Appointment / Promotional History
1890 & 1895: At its origins (partially and then fully paid department) promotions were intradepartmental (and political) decisions - no formal testing required.
July 13, 1904:
Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
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June 19, 1905: Several new firefighters, including James Sweeney (future D/C and LODD), to begin by July 1, 10905
Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
April 4, 1908: Patrick Sweeney elevated to Deputy Chief - first in PFD history. Charles Nolan becomes a Captain
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Patrick Sweeney
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Charles Nolan as a BC
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October 23, 1908: James Campbell, John Egan, John Anderson and John Kelly to be appointed as firefighters
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
December 8, 1903: Robert Giebelhausen appointed by aldermen to replaced the dismissed (for intoxication) FF Adam Banghart
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Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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August 2, 1910: Captain Charles Nolan, brother-in-law of Mayor Andrew McBride of Engine 7, becomes acting Chief Officer - Was nepotism at play?
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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September 27, 1910: New FF appointed - two will be assigned to the new Engine Company 10 as drivers
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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April 24, 1912: Morning Call published PFD vacation schedules
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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May 11, 1912: Ten Firefighters appointed
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October 19, 1912: with their probationary period over, the following were made permanent on November 1, 1912:
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Chiefs
Chief Thomas Coyle
Battalion Chief Ernest Fields Battalion Chief Charles Nolan |
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Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
December 18, 1912: Unusual - FF resigns after fighting one fire
Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
December 22, 1912: Civil Service Law becomes operative and thereafter all appointments and promotions required testing
March 29, 1913: 8 FF were the first to pass a civil service test. 26 of 36 men who took the exam failed.
March 29, 1913: 8 FF were the first to pass a civil service test. 26 of 36 men who took the exam failed.
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Click on photos below for FF identification (no photo of Wm Dale)
October 13, 1913: Frank Dowdall and William Walsh are the first firemen appointed under the Civil Service Law. Dowdall ultimately became a Battalion Chief. Vineis was appointed December 16, 1913, Hickerson March 1, 1914, Dale and Haycock on April 1, 1914, Lawless on June 1, 1914 and Westphal on July 16, 1914.
December 5, 1913: Police and Fire Department appointments
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December 6 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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February 28, 1914: FF James Hickerson appointed
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Morning call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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September 19, 1914: Promotions
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Mortrison
June 24, 1915: 3rd BC appointed: 1st Battalion at Headquarters, 2nd Battalion at Engine 9 on Main street (using horse pulled gig) and the 3rd BC to operate out of one of the Riverside houses (using autocar).
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John Specht
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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January 18, 1916: William Boyle promoted to Captain
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
May 24 1916: Scores of test for Lieutenant - Eugene Murphy, Michael Comer and Frank Dowdall top the list. For firefighters: Pete Vessart, Wilbur T Mariani, & Carl Rose
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
June 17, 1916: Due to new two platoon system 33 new FF hired and Ernest Fields named Deputy Chief
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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September 6, 1916: Issues with recent appointments
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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February 14, 1918: Results of Civil Service exam - Note that applicant John Millington who was appointed went into the Armed Forces and sacrificed his life. Also FF Edward Hancock was appointed and subsequently his son and grandson became PFD Deputy Chiefs (completing 100 years of service)
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
September 2, 1921: FF James Kennedy and John B Holly promoted to Captain. Joseph Carr and Chares McBennett appointed as FF.
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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December 22, 1922: James Sweeney promoted to Battalion Chief, Peter Rege as a Captain and Matthew O'Neill as a FF. Sweeneys and O'Neill's fathers were Paterson firemen and sadly both J Sweeney & M. O'Neill made the Supreme Sacrifice in 1938 at Quackenbush Warehouse Fire
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Morning Call - Courtesy of Dennis Morrison
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Captain Peter Rege - Truck 1
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Matthew O'Neill
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February 21, 1923: Company changes
Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
December 24, 1923: Michael Comer becomes Battalion Chief
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Press Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
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1925 Civil Service Appointment Letter
Dayspring Collection
June 24, 1925: Herbert Van Kirk a Captain and George Walls and Gary Jensen appointed as firemen
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Mortrison
September 25, 1925: Captain Charles Simonton (brother of Samuel) retires
October 25, 1925: Retired Captain Weber honored by Wayne FD
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Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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November 25, 1925: Alderman Meeting
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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April 24, 1926: 32 firefighters pass Captain's Test - Because of the Depression era only the first five were promoted. John Devenport & Marinus Baker later made the Supreme Sacrifice Frank Dowdall eventually became a Battalion Chief and John Lawless went on to be Master Mechanic
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison - Press Guardian
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May 11, 1926:
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Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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July 13, 1927: New FF appointed: Ernest Wildermuth, John Craig and John Brosman. To begin service August 1, 1927.
