Edward Michalak

Edward Vincent Michalak

Edward Michalak, November 1968 — November 1968

Chief Edward V. Michalak, Camden Fire Department — Chief Edward V. Michalak

EDWARD VINCENT MICHALAK was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 21, 1913 to Kathryn M. and Vincent Michalak. He was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on July 15, 1942 and reported for duty the next day with one of the ladder companies.

Edward Michalak rose through the ranks of the Fire Department. He was promoted to Captain on June 15, 1951, to District Chief on February 16, 1959, to Deputy Chief on June 19, 1961, and finally to Chief of the Fire Department on July 1, 1965.

Chief Michalak served as Chief of the Department for 13 years, retiring on pension on July 1, 1978. During his tenure he, the Fire Department, and the City of Camden faced many challenges, including the riots of 1967 and 1971, the Poet’s Row catastrophe, and the problems associated with the declining tax base and revenue available to the city for the provision of services.

During his career with the Camden Fire Department Chief Michalak received a commendation for saving lives on December 13, 1945, a merit award on April 20, 1953, a public citation from then Commissioner of Public Safety E. George Aaron on July 8, 1955, and another public citation on January 31, 1961 for again saving lives.

Chief Michalak made his home at 1040 North 25th Street in Cramer Hill. The Chief passed away on May 19, 1994 and was buried with full departmental honors.

Personnel Record and Badge Receipt

Badge receipt signed by Edward V. Michalak — Badge receipt — Edward Michalak

Name: Edward V Michalak

1 Official Badge District Chi[ef, cut off at the crop edge]

The loss of this badge will cost you $13.00. Upon leaving the Bureau for an[y, cut off at the crop edge] reason the badge shall be returned to the Chief Engineer.

Signed: [signature] Edward V. Michalak

Camden Division of Fire personnel record for Edward Vincent Michalak — Personnel record — Edward Michalak (handwritten entries to his death)

CAMDEN DIVISION OF FIRE PERSONNEL RECORD

Badge No: [164, struck through]

[handwritten: 365-8590]

Name in Full: Edward Vincent Michalak

Address: 1040 No. 25th. St.

Age: 29 Citizen: Yes Color: W Sex: M

Date of Birth: June 21, 1913

Born in City of: Philadelphia State: Pa.

Name of Parents: Vincent & Kathryn M.

Marital Conditions: Single [ ] Married [x] Divorced [ ] Widowed [ ]

Date of Appointment: July 15, 1942 Reported for duty: July 16, 1942

Title of Position: Ladderman [added:] Chief Engineer 7/1/65

Beneficiary:

Signature: [handwritten:] 7/8/55 Public Citation ( E.G. Aaron )

Citation: Comm saving live 12/13/45-Merit award 4/20/53 [added:] Public cit. 1/31/61 (saving lives)

High School Graduate: Yes [ ] No [x]

If No, Last Grade Attended: 9th

[handwritten grade entries:] CAPT 6-15-61; [illegible abbreviation] 2-16-59; Dc 6-19-61; Ch. 7-1-65

[handwritten:] ON PENSION 7-1-78

[handwritten:] Deceased - 5-19-9[4, cut off]

FD-400-1M-1-68-Raycraft Co.

Engine Company 3 and the 3rd Battalion, 1956

Engine Company 3 and the 3rd Battalion in quarters, Broadway and Ferry Avenue, South Camden, 1956 — Engine Company 3 and the 3rd Battalion in quarters, Broadway & Ferry Avenue, South Camden. 1956.
Left to right, standing: Chief Edgar Ellender, Fireman George Wade, Fireman Howard Lewis, Captain Edward Michalak; Kneeling: Fireman George Torgun, Fireman Dominick Dalanni, Fireman Henry Keubler.

Staff Office at Fire Headquarters, 1961

Cleaner Plant Blast Injures Fire Captain

Camden Courier-Post — December 23, 1958

Mutual Aid Fire Drill ‘Success’

Camden Courier-Post — October 2, 1963

Mutual Aid Fire Drill - Pennsauken Fire Department with Camden officials, October 2 1963 — Pennsauken Fire Department; Robert Dukes, Edward V. Michalak, Col. Edwin Bedell and Edward MacDowell.

