Alejandro Alicea becomes Paterson’s first Hispanic assistant fire chief

VIDEO: Paterson's fire department made a historic promotion Tuesday. Deputy Chief Alejandro Alicea became the city's first Hispanic assistant fire chief. Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh led the swearing-in ceremony before the new assistant chief's proud family. The head of the fire department praised Alicea for his years of hard work. "Alex is really stepping up. He's a 30-year member, he's a leader, he's regarded, and I really, really see a bright, shining future for him, and I appreciate the work that you are doing. Congratulations to you. Well earned," Paterson Fire Chief Brian McDermott said. Alicea was one of 19 fire department leaders who were promoted Tuesday.
WCBS-TV CBS 2 New York

Union County: 18-Wheeler Crash Tears Fiery Hole in Major Highway

A tractor-trailer accident on a major New Jersey highway is wreaking havoc Tuesday, chewing a hole through the median, charring an 18-wheeler and seemingly obliterating a section of the roadway, Chopper 4 video shows. It happened on Route 78, which stretches from New York City all the way to Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, in the eastbound lanes near exit 49B (Springfield Avenue) in Union County shortly after 12 p.m. Official details on possible injuries weren't immediately available, though NJ.com reported at least one person was seriously hurt. The website reports the crash also involved a dump truck and a pickup. The matter is under investigation. The highway appeared closed in both directions as of 2 p.m., with heavy flames visible from the express lanes and smoke visible from a distance away.
WCAU-TV NBC 10 Philadelphia

Gloucester Township Fire Chief Dies From Cardiac Arrest Sustained On-Duty

A Deptford fire chief, who was well-known in the South Jersey firefighting community, died Friday from an on-duty incident. Jeff Pfeiffer suffered cardiac arrest following a service call Thursday night, according to a local organization serving first responders. Pfeiffer served as chief of the Almonesson Lake Fire Company and then as chief of the Deptford Fire Department's 3rd Battalion. He also led the Foam Task Force within the Gloucester County Fire Chief’s Association. The Gloucester County Hero Scholarship Fund says Pfeiffer died from cardiac arrest, which he suffered after returning to the station following a Thursday evening call to service. He died on Friday, according to the Deptford Township Police Department.
Gloucester Township Patch

Update: West New York fire displaces 12 people; 2 firefighters injured

A fire in Hudson County early Monday morning displaced 12 people from three apartments. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries, burn and ankle injuries but are expected to be OK, according to North Hudson Fire Chief Dave Donnarumma. Three families lived inside the three-story multifamily home on 58th Street between Park Avenue and Broadway in West New York. News 12 New Jersey was told everyone escaped without injury. “Unfortunately, when they arrived, there was having a fire in the garage blowing out the rear, the street was full of smoke, people were exiting the building, and then we were going for life safety at that time making sure we got everybody out of the house," Donnarumma said. Red Cross says it provided emergency assistance for temporary lodging, food and clothing needs for nine people from two families.
News 12 New Jersey

Hoboken Fire Department mourning loss of former Chief Richard Tremitiedi

“It is with great sadness that I ask you all to join me in extending our deepest condolences to the family and friends of a retired Hoboken Fire Chief Richard Tremitiedi who I was notified has passed away,” the Hoboken Fire Department Memories Facebook page wrote last night. “No further information is available at this time. We thank-you Chief for your service to the citizens of Hoboken along side your brothers on the job. Rest in peace my friend.” Tremitiedi served as a Mile Square City firefighter between June 1960 and September 1995 and became a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) instructor between 2010 and 2013, according to his LinkedIn page.
Hudson County View