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July 13 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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August 10, 1927: James Sweeney appointed as Deputy Chief. Meyer Jaffe was secretary to Board of Fire and Police Commission. Sweeney would make Supreme Sacrifice at 1938 Quackenbush Warehouse Fire
Dayspring Collection
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July 2, 1928: James McLaughlin promoted to Captain - with Engine Company 1
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July 3,Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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May 11, 1929: Walter "Les" Titus, Edward Heitzman, Edward Peters, Harold N Kane, Allen R Sall (future Supreme Sacrifice) appointed to department
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Les Titus (future Assistant Chief)
Ed Heitzman (future Captain)
Edward Peters
Harold N Kane (future FMBA VP)
Allen Saal (LODD - May 1934)
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December 23, 1931: Joseph Lester ("Les") Devenport appointed (effective January 1, 1932) - went on to become Director of Auxiliary FD during WWII and later in 1964 an Assistant Chief
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Les Devenport as a Captain
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June 2, 1938: Dinner ceremony for promotion of Joseph Carr to Captain
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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May 10, 1939: Ray Earles, Stanley Kecmer and Thomss Coppo appointed as firemen
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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November 22, 1941: Joseph Bray (appointed 1923) rose to rank of Deputy Chief and served as Acting Chief of department for a year after the death of Chief Strathearn in 1959. Here is a letter of advocacy for his promotion to Captain in 1941.
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Dayspring Collection
December 3, 1941: PFD promotions to Captain- James Coyle, John Craig, Joseph (Lester) Devenport, Herbert Dodds, Thomas Scholfield, Walter (Les) Titus
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
April 7, 1942: Gerard Dugan, Daniel Carroll, Ray Carr and Joseph Leitner appointed effective April 17, 1942. The first two rose to rank of Assistant Chief, Carr to Captain and Leitner to a Chief's Aide
Courtesy Richard Dugan
Fire and Police Commission letter to Gerard Dugan
Courtesy Richard Dugan
May 20, 1942: New firemen & 3 policemen appointed - Joseph Dayspring (future Assistant Chief), Solomon Reines (future DC), John Hess (?) and Bernard Kennedy (who was already in the US army). Sadly Kennedy was killed in Holland on October 29, 1944.
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Bernard Kennedy
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Joseph Dayspring as a FF
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Solomon Reines as a DC
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1942: New Captains Ray Thompson, Joseph Bray, Herbert Dodds, Lester Reiche (Supreme Sacrifice) and Deputy Chief James Troy (later Chief Engineer) with Mayor Furrey
March 1, 1943: Clipping from the Morning Call on February 3, announcing PFD appointments: Theodore Tice, Albert Horomanski, Leo Fitzsimmons and Francis Moore. Joseph Leitner was granted a military leave of absence. Tice and Fitzsimmons went on to become Assistant Chiefs, Horomanski a Captain and Leitner a Chief's Aide.
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Click on photos below to enlarge
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July 21, 1943: Peter Percarpio, John Feeney and John Sisco appointed
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Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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February 8, 1947: Post WW II firemen's civil service test - Most were veterans (9 disabled) - many PFD relatives.
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Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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April 12, 1947: New appointments including future Chief Engineer William Comer
August 13 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
April 18, 1947: Captains Mina and Coppo appointed
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
July 16, 1947: New appointments
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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September 10, 1947: More veterans appointed to PFD and PPD
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October 22, 1947: 6 Vets named as firefighters
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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November 1947: First Captains Civil Service list after WWII (pages 1 & 2)
Dayspring Collection
Dayspring Collection
November 19, 1947: New appointments and promotions
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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November 20 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
December 1, 1947: News photo below shows the 11 new Captains
Dayspring Collection
May 19, 1949: 3 new firefighters Anthony Corbo, James O'Neill and Joe Bushnauskas Jr
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Bushnauskas Jr., Joseph
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June 3 Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
June 15, 1949: Appointment of Joseph Cucci (a future Assistant Chief) and Joe Bauer (a future Captain)
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
October 1. 1949: Battalion Chief appointments: George Walls and Joseph Lester Devenport
Dayspring Collection
George Walls
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Lester Devenport
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April 11, 1951: Joe Nardella, Ted Tice, Leo Fitzsimmons, and Mike Fleming promoted gto Captain. Donald McKenzie appointed as a FF and Aloysius Lynch (grandson of Supreme Sacrifice FF William Lynch) appointed to police department
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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January 1, 1952: Chief James Kennedy to retire
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Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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January 9, 1952: PFD Changes at the top
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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February 6, 1953: Civil Service Battalion Chief eligibility List. The top 3 were appointed
Dayspring Collection
Joseph Dayspring
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Daniel Carroll
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George Peppinghaus
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February 13, 1953: Civil Service Deputy Chief List
Dayspring Collection
Joseph Bray
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James Chaplain
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Walter Titus
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Joseph Lester Devenport
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February 19, 1953: New appointments
February 20 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
February 20, 1953: Promotions for DC, BC, Captains and Chiefs Drivers
Dayspring Collection
January 20, 1954: new PFD appointees before they got their uniforms. Front L-R: Joe McCabe, Patsy Giglio, Anthony Gaita, Frank Bergen, Russ Redmond, Frank Havryluke. Back row L-R: Edward Gulacz, Ed Hancock Jr., Frank Mancinelli (who later made the supreme sacrifice), Elmer White, Anthony La Raia.