Mutual Aid Fire Drill Success - Ten Suburban Units Save City, October 2 1963 — Mutual Aid Fire Drill ‘Success’

Ten Suburban Units ‘Save’ City

By FREDRICK W. SMIGELSKI

[Photo caption]: WELL DONE, MEN! says the four-man welcoming committee to the Pennsauken Fire Company as it pulls into the Westfield Ave. Fire Station after completing a mutual aid drill with city companies last night. At attention are Robert Dukes, district chief, Ed Michalak, deputy chief, Col. Edwin Bedell, and Edward MacDowell, Camden chief.

[Photo credit]: —Courier-Post Photo by Jack Wolfer

Ten suburban fire companies transported their equipment into four Camden stations last night within half an hour to successfully complete a “mutual aid plan” fire drill.

The ten companies signified reception of a “preliminary alert” sent from the Camden stations at 7:03 p.m. By 7:34 they all had made their way into the city through heavy traffic and were “in service” at their designated posts.

The companies were greeted by Col. Edwin Bedell, director of public safety; George Baxter, fire marshal; Edward R. MacDowell, Camden fire chief, and Deputy Fire Chief Edward V. Machalak [sic].

Complete Success

Bedell said the drill was “a complete success; there were no accidents or mishaps.” He added that the companies did not speed through traffic while entering the city.

Chief MacDowell praised the [text cut off at the foot of the column] were “covered” by neighboring companies and, therefore, were in no way unprotected themselves.

Alternates Available

He added that if one of the suburban companies was unable to reach its city post, there was an alternate company ready to be called in.

The communications center in City Hall, manned by Capt. Philip Farrell, was the “nerve center” of the drill. Its job was to coordinate radio messages from city and suburban-company radios which were sent on different bands. This was accomplished by means of portable radios donated by Chief John Plasket of the Niagara Fire Company, Merchantville, and Capt. Richard Davis of the Haddon Heights Fire Company.

The heavy traffic was directed by auxiliary police and firemen under the direction of Auxiliary Fire Chief Howard Doerschner.

Initiated in 1939

Col. Bedell urged an annual repeat of the drill. The last drill was held five years ago although the actual plan has been put into use a number of times since then. The plan was conceived in 1939 and used for the first time July 30, 1940, in the Hollingshead fire which claimed 13 lives.

Chief MacDowell pointed out that the plan was mutual and the city companies would send similar aid to any suburban company in case of emergency.

The suburban companies which participated, the city stations to which they were assigned, and the routes taken were:

Audubon, Haddon Heights and Merchantville fire companies, to the 3rd and Arch sts. station. These companies used the Haddon ave., Admiral Wilson blvd., Federal st. route.

North Merchantville and Highland fire companies, to the 27th and Federal sts. station by way of Federal st.

Gloucester and Brooklawn fire companies, to the Broadway and Ferry ave. station by way of Broadway.

Woodlynne, Mount Ephraim and Westmont fire companies, to the 6th and Kaighn ave. station by way of Haddon ave., Kaighn ave., 6th st.

Director Garrity Presents Proclamation to Chief MacDowell

Director of Public Safety Edward Garrity presents Chief of Department Edward MacDowell with a municipal proclamation.
Witnessing, from left: Fireman George Wade, Fireman Harrison MacNeir, Fireman John Gaffney Sr., Fireman James Troutman, Fireman Ernest Tartaglia, Captain Allen Hess, Fireman John Yates, District Chief Harry Wagner (obscured), District Chief Edward Michalak, Fireman Dominick Dalanni, Fireman Howard Lewis, Fireman Henry Keubler

Fire Captain Is Promoted

Camden Courier-Post — April 30, 1964

Acting Chief of Department, 1964

Edward V. Michalak as Acting Chief with other officers, 1964 — From left: Joseph Guarino, Edward V. Michalak
Robert Dukes and Ervin Brennan.

