SOUTHSIDE FIREHOUSE
136 Getty Ave
CURRENT OCCUPANT:
Engine 6
Rescue 2
Battalion 1
Special Operations Division
Rescue 1 (Urban Search and Rescue: USAR)
Engine 6
Rescue 2
Battalion 1
Special Operations Division
Rescue 1 (Urban Search and Rescue: USAR)
The Southside Firehouse at 124-130 Getty Avenue opened on January 27 1964. Engine Company 7 relocated from 78 Gould Avenue as did Engine Company 9 from the 586 Main Street firehouse. Paterson's first drill tower since the early part of the century was part of the house.
Cover graphic on 38th Annual 1963 Ball Book (architect's rendition) of firehouse
1982
1981 -- Dayspring Photo
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For the first time in 40 years (1964) Paterson constructed a training tower at Southside. This is now used by Special Ops, as all new PFD members go through extensive training at The Passaic County Fire Academy. |
Chronological Listing of the Apparatus at Southside Firehouse
January 27, 1964: Engine Company 7 was using the apparatus it had on Gould Avenue, namely a 1948 Mack Model 95 Triple Combination 1000 GPM pumper, formerly used by Engine Company 12 and 1. It is shown below with the plywood riot roofs installed in 1968.
January 27, 1964: Engine Company 9 was using the apparatus it had on Main Street, namely a 1953 Seagrave 750 GPM pumper. It is partially shown below in its bay with Captain Al Rotella.
Engine Company 9
June 30, 1964: Paterson purchased a new 65' Pitman Snorkel on an FWD Chassis which went in service as Engine Company 7.
Jim Koper Photo
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Jim Koper Photo
Drafting at Passaic River in Westside Park
July 8, 1968: The Reo Rescue Truck moved from 115 Van Houten Street where it was operated by Engine Company 5 to the Southside Firehouse and was operated by the men of Engine Company 9.
In bay at Southside behind Engine Company 9
Alan Crawford photo
1967: Men of Engine 7 (Snorkel One) at quarters: Captain John J. Vander Hook, Captain Warren Gallagher, Charles Recca, Thomas Alala, William F. Mosca, Roy P. McGinnis, J Pelligrino, Modestino Saveriano.
1967: Men of Engine 7 (Snorkel One) at quarters: Arthur Heydorn Sr, Captain William Willocks, Gerald Sloginski, Andy Babyak, Captain J Cartwright, A Roisielllo, John Merlino, Harry Mendell.
Alan Crawford photo circa 1972
1967: Men of Engine 9 at Southside with 1953 Seagrave Pumper: James LaNeve, Walter Woodward, Captain Adolph P. Guzik, Captain John F. Grochowski, Vincent Mandara, Lou Asbaty, Harry Stryker, John Elwood.
1967: Men of Engine 9 at Southside with 1953 Seagrave Pumper: Captain Louis Rotella, Daniel Elkovich, William O'Neill, Kenneth J. Foster (2nd African American Paterson fireman) James Tasca, James E Davidson, Albert E. Graf.
August 1968: Engine Company 9 received a 1957 FWD Special 1000 GPM pumper (Serial # D80293) formerly used by Engine Company 4 and shown below with just installed plywood riot roofs.
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June 23, 1971: Engine Company 9 received a 1969 Seagrave 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # R4477) formerly used by Engine Company 3.
Ambulance 92 and Engine 9 Seagrave in January 1972
Front watch desk area and Captains office at Southside FH 1972
Alan Crawford photo
In the late 1970s the department had no spare aerial truck. The 1952 FWD aerial was old and dangerous and fewer and fewer firemen were familiar with the mid 1960s snorkels anymore. So if Truck 2 or Truck 3 went down for any length of time, Truck 1's 1962 Pirsch was assigned to that Truck company. Truck 1 was also assigned a spare 1957 FWD pumper. Engine 7 became Truck 1 and Truck 1 became Engine 7. At his time the Truck1/Engine 7 company did not respond on 2nd alarms. If the Truck did not go on the first alarm, the company waited for a general alarm or detail assignment.
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January 26, 1978: Engine Company 9 received a 1971 Hahn 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # HC523127122) formerly used by Engine Company 3. Note gold eagles painted on front of cab.
