PAID DEPARTMENT BADGES, PINS (post 1890)
August 3, 1891: Rules and Regulations of the Paterson Fire Department re Insignias
Chief: Five trumpets crossed with bell outward and projecting beyond mouthpiece
Assistant Chief: same as chief except there shall be 3 trumpets
Captains of Engine Companies: two parallel trumpets with bell downwards: number in between
Captains of Hook and Ladder Companies: two parallel axes: number in between
Chief: Five trumpets crossed with bell outward and projecting beyond mouthpiece
Assistant Chief: same as chief except there shall be 3 trumpets
Captains of Engine Companies: two parallel trumpets with bell downwards: number in between
Captains of Hook and Ladder Companies: two parallel axes: number in between
May 6, 1890: John Gilmore along with Johnn Struck was appointed Assistant Chief when Chief Engineer Turnbull resigned, and Assistant Chief Murphy assumed command. John Gilmour and John Struck become Assistant Chiefs
Courtesy of Chief Gilmore's Great, Great, Grandchild Brynn Walker
April 12, 1906: Chief John Stagg and Assistant Chief Mills and Gilmore receive spectacular gold badges from the aldermen.
April 13 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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May 7 1961 Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
1973: Controversy regarding Chief Kane's use of the badge from Chief John Stagg who served as Chief of the Volunteer Department in 1887 and then the paid department in 1891 until his retirement in 1912. Stagg was a nationally known fire chief.
Correspondence between Chief Kane and former Chief John Stagg's family
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Chief Engineer Uniform Breast and Cap Badges -- 5 Trumpets
Chief Hobart Strathearn
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Chief Michael Postorino
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Chief James Pasquariello
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Chief James Pasquariello Uniform Cap Badge
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Chief Brian McDermott - 2018 - Marchese photo
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Chief Alejandro Alicea 2024
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Personal Badge collection Courtesy of Chief John Mauro
Breast Badge
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Uniform Cap Badge
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Historic Captains badge first worn by Chief John Mauro, and then his sons Captain John Mauro Jr. (appointed Captain November 1, 2011) and then Captain Michael Mauro (appointed Captain July 2, 2020)
Courtesy Mauro Family
Chaplain's Badges circa 1960s
Breast Badge
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Uniform Cap Badge
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Badge Numbering
PFD Badge numbering education: When the paid department started in 1890, each company had a rage of assigned numbers - Badge #s 10-19 were limited to men of Engine Company 1, with the Captain getting #10, Engineer #11 and drivers (hose wagon and steamer) #12 and 13. Other companies had similar patterns for example Engine 5 had #50-59, with #50 being the captain, #51 the engineer, etc. Until 1910 there were 9 engine companies. So, Truck 1 badges were #100-110 with #100 belonging to the Captain, 101 the driver and 102 the tillerman. Likewise Truck 2 was 120-129 and Truck 3 130-139. Chemical Company 1 was issued badges #140-142.
From 1890-1895 there were 5 full time men and 5 call-men. In 1895, all men became full timers. When a firefighter or captain was transferred to a different company, badges remained with original company and the firefighter (or captain) would get a badge of the new company. Chief badges were not numbered.
At a certain point in the 1900s, as men retired and new members were appointed, this strict numbering system faded. Over time as new companies were added (up to 13 engine companies in 1928) and badges were sometimes not returned after retirement or lost, ultimately badges numbers became higher and higher with numbers no longer being related to specific companies.
With respect to the Paterson Volunteer Department, the 9 engine, 3 hose and 3 truck companies were all independent of one another. Each often had hundreds of members and badges numbers ranged from 1 into the 200's.
From 1890-1895 there were 5 full time men and 5 call-men. In 1895, all men became full timers. When a firefighter or captain was transferred to a different company, badges remained with original company and the firefighter (or captain) would get a badge of the new company. Chief badges were not numbered.
At a certain point in the 1900s, as men retired and new members were appointed, this strict numbering system faded. Over time as new companies were added (up to 13 engine companies in 1928) and badges were sometimes not returned after retirement or lost, ultimately badges numbers became higher and higher with numbers no longer being related to specific companies.
