Evolution of the Paid Department
Chronologial List of Important Events
1960 - 1979
February 13, 1960: Annual report issued by Acting Chief Joseph Bray
January 23, 1960: Acting Chief Bray issues uniform order
March 12, 1960: CD Radchem training
April 14, 1960:
Deputy Chief Harold Kane, despite finishing third in the Civil Service examination is appointed Chief Engineer.
|
May 30, 1960: Award for D/C Carroll for injuries suffered January 11, 1959
October 14, 1960: Settlement for F/F Ralph DiGuglielmo for injuries sustained at a fire on December 19, 1959.
November 10, 1960: First reading of ordinance creating Assistant Chief rank passed
March 4, 1961: Fire and Police Commission to announce at upcoming meeting the establishment of the Assistant Chief rank. The article explains the state civil service rules regarding the rank which they refused to accept. Civil service ruled Assistant Chiefs would officially be deputy chiefs although they could receive increased compensation for extra Assistant Chief duties. The article mentions Chief Dayspring was first choice (as he was atop the last official list) but writer states Dayspring was "disinterested" but does not mention the real reason Dayspring refused was in protest for being skipped for top chief position in 1960.
March 4, 1961: Captain Lester Reiche of Engine Company 3 collapses and dies at a fire on Ellison Street. See Supreme Sacrifice |
March 15, 1961: Fire and Police Commission report that a new FH will be built on Trenton Ave and for the FIRST TIME EVER two civilians will be hired: assigned as Fire Alarm Operators: they were Harry Stoothoff and Charlie Bauman. With little elaboration the news clip also noted that 2 DC (unnamed in article) would be elevated to new positions - that was actually the re-establishment of Assistant Chief Rank - it became official April 1, 1961 (was not a recognized civil service rank and thus required no exam). As noted in March 4 post above, it was first offered to DC Joseph Dayspring who declined. It then went to DC Walter Titus and DC Daniel Carroll.
April 19, 1961: Meeting of Fire and Police Board and bid acceptance for new Lakeview Firehouse on Trenton Avenue
Column at left states: facilities for three pieces of apparatus for fire fighting apparatus, dormitories, offices and several classrooms. The station will have electronically controlled exits which will automatically open when a fire alarm sounds in the district. There will be sleeping quarters for two deputy chiefs, two captains and 12 men with off street parking for 13 cars. The building will contain a fully equipped machine shop for vehicle repair, a carpenter shop and the city's first electric hose dryer. Vehicles will leave from the Trenton Avenue side. Low bidders on the firehouse were the Pike Construction Co. of 339 Broadway general construction $411,749, Selbach-Meyer Co. of West New York structural steel and iron work #$8747 and Montesano and Cp, of7 Hillside Avenue Little Falls plumbing $15,900. Also Lakeland Electrical Cp. of Wayne, electrical work $18,423 and George Abboud and Co. Hawthorne, heating, ventilating and air conditioning $28,350. |
May 10, 1961: Battalion Chief and Assistant Chief rank to be eliminated, the latter being left to future discretion
May 22, 1961: SUM building may become training facility
June 1, 1961: F/F John Heffran of Engine Company 7 begins 39th year with PFD
1961: (Summer) -- PFD installed two way radios in the apparatus. Here is Engine Company 5 in front of Headquarters with Captain William Comer demonstrating the radio. Driver is Joseph Forbes
1961: (Summer) -- PFD installed two way radios in the apparatus. Here is Engine Company 5 in front of Headquarters with Captain William Comer demonstrating the radio. Driver is Joseph Forbes
August 10, 1961: Incident with Captain Al Micozzi of Engine 9
September 5, 1961: Captain Al Micozzi of Engine 9 suspended
October 9, 1961: Fire Prevention Week
October 28, 1961: F/F Robert Embrich of Engine 2 recalled to duty in US Military
December 21, 1961: Chief Kane suspends two firefighters
1962: The rank of Assistant Chief is re-established. Lester Titus and Daniel Carroll was appointed. Joseph Dayspring who refused the title in 1960 accepted the position June 1, 1962.
February 2, 1962: 42 Hour week referendum
February 3, 1962: The Lakeview Firehouse on Trenton Avenue opens and Engine Company 13 and truck 1 relocate there.
May 1, 1962: 13th Annual Communion Breakfast
May 18, 1962: Firehouse (company) closings discussed
April 16, 1962: Mayor to avoid campaigning on 40 hour work week
June 1962: Truck Company 2 at Van Houten Street receives a new open cab Pirsch 100' aerial. It is the first 100' aerial the department has ever had. It is pictured below across the street from the firehouse.
July 2, 1962: To make way for Interstate Route 80 construction the Firehouse at 149 Slater Street closes. Engine Company 4 goes out of service.