Jim Koper Photo
Jim Koper Photo
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Danny Elkovitch, Eddie James, Captain Jim Slootmaker & Jimmy Shearn
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June 26, 1981: 8 AM - Engine Company 7 goes out of service for budgetary reasons. The E7 journal entries below reveal the company's last response was station 334 at 3:21 AM for a false alarm. The last fire was a 2nd alarm June 25 at station 254 at 12:15 PM PM East 18th Street.
June 25, 1982: Engine Company 5 relocates to the Southside Firehouse and uses the 1979 American LaFrance 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # CE6620) painted yellow that it had been using at 115 Van Houten Street. See entry in Engine 5 Journal which records the move from Van Houten Street to Southside. Company 5 in service at 10:08 AM.
September 3, 1982: Department Renumbers Engine Companies (see official order at Overview Page). Engine Company 9 relocates to 36 Circle Avenue, formerly used by Engine Company 12. Engine Company 6 relocates to the Southside Firehouse and 6 uses the 1971 Hahn 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # HC523127122) that Engine 9 had used, formerly also used by E3.
Engine Company 5 with the 1979 ALF pumper (Serial # CE6620) remains at Southside Firehouse
Engine Company 5 with the 1979 ALF pumper (Serial # CE6620) remains at Southside Firehouse
June 1983: Engine Company 6 receives the 1975 Hahn 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # HC528127124) painted yellow and formerly used by Engine Company 1 at 115 Van Houten Street and Engine Company 6 while it was at Madison Ave Firehouse).
June 1983: Engine Company 6 receives the 1975 Hahn 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # HC528127124) painted yellow and formerly used by Engine Company 1 at 115 Van Houten Street and Engine Company 6 while it was at Madison Ave Firehouse).
1975 Hahn 1000 GPM pumper, serial HCP528127624 (formerly used by E1)
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. To make room for Truck 2 at Southside Engine Company 5 was relocated to the Lakeview Firehouse. Engine 7 returned to Grand Street and Truck 2 to Hillcrest on August 4, 1984
December 3, 1984: Engine Company 6 temporarily uses spare 1975 Hahn 1250 GMP pumper (Serial # HCP528127621) formerly used by Engines 5, 10 and 2.
April 6, 1984: Flood rescue performed by men of Engine 6, Captained by Edward Slootmaker
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April 1985: Engine Company 6 uses a 1979 American LaFrance 1250 GPM 50' Telesquirt with 300 gallon tank painted white (Serial # CE175679) formerly used by Engines 5 and 1.
ALF Serial CE175679
ALF Serial CE175679
ALF Serial CE175679
ALF Serial CE175679 at Southside FH
April 19, 1985: A new Saulsbury Rescue truck on a Ford Chassis enters service replacing the old 1954 Reo Truck. Each Paterson company is assigned its own unique color scheme: specific colored stripes would be on every piece of equipment. Rescue 1 color is blue and red.
Adam Alberti photo
1989: Engine 6 receives a new Emergency One, 1500 GPM pumper painted white
Engine 6 carries a dedication plaque to former Assistant Chief Joseph Dayspring in honor of his 39 year career (1942-1981) seen above and below photos between cab doors
1995: Emergency One apparatus
Battalion 1, Engine 6 and Rescue 2: L-R: B/C Robert Meyers, F/F's Paul DiFalco, Charles Onorato, William Henderson, Captain Bruce Selowentich, F/F's Robert Poloniak and Andrew Ackerman and "Nozzle" the Dalmatian
Department Reorganization 1990s
Southside remains the quarters of Engine Company 6. Ultimately Rescue 2 locates there as does the First Battalion and Ambulance 96,
November 3, 1992: Chief John Mauro ordered that 3 of the privates assigned to Engine 6 would be assigned to Rescue 1. Rescue 1 would respond to all assignments that Engine 6 responded to, as the Captain of E6 was responsible for all of the men. Rescue 1 would also respond to structural fires with or without Engine 6. If without they would report to the incident commander who assumed responsibility for them. However the UFOA did not agree to the practice of a company without a Captain and filed a grievance.
January 10, 1994: Rescue 1 opened as its own company consisting of 1 captain and 3 privates on each shift.
