Members of the Camden Fire Department over the years been represented by different union and fraternal organizations, including the International Association of Fire Fighters, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the Brotherhood of Professional Fire Fighters, the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters, and the Society of Camden Latino Fire Fighters. 

Local 788 also published FIRE WATCH MAGAZINE from 1977 well into the 1990s, detailing the activities of the Department in its issues. With photo and articles by Bob Bartosz, Joel Bain, Frank Saia and others, the magazines are a real treasure. It is an honor to be able to present these accounts of the activities of Camden's fire fighters here, and I hope to be able to reproduce several issues on the website in time. 

If you can identify anyone not named in the photos on the website, or if would like to see other images or stories posted, please e-mail me.

Phil Cohen
Camden NJ 

Three Camden Fire Fighters face the horror

Flashover, from the inside out
By Capt. Joseph A. Marini Camden Fire Department

The city of Camden, New Jersey is a municipality of approximately 100,000 people located in the southern part of New Jersey across the river from Philadelphia. A classic example of one of America's oldest urban municipalities that saw its heyday in the years preceding World War II, its serious demise as a once prominent industrial center occurred throughout the 1960s and '70s when civil disorder and flight of its middle class to suburbia brought urban decay on a frightening scale. Once called the biggest little city In America and noted for producing everything from battleships to fountain pens, Camden was the founding home of such resident industrial giants as RCA, Campbell Soup, Esterbrook Pen, and as many as six active ship­building yards along with hundreds of other industries.

In recent years, the city has been on the brink of a gradual renaissance with increasing levels of new construction and a visible decline in the prior deterioration of its soul. While a vast majority of Camden's populous remain dependent upon a variety of social services to exist, its fire department continues to lead the state of New Jersey and most of the nation in its per capita rate office incident.

Sunday. October 21. 1990 was a clear and sunny Indian summer day in the city of Camden.

As a city known for its heavy fire duty, Sunday mornings in the Camden fire department are frequently dedicated to cleaning and restoring tools, apparatus and equipment from what is often the hectic Saturday night before.

The day tour of duty on October 21 started out like any other Sunday around the firehouses of Camden. The platoon working the night before had four working fires; a second alarm, and numerous other services. Sunday morning roll call was followed by the customary maintenance to apparatus and quarters, followed by an additional one-hour drill on engine and truck operations. After training, all hands turned their attention to the noon meal.

The uneventful routine of this normal Sunday was punctuated by the expected nuisance of the occasional false alarm and several outside rubbish fires. With the meal out of the way and the department's agenda of duties completed for the day. the city's fire control force settled into what they hoped would be the balance of a quiet day. A few minutes past 1400 hours: such hopes were dashed by the occurrence of a routine structural fire that ended in tragedy for three veteran Fire Fighters and shook the psychological well being of the entire department.

At 1406 hours. the fire alarm office received a call reporting "a stove on fire" at 2429 Arnold Street in the Fairview Manor section of South Camden. Engine Company 10 responding first due from their quarters just three blocks away. was assigned for "a defective appliance" and made their 90-secone run down Morgan Street to the fire. Upon arrival at the scene, Engine 10 under the command of Captain Richard Prosser. reported medium smoke showing from the rear of a two-story brick occupied row dwelling. Captain Prosser ordered the box transmitted and directed his company to stretch a 1-3/4 inch line into the fire.

Ladder Company 2 and the Chief of the 3rd Battalion that also share quarters with Engine 10. responded on the box and arrived in a minute. On arrival. Battalion Chief Walter Szatkowski observed heavy smoke on both floors and transmitted a "working fire" signal. At that time Engine 10 had one line in operation on a fully involved single room kitchen at first floor rear. Chief Szatkowski ordered Ladder 2 to ladder the building, vent, and start a pri­mary search of the property. Captain William Young, commanding Ladder Company 2, directed his two-man forcible entry team to raise a portable ladder to the front. search the first floor of the fire building and then evacuate the adjoining property. Captain Young and Fire Fighter Daniel Galasso then headed to the floor above the fire to vent and search for occupants.

By all standards, it was a routine fire with one room on the ground floor of a row dwelling of ordinary construction- a room and contents fire requiring at most a deployment of two lines. What transpired in the new few minutes following arrival became a routine fire with extraordinary circumstances.

