JOSEPH FORBES

Assistant Chief Joseph Forbes

Joseph "Joe" or "Skinny" Forbes -
Served US Marine Corps October 6, 1955 thru October 3, 1958 -
Appointed to PFD March 1, 1960 -
Served E6 B shift,
then E9, "B" shift -
then E5, "A" shift -
then E5, Tour 4 - (Tours were established in 1963 which eliminated "A" and "B" shifts.)
Promoted to Captain December 12, 1967
Assigned Squad 1, Tour 4 & set up Company with 1954 REO Rescue Truck
Transferred to E5, Tour 1 -
Promoted to Deputy Chief *- March 1, 1972 Tour 1, as floater
Later assigned as 1st Battalion Tour 1 -
Promoted to Assistant Chief# - December 12, 1974
Remained on Tour 1
December 18, 1978 assigned as Tour 3 Commander
September 1992 assigned as Communications Officer,
February 1, 1995 - Retired from PFD after 35 years of service

After retiring from OPFD, Chie Forbes was appointed as Emergency Management Coordinator County of Passaic, continuing as Fire Coordinator for Passaic County Overseeing Mutual Aid Response for all 16 Municipalities. June 1, 2006 - after completing 12 years - Chief Forbes was fully retired.

As the EM Coordinator Chief Forbes upgraded radio system to multiple channels; developed and implemented E 911 plan for Passaic County and PFD; conducted intensive training program for all Fire alarm operators. Produced specifications for E 911 equipment for PFD and PPD, oversaw installation and operation at both Departments.

*The rank of Battalion Chief was eliminated in1963 and re-established in 1978 # The rank of Assistant Chief was in effect from 1890 to 1912. The rank reappeared on April 1, 1961 (not a recognized civil service rank and thus eliminated (by Civil Service) in 1978 the rank of Battalion Chief was restored.

Fireman's Appointment and Badge (#341)

1960 FMBA Ball Book showing FF hired in 1960

Captains Photos taken in 1971

Engine 5 Captains Breast Badge

Engine 5 Captains Uniform Cap Badge

Captain Joe Forbes Czptain Lapel Pins

Deputy Chief Badges

Deputy Chief Lapel Pins

Joe Forbes appears for the first time in the Chief Officer listing in 1973 Ball Book. The dates are appointment dates.

Assistant Chief

Assistant Chief Joe Forbes

Uniform Cap Badge

AC Breast Badge

Assistant Chief Forbes Lapel Pins

Joe Forbes joins the list of Assistant Chiefs in the 1976 Ball Book. The last DC to achieve that rank until 2020.

1995 Ball Book top of page listing FF retirements

Firefighter Photos

1960s era photo of the Watch desk at 115 Van Houten Street. Sitting at desk. The firemen are (L-R) John DeMattia, Joe Forbes (still sporting his USMC haircut) and Ed Hancock (Captain of E1). Sitting at desk is Tom "Tomahawk" Meneely (sometimes called McNeely) who worked at Paterson sewer department.

Watch Station at 115 Van Houten Street

Actual Headquarters Gong in photo at left - now at Boonton Museum

the 1957 FWD used by Engine 5 when Joe Forbes was appointed in its bay at 115 Van Hounten Street Central Headquarters

1961: (Summer) -- PFD installed two way radios in the apparatus. Here is Engine Company 5 in front of Headquarters with Captain William Comer demonstrating the radio. Driver is Joseph Forbes

Engine 9 B Shift clearing snow (after 3 major storms) around hydrants circa 1960-61. L-R Left to right: Captain Albert Horomanski, FF Joseph Forbes, Lieutenant John Walton, FF John Whalen and FF Harry Stryker carrying newly used two way radio.