August 21, 1962: F/F gathering signatures for 42 hour work week petition
August 21, 1962: Rabbi Reuben Kaufman honored for 21 years of service
August 29, 1962: The Riverside - East Side Firehouse opens on Lafayette Street and Engine Company 3, Truck Company 3 and the Third Battalion relocate there. |
October 23, 1962: F/F establish campaign headquarters to promote shorter work-week
October 31, 1962: Chief Kane injury
November 7, 1962: 42 Hour Work Week approved. Photo below is Firefighter Joe Parkin on the left and Ralph Di Guglielmo on the right lobbying prior to election. Below is a related bumper sticker.
1963: The rank of Battalion Chief and Lieutenant are eliminated from the department. Joseph L. Devenport and Ruldolph Peppinghaus were promoted to Assistant Chief.
April 12, 1963: Contracts issued for new Getty Avenue firehouse+
April 28, 1963: A new Exempt Fireman's Home on Walnut Street is dedicated.
May 1, 1963: For the first time since department inception in 1890, men do not have to report for duty wearing full uniform.
July 26, 1963: Was Mayor, rather than Chief Kane managing a General Alarm Fire on Straight Street?
September 1, 1963: A 42 hour work week, after lots of lobbying, approved in the November 1962 election goes into effect. This created 4 tours (shifts) of firemen.
Tour 1 went on duty at 8:00 AM and Tour 4 at 6 PM. Tours 2 and 4 were off duty.
Note the three Assistant Chiefs (Tour Commanders) Walter Titus, Daniel Carroll and Joseph Dayspring were still rotating on the 24 hour, 56 hour work week schedule until September 29, 1963. Thus for a time companies had a different Tour Commander for each on duty date.
Note the three Assistant Chiefs (Tour Commanders) Walter Titus, Daniel Carroll and Joseph Dayspring were still rotating on the 24 hour, 56 hour work week schedule until September 29, 1963. Thus for a time companies had a different Tour Commander for each on duty date.
October 1963: Truck Company 3 apparatus destroyed by flames in the General Alarm Fire at the Franklin Finishing Corp.
November 13, 1963: Mayor announces that the city to sell two and lease one of the older firehouses. To be sold are unused quarters of Engine 4 on Slater Street and about to be unused quarters of Engine 9 on Main Street. Quarters of Engine 7 on Gould Avenue will be leased to the South Paterson Boys Club.
January 27, 1964: The Southside Firehouse on Getty Avenue opens and Engine Companies 7 and 9 relocate. The older houses at 78 Gould Ave and 586 Main Street which date to the days of horse pulled apparatus close. E7 Mack pumper show below with riot roofs installed dating the photos to 1968 or later.
January 30, 1964: Mayor Graves may have to close a firehouse for summer months
March 13, 1964: Residency issues flare up
March 14, 1964: Mayor has plans to close Engine 6 on Market Street during summer
April 6, 1964: Annual Communion Breakfast. Assistant Chief Gerard Dugan in center
April 25, 1964: Fire Captain must move back to Paterson
April 10, 1964: Off-duty Firemen (Al Capter, John Vanderhook, Captain Joe Dougherty and Angelo Mazza) led by FMBA President Fred Ricciardi clean up (steam bath) statue of Alexander Hamilton at Post Office Plaza in preparation of its move by Ottilio Construction company on April 11 to the new Overlook Park by the falls.
June 30, 1964: The department obtains a new Pitman 60' Snorkel on an FWD chassis and it enters service at Engine Company 7. Even though the Firehouse Bay was labeled as Snorkel 1, it always operated as Engine Company 7.
October 6, 1964: Fire Prevention display highlighting PFD operations
March 4, 1965: Commercial filmed at Fire Headquarters
April 1965: A second Snorkel, a new American LaFrance 85' Aerochief was put in service as Truck Company 3 at the Riverside Firehouse.
April 22, 1965: PFD honors Dr. A Gerard Peters for his 5 years of service
June 25, 1965: Law suit re PFD Chief Kane and PPD Chief John O'Brien
November 12, 1965: CPR training at Lakeview Firehouse
December 29, 1965: Annual alarm report
March 15, 1966: Mayor to announce pay raise for F/F
August 12, 1966: Firehouse cooks -
October 11, 1966: Mayor Graves and Captain Dan Dowd in Engine 7 Snorkel during Fire Prevention Week
October 21, 1966: The Morning Call wins first prize for the photograph below from a March 14, 1966 Carroll Street Tenement 2nd alarm fire. - It shows PFD Auxiliary Firemen James Kearns and PPD Detective Sergeant Peter Kilkier For full fire details CLICK HERE
January 3, 1967: City Hall Ceremony with PFD and PPD
February 23, 1967: Annual report of Chief Engineer
March 11, 1967: Don Bosco HS student receives PFD award for rescue efforts at a fire
March 20, 1967 Award winning photograph of Engine 5 Captain Mario Colitarci performing a rescue at 100 River Street 4 alarm tenement fire, In 2016 it graced the cover of the annual PFA ball book
May 17, 1967: Firefighters and Women's Auxiliary help Captain Joseph Bauer of Engine 12
Circa late 1960s: - Paterson Fire Lady's Auxiliary
July 1, 1967: Regulation re proper display of US Flag at Firehouse
July 10, 1967: Department uses its portable foam machine, less than a year old, which is quartered at Southside FH at a 3rd alarm fire at National Shore Store on Main Street
October 5, 1967: Another order from Chief Kane regarding officer uniforms (note hand written phrase on bottom)
October 6, 1967: Alarm report
October 20, 1967: Off duty Paterson firefighters and the department Honor Guard assemble at Southside FH with Mayor Kramer before leaving for a funeral of Ridgefield firemen who made Supreme Sacrifice.
