2025 Events
January 1, 2025: Update on the Public Safety Complex at 163-167 Pennsylvania Avenue - CLICK HERE for "Tap Into Paterson" News report
The Paterson City Council approved a $10.09 million contract on Monday for the redevelopment of a new Dispatch Center, which the city broke ground on in 2022. The project, awarded to H & S Construction and Mechanical Inc. of Elizabeth, aims to modernize the city’s emergency response infrastructure.
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February 14, 2025: Annual Captain John Selitto Blood Drive
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February 4, 2025: Captain Kyle Hughes (currently floating) modeling the in-house Captain's garb
May 3, 2025: International FF day at Paterson's Danforth Library
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CLICK ON PHOTOS BELOW TO ENLARGE
May 10, 2025: Autism event at Headquarters
June 2025: Pavers being placed in Memorial Walkway in park behind headquarters
Chief's Aide Carmine Caposella and DC Michael Caposella (as a FF)
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July 2025: PFD Public Service Announcement due to heavy rains
August 2025: Walk with FF - a healthy public service
August 8, 2025-August 18: WATER CRISIS statement from PFD - the Paterson Fire Department responded to 1,299 total incidents and the Tender Taskforce responded to 26 reported building fires and 5 structure fires throughout the City of Paterson.
Local, county, and state Mutual Aid Coordinators worked together to have over 75 fire departments from 13 counties in New Jersey respond to the City of Paterson with approximately 20 of these departments responded numerous times. A huge thank you to all of our members as well as all of the mutual aid coordinators and departments who responded into the city.
Also a special thanks to Passaic Valley Water Passaic Valley Water Commission worked with Firefighter One to create an emergency lease of a Fouts water tender for use by the Paterson Fire Department. The Fouts water tender that Firefighter One provided can hold 3,000 gallons of water for fire suppression. PFD Tender 1 was placed in service with Paterson firefighters and responded to all possible fires and confirmed working fires. The addition of a Paterson water tender to the Water Tender Taskforce response contributed to requiring fewer water tenders from mutual aid towns.
Local, county, and state Mutual Aid Coordinators worked together to have over 75 fire departments from 13 counties in New Jersey respond to the City of Paterson with approximately 20 of these departments responded numerous times. A huge thank you to all of our members as well as all of the mutual aid coordinators and departments who responded into the city.
Also a special thanks to Passaic Valley Water Passaic Valley Water Commission worked with Firefighter One to create an emergency lease of a Fouts water tender for use by the Paterson Fire Department. The Fouts water tender that Firefighter One provided can hold 3,000 gallons of water for fire suppression. PFD Tender 1 was placed in service with Paterson firefighters and responded to all possible fires and confirmed working fires. The addition of a Paterson water tender to the Water Tender Taskforce response contributed to requiring fewer water tenders from mutual aid towns.
August 8-18, 2025: Multiple mutual aid companies responded some of which were Forked River FD, Villas (125 miles away in Cape May), Edgewater (Bergen County). Whitesville VFD (Jackson), Mantua Township (Gloucester County), Highlands (Monmouth), Cecil Fire Company (Monroe Township in Middlesex County), Monroe Township FD, West Milford FD (Passaic County), Wanaque FD (Passaic County) and Washington FD (Warren County) mutual aide during low water pressure crisis
Forked River - Ocean County
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Whitesville FD Tanker 5708 - From Jackson, NJ
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Water Tanker - Cape May County
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Washington Township - Warren County
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Cecil Fire Company tender Engine 29 at Southside FH - from Gloucester County
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At left Tender 22 Mantua Township - Gloucester County and Highland Squad at right
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Highland Squad 2831
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Newton FD at Hillcrest FH
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Ron Bombaro Photos
Monroe Township at Northside FH
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Monroe Township at Northside FH - Middlesex County
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Monroe Township (Middlesex County) at Headquarters
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Teaneck FD - Squad 23
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Weast Milford at Northside FH
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West Milford at Fire scene
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West Milford Tanker at Hillcrest FH
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Clarksburg (Millstone Twp - Monmouth County) - Bryam Boru photo
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Hope Fire Company from Allentown (Monmouth County) - Bryam Boru photo
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Hope Fire Tender 82-1 Company (R Model Mack) from Allentown (Monmouth County) - Bryan Boru photo
West Milford and Wanaque FDs
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Wanaque FD at Northside FH
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August 15, 2025: Below is PFD Tender Company 1 - Captain Tom Dyk and FF John Irwin were the initial crew who operated the unit. The Fouts water tender that holds 3000 gallons,
is on loan from the Passaic Valley Water Commission through Firefighter One, LLC. The new response is 1 mutual aid Tender, 1 mutual aid Draft Engine, Paterson Tender 1, Paterson E8, BC 4. This was the new tender task force box response.
