SOUTHSIDE (Getty Avenue)

SOUTHSIDE FIREHOUSE
136 Getty Ave

CURRENT OCCUPANT:
   Engine 6
   Rescue 2
            Battalion 1
Special Operations Division
            Rescue 1 (Urban Search and Rescue: USAR)
      Ambulance EMS 6 (96)

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

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

April 12, 1963: Fire and Police Commission award contracts for Getty Avenue firehouse

Paterson News

April 15, 1963: Groundbreaking ceremony for Southside firehouse

April 18 Paterson Evening News courtesy Dennis Morrison

November 1, 1963: Preliminary testing of new Getty Avenue firehouse

Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison

January 7, 1964: Anticipated dedication of new 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.

E 7 Mack pumper at Main Street 4th alarm April 10 1969

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

April 20, 1964: Paterson became the first major NJ city to purchase a new 65' Pitman Snorkel on an FWD Chassis (made in Clintonville, WI) which went in service as Engine Company 7 on June 30, 1964.

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Drafting at Passaic River in Westside Park

April 29, 1964:

Paterson Evening News

Jim Koper Photo

May 8, 1964: Snorkel has accident at quarters

Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison

October 6, 1966: Snorkel displayed at Post Office

October 6 Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

October 11, 1966: Snorkel on display at City Hall

October 12 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

Mayor Graves and Captain Dan Dowd (of T2) in Engine 7 Snorkel bucket during Fire Prevention Week - October 12 Paterson News

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.

Courtesy J Behnke & Sellitto Family

1967: Men of Engine 7 (Snorkel One) at quarters: Arthur Heydorn Sr, Captain William Willocks, Gerald Sloginski, Andy Babyak, Captain J Cartwright; at top Al Roisielllo, John Merlino, Harry Mendell.

Courtesy J Behnke & Sellitto Family

Alan Crawford photo circa 1972

Malzone Photo

On parade - Frank Malzone photo

Malzone photo

1967: Men of Engine 9 at Southside with 1953 Seagrave Pumper: James LaNeve, Walter Woodward, Captain Adolph P. Guzik, Captain John F. Grochowski. Middle row: Vincent Mandara, and Lou Asbaty. Up top Harry Stryker, John Elwood.

Courtesy J Behnke & Sellitto Family

1967: Men of Engine 9 at Southside with 1953 Seagrave Pumper: Front L-R: Captain Louis Rotella, Daniel Elkovich, William O'Neill. Middel row: Kenneth J. Foster (the 2nd African American Paterson fireman) and James Tasca. Up top: James E Davidson and Albert E. Graf.

Courtesy J Behnke & Sellitto Family

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.

August 1969: Engine 7 Snorkel drilling at Westside Park

Courtesy Jim Eifler

May 13 1970: Scuba team initiated with D/C Paul Peterson as supervisor. To be transported by Rescue Truck. Shown are D/C Peterson, Captain Recca, FF Slootmaker, Merlino and Hoffman.

Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison

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 (note the register)

Alan Crawford photo

October 25, 1975: Fire Prevention Week - kids (some wearing E7 helmets) assemble at Yavneh Academy to see FF Al Francavilla on E7 Snorkel bucket

Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison

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.

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

Danny Elkovitch, Eddie James, Captain Jim Slootmaker & Jimmy Shearn

July 22-23, 1978: Closing of Engine 7 (Snorkel Truck) at Southside - thru September

July 24 Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison

July 25 Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison

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

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 4th alarm on Van Houten Street

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

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.

First Day the telesquirt became Engine 6 - FF Armindo Cortez of (E1), Jimmy Shearn and Richard Maddy

ALF Serial CE175679

ALF Serial CE175679 at Southside FH

April 11, 1985: New Rescue truck purchased with grant from Meyer Brothers

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

April 19, 1985: 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 was blue and red.

