PATERSON FIRE HISTORY
  • HOME
  • OVERVIEW
    • FIRST CENTURY
    • EVENTS 1890-1894
    • EVENTS 1895-1899
    • EVENTS 1900-1910
    • EVENTS 1911-1919
    • EVENTS 1920-1939
    • EVENTS 1940-1959
    • EVENTS 1960-1979
    • EVENTS 1980-1999
    • EVENTS 2000-2019
    • EVENTS 2020-2023
  • FIREFIGHTERS
  • CHIEF ENGINEERS
    • ASSISTANT CHIEFS
    • DEPUTY CHIEFS
    • BATTALION CHIEFS
    • CHIEF GIGS
  • THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
    • MEMORIAL SERVICE
  • OBITUARIES / DEATHS
    • 1889-1919 DEATHS
    • 1920-1939 DEATHS
    • 1940-1959 DEATHS
    • 1960-1969 DEATHS
    • 1970-1979 DEATHS
    • 1980-1999 DEATHS
    • 2000-2009 DEATHS
    • 2010 AND LATER
  • NOTABLE FIREFIGHTERS
    • CALAMITA FAMILY
    • CAPTAIN JOHN WEBER
    • CUSACK FAMILY
    • FLEMING FAMILY
    • GERARD DUGAN
    • HANCOCK FAMILY
    • HENRY OTIS HARRIS
    • ISAAC FELICIANO
    • JOHN GILMORE
    • JOSEPH DAYSPRING
    • KEARNEY-FAMILY
    • MARIANI FAMILY
    • McLAUGHLIN FAMILY
    • SALMANOWITZ BROTHERS
    • THE SIMONTONS
    • THE SWEENEYS
  • NOTABLE FIRES/INCIDENTS
  • SPECIAL OP EVENTS
  • TAKING THE HEAT BOOK
  • HISTORICAL REVIEWS
  • 1907 GUARDIAN
  • 1936 HEARD & SEEN COLUMN
  • FIREHOUSE PHOTOS / FACTS
  • SPECIAL OPERATIONS
  • EMS
    • EMS ROSTER
  • COMPANY & FH HISTORY
  • COMMUNICATIONS / FA
    • FIRE BOX LISTS
    • FIRE BOXES & STANCHIONS
    • EVRS STATION LIST
  • FIRE VIDEOS 1991-2011
  • FIRE VIDEOS 2014-2022
  • DOCUDRAMAS
  • APPARATUS
  • APPARATUS VIDEOS
  • NOTABLE EVENTS INDEX
    • PFD STORIES
    • APPARATUS NOTABLES
    • APPTS & PROMOTIONS
    • AWARDS
    • 1960 CHIEF SELECTION
    • GRAND STREET RIOT 1917
    • GROUND ZERO
    • MILITARY
    • PARADES PAID DEPT
    • RED MASS
    • RESCUES
    • RETIREMENTS
    • SISTER LORETTA
    • SPORTS
    • THEATRE DETAIL
  • MEMORABILIA
  • PATCHES DECALS LOGOS SHIRTS
  • WALLPAPER
  • DEPARTMENT PETS
  • TRAINING
  • VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT
    • 1821 - 1854 HISTORY
    • 1815-1890 VOLUNTEER HISTORY
    • 1888 HISTORICAL SUMMARY
    • LOOKING BACKWARDS
    • VOLUNTEER PARADES
    • ANNUAL REPORTS
    • VOLUNTEER CHIEFS >
      • CHIEF ELECTIONS
      • CHIEF BIOS
    • VOLUNTEER PROFILES
    • ANDREW MOSER
    • ENGINE CO APPARATUS LIST
    • OLD GOOSENECK
    • JEFFERS STEAMER
    • VOLUNTEER COMPANIES
  • AUXILIARY FIRE DEPARTMENT
  • EXEMPT ASSOCIATION
    • EXEMPT 1892 BALL
    • EXEMPT BY-LAWS 1902
  • EXEMPT HOME & RELICS
  • FMBA / PFA
    • FMBA BY-LAWS
    • FMBA 1949 FOLLIES
  • BALLBOOKS
    • 1909 BALL BOOK
    • 1916 BALL BOOK
    • 1918 BALL BOOK
    • 1921 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1923 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1928 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1935 PFD BOOSTER
    • 1936 JANUARY PICTORIAL
    • 1936 DECEMBER PICTORIAL
    • 1937 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1938 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1939 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1941 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1942 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1943 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1944 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1945 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1946 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1947 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1948 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1949 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1950 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1951 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1952 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1953 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1954 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1955 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1956 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1957 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1958 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1959 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1960 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1961 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1962 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1963 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1964 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1965 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1966 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1967 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1968 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1969 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1970 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1971 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1972 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1973 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1975 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1976 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1977 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1979 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1980 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1981 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1982 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1983 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1984 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1985 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1986 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1987 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1988 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1989 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1990 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1991 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1992 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1993 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1994 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1995 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1996 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1997 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1998 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1999 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2000 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2001 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2002 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2003 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2004 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2005 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2010 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2011 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2014 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2016 ANNUAL BALL
  • ANNUAL REPORTS
  • PFH CONTRIBUTORS
  • ORAL HISTORY
  • STATISTICS
  • CONTACT
  • CITY OF PATERSON

