FLEMING FAMILY

Fleming Family of Paterson Firefighters

Three Chief Officers

Three Flemings represented (ultimately as Chief Officers) the Paterson Fire Department from 1943 thru 2020. Collectively, the Flemings have 100 years of cumulative service with the Paterson Fire Department. The first was Michael J. Fleming who served for 34 years, followed by his son Michael P. Fleming and lastly by grandson Michael P. Fleming Jr. Adding to the family's firefighting legacy is that the brother (James) of Michael J. Fleming was a deputy Chief in the Passaic, NJ Fire Department.

Michael J. "Mickey" Fleming -was appointed February 16, 1943 and was given Badge #22. He served at served Engine Company 1 located at Central Fire Headquarters (115 Van Houten Street). He then became Captain at Engine 1 in 1951. He was promoted to B/C in 1957, then D/C in 1961and finally to A/C in 1969. He retired in 1977 and passed away on October 22, 2003.

Appointment photo (in uniform)

Appointment photo in civilian dress

1949 Ball book photo: Engine Company 1 "A Shift" outside central fire headquarters (in front of Truck 2 Bay) - Captain George Walls, Joseph Kuyl, William Bradley, Howard Schoonmaker, Fallous Baker & Michael Fleming

The 1930 Ahrens Fox pumper used by Engine 1 when Michael Fleming was a fireman

April 11, 1951: Firemen Joe Nardella, Ted Tice, Leo Fitzsimmons, and Michael J. Fleming promoted to Captain.

April 11 Morning call

April 11 Morning Call

April 12 Morning call

April 12 Morning Call

Engine Company 1 - 115 Van Houten Street - Apparatus was a 1949 Mack pumper

Fire Headquarters - Engine 1 men of the A and B shifts in front of 1948 Mack pumper: L-R: Captains Harry Huber, and Michael Fleming and William Flynn: firefighters Harold Schoonmaker, James Kehoe, Fred Riccardi, William Bradley, Joe Dougherty and Nate Salmanowitz.

Captain Engine 1

1955 April 4 - Captain Michael J Fleming in rear at right

May 2, 1957: Civil Service Battalion Chief list released

October 15, 1957: Dinner for two new Battalion Chiefs - Harold Kane and Michael J Fleming

Morning Call

Battalion Chief

February 9, 1960 - Award ceremony at Fire and Police Commission meeting - BC Michael J Fleming at right

January 1, 1961: Eight new Deputy Chiefs appointed: Sal Madama (wearing a suit), Albert Captor, Ted Tice, Leo Fitzsimmons, Richard Walmsley, Gerard Dugan, George Findlow and Michael J. Fleming. All later became Assistant Chiefs

1971 photo of Michael J Fleming

1971 photo in civilian dress

DC Helmet (if only it could talk)

1967 - Car 71 at Headquarters - Left: Front to back: Assistant Chief Theodore Tice, Deputy Chief Michael Fleming, Assistant Chief Gerard Dugan, Assistant Chief William Comer. Right side rear to front: Chief Aides John Rankin, Fred Ricciardi, Joseph Leitner, James Johnstone, Thomas Ottavino, Pellegrino Vitale

1968: Captain Milton Katz promoted to Battalion Chief: party at headquarters. Left: seated: Robert Montag, Stu McKay, Al Capter. Left: Standing: Captain Leon Sopuch Sr-Squad 1, Captain John Hoffman-T-2, Captain Milt Katz-E-5, Richard Korger, Vincent Valois, Pellegrino Vitale, Bruce Greenough, Captain Joseph Dougherty-E-1, Fred Ricciardi, Tom Carr. Right: seated: Deputy Chief Mike J Fleming Sr, George Duin, George Maloney, Randy Reid, Dennis Katz (Milt's son), Joseph Francese

1971 Building Collapse - L-R: FF Joe Francese, FF Ludwig Lentino, Captain Joe Fotrbes, FF Randy Reid, Building Inspector Ventrella and DC Michaeel Fleming

AC Fleming in background

The Hillcrest Firehouse at 221 Union Avenue opened on July 1, 1971 and Engine Company 8, and Ambulance Unit 91formerly located at 71 Wayne Avenue relocated. There was a ribbon cutting to officially open the firehouse and many of the Chiefs attended.