October 23, 1967: PFD travels to Newark Parade to support those serving in Viet Nam
March 12, 1968: Chief Kane's Annual Report
May 28, 1968: Annual Communion breakfast at Headquarters
June 1968: Squad One enters service as an official new company at 115 Van Houten Street Headquarters: Left to right Assistant Chief Joseph Dayspring, Captain Leon Sopuch, firefighters Joe Guerrieri, Tommy Coppo and Joe Guerrieri . It responded to every box alarm.
June 17, 1968: "Dad's Day" celebrated in Paterson at City Hall exhibit Engine 7 Snorkel
June 1968: Because of the inner city rioting occurring across the United States and in Paterson, plywood "riot" roofs were installed over the open cabs and rears of the apparatus.
September 11, 1968: Salary increase rally
October 3, 1968: Fire Inspector Anthony Corsetto instructing at PS# 26
October 7, 1968: Annual Report of Chief re alarms
December 10, 1968 at10:58 PM. 8 persons died at the arson-related General Alarm Midtown Hotel fire at 2 Park Avenue.
January 7 1969: Engine Company 10 and Truck 1 sustained serious damage in a collision at Park Avenue and Summer Street. Engine 10 was responding west on Park Avenue to a two alarm fire at 178 Market Street while Truck 1 heading north on Summer Street was relocating to Headquarters after responding to a false alarm at Straight and Essex Streets. William Siss, driver of E10 was admitted to Paterson General Hospital and Tillerman Leo Quigly of Truck 1 at St. Joseph's Hospital. Treated at St. Joseph's were Captain Ray Allex, Captain Harry Davatellis, and firemen John Baschetti, Thomas Hughes and Francis Bealer.
February 14, 1969: Heart surgery for Deputy Chief Paul Peterson - these were the early days for bypass surgery.
March 12, 1969: New Captain's uniform rules
March 19, 1969: Discussion of FF roaming as patrol officer - never came to fruition
July 1, 1969: Paterson receives three new Seagrave 1250 GPM pumpers and one Seagrave 100' Aerial (the first ever Paterson pumpers or Trucks with closed cabs). They are pictured below upon arrival at the Lakeview Firehouse. Assigned to Engine Companies 1, 3, 5 and Truck 2.
Below: L-R: Chief Harold Kane, Peter Leslie of Steelfab Inc., Kenneth Hayden (clerk to Fire & Police Commission), Fred Ricciardi, Commissioner Edwin Englehardt and Mayor Pat Kramer
October 18, 1969: Retired D/C George Peppinghaus receives state job
March 8, 1970: Taxpayers association wants combined PPD/PFD
April 7, 1970: False alarm prevention program initiated
May 13, 1970: Scuba team initiated with DC Paul Peterson as supervisor. To be transported by Rescue Truck
June 1970: Funding for new apparatus
November 14, 1970: The Fire department Ambulance service is established under the direction of Assistant Chief Joseph Dayspring. For full details visit the EMS page
Below is the journal entry of Ambulance Unit 92, located at Southside Firehouse on Getty Avenue, which made the first PFD ambulance response 5 minutes after going on duty. Note the presence of Mayor Kramer, Chief Kane and DC Peterson in quarters.
June 1971: Engine Company 1, 5 (shown below at Headquarters on Van Houten Street) as well as 3 and 12 receive new Hahn 1250 GPM pumpers painted red
May 4, 1971: Residency requirement announced
May, 1971: EMS Service extolled
May 6, 1971: Lakeview Firehouse Human relations seminar
July 1971: The Hillcrest Firehouse opens on Union Avenue. Engine Company 8 and Ambulance #91 are relocated there.
Summer 1971: Paterson Firemen open the sprinkler on Madison Ave as temperatures soared into the 90's. Teen Fire Marshals Julio Torrez, Jose Pagan, Asst Chief Alfred Micozzi and fireman Kenneth Shearn.
