January 17, 2020: Plans are in the works for a new Engine 3 pumper with foam capabilities.
February 1, 2020: HazMat 1 enters service using the refurbished Rescue 2 truck. It is assigned to Engine 3 at Lakeview Firehouse (not a full time unit)
February 25, 2020: Demolition training with new PFD equipment
February 24, 2020: PFD appoints 33 new firefighters including 2 women
Mayor Sayegh with FF Ashley Sanchez and Mishynn Squire
April 2-3, 2020: PFD Headquarters becomes a COVD Testing Center
Chief McDermott
April 1, 2020: NY Times article on PFD and COVID Crisis
April 5, 2020: Palm Sunday - PFD, PPD and other FD pay tribute to SJH COVID workers Ron Bombaro video
April 11, 2020: Paterson Fire hitting record daily call volume. It is taxing for our EMT’s that have been handling every call with such professionalism and dedication. PFD reached out through the State for some crews to augment EMS staff, and Steve Besselman, Justin Ingles, and Zack Wilson from Midwest Medical Columbus Ohio answered the call.
Lakeview Firehouse
April 12, 2020: PFD paid its heartfelt respects at for PPD motorcycle patrolman LODD (COVID) Frank Scorpo - Ladder 1 and 2 used to display flag
Ladder Trucks outside Paterson's Municipal Building
Director Speciale at the right with mask
April 29, 2020: PFD issues the following thank you, re the COVID Pandemic on its Department Facebook site
June 1, 2020: Chief McDermott reports all firehouses will have truck exhaust systems in house by end of August. Regarding the Central OEM/Dispatch Building, the chief has met with thearchitect. IIt will take 3-4 months for initial build, then 2 months for PFD implemnentation meaning 6 months total to open
A new Ferrara pumper has been ordered for Engine 3
July 2, 2020: Rank of Assistant Chief is re-established with promotion of D/C Gabe Aboyoun who was appointed May 18, 1992
Gabriel Abouyan
Mayor Sayegh, Chief McDermott, Director Speziale, A/C Aboyoun
August 19, 2020: A/C Gabriel Aboyoun passes away
1st Responder News October 2020
September, 2020: Upon the passing ofAssistant Chief Gabe Aboyoun, Battalion Chief Michael Caposella promoted to Deputy Chief
September 11, 2020: Memorial
1st Responder News November 2020
Typo: It is B/C Bradle & Macones - 1st Responder News November 2020
October 2020: All firefighters will be given access to the "shotspotter" system. It sends a text whenever a gunshot is fired in the City.
November 12, 2020: PFD and Office of Emergency Management were blessed by Bank of America with 74,000 surgical masks and 400 hand sanitizer pumps which will be dispersed to seniors and the underserved population.
F/F Troy Ayers at left and Chief McDermott at right
December 2020:PFD launched a program that allows for property owners and fire inspectors to utilize smartphone technology to remotely perform an inspection. The team led by Captain Herbert Eggers is made up of eight full-time inspectors and two part-time inspectors, is the first department in the state to offer it.
December 28, 2020: Paterson Firefighters are among first to receive COVID Vaccine
Captain Bill MacDonald E7 Tour 4
Chief Brian McDermott
January 1, 2021: A powerful photo of Paterson Fire in action during the pandemic makes the globally read NY Times “year in pictures; 2020”. CLICK HERE
January 11, 2021: New Ferrara apparatus for Engine 3 arrives in Paterson