HILLCREST FIREHOUSE
221 Union Avenue
CURRENT OCCUPANT:
Engine Company 2
Ambulance EMS 2 (92)
Engine Company 2
Ambulance EMS 2 (92)
January 10, 1968: New firehouse planned for Hillcrest section of Paterson
February 10, 1970: Groundbreaking ceremony
The Hillcrest Firehouse at 221 Union Avenue opened on July 1, 1971 and Engine Company 8, formerly located at 71 Wayne Avenue relocated. Ambulance Unit 91 had relocated from Wayne Avenue on June 30, 1971 at 4 PM.
Originally the plaque on a wall apart from Firehouse
2006 Photo - Plaque on Firehouse
July 2020 - Vince Marchese photo
Chronological Listing of the Apparatus at Hillcrest Firehouse
At one point, (exact date ?) each Paterson company was assigned its own unique color scheme: specific colored stripes would be on every piece of equipment. Engine 8 (and subsequently E2) color was brown.
July 1, 1971: Engine Company 8 was using a 1953 750 GPM pumper (Serial # G3791) formerly used by Engine Company 6.
July 7, 1971: 1957 FWD Special 1000 GPM pumper (Serial # D81295) formerly used by Engine Company 6 is used by Engine 8. It is shown below with plywood riot roof attached in 1968.
July 7, 1971: 1957 FWD Special 1000 GPM pumper (Serial # D81295) formerly used by Engine Company 6 is used by Engine 8. It is shown below with plywood riot roof attached in 1968.
Engine 8 with deluge set in operation - with Captain George Kilgour
1972: Thomas Dayspring of Ambulance 91 in E8 driver's seat, rear step and at watch desk
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EMT Tom Dayspring checking the oxygen tank in 91 in inside bay at Hilcrest FH
1972: Spare 1957 FWD apparatus and a Cadillac Ambulance in rear bay at Hillcrest FH
Former E5 & E10 Pumper - (serial D80291) - Dayspring Photo
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Former E5 & E10 Pumper - (serial D80291) - Dayspring Photo
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Hillcrest Firehouse Interior with Engine Company 8 and the 1965 American LaFrance AeroChief Snorkel parked as a spare. Ambulance 91 in right foreground.
Vincent Marchese photo
Auxiliary Fireman Vince Marchese in front of Engine Company 8 FWD apparatus.
Original Running Board with Box Assignments under old bell system
Courtesy Bryan Boru
Dayspring Photo December 2016
April 1, 1976: 1969 Seagrave 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # R4476) formerly used by Engine Company 1 and 6.
Jim Koper Photo
Jim Koper Photo
1969 Seagrave parked in quarters
Circa 1970s: At Hillcrest FH L-R: Sal Botti, Al Rusconi, Captain Reg Ripley, Ed Cusack
Captain R Ripley and FF Ed Cusack - Seagrave Apparatus in bay
Tour 3: Captain Larry Mazza, Art Salmanowitz, Tony Ziza and Tippy Nicolazzo
Circa 1980: Coat rack at Hillcrest Firehouse
Vince Marchese Photo
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Vince Marchese Photo
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March 16, 1981: Apparatus damaged in accident and out for repairs. Company used 1969 Seagrave (R4477) formerly used by Engine 3, 9 and 5 (painted red)
October 16, 1981: 1969 Seagrave 1250 GPM (Serial # R4476) which was in accident in March back in service and painted yellow. Seagrave R4477 went off duty and was sold September 25, 1982.
Joe Hloucek photo
Standing besides the apparatus below are Sabias Recca, Captain Francis J Carr, Harold "Unc" NicholaS, John A Cichon. Engine 8, tour 2. Circa 1979/80.
October 19, 1981: Engine Company 8 receives a 1969 Seagrave 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # R4476) painted yellow.
June 28, 1982: 115 Van Houten Street Firehouse closes and the 1981 ALF Aerochief rearmount aerial that was used by Truck Company 2 relocates from to the Hillcrest Firehouse for a transient 2 months stay.
