John D. Huelas

John Daniel Huelas was born John D. Hulasinski in Camden on December 12, 1913 to John and Katherine Hulasenski. He shortened his name to Huelas after he had joined the Camden Fire Department.

Known to his brother firefighters as Jake, John Huelas was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on July 15, 1942. He was then living at 2834 Howell Street in East Camden. He reported for duty the next day with Ladder Company 3 at North 27th Street and Federal Street in East Camden. He served with Ladder 3 until May 19, 1943 when he was transferred “across the floor” to Engine Company 9, quartered at the same East Camden location. He remained with Engine 9 until June 16, 1951 when he was promoted to Captain and sent to Engine Company 11 at 901 North 27th Street in Cramer Hill.

Captain Huelas served with Engine Company 11 for almost 14 years. He spent twenty-three months at Engine Company 2, 619 Kaighn Avenue, from December 1, 1965 until November 1, 1967; followed by 22 months at Rescue Company 1, ending his assignment there on September 1, 1969. Captain Huelas finished 1969 at Engine Company 10 on Morgan Boulevard in Fairview.

During this period Captain Huelas’ son, William H. Huelas, became a Camden firefighter. He was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on November 8, 1968 and went on to have a long and distinguished career.

The new decade saw a return to the Kaighn Avenue firehouse, this time with Engine Company 8, where he served until October 1, 1977. In anticipation of his retirement, Captain Huelas was assigned to the 2nd Battalion Pool on October 1, 1977. He retired on pension January 1, 1978 after having served the City of Camden for over 35 years.

John D. Huelas moved to 2826 Thompson Street at some point after joining the Fire Department, and later moved to 2738 Hayes Avenue in Cramer Hill. Later in life he moved to Franklinville, and then to Pennsgrove, New Jersey. He passed away on June 7, 1998.

With Norbert Sorensen, Circa 1948

New Fire Fighters, November 1968

The Camden Courier-Post covered the swearing-in under the headline “Twelve Sworn In As City Firemen” — see New Fire Fighters (November 8, 1968).

Fire Department Record

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CAMDEN DIVISION OF FIRE — PERSONNEL RECORD Name in Full: John Daniel Hulasinski [struck through; "HUELAS" written above] Address: 2834 Howell St. [struck through] 2738 Hayes Ave. Age: 30 Citizen: Yes Color: W Sex: M Date of Birth: Dec. 12, 1913 Born in City of: Camden State: N.J. Name of Parents: John Kathrine Marital Conditions: Married Date of Appointment: July 15, 1942 Reported for duty: July 16, 1942 Title of Position: Ladderman [struck through] Captain June 16, 1951 High School Graduate: [unmarked] If No, Last Grade Attended: ? ON PENSION 1-1-78 (INFO REC'D 1-6-78 1600 HRS) Deceased 6-7-98 Form FD-400—1M—1-68—Raycraft Co. 15

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Company Copy — BLOOD GROUP - A - RH-POSITIVE NAME: JOHN D HUELAS CO.: ENGINE #8 TITLE: CAPTAIN TEL. NO.: 541-4182 ADDRESS: 2834 HOWELL ST. [struck through] 2738 HAYES AV. WHERE: 2826 Thompson St. [struck through] HOME PH. 966-6498 [unlisted] 964-6492 BADGE NO.: 442 — CAPT. BORN AT: Camden N.J. DATE: December 12, 1913 APPOINTED: July 15, 1942 REPORTED FOR DUTY: July 16, 1942 858-5337 — WILLIAM, SON CHECK POSITIONS THIS MEMBER IS CAPABLE OF FILLING: ACTING CAPTAIN (X) DRIVER (X) PUMP OPERATOR (X) TILLERMAN ( ) ASSIGNMENTS Truck Co. No. 3, July 16, 1942 to May 19, 1943 Engine Co. No. 9, May 19, 1943 to June 15, 1951 — Promoted to Captain June 16, and assigned to Eng. Co. #11 June 16, 51. ENG. CO. #2 DEC-1-1965 TO NOV 4-67 RESC. #1, NOV 4-67 — SEPT-1-69 10 CO SEPT-1-1969 TO DEC. 31-69 8 CO JAN-1-70 TO OCT. 1-77 ASSGND. TO 2ND BATT POOL