20 Firemen Pass Test For Captain

Camden Courier-Post — September 26, 1964

Change of Command, December 31, 1964

Change of command - Chief MacDowell greets incoming Chief Michalak on December 31 1964 — A Change of Command on New Year’s Eve — Retiring Chief of Department Edward MacDowell greeting incoming Chief of Department Edward Michalak following the 0800 roll call on December 31, 1964

Michalak Takes Fire Dept. Reins

Camden Courier-Post — December 31, 1964

House of Hazards at the Central YMCA

Camden Courier-Post — January 28, 1965

New Pumper Assigned to Engine Co. 3

Camden Courier-Post — 1965

First Annual Retirement Dinner

May 3, 1966

Camden Third in State Fire Prevention Campaign

Camden Courier-Post — 1965

Appointment to Chief of Department, July 1, 1965

Edward Michalak's appointment to Chief of Department on July 1 1965 — July 1, 1965 — On the occasion of Edward Michalak’s appointment to Chief of Department (seated from left) retiring Chief of Department Edward MacDowell, Chief Edward Michalak, Director Keith Kauffman; (standing from left) District Chiefs Frank Deal, Joseph Guarino, Robert Dukes, Anthony Saponare, Theodore Primas, Daniel Jiannetto, Fireman Erwin Brennan, Major William Gwynne of the Volunteers of America Fire Canteen.

Chief of Department, 1965

Edward Michalak with other fire department officers, 1965 — Chief of Department Edward V. Michalak with officers, 1965

Camden Is 3d In Nation in Fire Prevention

Camden Courier-Post — 1965

Letter to National Fire Protection Association

November 16, 1965

7 Firemen Take Oaths in Camden

Camden Courier-Post — February 1, 1966

3 Boys Killed in Camden Fire

Camden Courier-Post — February 5, 1966

Chief Michalak with Other Fire Officials, 1966

Chief Edward V. Michalak with fire department officials, 1966

Spring Clean Up Week

May 1966

City Firemen Seek 42-Hr. Work Week

Camden Courier-Post — May 24, 1966

Leon Puszczykowski appointed to Camden Fire Department, May 24 1966 — By JOSEPH R. MC CARTHY Courier-Post Staff

Camden Fire Department members of the International Association of Firefighters, Local 788, are circulating petitions seeking a 42-hour work week.

Kenneth Clark, president of the local, said the firemen now work 56 hours and although they have attempted many times to obtain a 42-hour week, they decided to resort to the voters.

Clark said the firemen already have the required 4,882 signatures to place the question on the ballot as a referendum. He said the group expects to produce between 7,500 and 8,000 signatures.

The union has 131 members, or about half of the membership of the department, Clark said. Clark said all other departments of the city government work 42-hour weeks, or less. He cited the police department as having been on 42 hours since 1950.

“All major cities in the state, with the exception of one small city,” Clark said, “have their paid firemen working 42 hours a week.”

Fire Chief Edward Michalak said granting of the reduced hours would mean the addition of 74 new men to sufficiently man the department.

Leon Puszczykowski, president of the Firemen’s Benevolent Association, answered “no comment,” when asked about the plan.

Clark said a general meeting of all city firemen has been called for 8 o’clock in the Police and Fire Club, 1175 Whitman Avenue.

Joseph J. McComb, president of the Central Labor Union, will address the firemen, Clark reported.

Fire Hydrant Vandalism Cited

Camden Courier-Post — October 5, 1966

Handshakes Greet Two New Deputy Fire Chiefs

Camden Courier-Post — November 29, 1966

Chief Michalak, 1967

Ray’s Tavern Fire, 5th and Mickle Streets

Firemen climb ladder to roof of Ray's Tavern at 5th and Mickle Streets, February 10 1967 — FIREMEN climb ladder to the roof and second floor of the blaze which raged out of control at Ray’s Tavern, 5th and Mickle Streets, early today. Other firefighters braved dense smoke and flames inside building.

4 Trapped in Blaze Saved by Firemen

Camden Courier-Post — February 10, 1967

By JOSEPH McCARTHY, Courier-Post Staff

City firemen fought smoke, flames, snow and a biting cold during the night and early morning hours as a rash of fires severely damaged four buildings and destroyed a tavern.

According to Public Safety Director Keith Kauffman, at one point only two engine companies were not actively fighting the blazes as seven engine companies, three ladder companies, the rescue squad and three battalion chiefs were at the fire scenes.