With respect to the Paterson Volunteer Department, the 9 engine, 3 hose and 3 truck companies were all independent of one another. Each often had hundreds of members and badges numbers ranged from 1 into the 200's.
Fireman's Badge circa 1916-18
John B. Murphy appointed 1916 - Courtesy Brian Fleischer
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Edward A. Hancok appointed 1918 - Courtesy Kevin Hancock
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Cap & Breast Badge circa 1940s
Firemen's Cap Badges
1942 Fireman's Badge of Assistant Chief Dayspring
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Firefighter Henry Kettmann appointed 1954
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Michael Hancock - Appointed 1984
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Jack Nargisso
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1960 Firemen's Badge of William "Red" Mosca, an FMBA President - which was also later worn by his son FF Brian Mosca
William Mosca - Appointed May 1963
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Captain and Breast Badges: Edward J Hancock (appointed captain 1964)
Lieutenant Badges
Engine Company Lieutenant's Breast Badge
(one trumpet)
(one trumpet)
Lieutenant's Cap, Badge - Dayspring Collection
Engine Company 1
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Truck Company 3
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Engine Company 10
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Engine Company 13
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Lieutenant Badges of Earl H Plavier
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Lapel Pins
Lieutenant Badges of Joseph Forbes (retired as an Assistant Chief)
Breast Badge
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Cap Badge
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Uniform Coat Buttons
Captains Badges
Engine Company Breast Badge
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Engine Company Cap Badge
Truck Company Cap Badge
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Captain of Engine Company 4 Cap and Breast Badge
Captain of an Engine Company had silver color badges with company number
in center surrounded by two trumpets: AT left is uniform cap badge and at right the breast badge.
Engine Company 5
Dayspring Collection
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Dayspring Collection
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Engine Company 8
Dayspring Collection
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Dayspring Collection
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Engine Company 9
Dayspring Collection
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Dayspring Collection
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Engine Company 10
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Engine Company 12
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Dayspring Collection
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Dayspring Collection
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Engine Company 13
Dayspring Collection
Captain Cap and Breast Badges: Edward J Hancock (appointed captain 1964)
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Kevin Hancock (appointed captain 1996) 
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Battalion and Deputy Chief Badges of
Kevin Hancock 
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Engine Company 13 Fireman's Hat and Captain's Breast Badge belonging to Jack Nargiso (circa 1960-80) - Also his state and local FMBA badges.
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Jack Nargiso
Historic Captains badge first worn by Chief John Mauro, and then his sons Captain John Mauro Jr and then Michael Mauro
Courtesy captain Michael Mauro (appointed to that rank July 2, 2020)
Assistant Chief Gerard Dugan
Badge plaque presented to Chief Dugan at his retirement in 1981 (after 39 years of service) Courtesy Richard Dugan
Deputy Chief Badge of Gerard Dugan (appointed to that rank July 1961)
Courtesy of Richard and Gerard Dugan Jr
Badges of Joseph Dayspring 1942-1981
FF Badge
Captain Truck Company 3 and Engine Company 1
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Above are the Cap and Breast Badges of Captain Joseph Dayspring:
Truck Company 3 and Engine Company 1 (circa 1948-1952)
Below are his lapel uniform buttons (Truck Company Captain)
Truck Company 3 and Engine Company 1 (circa 1948-1952)
Below are his lapel uniform buttons (Truck Company Captain)
Assistant Chief Uniform and Cap Badges with 4 crossed trumpets. These belonged to
Assistant Chief Joseph Dayspring who held that rank 1962 - 1981.
Assistant Chief Joseph Dayspring who held that rank 1962 - 1981.
