GERARD DUGAN

Assistant Chief Gerard Aloysius Dugan

Gerard "Jerry" A. Dugan – Appointed to PFD April 16, 1942 – Served US Coast Guard September 19, 1942, thru November 1, 1945 - Returned to PFD November 16, 1945 - Served as a fireman at Engine Company 5 located at Van Houten Street (Central Fire Headquarters) - Appointed Captain November 1, 1948, and served at Engine 10 on 17th Avenue – Promoted to Battalion Chief October 1, 1957 – Promoted to Deputy Chief July 1, 1961 – Appointed as an Acting Assistant Chief July 1966 before becoming an Assistant Chief on December 1, 1966 - Retired 1981 - Died April 22, 1985

April 7, 1942
Board of Police and Fire Commission Appointment Notice
Signed by Board President Joseph Bamford and Secretary Meyer Jaffe

Official PFD Record with Dugan's 1951 signature

Civilian and Uniformed PFD Photos of Gerard Dugan

1948 photo

December 1948 - Captain Dugan

Battalion Chief (note two crossed trumpets on cap badge and lapel buttons)

Deputy Chief Photo of Gerard Dugan (note 3 crossed trumpets on cap badge and lapel pins)

1971 FMBA ball Book - Listed as Assistant Chief but they used a photo of Gerard Dugan wearing a Deputy Chief Cap Badge (3 crossed Trumpets) - An Assistant Chief badge would have 4 crossed trumpets

World War II
September 1942 - Dugan's request for leave of absence - which was granted

Unusual for Newspaper to refer to Gerard Dugan as "Jerry"

Central Fire Headquarters as it would have appeared when FF Gerard Dugan after WW-II reported in April 1942. Engine 5 operated out of the far bay (at right). Engine 1 had bay at left and Truck 2 in the center. Firemen slept on 2nd floor and Chief Offices were on 3rd floor.

Firemen's Bedroom on second floor at 115 Van Houten Street Central Headquarters. Note sliding poles at rear enabling firemen to quickly get to the apparatus floor

During the 1940's Engine company 5 was operating a 1931 Ahrens Fox pumper seen here at a Clark Street multialarm fire. As a fireman Dugan would stand on the back steps of the apparatus as it responded to fires.

In October 1948 Engine Company 5 received a brand-new Mack 1000 GPM Pumper, shown at right outside the firehouse. Below is a photo of the apparatus in its bay at Van Houten Street with (posed L-R) FF Gerard Dugan, FF Harry Davatellis, FF Milt Katz, FF Joe Daly, FF Ralph Miller and Captain Sal Madama

Engine 5 1948 Mack

Of interest in the photo is the lack of a cap badge on Gerard Dugan at left which the other Firemen were wearing. Speculation is that at the time of the photo Dugan had just been promoted to be a Captain (at Engine 10) and was waiting for the new Captain's badge. He likely also wanted to appear as a fireman with his fellow firemen he had served with at Engine 5 and for the photo removed his new Captains badge.

FF Ralph Miller at the pumps of Engine 5 Mack (parked at Jefferson and North 9th Streets)

September 11, 1948: The news clip below has a conjecture about new Captains to be appointed - including Gerard Dugan. In fact, he was promoted on November 1, 1948 and assigned to Engine 10 on 17th Avenue and East 26th Street

PFD Captains Breast Badge (not Dugans)

1949 Ball Book - Engine Company 10 "A Shift." Posed on the firehouse front apron at 17th Avenue are L-R new company Captain Gerard Dugan, FF Eugene Mariani, FF Ferdinand Miller and FF Walter Pikethly (Supreme Sacrifice in 1951)

Engine Company 10 "A Shift" Captain Gerard Dugan, Eugene Mariani, Ferdinand Miller and Walter Pikethly

Engine 10 had used an Ahrens Fox pumper since 1931. In 1937 they swapped that pumper for the 1926 Ahrens Fox of Engine 5 which is in the 3 photos below and which Captain Dugan commanded.

On apron at 17th Avenue quarters

Engine 10 1926 Ahrens Fox at Market Street extra alarm fire

Photo is sometime after November 1948: Engine Company 10's 1926 Ahrens Fox pumper in its bay at 17th Avenue house. Behind the pumper is the restored 1863 Jeffers Steam Fire Engine used by Washington Engine 3 of the Volunteer Company in Paterson. eft to right: FF Jim Durkin, FF driver Ralph Miller, Captain Gerard Dugan and FF Adolph Guzik. Note above his right shoulder Captain Dugan's helmet with the white #10 shield in photo

September 4, 1953: Morning Call Article photo which also appeared in the1954 FMBA Ball Book of Engine Company 10 - at this time the company had a new 1953 Seagrave pumper

Back row L-R: Ernest Wildermuth, Willbert Mariani, David Pickels, Captain Joseph Semas, Harold LaRue. Front row L-R: Ferd Miller, Jim Durkin, Eugene Mariani, Adolph P Guzik and Captain Gerard Dugan. 1953 Seagrave in background.