At the site of the worst fire, 5th and Mickle Streets, police and firemen braved dense smoke and fierce flames to rescue four elderly persons trapped in first, second and third floor apartments.

Started In Tavern Lounge

The blaze, which broke out in the lounge of Ray’s Tavern, was discovered by Patrolmen Augustus Balzano and Anthony Saponare at 3:58 a.m. after they were alerted of smoke by highway employees battling the second snowstorm of the week.

The two policemen, after radioing the alarm, kicked in the door of the tavern and raced through the smoke and flames to rescue Mrs. Agnes Lockhart, 58, from her upstairs apartment.

The patrolmen took Mrs. Lockhart to Cooper Hospital where she was admitted with a cut head and smoke inhalation.

Minutes later firemen, headed by Battalion Chief Biaggio Ardire, arrived. Ardire said the tavern was engulfed in smoke and flames. He said the flames leaped from the tavern roof to a luncheonette and apartment building next door.

Ardire said firemen raised a ladder to the third floor of the second building where Mrs. Mabel Seward, 64, was hanging from a window ledge. However, firemen were hampered in the rescue attempt by the narrow space of the alley and could only hold the screaming woman until other firefighters could make their way to the third floor window from inside the building.

The rescuers, wearing face masks, wrapped Mrs. Seward in blankets and carried her through the flames to safety.

Two Carried Out

At the same time, more fire fighters entered the burning building and carried out Mrs. Viola Lagerprantz, 65, who lived in a rear apartment on the first floor and John J. Smith, 86, from a second-floor apartment.

All the victims were taken to Cooper Hospital for smoke inhalation treatment and released an hour later.

Kauffman ordered the victims, still wrapped in blankets, taken to fire headquarters at 3rd and Arch Streets and notified city welfare authorities. The Welfare Department obtained temporary housing for the three victims at Volunteers of America headquarters, 828 Market Street. Each victim lost all possessions in the blaze.

Additional Alarms

Ardire, at 4:27 a.m. called for additional fire crews and an hour later requested more aid. Battalion Chief Daniel Jiannetto’s unit answered the first distress call while Acting Battalion Chief Arthur Batten’s men arrived on the second plea.

Batten’s unit had been fighting two North Camden blazes since 10:53 last night.

Ardire said that when firemen attempted to get into the buildings, the fire was raging forward, backward, and straight up the stairwells out of control.

The owner of the luncheonette, Dominic Padulla, arrived at the scene about 5:30 a.m. Padulla and his brother, Frank, who also had been out, live on the first floor.

Canteen Truck on Scene

Volunteers of America Canteen truck with Colonel William Gwynne also was at the scene and served firemen coffee and donuts.

Fire Chief Edward Michalak said he has ordered a complete investigation of the fire.

Kauffman said 5th Street south of Mickle and Mickle Street east of 5th has been closed to traffic indefinitely.

In the two other fires in North Camden, a grocery store was damaged at 442 N. 9th Street, and two vacant buildings at 623–625 North Front Street were damaged.

Grocery Store Blaze

Batten said a defective chimney apparently caused the grocery store blaze which raged through joists and partitions. The store is operated by Benjamin Lamberte while the building is owned by Mrs. Sarah Schecter of Baird Boulevard according to the battalion chief.

Batten’s crew were forced to make two trips to the vacant buildings as wind whipped flames. He said the fire probably was caused by vagrants seeking shelter from the snowstorm.

Before the firefighters could take off their fire apparel, they were dispatched to the 5th and Mickle Street blaze.

Fire Destroys Toy Shop, 2 South Camden Homes

Camden Courier-Post — March 8, 1967

Firemen Injured At Raging Blaze

Camden Courier-Post — March 8, 1967

Injuries from S. Broadway warehouse fire, March 8 1967 — Five Are Felled

Most of the firemen were standing around the Volunteers of America canteen truck drinking coffee. Some were still throwing water on the smoldering fire. Their faces were streaked with soot and dripping with water and sweat and their eyes were blurry red and burning from staying too long in too much heat and smoke. Somewhere among the 100 or so firemen who agreed they had put in a good day’s work were five men who were felled by the smoke and falling debris. Four were taken to Cooper Hospital where they were treated for their injuries and released. One refused hospitalization and was treated at the scene. All reported back to the fire and reentered the blazing warehouse at Broadway and Line Street to finish their job.

