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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.
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.
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.
Ninth Street is one of Camden's longest north–south thoroughfares, running from the Delaware River waterfront in North Camden, through the city's central corridor, and far south through Cramer Hill and Whitman Park. Block numbering begins at Federal Street.
Regulars at The Tavern, a North Sixth Street bar, mourned Benjamin Shablack and John Barrett, two retired roommates bound, gagged, and left to die in a fire set in their North Camden rowhouse on Bailey Street. Fire Marshal Harold Pike found the fire was deliberately set in four locations.
Camden Courier-Post, August 18, 1975. Engines One and Eight collided at 6th and Pine Streets, killing Wilkins Tisdale and injuring 14, including Albert Collum, captain of Engine One. A fire official theorised the drivers could not hear each other over their own sirens.
Six Camden men — Thomas S. Watson Jr., Lloyd W. Henshall, Lloyd G. Birdsong, Leon J. Johnson, Richard P. Williams and Curtis J. Britt — began basic training on January 3, 1969, bringing the Camden Fire Department to full complement.
Twelve men were sworn in to implement the second phase of a 42-hour work week for Camden city firemen, administered the oath by Fire Chief Edward V. Michalak. Three followed their fathers into public service, among them William H. Huelas, son of Captain John D. Huelas.
Camden Courier-Post - July 16, 1968 Eleven men today were sworn in as members of Camden's Fire Department. But despite the additions, the city's force still remains at six men less than full strength, Fire Chief Edward Michalek Sr. noted.
A rash of overnight fires in Camden during a February 1967 snowstorm destroyed Ray's Tavern at 5th and Mickle Streets and damaged four buildings; police and firemen rescued four elderly residents, and Acting Battalion Chief Arthur Batten's crew answered the second call for aid after fighting two North Camden blazes.
Camden Courier-Post - February 3, 1967 Direct Tie Could Be Life-Death Difference If firemen get to a school fire even one minute sooner, it could mean the difference between life and death.
Robert Olesiewicz, 47, was promoted from fireman to captain and assigned to Ladder Company 1 as Public Safety Director Keith Kauffman swore in seven new Camden firemen.
Fireman Edwin Wirtz of 2010 River Avenue was feted at a buffet luncheon at Camden fire headquarters on his retirement after 22 years of service; his last assignment was as an inspector in the Bureau of Fire Prevention.
Camden Fire Captain Harold H. Pike was promoted to district fire chief on April 30, 1964, sworn in at City Hall by City Clerk Odorisio before Public Safety Director Kauffman, Fire Chief Edward R. MacDowell, and acting Deputy Chief Edward Michalak.
An arson fire destroyed the three-story frame house at 1134 South Front Street; sole occupant James Miles, 61, escaped safely.