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September 3, 1982: Department renumbers most of the Engine and Truck Companies (see official order at Overview Page). Truck Company 1 at Hillcrest Firehouse is now called Truck Company 2 and receives the 1975 Pirsch 100' aerial (Serial # 3111) formerly used by both Truck 2 and Truck 1, which was yellow. |
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September 3, 1982: In the department renumbering, Engine Company 8 remains as Engine Company 8 at Hillcrest Firehouse.
1983 photo
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1984 photo
February 11, 1983: Snowstorm
Courtesy Sharon Woodruff
June 23, 1983: 4 alarm fire at Van Huten and Mill Streets
Janet Chris photo
Joe Hloucek photo
November 30, 1983: The 97 Grand Street firehouse is closed for repairs and Engine Company 7 relocates to the Hillcrest Firehouse. To make room for Engine 7, Truck Company 2 was relocated to the Southside Firehouse. Engine 7 returned to Grand Street and Truck 2 to Hillcrest on August 4, 1984
December 3, 1984: The Third Battalion reopens at Hillcrest Firehouse.
Kitchen View: From L-R: Captain of Truck 2, Thomas Alala, Ray Cusack. Captain of Engine 8 Louis Ponstingel, Eddie Cusack and Glenn Brown
December 4, 1984: Engine Company 8 used a 1971 spare Hahn 1250 GPM pumper.
Engine 8's Hahn parked outside 97 Grand Street firehouse - Joe Hloucek Photo
1980 Beckwith Ave 3rd alarm - Todd Hollritt photo
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1980 Beckwith Ave 3rd alarm - Todd Hollritt photo
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February 13, 1985: Engine Company 8 receives a 1975 Hahn 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # HCP528127624) with 500 gallon tank painted white formerly used by Engine Companies 6, 10, 6 again, and 1). Apparatus was painted white and is pictured below.
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1985: At Hillcrest FH: The Gallagher Brothers - Captains William ("Bill") and Warren ("Tex") and Battalion Chief Alfred ("Ollie)
L-R: Captain William, B/C Alfred, Captain Warren
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L-R: Captain Warren, B/C Al, & Captain William
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May 14, 1985: Truck Company 2 receives a 1981 American LaFrance AeroChief 100' Rearmount (Serial # 7254). Apparatus, which originally was all white, later had the cab painted white. Formerly used at 115 Van Houten Street and Madison Ave. The 1975 tillered Pirsch which had been at Hillcrest FH was sent for refurbishing and repainting in anticipation of its use at Northside Firehouse (then being built).
1985: Engine 8 receives 1979 ALF CE6621 (former E12, E9) converted to a 55' telesquirt (Reddi Tower). It was initially labelled and planned to be used as E9 in the Northside Firehouse but never saw service at E9. Ultimately number on cab changed to "8."
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95th Anniversary Parade on Union Ave
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1987: Truck 2 relocates to Northside Firehouse on Temple Street
1989 Emergency One on Spartan chassis (1500 GPM) pumper for Engine 8
1995: Engine 8 Using Thibault Telesquirt
1995 Parade
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1995 Parade
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courtesy Todd Hollritt
February 13, 1996: Incident # 960774 17-21 West Broadway General Alarm 3 stores
May 2, 1996: Responding to CCP, Engine 8 has accident on Union Ave
May 3 Herald courtesy Dennis Morrison
1997: Soldiers Monument installed outside of Hillcrest Firehouse
Dayspring photo December 2016
April 10, 1998: Unit Citation for Engine 8: for actions at 197 Liberty Street @ 22:55 Hrs. Captain Ave Fernandez, F/Fs Thomas Straube, Manuel Gonzales and Andrew S. Meyers
Displayed at Hillcrest Firehouse - courtesy Bryan Boru (son of F/F Straube)
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Department Reorganization:
October 3, 2006: Engine Company 8 renumbered as Engine Company 2
Ambulance 92 is also located at Hillcrest.
