Training
January 2, 1896: Chief Stagg issues the first formal training orders for the fully paid PFD - for Truck and Engine companies and also the Chemical Company
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Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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December 7, 1901: New type of extinguisher to be investigated
Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
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August 13, 1903: F/F Thomas McGill of Engine 7 invents and receives a patent for a hose handler and clamp
Paterson News
March 30, 1905: Engine 9 tests new deluge type nozzle from its hose wagon
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March 31 Morning Call
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April 6, 1905: PFD has public drill at City Hall with Trucks 1 and 2
April 7 Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Truck 1 75' LaFrance Aerial
1903 75' Seagrave aerial
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November 9, 1905: FD Notes
Paterson News
November 10, 1905: Fire Chiefs to meet in Paterson to promote International Association of Fire Chiefs
Paterson News
March 8, 1906: Hart Deck pipe tested
Paterson Daily Press
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March 10, 1906: "Skyscraper training initiated by Chief Stagg
Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
March 12, 1906: Tall building training episode
March 13 Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
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March 13, 1906: A stand pipe in the Citizens Trust building and a new deck nozzle tested for Engine 5 hose wagon (then quartered in Water Street firehouse)
Guardian - courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Published in 1908 by Fire and Water Engineering Magazine
June 21, 1906: New deluge set tested.
Paterson Daily Press
April 13, 1910: In the earliest days of the fire department training was entirely on the job. In 1910 the Mayor was not satisfied with fire department discipline and several captains and lieutenants to the New York City Fire Training School to learn the latest technologies. He also instructed the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners to establish a training facility in Paterson.
Courtesy Jim Eifler
October 11, 1910: Police and Fire Board acquires City Yard on Bridge Street to train and plans to convert it to a training school.
Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
February 7, 1911: Chief Stagg orders firemen to drill
Paterson Press
February 20, 1911: Firemen's training school to be at Almshouse
April 26, 1911: Training school under command of Captain Nolan to open
Paterson Press
May 29, 1912: Training school at City Farm being readied
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
July 8, 1912: Captain Weber of Truck 2 directs training classes
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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August 15, 1912:
Paterson New - courtesy Dennis Morrison
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April 16, 1910:
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Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Paterson Evening News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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August 3, 1910: 6 firemen go to NYC for training
Paterson Press
August 15, 1910: PFD firefighters head to NYC for training. Specht, Coyle and Nolan went on to ranks of BC, Chief of Department and DC respectively. James Sweeny made Supreme Sacrifice in 1938
Paterson Press - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Paterson Press - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
August 16, 1910 - courtesy Dennis Morrison
September 21, 1910: Fire Commissioner Waldo of NYC praises Paterson FF who attended instructional course. Paterson Press
March 13, 1911: Chief Stagg considers breathing hoods
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Paterson Press - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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June 5, 1911: Firemen's School to open
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Paterson Press
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June 8, 1911: Firemen's Climbing School Paterson Evening News
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
June 9, 1911: Firemen's School opens
June 10 Paterson Press
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1911: Article from Fire and Water Engineering Magazine - New Training School The tower below does not look the one that was at later used the almshouse (scroll down for a view), which suggests this was the first version of the tower, perhaps at the city yard or hose house on Bridge Street
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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June 1, 1911: Firemen not looking forward to jumping into life nets
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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June 8, 1911: Training school starts with Captain Nolan and Boyle as instructors
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
One of the first accomplishments of Chief Thomas Coyle (appointed in 1912) was the opening of the Department's Training School, located at the Almshouse on Redwood Avenue. A tall drill tower was erected and the men under the direction of Captain John Weber worked with life nets, scaling ladders, rope guns, etc. This facility was used into the 1920s when it finally fell into disrepair.
Training Tower and Facility at left
July 1, 1911: Life Net training
Morning Call - Courtesy Jim Eifler
November 21, 1911: Chief advises Fire and Police Commission that training school at the city farm has closed for the winter and can reopen in late April.
July 8, 1912: School at almshouse oepning
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Morning Call - Dennis Morrison
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August 3, 1912: Info on training school and requests by Captain Weber
Morning Call - Courtesy Jim Eifler
November 1, 1912: Under the training of Captain Weber, a class of 40 men graduated. The following clip is from Mayor Andrew McBride's 1912 Annual Report
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Note scaling ladders, rope rifles, hoses and old Truck 1 in rear. Captain Weber in center.
Officers at the Training School: L-R Top: Captain John McQuirk, Captain John Weber, Captain William Allen. L-R lower: Captain John Crowley, Captain Robert Wright, Captain William Loughlin
Photo labeled as Class #1 August 10, 1916 (Anthony Natoli Collection)
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Training Tower at Almshouse. Men on scaling ladders.