In the Morning Call article (posted below) was a short history of Engine 10 - recalling that this was the first Paterson Company to ever use a motorized apparatus. The headline below is bogus as the firehouse was the first in Paterson to be constructed (opened in 1910) without stables.
So, despite the headline below, horses were never expected or ordered for Engine 10

Engine 10 1953 Seagrave pumper in quarters

Photos after Snowstorm at 17th Avenue Quarters

Deputy Chief Lester Devenport and Captain Dugan

Captain Gerard Dugan at right

17th Avenue Firehouse in mid 1950s

Battalion Chief Gerard Dugan

August 15, 1957: Fire and Police Commissioners announce purchase of 5 new FWD pumpers, permanent appointment of Police Chief Murphy and 3 new Battalions Chiefs: Leo Fitzsimmons, Gerard Dugan and Michael Fleming with Acting Chief Joseph Bray presiding.

September 12, 1957: Celebration for newly promoted Battalion Chief Gerard Dugan

Deputy Chief Gerard Dugan

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

Deputy Chief Lapel Pins - 3 crossed trumpets

Assistant Chief Dan Carroll and Deputy Chief Gerard Dugan

Assistant Chief Gerard Dugan

November 10, 1966: Gerard Dugan elevated to Assistant Chief

Assistant Chief Dugan's AC Helmet

Badge Presentation Plaque presented at retirement to Chief Dugan - Note the breast badge and lapel pins have 4 crossed trumpets (Assistant Chief Rank) but the uniform cap badge at top has 3 crossed trumpets (Deputy Chief)

1968 Ball Book: At left front to rear - AC Ted Tice, AC Michael Fleming, AC Gerard Dugan, AC Willie Comer - At right front to rear are Chief's Aides Bill Vitale, Tommy Ottavino, James Johnstone, Joe Leitner, Fred Ricciardi, and John Rankin. The Gig in photo used by Assistant Chiefs was "Car 71"

In 1979 Fire Headquarters moved from Van Houten Street to the new Madison Avenue Firehouse

November 1979: As part of opening ceremonies of Madison Avenue Firehouse, the following Chiefs posed for a photo: Left-Right - AC Paul Peterson, DC Solomon Reines, AC Joseph Forbes, AC Gerard Dugan, AC William Comer, retired DC James Chaplain, DC John Mauro, DC Edward Hancock, Chief Harold Kane, DC Joseph Dougherty. Posed in front of Washington Engine Company 3 of Paterson's Volunteer Department Era 1863 Steamer

L-R: AC Gerard Dugan, FF Vic Didio, DC Joe Dougherty, and BC Bill Shortway - The Combustible Bureau

Assorted Fire Scene / Incident News Clips & Photos During Career

Ladder rescue by Engine 10 on January 31, 1951 Paterson Morning Call

January 31, 1951: 1:00 AM 510 15th Avenue dwelling fire with Ladder Rescue

September 1, 1952 Dwelling fire at East 35th Street & 19th Avenue at 1:27 AM
at 319 19th Avenue

September 1 Paterson Morning Call

Paterson Evening News September 2, 1952

October 1952 - Park and Graham Avenues - Metropolitan Tire Company fire

Chief Strathearn on porch in white helmet

Firemen (labeled) extinguishing burning tires - Engine 10 firemen at right (Mariani, Dugan, Miller, and Guzik

May 14, 1965 - At 10:33 PM Station 26 (Marshall and Braun Streets) sounded for what became a General Alarm fire at the Dowling Coal and Fuel Oil Company at 256 Marshall Street. The fire swept through an entire city block. The extra alarms can in rapid fashion.

Battalion Chief Gerard Dugan

May 23, 1971: 20th Avenue near East 27th along Erie Lackawanna tracks
2nd alarm Brush fire and a coal shaft at Fairclough Coal
Chief Dugan showed appropriate caution about sending men under his command

November 15, 1971: Rescue at Garret Mountain cliffs by PFD aerial truck. The incident was called into PFD by Chief Dugan's sons Robert and Jerry Jr.