is on loan from the Passaic Valley Water Commission through Firefighter One, LLC. The new response is 1 mutual aid Tender, 1 mutual aid Draft Engine, Paterson Tender 1, Paterson E8, BC 4. This was the new tender task force box response.
At Headquarters
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Water Tender 1 at Southside FH garage
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September 10, 2025: New order for E-One Ladder truck
October 2005: Breast Cancer support
October 30, 2025: Trunk or Treat
November 2006: Paterson Firefighter unions angry with mayor CLICK HERE
November 13, 2025: Annual toy drives
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December 27, 2025: FF Amanda Dakake of E5 performs heroic actions with her sister (both acting with the Pompton Lakes Volunteer Department at a Pompton Lakes house fire.
𝗣𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳, 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝘆 - 𝐁𝐲 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨 (𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬)
Two volunteer firefighting sisters rescued a resident from a burning Pompton Lakes home -- with help from their fire chief dad -- minutes before the ceiling collapsed. Amanda Dakake and her younger sister Samantha were among the first borough firefighters at the scene of the Central Avenue blaze, which ignited and began spreading quickly as snow fell late on Dec. 27.
Hearing a noise, Amanda -- who is also a career Paterson firefighter -- found the resident in a rocking chair as smoke and flames quickly spread through the cluttered home.
She pushed him toward Samantha -- a rookie Paterson police officer -- who removed a table from over his legs. Hearing a shout of "Victim!" their father -- Pompton Lakes Fire Chief Dennis Dakake -- entered the home. He and his daughters got the resident to the front door before he was brought to a stretcher on the sidewalk. Pompton Lakes First Aid Squad took over from there, transporting the victim to St. Joseph's University Medical Center in Paterson.
Then the ceiling came down. Mutual aid included firefighters from Riverdale, Pequannock, Wayne, Ringwood, Bloomingdale, Oakland and Wanaque.
Two volunteer firefighting sisters rescued a resident from a burning Pompton Lakes home -- with help from their fire chief dad -- minutes before the ceiling collapsed. Amanda Dakake and her younger sister Samantha were among the first borough firefighters at the scene of the Central Avenue blaze, which ignited and began spreading quickly as snow fell late on Dec. 27.
Hearing a noise, Amanda -- who is also a career Paterson firefighter -- found the resident in a rocking chair as smoke and flames quickly spread through the cluttered home.
She pushed him toward Samantha -- a rookie Paterson police officer -- who removed a table from over his legs. Hearing a shout of "Victim!" their father -- Pompton Lakes Fire Chief Dennis Dakake -- entered the home. He and his daughters got the resident to the front door before he was brought to a stretcher on the sidewalk. Pompton Lakes First Aid Squad took over from there, transporting the victim to St. Joseph's University Medical Center in Paterson.
Then the ceiling came down. Mutual aid included firefighters from Riverdale, Pequannock, Wayne, Ringwood, Bloomingdale, Oakland and Wanaque.
January 24, 2026: PFD announced: in preparation for the forecasted winter storm, the Paterson Fire Department has activated its Winter Storm Emergency Operations Plan to ensure uninterrupted fire suppression, EMS coverage across the city.