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
June 17, 1913: School back in session under direction of Captain John Weber of Truck 2
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
September 19, 1913:
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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The PFD Scaling Ladder shown below is at the Fireman's Museum in Boonton (Dayspring Collection). The various parts are: Spar (main structural beam through which rungs are passed); Rungs; Hook (steel member which hooks over window sill); Gooseneck (curved part of hook at top of the spar; Shields (two devices which hold the ladder out from the wall at a sufficient distance to allow grasping the spar while climbing); Braces (metal braces under the rungs); Straps (metal bands which are a continuation of the hook extending the full length of the spar, securely bolted to it, one being on front and other on the back).
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The Gooseneck with terminal Hook is 3-4 feet long
The curved shield kept ladder away from building. Note Straps on edges of spar
Shield affixed to straps between top rungs
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The 1932 Fire Chief's Handbook has 12 pages devoted to proper use of Scaling (Pompier Ladders.
One of 12 pages from 1932 Fire Chief's handbook
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1916 Letter from ALF to PFD re delivery of Pompier Ladders
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September 21, 1915: First use of "Smoke Helmets" delivering oxygen.
September 21 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Mortrison
April 14, 1916: Second Class at Training Center: 19 new recruits
Guardian - Courtesy of Dennis Morison
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June 14, 1914: Cellar fire strategy
Morning Call - Curtesy Dennis Morrison
August 10, 1916:
The Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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March 16, 1917: Ladder and hose drills at Headquarters - off duty FF at Engines 2, 3 and 10 report to central headquarters to learn about extension ladders. Then same was done for Engines 6, 7 and 9.
Press Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
April 16, 1917: Chief Coyle prepares PFD for war with gun training
Press Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
August 26, 1919: Training School issues
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August 28, 1919 Drill - Note life net Apparatus is Truck 2 (electric Front Drive)
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Paterson Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
September 3, 1919: FF stage "Strike" and do not report for off-duty training
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Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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October 9, 1923: PFD Drill at YMCA on Ellison Street: Truck 2 (battery powered) aerial drilling at YMCA on Ellison Street. Note fireman using a scaling ladder on left side of building. Also note electric (battery powered) hose wagon at left: likely Engine 1
Paterson News
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May 25, 1925: First Aid training for firefighters
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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A claw tool used by PFD (now at Boonton Museum)
1948 Edition of Fire Chief's Handbook
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1948 Edition of Fire Chief's Handbook
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circa: 1929 Ahrens Fox aerial demonstration City Hall (not a Paterson aerial)
Other old PFD Truck Company Tools at the Booton Museum - A "Detroit" Door opener and a Battering Ram
1948 Edition of Fire Chief's Handbook
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1948 Edition of Fire Chief's Handbook
More PFD tools: A tin roof opener and a hose strap carried by Truck companies and a Bresnan Cellar Distributor by Engine Companies
Truck 1: From the Fire Chief's handbook: The sharp edge does the cutting and the point of tool is driven into the tin, and the tin pried up sufficiently to get the tool point beneath it. Cutter is then forced along in front of the operator and the tin is cut on the knife edge of the cutter.
Used for carrying hose lines up ladders, for securing hose lines to fire escapes and ladders and for assisting in handling lines in other matters
Used in cellar fires operating through the floor to a fire below.
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Also used in attic fires
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Truck company pitchfoork
Halligan Bar: the red and yellowing colors at the neck is for a specific engine company
November 1940: Letter from a citizen to Mayor Furrey which was passed on to Fire and Police Commissioners regarding smoke inhalation situation with firemen (see news clips below)
Dayspring Collection
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Dayspring Collection
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December 1, 1940: FF John Murphy to receive special training
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
July 15, 1941: Murphy back from attending CD course
Paterson News
February 28, 1949: letter to Chief James Troy from makers of Scott Air-Paks
Dayspring Collection
April 6, 1949: Letter from Chief Troy re department needs and condition of scaling ladders.
Dayspring Collection
May 25, 1950: PFD conducts training school for Volunteer Departments of several surrounding towns
Paterson News
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July 6, 1951: Training drill at City Hall (Bomb scare)
July 7 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison+
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November 27, 1951: All-purpose rescue packs obtained
Paterson News
July 7, 1953: Basic Training program started
Paterson Evening News
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December 15, 1953: T2 F/F Richard Shortway demonstrates a new air pack
Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
March 28, 1956: Captain Madama of Combustible bureau takes training course in New York
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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June 15, 1957: New foam equipment tested at Valley of the Rocks by Engine 1.
Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
March 12, 1960: Radiation training
Paterson Evening News courtesy Dennis Morrison
Four decades after the original training tower, in 1964, the department finally built a new training tower at the Southside Firehouse on Getty Avenue.
Tower at rear of Southside Firehouse -- Dayspring Photo
1960's era Gas Mask
Malzone photo
June 19, 1968: A/C Comer writes article of firefighting
Paterson Evening News courtesy Dennis Morrison
Circa 1969 - Drill outside of Fire Headquarters at 115 Van Houten Street (Malzone photos)
FF John "Fat John" DeMattia at right without cap
Joe Forbes standing 3rd at left - AT right Rich Tullo?
