Jersey City Fire Officers Association

It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of our sister, Firefighter Ayishia Williams — a hero, a servant, and a true embodiment of what it means to serve the City of Camden.
Ayishia dedicated her life to helping others. From her service as a Corrections Officer to answering the call as a Camden City Firefighter, she carried herself with strength, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to her community.
Even in the face of illness, Ayishia continued to serve. She never stopped showing up. She remained active in her community, a proud member of BUFF, continuing to volunteer, give back, and uplift others while quietly fighting her own battle. That kind of strength, love, and selflessness speaks volumes about the woman she was.
She was more than a firefighter — she was our sister. She was family.
Her legacy is one of true service, sacrifice, and resilience. As we grieve this tremendous loss, we also recognize the impact she made on this Department and the City she so proudly served.
We owe it to Ayishia to carry that legacy forward — to support one another, to stand together, and to continue serving our community with the same dedication she showed every single day.
Please keep her family, loved ones, and all members of the Camden City Fire Department in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.
Rest in Peace, Firefighter Ayishia Williams. We will take it from here. 🕊️❤️‍🔥🙏🏽
Fraternally,
Pete Perez
President, IAFF Local 788

Fire fighters push for national action on lithium-ion battery fires in Canada - IAFF Lithium-ion battery fires are increasing across Canada, exposing fire fighters to more dangerous conditions and new on-the-job risks – and driving a national

LODD FUNERAL DETAILS FOR FF HOWARD BENNETT

It is with deep respect and solemn duty that we provide the following information regarding the funeral services for Firefighter Howard Bennett of the Camden City Fire Department, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

⛪Funeral Services
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Location: Freedom Mortgage Pavilion (Formerly BB&T Amphitheater)
1 Harbour Blvd. Camden, NJ 08103

📋Schedule
10:30AM - Mustering of Uniformed Personnel
11:00AM - Private Family & Friends Viewing
12:20PM - Camden Fire Department Walk-Through
12:30PM - Celebration of Life

🏴 Funeral Resources
Any departments and/or locals wishing to provide resources such as apparatus, Color Guards, Honor Guards, Pipes and Drums, and/or Sergeant at Arms are asked to complete this form to help organize resources: bit.ly/pfanj-bennett-resources. Any additional inquiries can be made to [email protected].

🚒Apparatus Staging
Non-Camden City Fire Department apparatus are requested to arrive by 10:00AM to facilitate placement. On arrival, apparatus can stage in the parking lot across from Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, 199-101 Washington Ct, Camden, NJ 08103, and await directions for placement.

👮Uniformed Personnel
All uniformed personnel shall muster and be in place by 10:30AM sharp for the arrival of the Bennett family and friends. All uniformed personnel are requested to be in Class A uniforms, with white gloves and mourning bands worn on badges.

📸Photography
IAFF Local 788, Camden City Firefighters, will have a professional photographer on site capturing this event. We kindly ask that all agencies attending allow the designated photographer to take photographs. Out of respect for Firefighter Bennett’s family, no photographs or videos are to be taken inside the venue.

🅿️Funeral Parking
Staff vehicles, personal vehicles, and other modes of transportation can also utilize the parking lot across from Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, 199-101 Washington Ct, Camden, NJ 08103, to park.

🛏️Lodging/Room Block
A room block has been reserved at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cherry Hill-Philadelphia, 2349 Marlton Pike W. Cherry Hill, NJ for individuals and agencies who require lodging. Reservations can be made using the following link: bit.ly/pfanj-bennett-lodging.

ℹ️Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.

Thank you for standing in solidarity with the Bennett family and the Camden City Fire Department during this time of profound loss.

