Brotherhood
The last 12 months have been filled with chaos, uncertainty, layoffs, demotions, re-hirings, arsons, catastrophes, re-promotions, and distractions of all sorts. Fortunately for the citizens and taxpayers in the City of Camden, the Camden Fire Department, despite the beating it has taken from politicians, so-called journalists, and all number of people who should know better, never lost sight of its priorities, of what is important.
Perhaps only those who spend a lot of time dealing with destruction and carnage at the risk of their own safety get this… that one must depend on the man or woman next to you, and that others are depending on you in kind. Some call it the foxhole mentality, and that is probably an appropriate analogy. The book Camden Fire Department: 1869–1994, which commemorates the 125th anniversary of the Department, refers to firefighting and its related activities as “the never-ending war.” It is a war that has taken the lives of 23 firefighters on active duty, shortened the lives of many more through exposure to smoke and chemicals, and left many others injured.
This all being said, down through the years the Camden Fire Department’s current and former members have associated on and off duty in various ways, both for mutual aid and socially. The Department’s roots lay in volunteer companies. In the last century there were groups such as the Fireman’s Mutual Benevolent Association and the Camden Police & Fire Association which facilitated strengthening the bonds between brother responders from all parts of the city. Today the tradition continues, with events put together by people of good will, both active members and retirees. A number of fund-raising events were held to assist laid-off members of the Department in 2011.
On , on-duty and retired members of the Camden Fire Department and other members of the community came together at the firehouse at Broadway and Liberty Street for an evening of fellowship and good will. Another event, the Third Annual Camden Fire Department Reunion Dinner, was scheduled at The Pub restaurant on September 14, 2011.
Thanks also to Dave Hernandez and Dom Patricelli, who also photographed this event.
See also: The Fires of the Summer of 2011
Group Photos
Photos
Standing: Larry Buckingham, Warren Everett — Sitting: Greg Murphy, John DiMaggio
Standing: Larry Buckingham, Warren Everett — Sitting: Greg Murphy, John DiMaggio
Standing: Frank Sandrock, Anthony Church — Sitting: Dom Patrocelli, Chief of Department Mike Harper
Standing: Larry Buckingham, Mike DiPascale — Sitting: Mark Kogut, Duane Goobic
Sitting: John DiMaggio, Joey DiPaolo, Orlando Chandler — Standing: Mike DiPascale, Eli Hall, Chris Baker, Angelo Decaro
Sitting: John DiMaggio, Joey DiPaolo, Orlando Chandler — Standing: Mike DiPascale, Eli Hall, Chris Baker, Angelo Decaro
Foreground: Joey DiPaolo, Greg Murphy, Anthony Church — Background: George Durar, Dan Galasso, Angel Lopez
Photographs by Dave Hernandez
