Over 1,600 Fire and First Aid Calls:
The Livingston Fire Department held its annual dinner last Thursday, May 22, at the Eisenhower Corporate Center. Fire Chief Chris Mullin read a full report of the department’s 2024 calls.
Kevin Francione has completed his 21st year as Assistant Chief. Ralph Rea has completed his 39th year as a Deputy Chief. Tracy Bent has been a Deputy Chief for six years, and Joshua Lewis for seven.
Mollineaux Retirement
In summer 2024, longtime .re inspector William “Bill” Mollineaux retired from the Township’s Fire Prevention Bureau.
“Bill has made many positive contributions to the Fire Prevention Bureau as well as the Fire Department in general,” said Chief Mullin. "We thank Bill for his many years of service to the Township and wish him health and happiness in his retirement.”
1,192 Calls
In all, the 59 members of the Livingston Fire Department responded to 1,192 calls, up from 1,056 in 2023, and held 34 department drills. The 2024 calls encompassed 1,168 “still alarms” and 24 general alarms, including two structure .res and four vehicle .res. Among the structure .res were house .res at 46 Tremont Terrace and 22 Charles Street.
In total, 48 percent of the LFD’s calls were false alarms. Carbon monoxide alarms accounted for nine percent of the department’s calls, while gas leaks made up seven percent of calls, and brush/mulch .res were four percent of all calls. Elevator emergencies made up two percent of the department’s calls, while live wires, water emergencies, elevator emergencies, and electrical issues each made up two percent of the calls.
Additionally, the Livingston FirstAid Squad’s 24 volunteer members responded to 461 calls last year.
2024 Highlights
Among the department’s accomplishments for 2024 that Chief Mullin reported was the complete renovation of the upper .at roof at the LFD Headquarters Station, located on the corner of East Hobart Gap Road and JFK Parkway. Additionally, the building’s chimney was both repaired and repainted.
The department’s apparatus committee met to discuss the LFD’s requirements for the design of a new apparatus to replace Engine Co. 5.
“The discussions were productive and the committee designed a QuintApparatus that will have the ability to get into tighter spaces, given our recent residential developments and their tighter designs,” said Chief Mullin.
A new 2024 Ford Escape AWD Vehicle for use by the Fire Prevention Bureau as a Fire Inspector Vehicle, was also placed into service.
Additionally, Thomas ‘Tommy” Bartzak completed his time as an auxiliary firefighter and was accepted as a regular member of the department in April, while Nicholas Slotnick was accepted as a regular member in May.
Chief Mullin also recognized the two firefighters who left the department in 2024, Christopher Durish and Ryan Ciavattta.
“These firefighters are to be commended for their time and dedication that they devoted to the Department, as well as the community,” Chief Mullin said. “We wish them success in their future endeavors and thank them for their time served.”
The LFD in 2025
Chief Mullin also outlined the department’s ongoing plans throughout 2025, including painting of all fire stations’ interiors and a replacement of the peaked roof at Headquarters Station, both of which have already been completed.
The department also plans to upgrade its fleet of current Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBA).
“The new masks will have integrated safety features such as the pak tracker firefighter location feature, which allows the incident commander to track the firefighters’ location in a structure for added safety,” explained Mullin.
Additionally, the LFD’s current SCBA fill station will be upgraded throughout the year and the firefighers’ pagers will be replaced.
The department has also contracted an architectural firm to access and develop a formal proposal for the repair of the training facility at the Circle Station.
Service Awards
James Kedrie and Craig Melhorn both attained Life Membership status in the-New Jersey State Firemen’s Relief Association after attending the required conventions.
Wildfire
“The year 2024 will always be known as the ‘Year of the Great Wildland Fire’ in Livingston,” said Chief Mullin.
Recounting the event, Chief Mullin explained that on Saturday, October 26, a brush fire was reported near 7 Industrial Parkway. When the firefighters arrived on the scene, a large area of brush and wildfire was burning and spreading rapidly due to sustained winds. Deputy Chief Lewis requested mutual aid from the East Hanover and Roseland Fire Departments, as well as the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS).
In an attempt to protect the surrounding structures, responding units were assigned to set up operations behind 7 Industrial Parkway, between 506 and 530 West Mt. Pleasant Avenue. The NJFFS provided forest fire extinguishment and support support services to the various municipal firefighting crews on the scene. As the incident grew in size, additional firefighting resources were requested through the Esssex County Fire Mutual Aid Coordinator.
“The primary mission throughout the entirety of the incident was structure protection of the retail shopping centers, as well as industrial and office buildings on the perimeter of the 192 acre fure scene,” recounted Chief Mullin. “During the incident, every fire department in Essex County dispatched equipment and/or apparatus to the scene, as well as unite from Morris County Mutual Aid units for house coverage.”
The NJFFS and LFD remained on the scene overnight as a preventative measure. The following day, Chief Mullin and the NJFFS performed an aerial flyover of the scene to survey the damage. Later that day, the NJFFS conducted seven air drops on different areas of the 192 acre fire. The NJFFS continued conducting back burns to control the fire.
The LFD worked with the NJFFS to clear hot spots and flare ups from Monday, October 28, through Saturday, November 9.
“It should be noted that throughout the entire incident duration, there were no injuries reported and there was no damage to any of the structures,” Chief Mullin said. “The magnitude of the 192 acres that burned, and how many firefighters were on the scene, it’s pretty remarkable that no one got as much as a poke in the eye.”
Chief Mullin thanked his family, along with the families of all members.
“To all the wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, and other family members, we could not carry out our responsibilities and commitments without your ongoing support and understanding,” he said. “For this sacrifice, I say ‘thank you’for allowing your family member to be an active part of this organization.”
Mayor Ed Meinhardt, in attendance with the rest of the Township Council, also addressed the members.
“On behalf of the rest of the town, we thank you and all your colleagues for keeping us safe,” Mayor Meinhardt said. “You are a valuable part of this town and you embody what it means to be a volunteer.”