As Ladder 2's forcible entry team entered the first floor of the fire building to start the primary search, Engine 10's backup man (Fire Fighter George Jackson) advised them that the search of the first floor was already complete and "negative." The forcible entry team then moved to the adjoining building to evacuate that property, while Fire Fighter Jackson ascended the stairs to assist Cpt. Young and Fire Fighter Galasso in expediting the search of the second floor.

Under ordinary circumstances, the first 1-3/4-inch attack line, initially supported by the 500 gallon tank, would have been quite sufficient in abating the fire conditions in the kitchen area. The value of a second available hoseline usually stretched by the second due engine would normally be taken to the floor above as a routine precautionary measure, most often during or after the primary search. During the early stages of this fire however, a number of critical events occurred that seriously complicated what should have been an otherwise routine operation.

The occupant of the building, in attempting to operate a thoroughly corroded burner control knob on a stove while using a pair of pliers, forced and snapped the gas pilot orifice away from the burner's Venturi tube. What ensued was a forced, gas-fed range top fire that rapidly communicated to kitchen cabinets above the stove. The occupant fled the building before the arrival of the fire department. By the time Engine 10's nozzleman brought the line into position at the entrance to the room, the fire had extended beyond the stove and cabinets above to involve wall, ceiling and other contents. Engine 10's attack team was not aware that they were confronting a fire condition supported by a forced gas supply.

As the seconds ticked by the initial stream was having small effect on the volume of developing fire. In the interim, Engine 10's pump operator was having difficulty with the closest hydrant, only 150 feet away, that in­volved a tightly frozen outlet cap. The dwelling was quite small: three rooms on the ground floor and four rooms including a bath above. The small interior floor space was the reason that Engine 10's backup man (Fire Fighter Jackson) was able to complete a primary search of the two other first floor rooms in those sec­onds preceding Ladder 2's arrival.

Fire Fighter Jackson, a seasoned veteran with 24 years on the job, knew immediately in the first few seconds after the nozzleman started water on the fire that conditions were not improving as they should. He also knew that the second due engine wasn't in yet and that an additional line would not be available within the next minute or two. With this understanding, Jackson also realized that an extra pair of hands during a primary search makes the operation go a lot faster. What he or the other search team members above the fire did not know was that there was an initial water supply problem out in the street. The turn of events happened very quickly.

As Engine 10's pump operator radioed the officer at the nozzle to back out due to an expected interruption in water, the kitchen flashed over in explosive involvement. Simultaneously on the floor above, Captain Young with Fire Fighters Galasso and Jackson. had just completed the search and were regrouping to board the top of the staircase when they heard the urgent message from be­low. As they hastened their descent of the short staircase, they were stopped in their tracks by a barrier of withering heat.

The doorway to the kitchen was located directly under the stairs to the second floor. As the room flashed over with the pressure of burning gas, the fire belched out of the kitchen doorway and entered the flue of the open stairway. Just moments later, Engine 10's nozzle ran out of water and there was nothing between Ladder 2's search team and the beast, except the short span of the L-shaped stairs. 

In boarding the top of the stairs on the second floor, Captain Young made sure he was the last man down. Extremely heavy smoke conditions momentarily caused Galasso and Jackson to lose direction of the stairway. Young pointed them to the too step landing and they started down, first Jackson followed by Galasso and finally Young. Fire Fighter Jackson was the first to feel the breath of the dragon. He shouted in pain as the other two members above him became engulfed in waves of blistering heat. A flashover of the second floor felt imminent. Captain Young, as the last man on the stairs, was the first to reverse direction and retreat up­ward. Fire Fighters Galasso and Jackson rapidly turned to follow the ascending stairway in pursuit of Captain Young.

The full brunt of the beast was loose and the deadly flame, preceded by blistering waves of heat, roared up the open stairway to the top floor landing. Captain Young ran while shedding his SCBA, and instinctively dived head first toward the first opening he saw- a 12-inch space above a window air conditioner and through the narrow broken win­dow pane to the outside. Fire Fighter Galasso, as the second man in pur­suit, exited an adjoining window head first in similar fashion falling onto a portable ladder while burning from head to toe.

Fire Fighter George Jackson, a powerful man of great strength, was now alone in the hall and he met the beast head on. Jackson bore the full force of the rolling fire as he con­tinued to move in the direction of egress while burning all the way. His injuries however would not permit him to continue. He collapsed on the floor just several feet from the window.

