Tag

Camden Fire Department

William P. Spencer, World War II draft registration card
People

William P. Spencer

William Philip Spencer (1890–1946) served in the Camden Fire Department from 1925 until his death in 1946, promoted to Captain on April 2, 1940. A World War I veteran who served in France, he was a charter member of the Box 315 Association and won a three-cornered fight for vice president of the Camden Police and Firemen's Association in 1933.

·4 min read
Engine Company 9 after the Market Street Ferry Terminal fire, October 6, 1954
People

Harry Mailahn

Harry Mailahn (1926–1971) was a Camden firefighter assigned to Engine Company 9 from his appointment in January 1951 until his death in 1971. A Navy veteran of World War II, he lived at 2924 Royden Street in East Camden.

·2 min read
Charles E. Gibson, Camden Fire Department
People

Charles E. Gibson

Charles E. Gibson (1947–2003) was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on September 5, 1973, when he was living at 219 North 38th Street in East Camden. He retired on January 1, 1999, having spent his last 20 years with Ladder Company 1.

·3 min read
Martin B. Carrigan
People

Martin Carrigan

Martin B. Carrigan, born in Pennsylvania in July 1872, was appointed to the Camden Fire Department in 1904, rose to Captain, and died in the line of duty on January 19, 1922 of injuries sustained fighting the Kaighn Avenue fire.

·3 min read
A. Wesley Faust, New Hanover Township Police Sergeant
People

A. Wesley Faust

Ambrose Wesley "Wes" Faust served with the Camden Fire Department from 1951 to 1961, and later became a police sergeant with New Hanover Township, Pennsylvania, where he died on duty in 1977.

·2 min read
Portrait of Samuel S. Buzine
People

Samuel S. Buzine

Samuel S. Buzine (1844–1917) was a founding member of Camden's first paid fire department in 1869, serving 42 years and rising to Assistant Chief Engineer.

·8 min read
Richard G. Coffman, Camden Fire Department
People

Richard G. Coffman

Richard George Coffman (1947–2004) was born in Philadelphia; his family was living at 1149 North 22nd Street in Cramer Hill from 1956 to as late as 1970. Appointed to the Camden Fire Department on December 30, 1969, he served 25 years — latterly with Engine Company 3 — and retired on February 1, 1995.

·2 min read
Albert E. Collum Jr.
People

Albert E. Collum Jr.

Albert E. Collum Jr. (1936–2016) served the Camden Fire Department for over 26 years, rising to Captain of Engine Company 1. He lived at 2409 Howell Street when appointed in 1964, and was injured in the 1975 fire truck collision at 6th and Pine Streets that killed one person.

·2 min read
Gravestone of Laurence W. Newton
People

Laurence W. Newton

Laurence W. Newton (1896–1946) rose through the Camden Fire Department to Battalion Chief, saving a child from a burning building at Sixth and Van Hook Streets and shutting off a leaking gas main amid flames at Constitution and Argus Roads in 1942. He lived at 2816 Howell Street in East Camden.

·5 min read
John F. Letts and his brother Charlie and a friend on Howell Street
People

John F. Letts

John Francis Letts (1918–1984) served the Camden Fire Department from 1952 to 1981, rising to Battalion Chief. He grew up at 2208 Howell Street, was a founding officer of IAFF Local 2578, and took part in the Easter Monday rescue at North 6th and Penn Streets in 1970.

·6 min read
John D. “Jake” Huelas, Camden Fire Department
People

John D. Huelas

John D. Huelas, born John D. Hulasinski, joined the Camden Fire Department in 1942 and served over 35 years, retiring as Captain in 1978. He lived at 2834 Howell Street in East Camden when he was appointed.

·3 min read
Arthur C. Batten in Camden Fire Department uniform
People

Arthur C. Batten

Arthur Cuellen Batten (1904–1972), known to his fellow firefighters as Artie, joined the Camden Fire Department on March 4, 1927 and served until his retirement on February 28, 1969, rising to captain of Rescue Company 1 and acting battalion chief. He lived for many years at 1132 North 22nd Street in Cramer Hill and invented the un-patented ring cutter used by the rescue company to remove finger jewelry.

·9 min read
Firefighters from Engine Company 9 after a fire, December 1928
People

John C. Voll Jr.