All fire companies are operating at full staffing and all riding assignments filled one (1) additional Engine Company and one (1) additional Ladder Company are fully staffed and in service to enhance fire suppression capabilities
Two (2) Additional BLS ambulances are staffed and available to meet increased EMS demand
Emergency Operations Center EOC will be operational to maintain continuity of command and establish a Unified City Wide Command Post
Dedicated Fire Department plow trucks are assigned citywide and will escort fire apparatus and EMS units as needed, ensuring access to emergency scenes, stations, and major response corridors during severe winter conditions. Life safety remains our top priority. Residents are urged to limit travel, use caution, clear nearby fire hydrants and prepare accordingly. No matter the weather, the Paterson Fire Department stands ready, staffed, and committed to protecting our community 24/7.
Squad 6A (High Water Unit) is also deployed as a Special Operations Unit and is equipped with fire suppression equipment and advanced medical gear. This unit is prepared to assist with fire operations or EMS calls if conditions limit access for traditional apparatus.
All fire companies are operating at full staffing and all riding assignments filled one (1) additional Engine Company and one (1) additional Ladder Company are fully staffed and in service to enhance fire suppression capabilities
Two (2) Additional BLS ambulances are staffed and available to meet increased EMS demand
Emergency Operations Center EOC will be operational to maintain continuity of command and establish a Unified City Wide Command Post
Dedicated Fire Department plow trucks are assigned citywide and will escort fire apparatus and EMS units as needed, ensuring access to emergency scenes, stations, and major response corridors during severe winter conditions. Life safety remains our top priority. Residents are urged to limit travel, use caution, clear nearby fire hydrants and prepare accordingly. No matter the weather, the Paterson Fire Department stands ready, staffed, and committed to protecting our community 24/7.
Squad 6A (High Water Unit) is also deployed as a Special Operations Unit and is equipped with fire suppression equipment and advanced medical gear. This unit is prepared to assist with fire operations or EMS calls if conditions limit access for traditional apparatus.
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January 25, 2026: Snow and Ice Storm hits Paterson
February 2, 2026: Deputy Chief Micheal Hall and firefighter Janice Miller (E-3) giving a presentation to students at John F Kennedy HS for Black History month. Chief Hall is the first African American to be appointed to non-provisional rank of Deputy Chief. On the screen is FF Henry O. Harris who was the first African American Appointed to the PFD in 1960.
DC Hall and FF Miller
DC Hall and FF Miller with teacher at Kennedy - Vincent T Marchese
February 22, 2026: DC Michael Hall elected President of PFD's Bronze Heat Chapter
March 11, 2026: PFD acquire two off-road utility vehicles - FTAC-1 and ETAC-1. Stationed out of headquarters with a primary use for events at Hinchcliffe Stadium, as well as the national park area around the falls, including the river walk. They are also used for the different parades the city holds and other special events. The radio call signals will be FTAC-1 and ETAC-1 which avoids confusion identifying between the two during operations.
FTAC at left and ETAC at right - Ron Bombaro photo
Click the following Ron Bombaro photos to enlarge
March 14. 2026: Social Media post by PFA: at 5:36PM, the Paterson Fire Dept. was dispatched to a possible fire at 166 Mill St. Upon arrival, the companies found a working fire with smoke showing from a 4-story, wood-frame residential building, and a car blocking the nearest fire hydrant. The firefighters immediately acted to establish the water supply with urgency. They used proper technique given the circumstances and avoided further significant damage to the car once the feed was established. However, this could have all been avoided if the driver had followed the law. PFA requested awareness and consideration for persons to not block fire hydrants.
April 7, 2026: The Paterson Fire Department on Tuesday swore in Rev. Dr. Jesus Sevilla as its new fire chaplain, formally welcoming a longtime pastor, counselor and community leader into a role centered on supporting firefighters and their families. CLICK Here
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