L-R: AC MIke Fleming, AC Joe Dayspring, AC Dan Carrtoll, Mayor Kramer, Chaplain Michael Hart, AC Willie Comer, Ken Hayden (secretary to Fire & Police Commission), ?, Chief Kane, FMBA President Red Mosca, DC Paul Peterson, E8 FF

In front L-R: Chief Harold Kane, Mayor Kramer, then AC Willie Comer and Reverend Michael Hart. In rear at left is Ken Hayden (F&P Commision Clerk) and AC Mickey Fleming

Michael J Fleming Wallet Badges

Assistant Chiefs Michael Fleming, Ted Tice and Captain "Walt" Burns

Retirement Badge Display

March 23, 1977 - Retirement Dinner for Michael J Fleming and Captain James Burns

March 23, 1977 Paterson News

On the Wall at Madison Ave Engine 1 Bay

Michael P. Fleming Sr

Served as Specialist in US Navy November 28, 1958 thru December 11, 1962 – Appointed PFD September 1, 1963: Served Engine Companies 12 & 5 -Truck 2 - Captain in 1973: first as a floater and then Truck 1 - Battalion Chief on May 1, 1984 - Retired February 1, 2003

Official PFD Record Sheet

1967: Men of Engine 12 in quarters with FWD pumper: Front row L-R: Michael Fleming, Joseph Ozene, Leonard Bremus, Captain George Kilgour, and Captain Donald Salmanowitz. On apparatus L-R: Edward R. Kane, William Rasp, John A, Cichon, Anthony Lott.

1951 FWD pumper used at Engine 12 - here parked at Fire Headquarters

Battalion Chief

1996 Ball Book

3rd Battalion Gig at Northside Firehouse

Below is the 1999 Spartan Innovation 105' rear mounted aerial of Ladder 2 (posed at Madison Avenue)- Chief officers in front (L-R): DiGuglielmo, Pasquariello, Postorino, McLaughlin and Fleming - Photo taken at the 2000 retirement of Captain William Henderson (in blue shirt at right of B/C Fleming with his two sons on each side)

Capt. A Maldonado R Stemmler C Pagan G Calamita Capt W Henderson BC M. P. Fleming Sr., A. Ackerman W. Taylor R. Aliotta Northside and chief

"Retired" BC Michael P. Fleming Sr.

Michael P. Fleming Jr.

Appointed May 7, 1991 - Served Engines 5, 7, 4, Ladder 3 & Ladder 1 - Promoted to Captain January 30, 2002 - served at Ladder 3 - Promoted to Battalion Chief December 6, 2007 - Deputy Chief November 1, 2011 - served as Tour Commander - Retired June 1, 2019 - Served as a trustee of PFA and later as a PFOA Officer

1991 training class - Michael P Fleming Jr and Charles Onorato

Mike P Fleming Jr kneeling front center

June 16 1991 - First Fire Academy Class

Front Row- L-R- Chauncey Brown, Bob Stemmler, Captain Mike Ventimiglia, Chief John Mauro, Mayor Bill Pascrell, Director Bill Dolan, B/C Larry Mazza, Bill Henderson, Brian Mosca, John Alexander Back Row- L-R- Pedro Garced, Bill Mee, Mike Arbus, Chuck Onorato, Fernando Rodriguez, Alton Dickson, Chris Babcock, Scott Farrar, Ernie Filippelli, Mike Marini, Jim Lucci, Mike Fleming, Paul DiFalco, Marco Manzi Not visible in photo- Mike Daly

FF Michael P Fleming Jr in 1992 Ball Book

1996 Ball Book

June 25, 1995: Mayor's Medal - A/C Ed McGrady, F/F Frank Crampton Jr., F/F Michael P. Fleming Jr. and FF George Thompson - L3 rescue at 664 East 24th Street fire