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FF John DeMattia
January 30, 1970: Training episode mishap with in injury to A/C Comer
January 31 Paterson Evening News courtesy Dennis Morrison
Early 1970: Firefighters appointed November 1969, underwent training, as described below from DC Al Capter (drillmaster) and Salvatore Madama (assistant drillmaster). Clips and photos from Ed McCran collection.
Spelling errors: Should be Madama, Arbis & Avelino
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Southside FDH Drill Tower
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DC Sal Madama at left
mid 1960s - Firefighter practicing with a cellar pipe at Southside Firehouse Garett Mountain in background
FF John Harris at the pipe. In helmet Frank Limogi with Rich Korger at top right
Training Manuals used by Paterson Firemen for operation and preparing for promotional exams
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October 12, 1972: A/C Sal Madama investigates new breathing apparatus
Paterson News
1980s: Funds donated for arson training
McGuire collection
October 10, 1984: Grant for new equipment
McGuire collection
1986: PFD works on extraction from Motor Vehicles at Police Academy. Below is FF Gerald Sloginski of Engine 6
March 16, 1991: Motion detectors introduced by Chief John Mauro
Herald courtesy Dennis Morrison
December 10, 1993: Drill at St. Gerard's school
December 11 Herald courtesy Dennis Morrison
1995 PFD Academy at Southside - Aerial drill with FF at tip
Carlos Abreu (future Captain) is at tip of ladder
February 15, 1999: Cairns' Iris tool
Herald courtesy Dennis Morrison
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December 9, 1999: FF Training issues
Herald curtesy Dennis Morrison
Shown below is the Driver Simulator located at the Madison Avenue Firehouse. It was purchased from a Federal grant for driver training
September 25, 2001: FEMA Grant for protective gear
Herald courtesy Dennis Morrison
2002: A newspaper discussing what has been learned from a century of firefighting dating back to the Great 1902 Conflagration -- and September 11, 2001 --- the evolution of training in PFD
April 2, 2009: FF be trained on medical emergencies by SJH staff
Herald courtesy Dennis Morrison
July 20, 2009: Firefighter Ernie Filippelli (later a Captain) was seriously burned at a fire when he was forced to jump out of a 3rd floor window. He spent several months at St. Barnabas Hospital with severe burn injuries and was lucky to escape with his life. The video shows an interview with him and a demonstration of the department's new bail-out system which all members now get.
May 15, 2010: New safety gear
Herald News courtesy Dennis Morrison
February 14, 2014: Forty Paterson firefighters on Thursday completed a three-day training course on performing ice rescues conducted at Barbour Pond on Garret Mountain in Clifton.
The training was provided through a $107,736 grant under the United States Department of Homeland Security’s federal Assistance to Firefighters program, according to a press release issued by the firefighters’ union. In addition to the training, the grant also will cover the cost of 50 personal floatation devices, 20 throw-bags with snag plates, two floatation kits for stretchers, 1,200 feet of floating rescue rope, 20 ring buoys, 40 mesh duffle bags, 40 water rescue knives, and enough waterproof boots, gloves, vests, helmets, wet/dry suits, and locating strobe lights to outfit 40 firefighters, the press release said. Day in and day out we see that our members must be trained for any incident that may occur,” said Battalion Chief Brian McDermott who oversaw today's training. “Chief Postorino has shown leadership in making sure that we are the best trained Department in the state, while keeping costs to a minimum.”
Twenty-four of the firefighters also were certified so they will be able to train other members of the city’s fire department, the press release said.
The training was provided through a $107,736 grant under the United States Department of Homeland Security’s federal Assistance to Firefighters program, according to a press release issued by the firefighters’ union. In addition to the training, the grant also will cover the cost of 50 personal floatation devices, 20 throw-bags with snag plates, two floatation kits for stretchers, 1,200 feet of floating rescue rope, 20 ring buoys, 40 mesh duffle bags, 40 water rescue knives, and enough waterproof boots, gloves, vests, helmets, wet/dry suits, and locating strobe lights to outfit 40 firefighters, the press release said. Day in and day out we see that our members must be trained for any incident that may occur,” said Battalion Chief Brian McDermott who oversaw today's training. “Chief Postorino has shown leadership in making sure that we are the best trained Department in the state, while keeping costs to a minimum.”
Twenty-four of the firefighters also were certified so they will be able to train other members of the city’s fire department, the press release said.
February 25, 2020: Demolition training
Herald courtesy Dennis Morrison
October 9, 2020: Confined Space training Rescue 2, Engine 6, Ambulance 96, Battalion 1
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September 2023: Stokes basket training at Southside firehouse
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In basket is FF Justin Torres of R2 T2
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