John C. Voll Jr. (1900-1979) was born in Camden and served the Camden Fire Department for 40 years, entering the department on January 15, 1925 and retiring on December 1, 1965. He lived his later years at 2737 Garfield Avenue in the Cramer Hill section of Camden.

·5 min read
John J. O'Neil fire department service card
People

John J. O'Neil

John Joseph O'Neil (1909-1982) was born in Camden and grew up on North 22nd Street in East Camden. Appointed to the Camden Fire Department on July 27, 1938, he served 30 years - taking time away during World War II to serve in the United States Coast Guard - was promoted to District Chief on April 1, 1961, and retired on pension on November 1, 1968.

·2 min read
Grave of Joseph X. Voll at Beverly National Cemetery
People

Joseph X. Voll

Joseph Xavier Voll (1925–1945) of Camden, NJ served as a Fireman First Class in the United States Navy and was one of the original crew of the USS Caswell (AKA-72). He was killed in an accident at Riverton, New Jersey on January 12, 1945, less than a week short of his 20th birthday, and is buried at Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, NJ.

·3 min read
William Harring Jr., Robert Troutman and Charles Lawyer
People

Charles H. Lawyer

Charles H. Lawyer (1924–1994) served with the Camden Fire Department from 1948 to 1974. Appointed on March 2, 1948 to Engine Company 9 in East Camden, he was promoted to Captain on April 1, 1956 and spent most of his career with Engine Company 6 at Front and Linden Streets. He grew up on North 35th Street in Cramer Hill and later lived at 1032 North 22nd Street.

·2 min read
John P. Gryckiewicz, Camden Fire Department
People

John P. Gryckiewicz

John Paul Gryckiewicz (1918–2006) served 40 years with the Camden Fire Department, rising to captain of Engine Company 6, and was decorated for heroism in multiple rescues. A World War II Navy veteran, he served as a chief machinist mate aboard the Camden-built USS South Dakota.

·2 min read
John M. Peterson World War I draft registration card, front
People

John M. Peterson

John Martin Peterson (1892-1971) served the Camden Fire Department for 36 years with Engine Company 11, from his appointment in 1919 to his retirement on pension in 1956. A veteran of the First Division in France, he was twice wounded in World War I and received the Order of the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster.

·2 min read
Edwin S. Wirtz, Camden Courier-Post, February 5, 1952
People

Edwin S. Wirtz

Edwin Stanley Wirtz (1914–1975), son of Camden policeman Stanley R. Wirtz and grandson of Camden fireman James McDade, was appointed to the Camden Fire Department in October 1943 and served 22 years, retiring in October 1965 as an inspector in the Fire Marshal's office.

·3 min read
Camden Division of Fire personnel record — Thomas C. Blair Jr.
People

Thomas C. Blair Jr.

Thomas C. Blair Jr. (1925–2003) was a Camden firefighter who was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on December 30, 1950, rose from fireman to captain and then Battalion Chief in December 1969, and retired on February 1, 1981.

·2 min read
A. Wayne Kraft fire department record card
People

A. Wayne Kraft

A. Wayne Kraft (1934–2007), born Adelbert Wayne Kraft in Camden, grew up at 903 North 19th Street in Cramer Hill and served in the United States Army as a Specialist 4th Class. Appointed to the Camden Fire Department on June 29, 1962, he served more than 25 years before retiring on pension on February 1, 1988, and died on June 9, 2007.

·1 min read
William E. Hinch II fire department record card, page 1
People

William E. Hinch II

William E. Hinch II (1941–1976) was a Camden firefighter. Born in Camden and living at 1113 North 18th Street in Cramer Hill, he was appointed to the Camden Fire Department in 1969 and served with Engine Company 7 on Kaighn Avenue and later Engine Company 9 in East Camden. He died on April 26, 1976 of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

·2 min read
William E. Jaeckel fire department personnel record
People

William E. Jaeckel

William E. "Pud" Jaeckel (1888–1961) joined the Camden Fire Department in 1920 and served over thirty years with Engine Company 9 at North 27th and Federal Streets in East Camden, retiring on pension in January 1951.