International Association of Fire Fighters
CFD Local 788
Camden Fire Officers Local #2578

📄PRESS RELEASE📄
PFANJ MOURNS THE TRAGIC LINE OF DUTY DEATH OF VETERAN CAMDEN FIREFIGHTER

🚒 "Today, the city of Camden and the entire state of New Jersey lost a hero. This tragedy is a stark and painful reminder that the dangers of this profession do not only exist within a burning building. Our members put their lives on the line every single day,“ proclaimed Mathew Caliente, PFANJ President. “We are devastated by the loss of Brother [Howard] Bennett who dedicated his life to protecting the residents of Camden. Our hearts, our prayers, and our full support are with his family, his friends, and the members of CFD Local 788 Firefighters Union and Camden Fire Officers Local #2578 during this unimaginably difficult time."

🫂 The PFANJ is working closely with our International Association of Fire Fighters locals to ensure the family and the department have every resource necessary as they navigate this profound loss. Peer support resources have been on the ground in Camden since early afternoon to assist our members who are grieving, and station coverage is being led by departments who make up Camden County IAFF Local 3249 to give our members who were on duty the time to cope with this tragedy.

🔗 Full Press Release: bit.ly/pfanj-bennett-lodd

OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING ONGOING SITUATION IN CAMDEN

🤝 The PFANJ is fully aware of the ongoing situation currently unfolding in Camden. We are working with Camden Fire Officers Local #2578, CFD Local 788, and International Association of Fire Fighters and monitoring the developments closely.

🚒 We want to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who has reached out with their concerns. Your support and vigilance are appreciated, but please allow our Camden locals the opportunity to do their jobs. At this time, we ask for your continued patience as we work to gather accurate details.

🙏 We will provide further updates as soon as more information becomes available. Keep our Camden brothers and sisters in your thoughts and prayers.

New Jersey fire fighters successfully advocate for the passage of two life-saving laws - IAFF Two pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening protections for first responders were signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy in his final days in office,

📢 CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION UPDATE📢
Examination Information Alert Released

🗓️ CSC has released the Fire Promotional Announcement and Testing Schedule for the upcoming year. This schedule is tentative and subject to change.

🔁 Candidates should consider their Appointing Authority's testing cycle to determine if their municipality will be included in the testing schedule.

🔗 https://l.nj.com/pyg6mg

“A fire can double in 15 to 30 seconds if conditions are right,” said Steve McConlogue, a retired Elizabeth Fire Department battalion chief. “A minute or two might not seem long to the public, but in a fire emergency, it’s an eternity.”
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The Camden Fire Department was one of the first motorized fire departments in the country. Now, it's a struggle to keep all of their trucks running and equipment working.

Seven of the department’s 17 vehicles are older than 20 years, well past the industry’s 10-year benchmark for reliable frontline service. Four other trucks are between 11 and 16 years old.

But the cost of fire trucks has increased by about 30% since 2020. Some truck models now top $1 million. Meanwhile, years-long production delays are forcing departments around the country to rely on aging, unreliable rigs, putting first responders and those they serve at risk.

FIREFIGHTER WIDOW AWARDED $31.5 MILLION-JURY FAULTS COMMAND OFFICERS (The Secret List) | Firefighter Close Calls | Firefighter Close Calls is the home of the Secret List. The worlds most visited website focused exclusively on firefighter survival All, A Whiteside County, Illinois jury has awarded $31.5 million to the widow and two young daughters of a Sterling Firefighter killed in the line of duty four years ago. The verdict in favor of Brittney Ramos, suing in connection with the December 2021 death of her husband, Lt. Garrett…

💵FINANCIAL FRIDAY💵
Why is a Beneficiary Important?

👨👩👧👧Your beneficiary designation is your statement of who you want to receive your benefits. Without a beneficiary designation, in the event of your death, benefits can be delayed and may exclude those you wished to receive benefits. 📰

ℹ️More Info on Beneficiary Designation:https://www.nj.gov/.../documents/factsheets/fact68.pdf

💻Update your pension and benefits beneficiary through MBOS at myNewJersey: my.nj.gov/aui/Login

📑Don't forget to update your beneficiary with any life insurance or any other financial products you may have.