Morley in center

2002: Engine One receives a Pierce Saber 1500 GPM pumper

Rear apron of Madison Ave FH - courtesy Armindo Cortez

Madison Avenue FH Bay

Madison Avenue FH Bay

2004 Dec 1 197-203 Governor St

2004 Ladder 1 receives an loaner aerial from E-One

2004: Factory photos of new E-One mid mount aerial  (courtesy D/C Bruce Vander Voort and B/C Alex Credidio)

November 14, 2004:  Clean up duty at Madison Ave

Herald courtesy Dennis Morrison

April 19, 2005: Ladder 1 receives an E-One mid mounted tower ladder painted red. Went on duty April 30 at 0800 hours for Tour 4. Its first use of the ladder was April 30 at 11:13 PM for a 1 alarm fire at 59 17th Avenue (just off Madison Avenue)

First instance of aerial ladder use at a fire - Bill Tompkins Photo

The apparatus Dedication plaque is for William "Flip" Filippelli, Jr

2006: Engine 1 receives a new Emergency One 1500 GPM pumper painted red

Bill Tompkins photo

FIELD COM when at Madison Avenue

Courtesy Amindo Cortez

Courtesy Amindo Cortez

Engine Company 1 Pumper at fire across from the McBride Avenue Firehouse

E1 at fire scene across from McBride Avenue Firehouse 2015

Ladder 1 and Support Service Truck 57 shown below

Ladder 1 at Paterson Armory Fire November 2015

Armory Fire 2015

December 2015: New Engine 1 Pierce Arrow XT 1500 GPM  pumper drilling just before entering service

R Bombaro photo

February 2016 20th Avenue fire Ron Bombaro photo

March 30 2016: Engine 1 at  Pacific Street second alarm

Peter Danzo Photo

Ron Bombaro video of Engine 1 and truck 1 responding from Madison Ave firehouse

Back to Quarters August 2016 Todd Hollritt photo

September 25, 2016: 343 Hamilton Ave 4 Alarms   Engine 1

Ron Bombaro photo

December 15, 2016    Ladder 1 in bay at Madison Avenue

Dayspring Photo

Dayspring Photo

December 2016:  Views in Madison Avenue Mechanics shop

Dayspring photo

Dayspring Photo

Dayspring Photo

January 10, 2017: Engine 1 and Ladder 1 at 861 Market Street working fire - 1 story industrial

Peter Danzo Photo

Peter Danzo Photo

January 23: 2017:  Ladder 1 at 87 Dixon Avenue working fire

Ron Bombaro Photo

Ron Bombaro Photo

May 21, 2017: Ladder 1 at 2nd alarm on Alabama Avenue   Michael Saggau Jr. photo

July 25, 2017:  Ladder 1 responding on Main Street  Ron Bombaro video

September 4, 2017: Ladder 1 on mutual aid assignment to Clifton    

Bill Tompkins Photo

November 2017:  Engine 1 and Ladder 1 responding at Main Street and Madison Avenue (Ron Bombaro video)

December 2017:  Pierce Factory photo of new Ladder 1 (pierce Arrow XT 100' Tower) coming to PFD

December 28, 2017: Photos are at McBride Avenue FH before Truck entered service. T. Dayspring photos.

Driver's Seat

View of Captain's Seat

View from Captain's Seat

View of Captain's Seat from rear compartment

Rear Compartment Seat

December 28, 2017:  Madison Avenue Firehouse

Parked on apron

Responding to a call

Responding to a call

December 28, 2017: Ladder 1 Tour 1 - L-R   FF  Jonathan Roman, Captain Alton Dickson, FF Micah Pierce, & FF Leonardo Perez

Dayspring photo

January 12, 2018:  @1500 Hrs - New Ladder 1 Pierce Arrow Aerial enters service at Madison Avenue FH. The crew was Captain Dante Destefano, FF Kyle Hughes, FF Chris. Tice, FF K Jeltma. FFT Giliberti was assigned to ambulance for day shift. 
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 FIRST OFFICIAL RUN
Jan. 12, 2018 @ 1455 Hrs. – Incident # 180423 – 321 Preakness Ave.   
Tour 4 – Carbon Monoxide call
 
L-1 Crew:
Capt. Dante DeStefano
FF Chris Tice (Driver)
FF Kyle Hughes
FF Ken Jeltema
 
The Tour Commander’s log had L-1 in service at 1500 Hrs., but in reality the time of the call was 1455 Hrs. The guess is L-1 was planning to go in service at 1500 Hrs, but the call came in at 1455 so they took the call and responded from Madison Avenue.  Ordinarily, that would be L-2’s response area.  Each Ladder Co. has a meter to detect Carbon Monoxide but the L-2 was meter was out for repair, so they sent L-1.  