Engine Company 7, responding second due on the box, made their normal six-minute run from quarters and arrived at the scene in just over four minutes. They quickly caught another hydrant and supplied Engine 10 while stretching the second line to the fire. The rescue company also moving on the box, responded from their uptown station and arrived seconds behind the second due engine.

Rescue 1, under the command of Captain Anthony Dowidowicz, stretched a third line to cover the search for Fire Fighter Jackson. Rescue's Fire Fighter Ronald Boyle ascended a portable ladder and used the 1-3/4 inch line to darken visible fire on the second floor before entering the window. Boyle found Jackson on the floor inside the window where he collapsed, slumped among furniture. He was critically burned about the face and hands but was semi-conscious. In heavy smoke, Fire Fighter Boyle quickly removed his mask and placed it over Jackson's face to "buddy breathe" with his brother until help arrived.

Engine Company 7, under the command of Captain Robert Scarduzio, pushed into the building with their line and knocked the fire down on the first floor. They advanced up the staircase, killing residual fire as they went, and reached Fire Fighters Boyle and Jackson in seconds. In the interim, Battalion Chief Szatkowski special called an additional engine to the fire to replace the fire control efforts of those units diverted by the rescue operation. Engine Company 3 responded on the special call and assisted units in overhauling the first building after completing a secondary search.

Fire Fighter Jackson was removed via the interior stairway and trans­ported by EMS to the Cooper Hospital Trauma Unit behind Captain Young and Fire Fighter Galasso. The entire ordeal had taken less than ten minutes.

Captain William Young was admitted to the Trauma Unit in serious condition suffering from severe smoke inhalation and first and sec­ond degree burns. His condition was upgraded to stable some three days later and he was transferred to a regular care ward. He was released from the hospital a week later and returned to active fire duty one month after the incident.

Captain William Young	Fire Fighter Daniel Galasso

Fire Fighter Daniel Galasso was immediately transferred from the Cooper Hospital Trauma Unit to the Crozier-Chester Burn Unit by EMS ambulance, suffering from second and third degree burns to 24 percent of his body. Fire Fighter Galasso spent an arduous period of two months in the burn unit recuperat­ing from his serious injuries. After numerous operations and skin graft surgery, he was finally discharged a week before Christmas 1990, and continues to receive daily physical therapy on an out-patient basis at an area rehabilitation center.

Fire Fighter George Jackson was also immediately transferred from the Cooper Hospital Trauma Unit to the Crozier-Chester Burn Unit by medivac helicopter, suffering from extreme smoke inhalation, respiratory injury and second and third degree burns to 38 percent of his body. Fire Fighter Jackson's condition was so severe that in the course of the first six weeks following his admission, the burn unit almost lost him on as many different occasions. In the course of his treatment for a variety of injury related problems, Fire Fighter Jackson entered a coma where he has remained for the past two months. During the first week of January 1991, the burn unit staff reported that Fire Fighter Jackson continued to show marked improvement in his extremely long road to recovery. His infections have subsided, his skin grafts have proven successful, and his burn injuries continue to heal well. As of this writing (January 10, 1991)  he remains in a coma and his condition continues to be listed as serious but stable.

George Jackson never recovered from his injuries. He passed away on March 7, 2006.

A FIREMAN'S PRAYER
•••

When I am called to duty, God, wherever flames may rage, give me strength to save some life, whatever be its age.

Help me embrace a little child before it is too late, or save an elder person from the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert to hear the weakest shout, and quickly and efficiently to put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling, and give the best in me to guard my every neighbor and protect his property; and if, according to your will, I have to lose my life, please, O Lord, bless with your love my children and my wife. Amen.

A Fireman Today

My father's been a Fireman for twenty five years
I've seen some of his injuries and seen him shed tears, 
Heard some of his stories, and read in the news
Of some of the fires, he fought with his crews,

He's usually gone all day and night
But that is the way of a fireman's life
We missed out on ball games, some of the times
Which he tried top make up, with nickels and dimes.

I remember one night, when he was at home
He got called to a fire, at Seventh and Stone.
Multiple alarms were needed there,
Becasue of the fire, and lives to be spared.

I knew he'd work hard, as he usually does
That's the way it is now, and always was
I hoped he'd be safe and not get hurt
Cause I needed him home, not buried in dirt.

 Later that day, he finally got back
Seems like all he did was cough and hack
I guess it was smoke that got him down
at least that's what he mumbled, along with his frown.