·4 min read
Adelbert 'Duke' Kirk Sr. portrait
People

Adelbert J. "Duke" Kirk Sr.

Adelbert J. "Duke" Kirk Sr. (1918-1989) was a Camden firefighter who was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on November 16, 1956 and served with Engine Company 3 until his retirement on December 1, 1981.

·3 min read
Walter D. Eastlack Camden Fire Department personnel record card
People

Walter D. Eastlack

Walter Dayton Eastlack (1889–1964) was a Camden firefighter who served 29 years with the Camden Fire Department, from his appointment on March 3, 1925 to his retirement on March 15, 1954.

·3 min read
Portrait of Edward S. Hyde
People

Edward S. Hyde

Edward S. Hyde rose through the Camden Police Department from patrolman to acting chief, served as a Camden County Freeholder, and died in 1930.

·2 min read
Daniel Smith portrait, 1942
People

Daniel Smith

Daniel Smith (b. July 4, 1872) was a Camden Fire Department captain appointed in 1899 who served more than 40 years, rising to captain at Engine Company 9 before retiring in 1943.

·2 min read
Portrait of Anthony Douglas Moffa, Battalion Chief
People

Anthony Douglas Moffa

Camden Fire Department Battalion Chief who served the City of Camden for 38 years, rising from firefighter to battalion chief; a 1957 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School.

·2 min read
Charles E. Watkin fire department personnel card, front
People

Charles E. Watkin

Charles E. Watkin Jr. (1879-1954) was a Camden Fire Department captain who served over 34 years, from his appointment on January 1, 1915 until his retirement on May 1, 1949.

·3 min read
Personnel Card — George W. Meriwether, Camden Fire Bureau
People

George W. Meriwether

George W. Meriwether (1925–1992) was a Camden firefighter appointed to the Camden Fire Department on June 27, 1960; he served with Engine Company 8 and Ladder Company 3 in East Camden before retiring on pension August 1, 1985.

·1 min read
Harold H. Pike in Camden Fire Department uniform, 1964
People

Harold H. Pike

Harold Hadley Pike Jr. (1926–1998) served the Camden Fire Department for over 30 years, rising from ladderman to Fire Marshal and Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention.

·2 min read
Hook and Ladder Company 3, Hose and Chemical Company 1, and Engine Company 9 group photo, 1924
Fire Department

Engine Company 9

Engine Company 9 was organized as Hose Company 1 on March 1, 1900 at the new firehouse at North 27th and Federal Street in East Camden, reorganized as Hose and Chemical Company 1 in 1914 and as Engine Company 9 in 1922, and has remained continuously at 27th and Federal Street, sharing quarters with Ladder Company 3.

·5 min read
Leon J. Johnson
People

Leon J. Johnson

Leon J. Johnson (1935–2017) was a Camden firefighter who served the Camden Fire Department for over 28 years, from 1969 to 1997.

·3 min read
Henry J. 'Beanie' Keating and family
People

Henry J. "Beanie" Keating Sr.

Henry Joseph "Beanie" Keating Sr. (1920–2002) was a Camden firefighter who joined the Camden Fire Department on December 1, 1953, transferring from the police department, and served with distinction for over twenty-five years before retiring January 1, 1979.

·2 min read
Robert P. Olesiewicz, 1418 South 10th Street, Camden Fire Department
People

Robert P. Olesiewicz

Robert P. Olesiewicz (1919–1983) served the Camden Fire Department for nearly 30 years, reporting for duty on January 1, 1951 and retiring as a Captain on March 1, 1980. A Camden Catholic High alumnus, he was a standout basketball and baseball player in the 1930s.

·3 min read
John R. Evans & Company factory as seen north on Segal Street, summer of 1971, with Segal Street kids Floyd Miller Jr., Vennie Miller, Bobby Reed, and Frank Houser Jr.
Manufacturing and Hardware

John R. Evans & Company

Founded in 1858, John R. Evans & Company was a major leather manufacturer at 2nd and Erie Streets in North Camden, employing up to 700 workers before the December 19, 1971 fire destroyed the entire five-building complex.

·13 min read
John J. Giuliano, Battalion Chief, Camden Fire Department
People

John J. Giuliano

Battalion Chief, Camden Fire Department. John J. Giuliano (1927–1996) served the Camden Fire Department for 36 years, rising to Battalion Chief in 1966 — the youngest person to hold that rank to that time — and retiring in 1992.