January 10, 1994: Rescue 1 opened as its own company consisting of 1 captain and 3 privates on each shift.
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August 20, 1994: Rescue 1 closed as an independent company and was assigned again to Engine Company 6.
October 1, 1996: Squad 1 is put back in service using an SUV stocked with hand tools, SCBAs and is manned by the extra captain and firefighter on duty that day. October 1, 2003: Squad 1 goes out of service.
September 18, 2006: Rescue 2 opened as a full time company consisting of 1 captain and 5 firemen on each shift. Rescue 1 was designated as the Urban Search and rescue Truck and manned by men of Rescue 2. The truck is seen below outside of Madison Ave house.
Each Paterson company was assigned its own unique color scheme: specific colored stripes would be on every piece of equipment. Rescue 2 color is blue and black.
2006: Engine Company 6 receives a reassigned 1998 RD Murray (Spartan Chassis) 1500 GPM pumper.
Circa 2006-2009: Southside Crew Tour 2
L-R 1- FF Chris Tiritilli, FF Frank Morrell, FF AJ Woods, FF Javier Tovar, Captain Brian McDermott, and FF Saul Cintron.
December 4, 2010: 3 alarm fire on Plum Street
2010: Interior views at Southside FH: Kitchen and Captain's office
Breakfast: Capt Tom Behnke, Rex Gurlacz, Matt Zaccone, Dave Chrichlow,Lou Vega, Saul Cintron, Jerry Behnke
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Captain Rathbone
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12/31/2014: Rescue 2 at Southside: L to R F/F Tom Dyk, Captain Scott Parkin, F/F Erik Diaz, F/F Rob Zeidler, F/F Jon Krehel Rescue 2 Tour 4
2015 photo: Engine Company 6 1998 RD Murray (Spartan Chassis) 1500 GPM pumper
Mutual aid to Passaic on 8-11-15 Bill Tompkins photo
2015: Rescue 2:
Equipment check
2015: Special Operations truck
2015: Rescue 2 and Engine 6
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Engine 6
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1998 RD Murray (Spartan Chassis) 1500 GPM pumper
December 2015: Engine 6 receives a new Pierce Arrow XT 1500 GPM pumper. Ron Bombaro photo.
February 2016 Fire E 39th St 2nd Alarm
Engine 6 responding - Ron Bombaro Video
Rescue 2 at USAR Metro Strike Drill in Newark 2016 Frank Liscio, D.A. Martinez, Saul Cintron, Rob Santore, Justin Angelica and Brian Hirschmanner.
July 2016: Southside Firehouse Engine 6 and Rescue 2 (Vincent Marchese photos)
L-R: Rob Zeidler, Tom Dyk, Captain Scott Parkin, Erik Diaz, Mike Payne.
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July 25, 2016: Rescue 2 at car crash scene Union and Edmund Avenues
Ron Bombaro photo
Ron Bombaro photo
September 11, 2016: E 6 9/11memorial photo. Peter Danza photo
December 8, 2016: Rescue 2 responding out of Southside Firehouse
December 16, 2016
USAR Truck in Special Ops building
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Apparatus exiting Southside Firehouse
May 21, 2017 - Engine 6 at 2nd Alarm Alabama Avenue Michael Saggau Jr Photos
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June 24, 2017 Battalion 1 and Rescue 1 response. The BC was Michael D'Arco on his last shift before retirement. (Ron Bombaro Video)
June 30, 2017: Rescue 1 at Promotional Ceremony at McBride Avenue FH
Vince Marchese Photo
December 10, 2017: Holsman Street 3rd alarm
Peter Danzo photo
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Peter Danzo photo
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February 2018: returning to quarters
Todd Hollritt photo
February 27, 2018 rescue 2 responding on Madison Avenue Ron Bombaro video
March 4, 2018: FF Craig Puglise, FF Michael Piccoli, FF Jonathan Salmond, FF Gabe Crichlow, Captain AJ Woods, FF John Jones, BC Brian Rathbone, captain Michael Caposella, FF Keith Eickhorst, FF Joshua Gervat, FF Jerome Hunter of Rescue 2, Engine 6 and 94 assemble on the Anniversary of the Supreme Sacrifice of Captain Frank Mancinelli.
