Rescue, USAR, Hazmat, Marine Units
December 1, 1954: The department obtains a 1954 Reo Chassis Truck and organizes its first rescue company, called Rescue Co 1, which was operated by the men of Engine Company 5. In radio transmissions it was referred to as "PA 14" short for Paterson apparatus 14. A small boat with an outboard motor was also part of the company.
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 where it was operated by the men of Engine Company 9
May 13 1970: Scuba team initiated with D/C Paul Peterson as supervisor. To be transported by Rescue Truck.
April 19, 1985: A new Saulsbury Rescue truck on a Ford Chassis enters service replacing the old 1954 Reo Truck.
January 10, 1994: Rescue 1 opened as its own company consisting of 1 captain and 3 privates on each shift.
August 20, 1994: Rescue 1 closed as an independent company and was assigned again to Engine Company 6.
August 20, 1994: Rescue 1 closed as an independent company and was assigned again to Engine Company 6.
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.
? Date: Large Special Operations building built in behind the Southside Firehouse
2015: Heavy duty, military type Special Operations truck enters service
February 1, 2020: HazMat 1enters service as a part time unit manned by E3 2/1/20 with no expansion of any manpower. Still a work in progress. Members are all operations level. It will serve more like a spill truck w/ other support tools. PFD is a designated County responder since 2016. There will be a full cache of Decon, dike & dam, plug & patch, speedy dry, foam, lumber, cribbing, hard suction & strainer for drafting ops, battery operated PPV Fans, tool kit, meters and shortly it will have extrication tools for R2 support. They will support R2/E6/RAC on confined space metering and ventilation. PC Sheriff is still the front line serious HM entry.
Rescue Truck Chronological Photos
Circa 1958 at Westside Park
at 115 Van Houten Street - FF Robert Woodruff of Engine 5
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FF James Johnstone, Chief's Aide Joe Leitner in blue shirt and Lieutenant Earl H Plavier circa 1958
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1970s photo by Jim Koper - Southside Firehouse (operated by Engine 9)
April 11, 1985: New Rescue truck purchased with grant from Meyer Brothers
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Rescue 1 at Southside Firehouse
August 24, 2019 - Straight Street 5th alarm fire - Peter Danzo photo
August 26, 2019:
Captain A Woods, FF M Piccoli, FF T Sanders, FF C Puglise, FF J Gervat, FF F Morrell, B/C (Batt 1) Jason Macones - Vince Marchese photo
Retired Captain of Rescue 2 Scott Parkin - Vince Marchese photo
Vince Marchese photo
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Vince Marchese photo
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Vince Marchese photo
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Vince Marchese photo
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September 1, 2019: 21st Avenue second alarm
Chris Tompkins photo
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September 11, 2019: Rescue 2 at Liberty Park -
Jersey Firefighters Volume 3 Issue 4 - Bill Tompkins photo
September 25, 2019: At Southside Firehouse (Dayspring photos)
In bay at Southside Firehouse - B/C Mike Cleenput in driver's seat
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Driver side rear - in bay at Southside
Driver's cabin
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Captain's cabin
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Captain's Seat
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Looking up into rear cabin with TV
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FF seats
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September 25, 2019: Marine Unit at McBride Avenue firehouse
Dayspring Photo
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February 1, 2020: HazMat 1 enters service using the refurbished Rescue 2 truck. It is assigned to Engine 3 at Lakeview Firehouse (not a full time unit)
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