2006: Engine 2 receives a reassigned 2002 Pierce Saber 1500 GPM pumper
1998 RD Murray (Spartan Chassis) 1500 GPM PUmper
Bill Tompkins photo
2011 Fire Scene - Bill Tompkins photo
April 19, 2013 Engine Company 7 relocates from 97 Grand Street, where there were structural weaknesses in the apparatus floor, to the Hillcrest Firehouse
November 2015: Engine Company 2 at Paterson Armory Fire
Armory Fire 2015
2015: The 97 Grand Street firehouse closes because of structural weaknesses of the apparatus floor and the Engine Company 7 moves to (and shares with Engine 2) the Hillcrest Firehouse on Union Avenue
December 2015: Engine 2 receives a reassigned 2006 Emergency One 1500 GPM pumper painted red
May 2016: photos of spare apparatus 2 and 3 quartered at Hillcrest Firehouse (Todd Hollritt photos)
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May 19, 2016: 5:45 PM Apparatus accident
May 21 Herald
July 2016: Spare 1 (Emergency One apparatus) filling in as Engine 2 at Hillcrest Firehouse
Vincent Marchese photo
Tour 4 Engine 2: Left - right: Demetrius Davis, Captain Richard Fortino, Samuel Joyner, Robert Tierney (Not pictured: Seamus McGuiness, Jamal Randolph and Kyle Broadfield)
Vincent Marchese photo
July 25, 2016: Engine 2 at auto crash scene Union and Edmund Avenues
Ron Bombaro photo
September 25, 2016: 4 alarm fire 343 Hamilton Ave (Ron Bombaro photos)
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November 5, 2016: EMS, E2, Ladder 2 and Battalion chief respond to MVA at Union and Wayne Avenues. Ron Bombaro video
December 11, 2016 Engine 2 exiting Hillcrest Firehouse Ron Bombaro video
December 15, 2016: Slideshow views of Engine 2 E-One apparatus
Running Board (original, displaying the street boxes to which E8 responded on first alarm)
2016 Dayspring Photo
December 15, 2016: Ambulance 92 in bay at Hillcrest FH
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January 4, 2016: Engine 2 out of Hillcrest FH on Union Avenue -Ron Bombaro video
April 2017 response Ron Bombaro video
April 17, 2017: 4th alarm on Rose Street
Peter Danzo Photo
May 3, 2017: Ron Bombaro video of E2 response
October 31, 2017: 3rd alarm at 39 Auburn Street Bill Tompkins photo
January 7, 2018: responding into Mill district - Spruce & McBride Ave extension
Todd Holritt photo
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Todd Holritt photo
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March 12, 2018: Engine 2 on Union Avenue Ron Bombaro video
August 16, 2018: Helmet of Captain Ronald Fortino at Engine 2 Tour 4
Captain Ron Fortino
August 22, 2018: MVA Totowa Avenue
Engine 2 - Captain Jorge Perez at left and FF Lamont Garnes at right - Tour 1
October 5, 2018: Ceremony at Passaic Falls; Became the US 397th National Park
Todd Hollritt photo
November 2018: New logo/decal/patch - Designed by members and finalized by Captain Victor Frierson
Courtesy Kyle Broadfield
December 27, 2018:
Vince Marchese photo
Dayspring photo
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Dayspring photo
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E2 photo L-R FF Jihad Dunham, FF Winfred Roman, FF Martin Garcia, Captain George Perez, FF Lamont Garnes, FF Sean Dunn
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Dayspring photo
March 7, 2019: Graphic of the new Engine 2 pumper made by Ferrara
June 10, 2019: First production photos of Ferrara pumper CLICK TO ENLARGE
Type: Custom Pumper Chassis: Cinder Body: Extruded Aluminum Body
Pump: Side Mount - Hale QTWO 1500 GPM Tank: 500 gallon water
Production: H-6564
July 12, 2019: New Ferrara pumper
August 9, 2019: New pumper at McBride Avenue Headquarters
Chief Brian McDermott and Public Safety Director Jerry Speciale
FF Frank Lozado, FF Amir Alnatur, Captain G Perez, FF S Joyner. Jerry Speciale and Chief McDermott
August 26, 2019: New Ferrara apparatus of Engine 2 at Fire Headquarters
Vince Marchese photo
Vince Marchese photo
Vince Marchese photo
September 1, 2019: CLICK TO ENLARGE - Todd Hollritt photos
September 23, 2019: Tour 3 Engine 2 placed the new Ferrara Engine in-service @1300 hrs. Former Engine 2 (E-One apparatus) is now designated Spare Engine 2.