·20 min read
Santo DiMaggio, Camden Fire Department
People

Santo DiMaggio

Santo DiMaggio (1918–1973) was a Camden firefighter who joined the department in January 1951 and served with Engine Company 3.

·1 min read
South 11th Street looking east toward the Armory-Public Works building, 1950s
Streets

11th Street

Eleventh Street ran north from Market Street through to Pearl Street. Over time, North 11th Street was erased block by block, until only a short segment between Penn and Linden Streets survives. South 11th Street is a connecting road with no residential addresses.

·7 min read
North 36th Street and Farragut Avenue - Mosquitoes - 1964
Streets

36th Street

Thirty-Sixth Street runs from the Delaware River south, across River Road, to Federal Street, and forms Camden's northern border with Pennsauken Township at intervals along its length. It became part of Camden when Stockton Township was annexed in 1899, and had been known in Pennsauken as Cove Avenue into the 1890s.

·16 min read
Looking south along North 35th Street from Merriel Avenue — April 3, 2009
Streets

35th Street

35th Street runs from the Delaware River south to River Avenue, then resumes east of the Pavonia railroad switching yard and again beyond Westfield Avenue, reaching Federal Street and continuing three blocks to Highland Avenue at the Pennsauken border. It is North 35th Street above Federal and South 35th below.

·20 min read
Looking south on North 30th Street from Howell Street, December 27, 2005
Streets

30th Street

Thirtieth Street runs from the Delaware River south, across River Road to the Pavonia railroad switching yard, then to Westfield Avenue and on to Federal Street, and to the intersection of Line Street and Beacon Avenue, just above Waldorf Street. It is North 30th Street above Federal and South 30th below.

·11 min read
1303, 1307–1309, and 1313 North 28th Street
Streets

28th Street

28th Street runs from the Delaware River south, across River Road to the Pavonia railroad switching yard, then to Westfield Avenue, Federal Street and Washington Street. It is North 28th Street above Federal and South 28th below.

·13 min read
North 38th Street looking south from Federal Street, 2011
Streets

38th Street

Thirty-Eighth Street runs south from Jersey Avenue to Camden Avenue in East Camden, crossing Westfield Avenue and High Street, then picks up again for one block between Federal Street and Fremont Street.

·3 min read
27th Street and Federal Street - 1950s
Streets

27th Street

27th Street runs from the Delaware River through Cramer Hill and East Camden to Marlton Avenue. Originally called Fulton Street before the 1899 annexation of Stockton Township, it was one of the main thoroughfares of the neighborhood and home to football star Mike Rozier.

·33 min read
News Articles

Albert Edward Collum, Jr. Obituary

Tampa Bay Times, August 19, 2016. Obituary for Albert Edward Collum Jr., 79, originally of Camden, who served in the U.S. Navy and as a Captain with the Camden Fire Department.

·1 min read
News Articles

Firefighter Injured in Camden Blaze

A Camden City firefighter was hospitalized for heat-related issues after a one-alarm fire gutted a vacant former beauty salon at 940 Haddon Avenue on July 29, 2011.

·1 min read
940 Haddon Avenue, June 10, 2011
Historical Accounts

Fire at 940 Haddon Avenue

On July 29, 2011, arsonists set fire to a vacant former nail salon at 940 Haddon Avenue in Camden's Parkside section. The building was gutted; one firefighter, Dom Barrett, was treated for heat-related issues amid 90-plus-degree temperatures.

·1 min read
News Articles

Anthony Douglas Moffa Obituary

Obituary of Anthony Douglas Moffa of Voorhees, a 38-year veteran of the Camden Fire Department who rose from firefighter to battalion chief. He died October 23, 2007 at age 68.

·1 min read
Fire at 139 North 36th Street, March 22, 2007, photo 1
News Articles

4 Homeless After Camco Blaze

An electrical fire damaged a second-floor apartment at 139 North 36th Street, displacing a family of four. Camden firefighters contained the blaze to the front bedroom in 14 minutes; no injuries were reported. Working smoke detectors alerted occupants in time.

·1 min read