January 1, 1972: Afternoon 105-117 State Street 2nd alarm warehouses on fire.
Gerard Dugan was Tour Commander

May 1972

May 21, 1972: 2:50 PM Route 20 at Fair Lawn Avenue Circle 2nd alarm warehouse fire
Assistant Chief Gerad Dugan was Tour Commander

March 19, 1973: 6:30 PM 24-26 Lawrence Place - Working fire in an Apartment Building - Gerard Dugan was Tour Commander

March 4, 1974: 7:06 PM 3 Straight Street Apartment fire with rescue
Assistant Chief Gerard Dugan was Tour Commander

March 5 Paterson Evening News

June 5, 1974: ~5 PM 99 Park Avenue 2 story frame dwelling
AC Dugan was Tour Commander

December 17, 1974: 4:15 AM St. Joseph's Hospital 703 Main Street Chapel fire
AC Dugan was Tour Commander

Unknown (dates or locations) Fire Scenes

Chief Dugan in white helmet

Unknown Fire - Chief Dugan on top steps

Unknown Fire - Assistant Chief Dugan wearing helmet and Assistant Chief Charles Walker holding helmet

February 5, 1980: 3:02 PM 732-730 Madison Avenue - 4th alarm at Ralston Radiator Co (Auto Body Shop for Brogan Cadillac) with 4 firefighter injuries

Assistant Chief Dugan with Chief's Aide Tony Ziza

Assistant Chief Gerard Dugan

February 8, 1980: 4:25 PM 111 Washington Street General Alarm at Police Headquarters 10 Firefighter injuries

Chief's Aide Red Mosca at top left, Chief Dugan in center, Police Chief Hanna at right

Other photos and stories during Chief Dugan's 39-year career

April 1, 1950: Renovation of Paterson Firemen's Exempt Association Home (which was acquired in 1892) led by Captains Bronie Daniels (Master Carpenter) and Gerard Dugan (Captain of Engine 10)

Paterson Daily Press

Exempt Firemen's Home on Clark Street

Dinner for new Captain Ferdinand Pelleschi in 1953

September 18, 1967: 175th Anniversary of Paterson

Assistant Chiefs Dugan, Carroll and Dayspring

L-R: AC Dugan, Carroll and Dayspring

1968: Paterson Fire Department Communion Breakfast at Tree Tavern. Sitting L-R Commissioner Edwin Englehardt, Bishop Casey, Sister Loretta Agnes (wearing her badge), and PFD Chaplain Doyle. Standing L-R are Fred Ricciardi (FMBA President), Ken Hayden (Fire & Police Commission Secretary), Mayor Pat Kramer, Assistant Chief Gerard Dugan and Assistant Chief Joseph Dayspring.

May 30, 1969 Communion Breakfast at Headquarters with Engine 5 in background. Chief Dugan standing at left and his son Robert is the altar boy at left

May 30, 1969

The 3 Chiefs standing behind and to the right of Bishop Casey and the altar boys are (l-R) William Comer, Dan Varroll and Joe Dayspring

1970 Communion Breakfast with Bishop Casey with the new Engine 5 Seagrave pumper in background

1970 Communion Breakfast

May 27, 1969 Memorial Day Serviced at Post Office Plaza. Chief Dugan standing behind Sister Loretta Agnes. Other dignitaries also present

Mayor Kramer, Chief Kane, Assistant Chief Dayspring, Sister Loretta Agnes and Assistant Chief Dugan

In front row L-R are Assistant Chief Dayspring, Sister Loretta Agnes and Assistant Chief Dugan

Communion Breakfast - Assistant Chief Dugan at the microphone

Mayor Kramer at left & Chief Dugan at rear and Chaplain Doyle at right. FF Patrick Tuohy at the microphone

1973 FMBA Beefsteak Dinner - AC Dugan & Captain John Hoffman

Beefsteak Dinner - FF Ray Cusack and AC Dugan

FMBA Sports Dinner

Chief Dugan

Chief and Mrs. Catherine Dugan

1981 Retirement

Two special friends - Assistant Chiefs Gerard Dugan and Joseph Dayspring - Note the red stripe on a fireman's uniform sleeve indicates being a veteran. Three yellow stripes indicate deputy chief rank

May 12, 1981 - Retirement Luncheon for Chiefs Dugan and Dayspring and FF Master Carpenter John Thompson

Mayor Kramer, Joseph Dayspring, John Thompson and Gerard Dugan

Chief Dayspring, Public Safety Director William Forbes, FF John Thompson, Chief Dugan

Retirees Joe Dayspring, John Thompson and Jerry Dugan

Chief Harold Kane and Gerard Dugan

FMBA President Bill Filippelli, FF Thompson, AC Dugan and AC Dayspring

L-R: DC Ed McLaughlin, FF Bill Filippelli, AC Joe Dayspring, FF John Thompson, AC Jerry Dugan, Chief Harold Kane and Public Safety Director William Forbes

Chief Dugan's table (John Kearney was best man at Chief Dugans wedding and a godfather to Richard Dugan)

In this photo - three men at retirement dinner table with George Kilgore closest to camera left to right are Woodrow Zegers ( a long term mechanic for the Clifton Fire Department), Jack Heath and John Zegers. Jack and John are Dugan's brothers-in-law.

Death April 21, 1985

Toombstone