PATERSON FIRE HISTORY WEBSITE FOUNDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS

Some of those listed here have contributed to both the website and various video presentations, we sincerely thank them for their efforts.

3 FOUNDERS

THOMAS DAYSPRING

Dr. Thomas Dayspring is a medical doctor who grew up and lived in Paterson NJ for the first 26 years of his life (attended PS #19, #17, #12 and Central High School). His father Joseph was a 39-year veteran (1942-1981) of the Paterson Fire Department retiring as an Assistant Chief (held that rank for 19 years). Dr. was raised in a home on Clinton Street which had a Paterson Fire Alarm bell and an "always on" PFD radio. After the ambulance service was established by the department (1971-72), Dr. Dayspring, while in medical school, served as an EMT. His 3-year residency in internal medicine was at St. Joseph's Hospital in Paterson and the first 11 years of his practice was in Paterson and after that in nearby Wayne, NJ (where he cared for several PFD families).  Dr. Dayspring with the help of his father became an avid collector anything PFD-related and amassed an extensive archive of historical materials. He was the author of the 1985 PFD 90th Anniversary history book Taking the Heat. He was an officer and 3-term President of the Passaic County Historical Society during the 1980s and early 1990s.

​Prior to moving to Richmond, Virginia in 2012, "The Dayspring Collection" a substantial collection of fire department memorabilia including numerous Paterson items was donated in honor of his father to the NJ Fireman's Museum at the Fireman's Home in Boonton, NJ where it is now on display. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS 

On June 3, 2018, Chief Brian McDermott made Dr Dayspring an honorary Battalion Chief of the Paterson Fire Department.

On June 2, 2019 at the Annual Memorial Service at McBride Avenue Headquarters PFD Dr Dayspring along with Retired DC Kevin Hancock, and contributors Denis Morrison and Jim Eifler were  recipients of the Chief John Stagg Meritorious Service Award for their efforts in documenting the details of Paterson's F/F LODDs resulting in their listing at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial
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Young Tom Dayspring - 1949 in seat of PFD Truck 3's 1932 Ahrens Fox aerial (his father's company - then located on Godwin Avene)
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2017 photo of Tom Dayspring in seat of Ladder 3's 2017 Pierce Aerial
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As an EMT in 1972 at Hillcrest Firehouse
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Helmet presentation by Chief Brian McDermott
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Photo by Bill Tompkins
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December 27, 2018 - Vincent Marchese photo
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VINCENT T. MARCHESE


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​A lifelong Patersonian who is a educator, professional photographer, 30 year member of the Paterson Auxiliary FD, and serious fire buff. Vince has both taken and amassed a large collection of historical Paterson photographs. Vince also initiated the popular Facebook page dedicated to photos of the PFD. Many of his photos have graced PFD Ball Books, the book Taking the Heat, and this web site
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ALEX CREDIDIO

Retired Battalion Chief Alex Credidio came up with the idea of an apart from Facebook, dedicated, all-inclusive historical web site documenting Paterson Fire department History. Alex was very involved with the making of the 1985 book "Taking the Heat" and has produced documentary videos on the Department. He was also influential in modernizing department operations in the early 2000's. He is a master military and fire scene modeler. 
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​CONTRIBUTORS

