Montclair-NJ Fire Department

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Montclair-NJ Fire Department Formed in 1882 after a series of major fires, the Montclair Fire Department grew from volunteer hose and ladder companies into a modern, professional dept.

With deep roots, historic stations, and over a century of evolution, we proudly protect Montclair.

DECK FIRE — ELMWOOD AVENUEAll companies responded to Elmwood Avenue for a reported structure fire. The occupant called i...
10/14/2026

DECK FIRE — ELMWOOD AVENUE

All companies responded to Elmwood Avenue for a reported structure fire. The occupant called it in and was already out of the house when crews arrived.

Engine 1 arrived to find fire and smoke at the rear of the home and stretched a line around back, where crews found the fire burning on the deck. Truck 1 opened up the deck to check for fire spreading underneath, and Engine 3 established a water supply off a nearby hydrant.

The fire was knocked down quickly and kept from extending into the house. No injuries were reported. Our Fire Investigation Unit responded to determine the cause.

Credit where it’s due — the occupant did exactly the right thing: got out, stayed out, and called 911. That is always the correct order of operations.

A reminder as the weather turns: deck fires are one of the most common ways a fire gets into a home. Keep grills and fire pits well away from the house and railings, and give discarded smoking materials a non-combustible container — never a planter or mulch bed.

CONGRATULATIONS, FIRE OFFICIAL JUSTIN THOMPSON 🎓We are proud to announce that Fire Official Justin Thompson has earned t...
10/13/2026

CONGRATULATIONS, FIRE OFFICIAL JUSTIN THOMPSON 🎓

We are proud to announce that Fire Official Justin Thompson has earned the designation of Certified Public Manager through the State of New Jersey CPM Program at Rutgers University–Newark.

The NJ Certified Public Manager Program is nationally accredited and has been developing public sector leaders in New Jersey since 1984. It is no small commitment: participants meet one day a week for ten months, working through a full curriculum in strategic thinking, budgeting, administrative law, and organizational management. Fire Official Thompson completed all of it while running the Bureau of Fire Prevention and carrying the daily demands of the job — inspections, code enforcement, investigations, and everything that comes with keeping this community safe.

That combination is exactly what makes this achievement matter. Technical knowledge of the fire code keeps buildings safe. Management skill is what builds a bureau that sustains that work year after year. Fire Official Thompson now brings both to the role.

Congratulations, Fire Official Thompson. The entire Montclair Fire Department is proud of you.

🔥

CONGRATULATIONS, BATTALION CHIEF JOHN FIERRO 🏅Today in Chicago, Battalion Chief John Fierro crossed the finish line of t...
10/12/2026

CONGRATULATIONS, BATTALION CHIEF JOHN FIERRO 🏅

Today in Chicago, Battalion Chief John Fierro crossed the finish line of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon — 26.2 miles, and his first marathon ever.

The finish line is the part everyone sees. The part nobody sees is the months before it: long runs worked in around tours, early mornings after busy nights, miles put in when nobody would have blamed him for skipping them. Chief Fierro did all of it while carrying a full load here at MFD, and never made a show of it.

He ran as part of the Ignite the Spirit Marathon Team, a charity founded by Chicago firefighters after 9/11 to support fire service families facing hardship, illness and line-of-duty loss. Running 26.2 miles is an accomplishment on its own. Running it for our brothers and sisters in the fire service means a good deal more.

From every member of the Montclair Fire Department: we are extremely proud of you, Chief. Enjoy this one — you earned every mile of it.

🔥

KITCHEN FIRE — FRANCIS PLACEAt approximately 5:08 p.m., all companies were dispatched to Francis Place for a report of a...
09/14/2026

KITCHEN FIRE — FRANCIS PLACE

At approximately 5:08 p.m., all companies were dispatched to Francis Place for a report of a fire with a person trapped inside the home.

Our units were on scene within minutes. Crews went straight in with a handline, located the fire in the kitchen, and knocked it down before it could extend into the walls or the rest of the floor. Damage was held to a small area of the kitchen — the rest of the home was spared.

That outcome comes down to two things: a fast turnout, and an aggressive interior attack that put water on the fire early. A kitchen fire that gets a few more minutes is a very different call.

Our thanks to the Montclair Police Department, who assisted the resident out of the home and the Montclair Ambulance Unit for their assistance.

Congratulations Deputy Chief Michael LizzaToday, the Montclair Fire Department congratulates Deputy Chief Michael Lizza ...
09/01/2026

Congratulations Deputy Chief Michael Lizza

Today, the Montclair Fire Department congratulates Deputy Chief Michael Lizza as he begins his well-earned retirement after more than 25 years of dedicated service to the Township of Montclair.

Deputy Chief Lizza began his career with the Montclair Fire Department on June 1, 2001, becoming a Firefighter on June 2, 2002. Throughout his career, he continued to rise through the ranks, earning promotion to Lieutenant on December 15, 2011, Captain on November 19, 2021, and ultimately Deputy Chief on November 18, 2024.