Ron Bombaro Photo
September 23, 2019: Tour 3 @1829 Hrs Incident #19-5372 at 287 Preakness Ave - a minor outside fire that extended to the rear wall of the building- no extension to the interior. Engine 2 used 1-3/4 line to knock down fire. Engine 4 stretched a back up line but did not operate. Ladder 2 searched the building and performed overhaul. No injuries reported.
Crew for the first run were; Captain Pablo Camacho, FF Adrian Evans, FF Jean Vargas, FF Zach Panzarella
September 25, 2019: Drill at Fire Headquarters
Dayspring Photos - At McBride Avenue September 25, 2019 (with E1 and E4)
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Company emblem on Captain's side of cab
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FF cabin
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Captains' seat
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FF cabin
View from Captain's seat looking into FF cabin
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September 26, 2019: # 19-5414 @ 0937 Hrs 120 Spruce Street 2nd alarm Tour 2
First working fire for new Engine 2 pumper 2.5 story frame
First working fire for new Engine 2 pumper 2.5 story frame
September 28, 2019: Engine 2 responding from Hillcrest Firehouse - Ron Bombaro Video
October 27, 2019: Engine 2 in Tender Apparatus Response Plan (TARP) training along with other departments - at Passaic County Fire Academy
Engine 2 of Paterson (L) and Passaic (R)
Photos courtesy Kyle Broadfield
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November 2019: Fire Scenes
11/18/19 - 4th alarm Rosa Parks Blvd Bill Tompkins photo
11/19/2019 - Working fire Henry Street (at Albion Ave) - Ron Bombaro photo
December 2019: New apparatus at Hillside: FF Sam Joyner, Amir Alnatu and Sean Dunn. From 1st Responder News - photo by Ron Jeffers
December 31, 2019: Engine 2 and ambulance unit 92
Brendan John photo
April 2020: First Responder News photo of Engine 2 at Hillcrest FH
February 11, 2020: Hillcrest Firehouse -- Ron Bombaro video
April 23, 2020: Engine 2 at 3rd alarm at 31 McBride Avenue Extension
Bill Tomkins photo
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Bill Tomkins photo
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April 27, 2020: E2 was part of a task force that covered Little Falls, Totowa and West Paterson during the funeral procession.
Captain Ron Fortino, E-2 Tour 4 - Vince Marchese photo
Vince Marchese photo
July 26, 2020: Hillcrest Firehouse photos
Vince Marchese photo
Vince Marchese photo
Covering Captain Beth Melhorn Fournier
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Vince Marchese photo
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September 11, 2020: at Liberty State Park
Bill Tompkins photo
October 2020: 1st responder News October issue
October 27, 2020: Engine 2 responding Ron Bombaro video
November 22, 2020: Engine 2 at a 2nd alarm fire at 85 Presidential Blvd
March 2021: Haledon Ave
March 26, 2021: Linwood Ave Racoon rescue
Ron Bombaro photo
June 12, 2021: EMS 2 to replace Ambulance 92
June 20, 2021: FF M. Oates, FF C. Brown, Capt. P. Camacho (retirement party), FF L. Miller, FF G. Vargas. All members are E2 T3.
July 15, 2021: Engine 2 Ferrara pumper posed with restored PFD 1930 Ahrens Fox pumper of Engine 9 at Headquarters
Capt. John Howe , FF Bryan Straube, Jamal Randolph, Kyle Broadfield - Vince Marchese Photo
November 4, 2021: Hillcrest FH to get new roof
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November 19, 2021: Cianci Street working fire
Ron Bombaro photo
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May 10, 2022: Apparatus at Hillcrest Firehouse
Ron Bombaro photo
Ron Bombaro photo
Michael Saggau Jr photo
November 8, 2022: Engine 2 at an alarm malfunction at Kennedy high school
L-R: FF Sean Duffy, FF Anthony Reddin, Captain Kyle Hoffman, FF Sam Joyner
- Vincent T Marchese photo
January 28, 2023: Engine 2 on scene of an MVA on Emerson Ave between Union Ave & Crosby Avenue - Ron Bombaro photos
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FF Charlayne Powell
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March 2023: Firehouse eats
Courtesy Steve Burns
April 14, 2023: Ron Bombaro photos of Engine 2 at McBride Avenue Firehouse
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April 28, 2023: Engine 2 at MVA
Bombaro photo