My partner's at Memorial, the hospital, he said
I  think he was struck, right alongside his head. 
We hope he's alright, my buddies and me
No way we could take it, for him to die.

He went on to tell me, to continue school.
Get a good job, and not be a fool.
A Doctor or Lawyer or Dentist someday,
With a safe place to work, and decent pay.

I did what he said, so long ago,
Studied at school, with heart and with soul.
My profession was picked and I had my plans, 
To work at a job, that needed strong hands.

He's proud of me now, as he's always been,
And we talk about fires, while we sit in his den. 
He never thought that he'd he able to say,
"My son is like me. A Fireman Today,.

~1980 David H. Jacobi, Jr.

DAUGHTER'S TRIBUTE

Here is a man whom you seldom see
and you say that he's lazy as lazy as can be.

You think he does nothing but sit on his tail 
and loaf in the station while reading his mail.

He's always asleep or eating it seems, 
Or living it up in his wildest dreams.

He watches the TV both night and day,
While you work so hard to earn your pay.

You think it's not fair, this should not be,
He should get out and work like you and me . .

You.pay your taxes, in his pocket it goes
with a minimum of effort his bank account grows.

And that's the whole story as far as you know
But here are some facts that I'd like to show.

He has a family like you and I,
That he seldom sees; for he's either on duty or on standby.

He stands his watch four hours in all
On his very next fire he was due to fall.

Though he didn't know it as the alarm bell rang
He was heading for death as the angels sang.

He arrived on the scene, an apartment ablaze 
He acted as fast, his speed did amaze.

All of those present were frozen with terror 
But for him there was no margin for error.

A child was trapped in the building so high
As he raced up the stairs he could hear her cry.

"Please help me mister, I'm afraid of the fire."
He grabbed her and held her but was beginning to tire 

He got down the steps, for the exit he ran 
He just had to make it, he was that kind of man.

But the Lord was calling, his voice he could hear
The child, was .saved, but his burns were severe.

As he lay there in pain, the child still in his clutch.
He thought of the past but it was never so much.

Just a lazy fireman, but he gave all he could give.
he gave up his life, so a small child could live.

IN-HOME FIRE DRILLS CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE!

Statistics indicate that about 800 residential fires occur every day in the United States.

Of the 12,000 deaths from fire every year, the majority occur in home fires. The great tragedy behind these statistics is that many of these deaths are not necessary - they are the result of ignorance and panic.

Protect your family by implementing "Operation E. D.I. T.H. in your home. It stands for:

EXIT DRILLS IN THE HOME

The training of families to escape fire without injury and the knowledge gained should also assist family members in making safe escapes in other types of fire emergencies. It is a fact that exit drills reduce panic and injuries.

DEVELOPING A PLAN

1. Call the family together and appoint a chief or alternate.

2. Draw a plan of the living area.

3. Plan two escape routes from each room.

4. Decide upon a meeting place outside the house so that all of you will know when everyone is safe.

5. Make sure that emergency routes are practical as well as safe. If a window Is designated, make sure that it is large enough, the screen or storm window can be opened easily from the inside and that the ground outside can he reached safely.

6. Make sure that all occupants know how to unlock front and back doors.

7. Conduct a fire drill at least once a year. Simulate actual escapes if there is any possibility of injury. Time the evacuation as previously planned.

PUTTING THE PLAN INTO ACTION

1. Sleep with bedroom doors closed for some protection against heat and smoke.

2. If you smell smoke, arouse the family.

3. Keep calm.

4. Call the fire department as soon as possible.

5. If the door is hot near the top, do not open it.

6. If the door is not hot, brace a foot against it before opening it to investigate condi­tions.

7. If there is smoke, creep along the floor for better breathing.

8. If it is not safe to leave the room, stuff bedding (wet, if water is available) along the bottom of the door to keep out the smoke.

9. Report to prearranged meeting place outside the home. 

10. Never re-enter a burning building.

Family members should rest easier with the knowledge that they are prepared to face a dangerous emergency in the home.

MODERN FIREFIGHTERS ARE PROFESSIONALS

The training modern firefighters undergo has been established to help him meet

every kind of emergency - swiftly and surely. He brings his abilities and his, specialized equipment into play with the same readiness - whatever the situation - to a small brush fire or to a flaming factory building. He faces hazards, atomic radiation and many other dangers that were unknown not many years ago.