Over the course of more than two and a half decades, Deputy Chief Lizza served alongside generations of Montclair firefighters and contributed to the department through his leadership, experience, and commitment to the community.

As he begins this next chapter, we thank Deputy Chief Lizza for his many years of service and sacrifice and wish him and his family good health, happiness, and a long and fulfilling retirement.

Congratulations, Deputy Chief Lizza, and thank you for 25 years of service to the Montclair Fire Department and the Township of Montclair. Enjoy retirement—you’ve earned it!

🔥STRUCTURE FIRE — ELM STREET🔥Early Sunday morning, Montclair firefighters responded to a fire at a three-story home on E...
08/23/2026

🔥STRUCTURE FIRE — ELM STREET🔥
Early Sunday morning, Montclair firefighters responded to a fire at a three-story home on Elm Street. Eleven residents and one dog were displaced. No one was hurt.
The call came in at 7:17 a.m. after a resident reported smoke filling the top floor of the building. Crews arrived to heavy smoke and found the fire in the basement. A second alarm was called, bringing in additional firefighters from neighboring towns.
Firefighters searched every floor of the home and confirmed all residents had gotten out safely before the department arrived. The fire was contained to the basement, and no one — resident or firefighter — was injured.
The American Red Cross responded to help the displaced families. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Our thanks to West Orange, East Orange, Orange, and Bloomfield for responding to the scene, and to Clifton, Irvington, and Nutley for covering our firehouses while we worked. Thanks also to PSE&G, the Montclair Water Department, and Glen Ridge EMS.
A reminder to every household in Montclair: working smoke alarms on every level, and two ways out of every room. Thankfully the residents of this home got out quickly. 📞 In an emergency, call 911.

**Welcome to the Montclair Fire Department! 🚒**On Tuesday evening, we were proud to swear in three new members of our de...
08/13/2026

**Welcome to the Montclair Fire Department! 🚒**

On Tuesday evening, we were proud to swear in three new members of our department: **David Gaines, John Fiore, and Erik Seay.**

Standing before family, friends, and township leadership, these three took the oath to serve and protect the residents of Montclair and Glen Ridge. It’s a commitment they’ll carry with them on every call, on every shift, day and night.

A sincere thank you to **Mayor Dr. Renee Baskerville**, **Township Manager Stephen Marks**, and **Human Resources Director Alisha Dawkins** for their support throughout this process — and to everyone who worked behind the scenes to bring these firefighters through hiring and onboarding.

David, John, and Erik: welcome to the family. We’re glad to have you.

** **

EXTRICATION — VALLEY ROADWhile already committed to another alarm, MFD units were dispatched to Valley Road and Lorraine...
08/04/2026

EXTRICATION — VALLEY ROAD

While already committed to another alarm, MFD units were dispatched to Valley Road and Lorraine Avenue for a two-car crash with one vehicle on its side and a person trapped inside.

Squad 4 arrived to find the occupant still in the overturned vehicle. Crews stabilized the car, removed the windshield, and brought the occupant out through the front opening. They were turned over to the Montclair Ambulance Unit for evaluation.

Our members stayed on scene until both vehicles were removed and the roadway was reopened.

Thank you to Montclair PD and MAU. Please give our crews room to work when you see us operating in the roadway — slow down and move over.

📷 Photos courtesy of Finn — thank you for sharing your work with us.

LATE NIGHT ROPE RESCUEJust before midnight Tuesday, companies were dispatched to the area of Highland Avenue for a repor...
07/29/2026

LATE NIGHT ROPE RESCUE

Just before midnight Tuesday, companies were dispatched to the area of Highland Avenue for a report of a person who had fallen down an embankment along a non-active rail line.

Battalion 3 arrived and established command. Working alongside Glen Ridge police and EMS, crews located the patient roughly 20 to 25 feet down a steep embankment — too far down, and too steep, for a simple carry-out.

Firefighters set up a low angle rope system, lowered a Stokes basket and members down to the patient, secured the patient in the basket, and hauled them back up to level ground by hand. Patient care was transferred to the Glen Ridge Ambulance Unit at the top.

This is the kind of call that doesn’t make the news but takes real training — rope systems, patient packaging, and working a technical rescue in the dark. Our thanks to Glen Ridge PD and GRAU for the assist.

WORKING FIRE — SOUTH MOUNTAIN AVESaturday afternoon, our companies were called to the 100 block of South Mountain Avenue...
07/26/2026

WORKING FIRE — SOUTH MOUNTAIN AVE

Saturday afternoon, our companies were called to the 100 block of South Mountain Avenue for a house fire.

Crews arrived to smoke showing from the rear of a 3½-story home and found fire running up inside the walls to the third floor. It was knocked down quickly and the house was searched top to bottom — all clear.

No residents were injured. One firefighter was hurt during the operation and taken to Mountainside Hospital. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

Thank you to Montclair PD, MAU, and our mutual aid partners from West Orange, Nutley, Orange, Cedar Grove, Bloomfield, and Clifton.

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1 Pine Street
Montclair, NJ
07042

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