January 20, 1954 hires before getting uniforms: Leon Sopuch (the father), Leo Quigley, Don Salmanowitz, Carmine Caposella, Alfred Gallagher, Vincent Mandara. Back row L-R: William McMasters, John Toth, Robert O'Neill, Allan De Ritter, Henry Kettmann, John Bachetti, James Johnstone
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
December 17, 1954: New PFD and PPD appointees
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
August 24, 1954: Appointments: Thomas Hannenberg, William Bradley, Robert Wagner, Edward Hunt, Thomas Bolen Jr., and Charles Simpson. Ralph DiGuglielmo also appointed but not in photo.
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
January 25, 1955: Walter "Lester" Titus appointed to Deputy Chief
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March 24, 1955: William Siss (rom PPD) , Raymond Cusack and Alexander Kidd. Cusack was preceded on PFD by 2 other Cusacks - grandfather Captain Ed and FF Uncle Ed
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Bill Siss
Al Kidd
Ray Cusack
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March 5, 1956: Testimonial dinner for just promoted DC George Walls
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August 15, 1957: Fire and Police Commissioners announce purchase of 5 new FWD pumpers, permanent appointment of Police Chief Murphy and 3 new Battalions Chiefs: Leo Fitzsimmons, Gerard Dugan and Michael Fleming with Acting Chief Joseph Bray presiding.
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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September 12, 1957: Celebration for newly promoted Battalion Chief Gerard Dugan
October 15, 1957: Dinner for two new Battalion Chiefs. Chief Kane's father was a Paterson Tax Assessor and head of the purchasing board
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
April 15, 1958: Dinner for newly appointed Battalion Chief Ted Tice
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March 1, 1960 appointments: including future Assistant Chief Joe Forbes. Laurens Jansen resigned from the job & re-enlisted in the Marine Corps. Spent a couple tours in Vietnam. Received several decorations. Retired with the rank of major.
Morning Call February 11 - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
May 1960 Selection of Chief Engineer
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November 10, 1966: Gerard Dugan elevated to Assistant Chief
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Gerard Dugan
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March 20,1968: Captain Promotions
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrsion
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March 1, 1970: DC Albert Capter advanced to Assistant Chief
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December 1969: New group of firefighters, appointed November 1, 1969 receive official swearing ceremony at City Hall. Included is Paterson's first Puerto Rican FF, Avelino Fernandez.
E McCran Collection
February 17, 1970: Promotions of Joseph C Bakanauskas. Joseph A Dougherty and Charles S Walker to Deputy Chief
Joseph C Bakanauskas
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Joseph A Dougherty
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Charles S Walker
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August 17, 1971: New applicants with FMBA President Red Mosca. In the photo: Carmen Galese later resigned from Paterson. FF with "Afro" is Robert Baker
Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
1972: Captain swearing in Ceremony Mayor Arthur Dwyer: Top row Bob Gabriel, Norman Morley, Dominic Cotroneo, Dennis Diguglielmo, Frank Giordino, Frank Crampton
2nd row John Elwood, Joe Pelligrino, Carl Larson, Jim Tasca, John Minardi
Bottom row Bill Shortway, Jack Gregg, Ed Hancock (being promoted to Deputy Chief) , John Mauro, Terry Pelligrino
2nd row John Elwood, Joe Pelligrino, Carl Larson, Jim Tasca, John Minardi
Bottom row Bill Shortway, Jack Gregg, Ed Hancock (being promoted to Deputy Chief) , John Mauro, Terry Pelligrino
October 1977: note the error in the clip below: The Earl Plavier who was appointed in 1949 was the Uncle of the Earl Plavier who was being promoted to Captain on this date
Courtesy Edward Allen
April 1, 1985: Walter Bitner, John Daly Jr., Joseph Douglas, Marty Krupinski, Lee Mondelli.