Adam Alberti photo

L-R Ray Allex, Rich Gurlacz, Jerry Behnke, Jose Bermudez and Capt. Manny Torres.

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

Drivers side of 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

FF Luis Cruz, FF Mike D'Arco, EMT, FF B Mee, Captain Larry Franklin

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.

November 3, 1992: Oral history from FF Michael D'Arco documenting Rescue 1's first run as a company without an officer - @1114hrs. R1 Box to 39 McBride Ave. Extension. B3 reports 2
story vacant mill with heavy fire 1st fl. Assisted L2 in removing female victim to awaiting EMS. E8,7,4 L2 R1 B3

January 10, 1994: Rescue 1 opened as its own company consisting of 1 captain and 3 privates on each shift.

T Shirt courtesy Michael D'Arco

February 22, 1994: Firehouse roof leaks

Herald courtesy Dennis Morrison

August 16, 1994: @1421 Hrs - Rescue 1 responded to 427 Park Avenue. B2 reported fire on 3rd floor of a 6 story resistive. Company searched and vented apartment under heavy smoke and heat. Also responding was E1, E3, E5, L1,B2

August 20, 1994: Rescue 1 closed as an independent company and was assigned again to Engine Company 6.

August 21, 1994:

Herald courtesy Dennis Morrison

August 25, 1994:

Herald courtesy Dennis Morrison

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.

December 2, 1997: Squad 1 back in fulltime service Tour 2 starts it using Battalion 2 gig - Captain is Matt Barr - below is the company journal entry

January 20, 1997: Squad 1 now in service when shift has enough manpower

September 29, 1997: 3rd alarm Madison Avenue

Engine 6 F’s Howard Anderson, Wiiliam Mee and Michael D'Arco - Marty Pelta photo

July 23, 2001: Engine 6, driven by FF Ralph Veltre, in accident at Madison and 17th Avenue

Herald

October 11, 2001: 1:55 AM Straight Street and 20th Avenue collision as company responds to Hamilton Street fire

October 14 Herald courtesy Dennis Morrison

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.

F/F Luis Vega Engine 6

Rear view of apparatus

Circa 2006-2009: Southside Crew of Rescue 2 Tour 2

L-R 1- FF Chris Tiritilli, FF Frank Morrell, FF AJ Woods, FF Javier Tovar, Captain Brian McDermott, and FF Saul Cintron.

June 18, 2010: Tour 3 E6/R2 personnel shortly after returning from 3 alarm fire on Cedar Street. L-R (Rank at time of photo)- FF John Jones, FF Jason Macones, FF Scott Wilson, BC Tom Hirz, BC Chris Babcock, FF Jack Panico, Captain Joe Parkin. In front FF Lucas Zarate.

August 10, 2010: 27-29 Rose Street (Exterior siding damage to 25 Rose St & 25 Seeley Street) 3rd Alarm Tour 3

August 10, 2010

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

Captain Rathbone

November 2012: Southside - BC Krupinksi, FFs Myers, Tiritilli, Woods, Cintron, Angelica, Roman, Captain D'Arco and FF Beekman\

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

Engine 6

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

April 27, 2016: New Rescue Truck purchased

May 29, 2016: 2:45 PM Car driven by retired Captain John Walton (having fatal heart attack) crashes into firehouse

May 30 Herald

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.

July 25, 2016: Rescue 2 at car crash scene Union and Edmund Avenues

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

Apparatus exiting Southside Firehouse

May 21, 2017 - Engine 6 at 2nd Alarm Alabama Avenue Michael Saggau Jr Photos

June 2017: B1 gig in bay at Southside Firehouse

Courtesy BC Michael D'Arco

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

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.