BILL & CHRIS TOMPKINS

Bill & Chris Tompkins are long time friends of the PFD and have made significant contributions to this website...This Dynamic Duo has also had many of their photos published in major fire service publications. Check their other fire photos at www.BTFirephotos.com 

Vincent Zito

Vince Zito is a retired Paterson Fireman (Captain) who spent most of his career in Truck and Ladder Companies. He has always had a tremendous pride and historical knowledge of the department. He has been a great asset to the web site in identifying firemen, apparatus and fire scenes. He won national acclaim for bravery when he was awarded the 1985 Firehouse Magazine distinguished Community Service Awards program for his actions at the Alexander Hamilton Hotel Fire. It was the top 1985 
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award in the United States in the seventh annual program, the largest of its kind in the country

Frank Malzone Jr. 



​Frank Malzone Jr., a Naval veteran, is a retired PFD Captain who served from 1956 until retiring in 1981. He served at Engine 5, the Chief's Office (as photographer) and also several years in the EMS service. He was also a distinguished professional photographer and has contributed numerous photos to this website.

Special thanks also goes to his son Steven Malzone who had all of his father's photos scanned
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Jim Eifler

Jim Eifler is a Paterson History expert, researcher and collector. He specializes in Paterson bottles and jugs but has developed a fondness for the fire department, especially the Volunteers of which he has a very nice badge collection. He has contributed much to our site with photos of fires, firemen, memorabilia and serious written historical information.  
​
On June 2, 2019, at the Annual Memorial Service at McBride Avenue Headquarters PFD, Jim along with Retired DC Kevin Hancock, Dr Tom Dayspring and Denis Morrison were recipients of the Chief John Stagg Meritorious Service Award for their efforts in documenting the details of Paterson's FF LODDs resulting in their listing at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial
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Dennis Morrison

Distinguished Paterson Historian and Researcher

Ron Bombaro

Ron is responsible for many of the exceptional videos and photos you will see on this website, Ron is a retired City of Passaic EMS Chief, having served for 25 years. He is also a news videographer and has had numerous videos aired on the major NYC and NJ Broadcast and Cable News Stations for over the past 20 years. We thank Ron for his exceptional coverage of the PFD.
​FD https://www.facebook.com/elbachateroblanco?fref=hovercard

Todd Hollritt

Todd Hollritt is a firefighter with the West Paterson Fire Department, Rifle Camp Fire Company 3, "The Ridge Runners" where he achieved the rank of Captain. An avid fire photographer and historian, he has both fought fires in Paterson and documented fire scenes in photos, many of which grace the pages of this web site, and video since 1980. He is also a correspondent for 1st Responder News since 2004. 
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Mutual Aide at 97 Grand Street Firehouse

Deputy Chief 
Peter Danzo
​Hackensack FD

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Joseph Forbes - Retired AC -Paterson Fire Department
Kevin Hancock - Retired DC Paterson Fire Department
John Heffran - Deceased FF Paterson Fire Department
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Robert Hrib - Retired BC Paterson Fire Department
Craig Lauten - Retired Captain Paterson Fire Department

Mike McLean - Retired Captain Paterson Fire Department
​Ryan Murray - Retired DC Paterson Fire Department
Mike Trommelen - BC Paterson Fire Department
Scott Wilson - FF Paterson Fire Department