L-R: Joe Douglas, Walter Bitner, John Daly Jr, Lee Mondelli, Marty Krupinski
Marty Krupinski and John Daly Jr
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Lee Mondelli, Marty Krupinski, Walter Bitner
Marty Krupinski and Walter Bitner
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Mayor Graves administering the oath
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Chief Comer
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January 30, 2002: Captains Promotion - (L-R) Chris Babcock, Robert Stemmler, Eddie Leogrande, Michael Fleming, Brian Rathbone, John Hensz
March 24, 2003: Swearing-in Ceremony at city Hall (courtesy Captain William Taylor)
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March 24, 2003: Deputy Chief swearing in ceremony with Mayor Torres. L-R: Chief James Pasquariello, Mayor, and 4 new deputies- Scott MacGilvray, John Duffy, Michael Postorino(future Chief of Department), Kevin Hancock. At far right are parents of DC K Hancock (Retired DC Edward Hancock and his wife Jospehine).
Marty Pelta photo
Marty Pelta photo
Captain promotions: L-R: FF Joseph Henderson, retired captain William Henderson, and new captains William Henderson, William Mee, Robert Poloniak, Michael D'Arco, Charles Onorato, William Taylor. To the far right is FF Steve D'Arco.
Marty Pelta photo
FF Joe Henderson, Captain William R. Henderson, retired, William Henderson Jr, William Mee, Robert Poloniak, Michael D'Arco, Charles Onorato, Steven D'Arco (back row, not promoted), William Taylor
Courtesy William Taylor
November 21, 2003: Madison Avenue Firehouse - Battalion Chiefs promotional ceremony L-R: new BC Edward Olszewski, new BC Martin Krupinski, Chief James Pasquariello, DC (executive officer) Scott MacGilvray, new BC Peter Crampton, new BC Chris Ricciardi, and new BC Joseph A. Murray.
Marty Pelta Photo
BC Olszewski
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BC Ricciardi
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BC JA Murray
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BC F Cramptom
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June 22, 2012: Pablo Camacho, Angelo Marzella, Steve Higgins, Chris Huber and Pete Lobosco were promoted to Captain in Mayor Jeffery Jones’s office just before the list was due to expire.
February 15, 2017 Promotions: L-R BC Orlando Rodriquez and Captains Steven Crampton and Michael Scherer (McBride Avenue Firehouse)
New Captain Michael Scherer
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New BC Rodriquez
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New Captain Crampton
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June 30, 2017: McBride Avenue Headquarters (Vince Marchese Photos)
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DC Kevin Hancock, Mayor Torres. Chief Postorino on left
L-R: M. Rivera, S. Harris, A. Cruz, M. Hook, T.Dyk, P. Bazaz. Back Row: L-R: A. Salina, S. Cintron, S. Falcone, R. Should, W. MacDonald.
DCs Frank Calamita, Tour 2. Pablo Del Valle, Tour 1, William Henderson, Tour 3 and Ryan P Murray, Communications.
June 6, 2018: New Captains and Deputy Chief ceremony. Elizabeth Fournier becomes first female captain in PFD history.
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Deputy Chief Hector Almeyda and family
Chief McDermott, Father Ryan, Mayor Jane Williams-Warren, DC Hancock
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L-R: Michael Gallo, Isaac. Feliciano, Walter. Tovar, and E. Fournier
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L-R: front - Daniel Morales, Christopher Antoci, and Cesar Collazo
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Deputy Chief Hector Almeyda, Family, Chief McDermott, D/C Hancock and Mayor Williams-Warren
January 2019: Retirements
April 30, 2019: Captain, Battalion Chief and Deputy Chief promotion ceremony
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April 30, 2019: Scenes from the ceremony - Click on photo to enlarge & see descriptive legends or hold cursor over photo
Herald News
Grandson Chris Parkin with Ret FF Joe Parkin Sr and his son Captain Scott Parkin
April 30, 2019: Captain Lamar Colclough becomes first African American Chief Officer at Paterson Fire Department FULL STORY CLICK HERE
New BC Lamar Colclough with Mayor Sayegh
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June 11, 2019: New Captain, Battalion and Deputy Chief promotions
Click photos to enlarge - (by Jerry Speziale)
August 9, 2019: Promotion Ceremony Program
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February 24, 2020: PFD appoints 33 new firefighters including 2 women
FF Ashley Sanchez and Mishynn Squire
Chief McDermott addressing the crowd
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Class of 2020
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Class of 2020
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