April 24, 2018: - Garret Mountain Reservation - body recovery

Battalion 2, Rescue 2 - Todd Hollritt photo

April 29, 2018:

Courtesy Captain A.J. Woods (R2)

May 15, 2018: Truck fire at 493 Main Street Engine 6

Todd Hollritt photo

June 3, 2018: New Rescue 2 patch unveiled: Members of Rescue 2 put together different concepts of a rescue 2 patch. Those ideas were submitted to Michael J Somma of JCFD. After several different ideas and months of changes the members and the captains made a final decision to go with the logo / patch seen here. Note Halligan Bar, Ax and Jaws of Life.

Courtesy Captains AJ Woods & Scott Parkin - photo enhanced by VT Marchese

June 28, 2018: Plans of new Heavy Duty Rescue Truck revealed

August 2018: First Responder News - Tour Commander's Chevy Tahoe at Southside

August 6, 2018: Rescue 2 Tour 4 - From L-R: firefighter Dave Leporini firefighter Ryan Higgins firefighter Marwin Torres Captain Scott Parkin firefighter Erik Diaz

Vince Marchese photo

Captain Parkin in his command seat of truck

September 2018: New Southside Firehouse logo

October 2, 2018 757 East 27th Street 2nd alarm

Bill Tompkins photo

November 2018: New Patch/Emblem Engine 6. Patterned after the famed Iron Fireman Boiler made by White and Shauger (established 1919 in Paterson).

Courtesy FF M Piccoli of Engine 6

December 25, 2018: Rescue 2 gets new blankets designed by Captain Scott Parkin

December 25, 2018: Southside FH - PFD 24 X 7 X 365

December 27, 2018: St Great Falls National Park

Vince Marchese photo - Flag at half-staff due to death President GHWB -

L-R FF Tommy Gander, FF Luis Vega, Captain Saul Cintron, FF Mark Roth, FF Kenny Brewington - Vince Marchese photo

L-R FF Tommy Gander, FF Luis Vega (Senior FF on the job in 2018), Captain Saul Cintron, FF Mark Roth, FF Kenny Brewington - Dayspring photo

Dayspring photo

Driver Luis Senior FF on job in 2018 - Dayspring photo

December 27, 2018: Southside Firehouse

Dayspring photo

Captain Ken Kiefer, FF Edwin Guzman, FF Augie Ramos, FF Dom Brigati

Dayspring photo

January 3, 2019: First photos of new Rescue Truck being built at Ferrara CLICK

January 20, 2019: update

January 23, 2019: Frozen water training at Garett Mountain Reservation Barbour's Pond

February 26, 2019: Rescue 2 (Tour 2) at 2nd alarm 756 Main Street

L to R F/F Ken Beekman Capt. Scott Parkin F/F Brian Hirschmanner F/F Justin Angelica

March 5, 2019: Rescue 2 sketch with graphics and manufacture photos

March 2019: Members of Rescue 2 and Engine 6 Tour 3

Gabe Crichlow E6, Mike Piccoli E6, Frank Morrell R2, Captain Mike Caposella E6 , Captain AJ Woods R2, Dan Alcala E 6, John Jones R2, Joshua Gervat R2

Captains Matt Ganci (L1), Mike Caposella (E6) and AJ Woods (R2)

April 5, 2019: New Ferrara Rescue Truck almost done

Jeff's Photography LLC

April 30, 2019: New Rescue Truck 2 arrives - shown in bay at McBride Avenue firehouse

July 17, 2019: New Ferrara Rescue apparatus enters service at 1430hrs. 1st call @1719 Hrs to Incdent 19-3899 at 430 Totowa Ave. SCHOOL 5 "Target Hazard" for an ctivated Fire Alarm.