Don Giaquinto - Paterson Police Department (Ret)
John Hayes - Irvington Fire Department
​
​Others who wish to remain anonymous
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  • HOME
  • OVERVIEW
    • FIRST CENTURY
    • EVENTS 1890-1894
    • EVENTS 1895-1899
    • EVENTS 1900-1910
    • EVENTS 1911-1919
    • EVENTS 1920-1939
    • EVENTS 1940-1959
    • EVENTS 1960-1979
    • EVENTS 1980-1999
    • EVENTS 2000-2019
    • EVENTS 2020-2023
  • FIREFIGHTERS
  • CHIEF ENGINEERS
    • ASSISTANT CHIEFS
    • DEPUTY CHIEFS
    • BATTALION CHIEFS
    • CHIEF GIGS
  • THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
    • MEMORIAL SERVICE
  • OBITUARIES / DEATHS
    • 1889-1919 DEATHS
    • 1920-1939 DEATHS
    • 1940-1959 DEATHS
    • 1960-1969 DEATHS
    • 1970-1979 DEATHS
    • 1980-1999 DEATHS
    • 2000-2009 DEATHS
    • 2010 AND LATER
  • NOTABLE FIREFIGHTERS
    • CALAMITA FAMILY
    • CAPTAIN JOHN WEBER
    • CUSACK FAMILY
    • FLEMING FAMILY
    • GERARD DUGAN
    • HANCOCK FAMILY
    • HENRY OTIS HARRIS
    • ISAAC FELICIANO
    • JOHN GILMORE
    • JOSEPH DAYSPRING
    • KEARNEY-FAMILY
    • MARIANI FAMILY
    • McLAUGHLIN FAMILY
    • SALMANOWITZ BROTHERS
    • THE SIMONTONS
    • THE SWEENEYS
  • NOTABLE FIRES/INCIDENTS
  • SPECIAL OP EVENTS
  • TAKING THE HEAT BOOK
  • HISTORICAL REVIEWS
  • 1907 GUARDIAN
  • 1936 HEARD & SEEN COLUMN
  • FIREHOUSE PHOTOS / FACTS
  • SPECIAL OPERATIONS
  • EMS
    • EMS ROSTER
  • COMPANY & FH HISTORY
  • COMMUNICATIONS / FA
    • FIRE BOX LISTS
    • FIRE BOXES & STANCHIONS
    • EVRS STATION LIST
  • FIRE VIDEOS 1991-2011
  • FIRE VIDEOS 2014-2022
  • DOCUDRAMAS
  • APPARATUS
  • APPARATUS VIDEOS
  • NOTABLE EVENTS INDEX
    • PFD STORIES
    • APPARATUS NOTABLES
    • APPTS & PROMOTIONS
    • AWARDS
    • 1960 CHIEF SELECTION
    • GRAND STREET RIOT 1917
    • GROUND ZERO
    • MILITARY
    • PARADES PAID DEPT
    • RED MASS
    • RESCUES
    • RETIREMENTS
    • SISTER LORETTA
    • SPORTS
    • THEATRE DETAIL
  • MEMORABILIA
  • PATCHES DECALS LOGOS SHIRTS
  • WALLPAPER
  • DEPARTMENT PETS
  • TRAINING
  • VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT
    • 1821 - 1854 HISTORY
    • 1815-1890 VOLUNTEER HISTORY
    • 1888 HISTORICAL SUMMARY
    • LOOKING BACKWARDS
    • VOLUNTEER PARADES
    • ANNUAL REPORTS
    • VOLUNTEER CHIEFS >
      • CHIEF ELECTIONS
      • CHIEF BIOS
    • VOLUNTEER PROFILES
    • ANDREW MOSER
    • ENGINE CO APPARATUS LIST
    • OLD GOOSENECK
    • JEFFERS STEAMER
    • VOLUNTEER COMPANIES
  • AUXILIARY FIRE DEPARTMENT
  • EXEMPT ASSOCIATION
    • EXEMPT 1892 BALL
    • EXEMPT BY-LAWS 1902
  • EXEMPT HOME & RELICS
  • FMBA / PFA
    • FMBA BY-LAWS
    • FMBA 1949 FOLLIES
  • BALLBOOKS
    • 1909 BALL BOOK
    • 1916 BALL BOOK
    • 1918 BALL BOOK
    • 1921 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1923 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1928 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1935 PFD BOOSTER
    • 1936 JANUARY PICTORIAL
    • 1936 DECEMBER PICTORIAL
    • 1937 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1938 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1939 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1941 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1942 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1943 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1944 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1945 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1946 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1947 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1948 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1949 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1950 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1951 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1952 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1953 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1954 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1955 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1956 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1957 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1958 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1959 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1960 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1961 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1962 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1963 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1964 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1965 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1966 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1967 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1968 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1969 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1970 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1971 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1972 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1973 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1975 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1976 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1977 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1979 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1980 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1981 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1982 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1983 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1984 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1985 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1986 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1987 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1988 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1989 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1990 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1991 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1992 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1993 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1994 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1995 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1996 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1997 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1998 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1999 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2000 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2001 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2002 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2003 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2004 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2005 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2010 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2011 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2014 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2016 ANNUAL BALL
  • ANNUAL REPORTS
  • PFH CONTRIBUTORS
  • ORAL HISTORY
  • STATISTICS
  • CONTACT
  • CITY OF PATERSON