Dayspring Collection
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Dayspring Collection
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Battalion (1953-1957) and Deputy Chief (1957-1962) Badges
belonging to Joseph Dayspring
belonging to Joseph Dayspring
Dayspring Collection
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Dayspring Collection
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Deputy Chief Combustible Supervisor 1957-1958 -- Dayspring Collection
Many firemen also had smaller badges carried in their wallets (Below are Joseph Dayspring's)
Dayspring Collection
Combustibles
FF Combustibles Badge -- Dayspring Collection
Reines Collection: Deputy Chief, Combustibles
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Badge Collection of Deputy Chief Solomon Reines who was long time director of the Combustibles bureau. |
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Courtesy Richard Reines
Courtesy Richard Reines
Joseph Forbes Collection
Appointed March 1, 1960 and was assigned to Engine 5 (Van Houten Street), which he also captained. He was the last DC ever promoted to Assistant Chief.
Fireman's Badge
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Captain Engine Company 5
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Captain Engine Company 5
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Captain Engine Company 5 Uniform Cap
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AC Joseph Forbes
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Captain's Lapel Pins
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Deputy Chief Breast Badge
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Deputy Chief Uniform Cap
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Deputy Chief Lapel Pins
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Assistant Chief Breast Badge
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Assistant Chief Uniform Cap
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Assistant Chief Lapel Pins
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Joseph Dougherty Collection: Deputy Chief
Courtesy Jan Davies
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Courtesy Jan Davies
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Luis Cruz - Deputy Chief
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William Henderson Jr. - Deputy Chief
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July 2019
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Fleming Collection: Fireman, Captains & Battalion Chief
Three Michael Flemings' have achieved Chief Officer ranks (combined service 1943-2019)
Assistant Chief Badge & Lapel Pins of Michael J "Mickey" Fleming who served 1943-1977
Wallet Badges of Michael J Fleming
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Badge collection of Michael P Fleming who served 1963-2003 - a 40 year career
Battalion Chief Robert Poloniak - Appointed to that rank 2010
Fusaro Collection: Fireman, Lieutenant and Captains Ranks
Courtesy Patricia Fusaro
Captain Fusaro's Wallet Badge
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Patsy Fusaro
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MASTER MECHANIC & DRILLMASTER
Master Mechanic Badge on Cap of John Carroll (1971 photo)
Angelo Contini Badge -- Dayspring Collection
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Dayspring Collection
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Eifler collection
RESCUE COMPANY BADGES (CAPTAIN)
The badges below are unique to Rescue Company captains. Just as engine company captains have two upright trumpets and truck captains have two upright axes facing one another, the Rescue officer has 2 upright line guns with a rope bag and a diving helmet in the middle and the company number on the front of the rope bag. Rescue 2 operates out of the Southside Firehouse on Getty Avenue. The badge originated with FDNY Rescue Companies. The late Ira Rubin was a helmet shield and badge distributor for Smith Warren and Blackington badges and introduced them to the PFD when Captain Scott Parkin was given command of Rescue 2 in 2005.
Breast Badge
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Uniform Cap Badge
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Lapel Ornamet
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Left collar Insignia
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Breast Medal for PFD FF & PPD members who responded to Ground Zero on September 11, 2001
Distributed to active PFD FF on September 11, 2017
HONOR GUARD BADGES
Below is the badge on the Honor Guard Uniform: the embroidered crosses each represent 5 years of service
THEATER DETAIL
CHAPLAIN BADGES
March 4, 1915 - Paterson Press
Father Patrick Ryan - 2018 photo
Rabbi Badge - Eifler Collection
FIRE INSPECTOR BADGES
Captain M Scherer - 2019
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Lou Iandoli - Retired April 2019
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DISPATCHER BADGE
circa 1981 - Courtesy Donna Hamilton
FIRELINE BADGES
When first envisioned, in 1907 Fireline Badges were to have been made of German silver with the department's insignia raised in the center, "Fire Line Badge" arched on top, and the name of the person the badge was issued to was supposed to be in a reverse arch at the bottom. This was likely too complicated to produce, and easier to produce badges (seen below) were issued instead. Jeweler Schoonmaker did a fantastic job but failed to put a maker's mark on them.