Captain Photos

Clebration for Jor Forbes Captaincy Promotion at Headquarters kitchen - Note the cake is for "So Long Skinny" - Sitting at left: Captain Joe Forbes (E5), Captain Ed Hancock (E1), Commissioner Englehardt, AC Willie Comer. Sitting at right: Vic Didio, Al Gallagher, Tommy Coppo, Al Rusconi. Standing in rear L-R: Eddie Westhoven, Mike Ross, ? FF, John DeMattia, Rich Hoffman, Frank Malzone, ? FF, ? officer in white shirt, Captain Jim Kehoe (T2)

SQUAD 1, TOUR 4, with Tuohey on detail to the Company. Joe Guerrieri was on a leave day. The SQUAD used the Rescue Truck as PA 14 until the new International was acquired. The SQUAD was organized in December 1967. I was first Captain of the Company, originally with detailed members on a daily basis for all tours. Tour 4 was the first permanent crew. TOURS 1,2,3, were organized with new Captains in 1968. I was privileged to have the best crew with John Alexander, Tom Coppo & Joe Guerrieri. ReplyShare1w

1968: Men of Engine 5 with 1957 FWD pumper: Front L-R: Ralph Van Dyk, Alexander Roberto, James Shearn, Captain Joseph Forbes, Captain Mario Colatarci, Captain Earl H. Plavier. On apparatus-R: , Lawrence Goffredo, Larry Mazza, Frank Malzone, Robert A. Gabriel.

circa 1970 - Spanish lessons at Headquarters - , FA Supt Donald Walker, Robert Montag, Captain Forbes, behind Forbes-John Mauro? & Ernie Scerbak (?) Next to Forbes- Joseph Francese, Thomas Watterson & John Bradle.

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

Riot Roof added to Engine 5 seen here outside of Headquarters with Captain Forbes (wearing helmet with full shield) standing on running board at front of apparatus.

1968: Headquarters kitchen celebration of Pellegrino Vitale 50th birthday - At rear standing left to right AC Michael Fleming, Ludwig Lentino, Joe Francese, Tommy Carr, Captain Joseph Forbes (E5). Seated top left John DeMattia, Captain John Hoffman (T2) with glasses, Fred Ricciardi, Bob Montag, Captain Leon Sopuch (Squad 1), Randy Reed, Rich Korger, George Duin, Ed Gurlacz, Al Capter, Jack Kerr, Pelegrino Vitale. Standing behind Ricciardi at far left is George Maloney.

~ 1968 Tour 4 (E1, Left-right: Captain Edward Hancock (e1), FF Alfred "Ollie" Gallagher (T2), Captain James Kehoe (T2), FF Albert Rusconi (E1), FF John "Fat John" DeMattia (E1), Earl T Plavier (future BC), Thomas Coppo (Squad 1), James Krieger (citizen), Captain Joseph Forbes (Squad 1) and Assistant Chief William Comer (Tour Commander)

Alongside truck 2: Standing L-R: John DeMattia (E1), Captain James Kehoe (T2), Richard Hoffman (E1), Edward Zaretski (E5), Al Rusconi (E1), Alfred "Ollie" Gallagher (T2), Tommy Coppo (Squad 1), Joseph Forbes (Squad 1), AC Bill Comer. Front row: Howie Morcom (T2), Vic Diddio, Captain Ed Hancock (E1), Joseph Guerrieri (Squad 1)

~1967: Christmas at Headquarters - centered around Engine 1 FWD pumper - Left to right: Bob Gabriel (E5), Santa, Deputy Chief Keo Fitzsimmons, Richard Hoffman (E1), Chief's Aide William Savage. The man behind Savage looks like Robert Graf (E1). Back row, L-R: Chief's Aide Eddie "The Hat" Westhoven, John, "Fat John", DeMattia (E1 or E5) & new Captain Joe Forbes (Engine 5). There is a unidentified fireman behind Hoffman & another kneeling in front ?

AC Joe Forbes and family at PFD ceremony circa 1984

New Running Card assignments

Correspondence from AC Forbes describing the task of redoing the "Running Cards"

1971 making journal entry at Headquarters

Assistant Chief

Tour Commander desk at 115 Van Houten Street Office (3rd floor). AC Forbes of Tour 3

As part of November 1979 opening ceremonies for 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 1863 Steamer

November 30, 1983: 97 Grand Street Firehouse closed for repairs and Engine Company 7 relocates to the Hillcrest Firehouse - This came about starting with a Saturday inspection Assistant Chief Joseph Forbes discovered evidence of a floor collapse due to the weight of the Hahn Pumper. A report was sent to Chief Kane and Mayor Graves did a follow up inspection and approved the repair funds.