First Crew: Tour 3: Driver Keith Eickhorst, Captain Arthur Woods, FF Craig Puglise, and FF Josh Gervat

Captain Woods, Mike Piccoli, Keith Eickhorst, Craig Puglise, Joshua Gervat, Tarik Sanders, Frank Morrell

July 18, 2019: New Rescue Truck responding to incident (Ron Bombaro Video)

July 21, 2019: Skylar Fire video of Rescue 2 responding from quarters

September 1, 2019: 21st Avenue second alarm

September 1, 2019 Photo by Chris Tompkins

Chris Tompkins photo

September 25, 2019: Views at Southside Firehouse (Dayspring photos)

Battalion 1 B/C Mike Cleenput

Battalion 1 - B/C Mike Cleenput

Engine 6 in bay

Old inactive sliding pole

Annex Building and drill Tower at Rear of Southside

Rescue 2 (Dayspring photos)

In bay at Southside with B/C Mike Cleenput in drivers seat

Rear panel drivers side - in bay at Southside

April 2020: First Responder News photos

February 2020: Special Ops Truck dedicated to retiring F/F Louis Vega: Left to right: F/F L Garnes, F/F T Gander, F/F R Humphrey, Capt Saul Cintrón, D/C Bradle, Ret F/F Lou Vega, F/F Juan Sanchez, Ret Captain Higgins, F/F K Mizdol, F/F M Mauro, Captain K Kiefer, F/F K Brewington, F/F A Ramos.

April 12, 2020: 2nd alarm at 379 East 26th Street

Bill Tompkins Photo

April 24, 2020: Supplies for Southside during COVID crisis

Chief McDermott third from left

April 27, 2020: COVID crisis - An oversized Ultraviolet light (UV-C) decontamination box built by B/C DeStefano and Tour 4 Southside

Chief McDermott taking the photo

November 21, 2020: Engine 6 responding from quarters

Ron Bombaro photo

December 12, 2020: Rescue 1 on Getty Avenue fire

Ron Bombaro photo

January 6, 2021: Engine 6 and R1in bays at Firehouse. Note Getty Ave sign on bumper (E6), and Grill (R1) courtesy Taylor's Tins.

February 4, 2021: E6 Response from Southside firehouse

Todd Hollritt photo

June 12, 2021: EMS 6 to replace Ambulance 96

December 17, 2021: washing down in morning at Southside

Ron Bombaro photo

March 28, 2022: Rescue 2 at Southside - Tour 3 - Capt. Ryan Higgins of Engine 6; FF Matt Post; FF Michael Piccoli and ?

April 19, 2022: New pumper manufactured by Ferrara - awaiting front suction and rear preconnect. To be called Squad 6.

May 20, 2022: Major PFD History Change - Engine Company 6 started in the Volunteer days January 1867. Now 155 years later its name is about to change to Squad 6 and here are initial photos of the new Ferrara pumper. Squad 6 is an Engine Company whose personnel are cross trained in Technical Rescue. Squad 6 is NOT in additional Company to the fleet. It does not increase the amount of Companies or staff on duty. It is a name and assignment change for Engine 6 only. They will run as usual to fires as an Engine, following Engine Company SOG’s to guide them. Besides the usual Engine equipment, it will have a small complement of Rescue tools with a focus on water and rope rescue and will include hydraulic rescue tools. They will be dispatched and Team up with Rescue 2 for all tech rescue incidents such as: confined space, trench collapse, elevator/escalator entrapment, train derailments, man under, man in machine, etc. (which are such low frequency, high consequence events that it will be great to have a minimum of 8 members that already train together daily to make their job safer and more efficient). Squad 6 will cross staff a high-water vehicle labeled Squad 6a and will activate for flash floods & hurricanes. They will have access to a swift water boat and an RDC along with Rescue 2. All Squad 6 members including Squad Captain will continue to fill daily Rescue 2 vacancies due to leave or sick time absences. They will also cover Rescue 2 duties when MUSAR activates and can staff Rescue 1 if there’s a second rescue needed at scenes like a Rt. 80 pileup or other such large-scale incidents. This is versatile company. They have been performing all of the above duties as E6 already. It’s time to formally recognize that and coordinate their ops better in our CAD and SOP’s. Coming soon, Paterson Fire Department Squad Co. #6.