Paterson Daily Press January 23
The original idea for Fire Line badges proposed January 5, 1907 by Chief Stagg at the monthly alderman's meeting was adopted into law as Order #16 by Police Chief John Bimson on February 18, 1907, this was done because it was the duty of the police to assure anyone crossing the fire line have a badge. (to see related news clips click here and scroll down to the date)
February 16
February 12 Paterson Daily Press
February 15 Morning Call
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On August 6, 1910 Chief Stagg recalled all Fire Line badges because the city felt too many people had them that it hampered the firemen from doing their jobs, and some badge holders were escorting women into the sites to impress them.
On December 1, 1910 local jeweler Samuel Schoonmaker had produced only 100 of these very ornate shield shaped badges, which is why none have ever been seen with a 3 digit number. There are at least two other styles known, one of which I assume pre-dates the Gamewell style badges. The badges weren't popular because they cost the person desiring to use them $10, which was a hefty amount in 1910.
December 1, 1910 - Paterson Press
Dayspring Collection
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Eifler Collection
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Eifler Collection
Fireline badges, at one time were modeled after Gamewell Fire Alarm boxes were given to reporters and prominent citizens and allowed them to cross police lines when reporting on or viewing fires. It is of interest that the Founder of the Gamewell Fire Alarm Company actually died in Paterson.
Eifler Collection
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Eifler Collection
Piatti Collection
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Dayspring Collection
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More Modern fireline badge
Dayspring Collection
Dayspring Collection
Dayspring Collection
PATERSON FIRE LADY'S AUXILIARY BADGE
Lapel Pin Badge - Courtesy Dorothy Walker
Past President's Neckless Badge - Courtesy Dorothy Walker
Dorothy Walker (wife of DC Charles Walker) receiving the Past-President's Badge from outgoing Vice President Mary Ross (Mrs Mike Ross). At right is incoming President Ray Rotella (Mrs Louis Rotella)
AUXILIARY FIRE BRIGADE PFD BADGE
Badge # 1
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Reverse
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Dayspring Collection
Courtesy of Henderson Famiy
Robert J Wiech - circa 1963
HONORARY FMBA BADGE
1947: Chief Troy presented badge to newspaper reporter Max Simon in Match 1947 - For details and photo see FMBA Page
Dayspring Colletion
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Dayspring Collection
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Reporter Max L Simon receives an Honorary Life Member FMBA gold badge from Chief James Troy at Fire Headquarters on Van Houten Street. FF at left is Harold N Kane, FF in center is Chief's Aide John B. Murphy and at right is FMBA president Frank Dalton. Meyer Jaffe at left is secretary of Fire & Police Commission
March 4, 1947 Paterson News
RETIREMENT BADGES
Captain James Coyle
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Captain James Coyle rear view
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Jack Nargiso
Henry Kettmann
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Deputy Chief Joseph Dayspring
Carmine Caposella
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DC Ed J Hancock - Hancock Collection
Captain of Engine Company - Courtesy Sharon Woodruff
Shawn Burns 1985 - 2011
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Jake Rozell
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Supreme Sacrifice Memorial Pin 2016 and 2017, 2018 and 2019
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Badge presented to widow of FF Scott Rogow (Supreme Sacrifice) by Fallen Firefighters Foundation at Memorial Weekend ceremonies October 8, 2017
The St. Florian (patron Saint of Firefighters) pin was issued in October 2016 to commemorate the first annual Red Mass at St. Gerard's Church in Paterson held in 2015. The mass honors those in the Paterson Diocese (Passaic, Morris and Sussex Counties) who have made the Supreme Sacrifice
PFD Fire Association Fire Officers Association Local 202
Fire and Police Commissioner's gold badge presented to Theodore F Sloan by PEG Club (an exclusive wing of the Elks Club) on February 8, 1930
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Photo courtesy of grandson Pete Longden, restored by Vincent T Marchese
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Police and Fire Commissioner's Badge of Robert Moore
FMBA Lapel Pin of F/F Jack Nargiso
April 2020: Presentation charm from Christine Saia to her father - retired B/C Leonard Saia (his F/F Badge # was 250)
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