January 17, 2017: First fire and extra alarm (3rd) for new Ladder 1 on East 25th Street
​                                                               Additional Photos -  Click Here

Peter Danzo photo

Peter Danzo photo

Peter Danzo photo

Peter Danzo photo

Peter Danzo photo

​January 23, 2018:  2015 Ladder 2 (2015 Pierce Arrow) moves to Madison Avenue for maintenance. The new  (2017 Pierce Arrow) operates at Northside as Ladder 2 (even though it retains the L1 markings).  Ladder 1, uses its previous E-One aerial.

February 16, 2018: 2015 Pierce Arrow back at Northside as Ladder 2. The new 2017 Pierce Arrow returns to Madison Avenue as Ladder 1

February 27, 2018:  Ladder 1 and Engine 1, responding out of Madison Avenue quarters. Rob Bombaro video

April 22, 2018:   Ladder 1, Engine 1 of PFD pays respect to motorcade transporting deceased, in line of duty, PPD officer (Tamby Yagan)

May 15, 2018:  Ladder 1 parked on Green Street (Truck fire at 493 Main Street)

Todd Hollritt photo

Todd Hollritt photo

June 3, 2018:  Ladder 2 at Annual Memorial Service (McBride Avenue Firehouse) 
​Photos by Thomas Dayspring

Ladders 1 (at right) and 2 (at left)

August 2018:  Helmets of Engine 1 at Madison Avenue

Captain Giocchino Panico

Captain Panico

Captain Giocchino

FF Thomas Perea

FF Perea

August 2018:  Helmets of Ladder 1 at Madison Avenue

Captain Dante Destefano and FF Kyle Hughes (President of PFA)

Captain Destefano

FF Hughes

September 2018

September 11, 2018:  

Bill Tompkins Photo

Vincent Marchese photo

October 2, 2018:  757 East 27th Street 2nd alarm

Bill Tompkins photo

November 2018:  

December 25, 2018:  As always PFD ready 24 x 7 x 365 days

Courtesy Captain Matt Ganci

December 27, 2018: Madison Avenue Firehouse

Dayspring Photos

Dayspring photo

Dayspring photo

L1 and E1 Tour 1 Captains A Cruz and C Antoci - Dayspring photo

Dayspring photo - Tour 1 - Captain C Antoci at right

L1 Tour 1 - Captain A Cruz - Dayspring photo

L1 Tour 1 - Captain A Cruz - Dayspring photo

E 1 - Tour 1 - Captain C Antoci

E 1 - Tour 1 - Captain C Antoci

May 12, 2012:   Engine 1 River and Straight Street  3rd alarm

September 1, 2019:  21st Avenue second alarm    Engine 1 and Ladder 1

Chris Tompkins photo

Peter Danzo photo

Peter Danzo photo

Chris Tompkins photo

September 25, 2019:  Drill at McBride Avenue Headquarters

Dayspring photo - rear of Headquarters

Alongside Engine 4

March 2020 thru May 30:  Due to conversion of Lakeview Firehouse as a COVID Command Operations center Engine 3 and Ambulance 93 all were relocated to Madison Ave splitting it into two firehouses with the addition of E3 and 93.

​April 12, 2020: 2nd alarm at 379 East 26th Street

Bill Tompkins photo

June 6, 2020: Stove fire at 834 Madison Avenue - E1 and L1 at scene   

Ron Bombaro photo

Ron Bombaro photo

Ron Bombaro photo

October 22, 2020:  The mechanic shop will receive an epoxy floor during first week of November. A new office was built with COVID protection. The old ambulance bays have been transformed into a small vehicle shop complete with lifts, tire mount and tire balancer. There is new high-tech diagnostic computer and air compressor piped to every lift for air tools and tire fill. 

Terminology has changed and the former Master Mechanic is now called Chief of Apparatus (Antonio Diaz) and under him is an Assistant Chief of Apparatus.  

December 12, 2020:  Getty Avenue scene    

Ron Bombaro photo

Ron Bombaro photo

Ron Bombaro photo

June 4, 2021: Ladder 1 at Memorial Service at Headquarters on McBride Avenue

Bill Tompkins photo