March 17, 1972: Order from Chief re Dress Uniforms
March 22, 1972: 1971 Alarms report
July 19, 1972: Youth "Fire Marshalls" help keep the city cool
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
1973: Number of runs
March 1, 1973: Captain Frank Mancinelli of Truck 3 makes the Supreme Sacrifice when he was fatally injured falling from a roof fire on Paterson Street.
June 12, 1973: Summer hydrant issues
July 3, 1973: FF lobby citizens for pay increase
August 10, 1973: Old Gooseneck and Washington 3 Steamer to be at Falls Festival
September 22, 1973: PFD to experiment with 3 eight hour shifts per day
October 12, 1973: Civil service required for ambulance service
November 20, 1973: Life of a Paterson Firefighter
December 28, 1973: The Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) became law. Full-time jobs were provided for a period of 12 to 24 months in public agencies. The intent was to impart a marketable skill that would allow participants to move to an unsubsidized job. 27 men joined the PFD CETA roster.
1973: Controversy regarding use of the badge from Chief John Stagg: Stagg served as Chief of the Volunteer Department in 1887 and then was appointed Chief of the paid department in 1891 and served until his retirement in 1912. He was a nationally known fire chief. Click here for biography.
|
The letters below are between Chief Kane and Stagg's family
July 10, 1974: False alarm issues
July 20, 1974: FMBA drops its ban on voluntary overtime
August 3, 1974: CD group organized to combat false alarms
October 14, 1974: Court to review PFD hiring of F/F
October 24, 1974: Labor issues
November 2, 1974: PFD allowed to hire F/F without Civil Service exam
November 7, 1974: The position of Chiefs aides are eliminated for Assistant and Deputy Chiefs.
1975: City report on Public Safety - Fire Division
March 14, 1975: Issues with recurrent absenteeism with F/F Monteyne
March 19, 1975: Report of PFD Community relations Department
April 3, 1975: Dr Nochimson honored at FMBA ball
April 5, 1975: Captain Fred Armona of Engine Company 11 makes the Supreme Sacrifice in a roof collapse during a church fire on 4th Avenue.
April 15, 1975: Firemen approve the first written contract (with a uniformed service) in Paterson city history.
April 28, 1975: Eastside and JFK High schools present awards to PFD A/C Joe Forbes and PPD Sgt. Roy Griffin
June 11, 1975: PFD repair truck pedestrian incident with fatality
June 23, 1975: Settlement re Supreme Sacrifice of F/F Michael Mancinelli
June 24, 1975: A new Pirsch 100' aerial enters service at Truck Company 2. It is the first ever yellow apparatus in department history.
March 17, 1976: Two new 1975 1250 GPM Hahn Pumpers are assigned to Engine Companies 1 and 5 (shown below after company names were changed to 10 (on left) and 6 (at right)
April 22, 1976: Bicentennial Seal for City of Paterson painting by Captain Conklin for upcoming ceremony at Overlook Park
June 6, 1976: Parade for President Gerald R Ford visits Paterson to dedicate the Great Falls Historic Park. Two of PFD's newest apparatus (1975 Hahn pumper and1975 Pirsch aerial) were placed at Hillcrest Firehouse for this event
March 9, 1977: Department mandates Burke Eye Shield on all helmets
June 1, 1977: AC Joseph Dayspring became the Liaison Officer to the Department of Public Safety on June 1, 1977
July 28, 1977: The old bell alarm system is replaced by the EVRS system at 8:15 AM
Shown at right is the Gamewell Gong at 115 Van Houten Street |
The last alarm transmitted over the old system was station 623 for a car fire on 5th Avenue. |
January 1978: Three new 1977 American LaFrance 1250 GPM Pumpers are assigned to Engine Companies 1, 3 and 5. |
1978: The rank of Battalion Chief was re-established with Norman Morley and John Mauro being the first appointed. The rank of Assistant Chief was officially eliminated.
March 17. 1978: Citizen complaint re PFD
April 30, 1978: The Fulton Street Conflagration destroys two apparatus (Engine Companies 2 and 5) and a chief's car.
July 22-23, 1978: Snorkel Truck (Engine 7) closed - until September Engine 9 at Southside remained on duty
August 24, 1978: FF forced to do clean up duty at Falls prior to the Fall's Festival
April 20, 1979: Staffing issues at PFD
January 11, 1979: Fire Prevention efforts
May 1, 1979: First woman passes a Paterson FF test - she never became a FF
May 11, 1979: Youth Day at PFD at Headquarters
August 23, 1979: Issues over Passaic Falls clean up
1979: The Madison Avenue Firehouse opens and Engine Company 6 relocates there in September and Engine Company 10 in October
November 5, 1979: Two new American LaFrance 1250 GPM pumpers enter service at Engine Company 5 at 115 Van Houten Street and Engine Company 12 at Circle Avenue