THE FIREFIGHTER LIVES WITH DANGER

Danger is his most constant companion, as is his concern for the safety of his community. Whenever disaster threatens, the firefighter is on the scene to safeguard lives and property. Fire, explosions, tornados, floods, hurricanes and earthquakes all test the modern firefighter's skills,

HE POSSESSES MANY SKILLS

Many people possess only one skill. Some have two. The firefighter, however, must be able to do many things and, in theory, practice many callings. He must have the knowledge of an engineer so that he can analyze the layout of a burning building and check the spread of fire. He must guard against buckling walls and flame-weakened floors. He enforces compliance with building codes that protect against hazards.

HE WEARS MANY HATS ON THE JOB

He must have the skills of an electrician and be versed on proper wiring, electrical currents and wire capacity. He must have the skill of a hydraulic engineer and plumber to operate pumps while he observes water pressures and hose connections. 

He must keep as physically fit as a professional athlete because agility is constantly required on the job. He is always ready to climb into a burning building, on high ladders and through smoke-infested rooms. His job calls for stamina. Like the doctor or nurse, the firefighter is trained to render first aid with skilled gentleness - at scenes of fires, at auto wrecks, accident scenes and drownings.

HE IS A DEDICATED PROFESSIONAL 

With the dedication of a school teacher, the firefighter educates children, house-holders and business people about the great needs for fire prevention.

No one knows better than the firefighter the value of prevention - or the terrible toll of fire tragedy. . 

NO NOT DUTY

In every city, town or state 
Firefighters are there to service.
      To fight fires no matter what it takes
And except fates, twists and curls.

Firefighters five went down in flames,
In Hackensack, N.J. one afternoon.
      The tragedy is always the same
Life taken away, away to soon.

That's their Job some people say
The risk and chance they take.
      But no life is worth the pay
No matter the money they make.

In little time forgotten names
But to all that loved him dear.
      Their life and limb was this in vain
Every firefighter loved ones fear.

No not duty the loss too great
Five answered the final bell.
      Now standing at heaven's gate
In God's hands now they dwell.

- GEORGE REESE
City Of Camden Fire Department Engine 8

FIREMEN CAN'T WIN

We, too often, take our efficient, well-equipped fire department for granted, and do not give the credit due them for their outstanding and unselfish service. More often, we are apt to criticize and find fault where criticism Is not due. The following item, "Firemen Don't Rave A Chance," speaks for itself.

When the fire trucks are delayed 40 seconds in traffic, people say: "It took them 20 minutes to get here. "

When the truck races at 40 miles-an-hour, it's "Look at those reckless fools."

When four men struggle with an eight-man ladder: "They don't even know how to raise a ladder. "

When firemen open windows for ventilation to reduce heat while fighting a fire: "Look at the wrecking crew. "

When they open a floor to get to the blaze, people point and say: "There goes the ax squad. "

I f the chief stands back where he can see and direct his firefighters, peo­ple say: "He's afraid to go where he sends his men. "

If firefighters lose a building during an emergency: "It's a lousy and un­professional fire department. "

If a lot of water is necessary: "They are doing more damage with the water than the flames. "

If a firefighter is injured on the job there are some who will say: "He was a careless guy. "

If just one citizen is injured while firemen fight a fire, some will say: It's a crazy fire department. "

If a fireman inspects a citizen's property: "He's meddling in somebody's business. "

If a fireman, during an inspection, wants a hazard corrected, some will say: ''I'll see the mayor about it. " 

Though they are at times severely criticized, firefighters go right on doing a good job of protecting our community. A fireman's lot is not an easy one. He is called out at all hours of the night and day. So there are some, most, who really say, "Thank God that we have such a good fire department that can be called on at all times to handle situations above and beyond the call of duty. "

FIREFIGHTERS PROTECT LIVES
Dedicating Themselves To Their Community

Protecting you and your ·family from fire is a tough and highly hazardous job. No community knows when or where fire may break out - bringing with it Injury, death, ruin and destruction.

Your first line of defense against catastrophe by fire Is your fire fighter. He Is dedicated to public service - to shielding you and yours - at the risk of his own life.

Your fire fighter trains hard and long to gain the skills demanded by his call1ng. He works to improve the fire service of your community that means further protection for your loved ones and property. He accepts as routine his duty of responding to emergency.

Your fire fighter Is proud of his call1ng and his vital role In the life of your community. Be proud of him. Support your fire fighter. Help him to keep you safe.