23-Year Vet

Capt. Louis Martelli, 53, of 569 Line Street, is a 23-year veteran of the department. While inside the burning building, he was overcome by the smoke and poisonous fumes. He staggered out and was given oxygen by the rescue squad unit. He attempted to go back into the building but Fire Chief Edward V. Michalak ordered him to Cooper Hospital. An hour later, he was back on the job. Michalak said he ordered Martelli to the hospital because the man has a respiratory ailment from breathing smoke and fumes for many years.

Others Injured

Capt. Charles Bates, 44, of 832 N. 34th Street, was treated at Cooper for a case of smoke inhalation and mild shock. Bates was struck by falling bricks inside the building. Anthony Dariano, 28, of 3000 Mickle Street, was treated for an injured left arm. He was struck by a falling pipe. Francis Stibi, 38, of 3310 Lemuel Avenue, was treated for a cut right hand. He was hit with flying glass. Joseph Simpson, 33, of 2821 Garfield Avenue, was overcome by smoke but after a few gulps of oxygen from the rescue unit, raced back into the burning building.

‘Job to Finish’

Chief Michalak said the men showed a “great display of devotion to duty.” Dariano said, “There was a job to finish and we needed all the men we could get.” The others agreed.

General Alarm — Two Fires Destroy 9 Buildings

Camden Courier-Post — May 20, 1967

General alarm fire at 9th and Lawrence Streets, May 20 1967 — Seventy-five Camden firemen fought a general alarm fire that destroyed nine empty row homes at two locations early today.

Battalion Chief John Giuliano said fire broke out simultaneously at 10th and Cooper Streets and 9th and Lawrence Streets shortly after 2 a.m.

Although the fires were under control within two hours, firemen worked at the scene for almost six hours, Giuliano said. Several nearby families were evacuated from the area as a precautionary measure.

Five homes were destroyed at the 10th and Cooper site and four at the latter location. The buildings were being razed to make room for the new highway approach to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.

Giuliano said both fires obviously were set and are under investigation by the fire marshal's office.

At the time the general alarm was sounded, firemen were fighting a blaze that razed a three-story vacant home at 313 Stevens Street, Giuliano said. That fire also is under investigation.

Fire-fighting operations were directed by Camden Fire Chief Edward Michalak.

—Courier-Post Photo by James Stewart
CAMDEN FIREMEN use ladder to enter window of smoke-filled vacant house during general alarm fire early today at 9th and Lawrence Streets.

CAMDEN FIREMEN use ladder to enter window of smoke-filled vacant house during general alarm fire early today at 9th and Lawrence streets.
North 9th Street — Cooper Street — Lawrence Street — Stevens Street — North 10th Street
John Giuliano — Edward Michalak

Newly Appointed Firefighters

Camden Fire Department — November 10, 1967

Eleven Recruits Join Fire Dept

Camden Courier-Post — July 15, 1968

New firefighters sworn in, July 15 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.

New firemen from Camden are John J. Nicholson, 22; Howard P. Murphy, 23; Joseph A. Broccoli, 28; Michael J. Deets, 21; Donald Jankiewicz, 21; Robert Allen, 24; Parris Branch, 24; Joseph Rotchford, 22; James Gallagher, 27; and George Jackson, 29.

Another new member of the force is Ronald Kowalski, 27, of Audubon. The recruits will undergo a six-week training period.

’Molten Tin’ Fire Burns RR Warehouse

Camden Courier-Post — August 15, 1968

Railroad warehouse fire, August 15 1968 — Courier-Post Staff

A general alarm fire, the second in two days, early today destroyed a Penn-Central Railroad warehouse and eight freight cars loaded with tin plate destined for the canning lines at Campbell Soup.

The blaze, discovered at 1:57 a.m., turned the three-block long warehouse, running from Clinton to Washington along 2nd Street in Camden, into a slag heap of white-hot embers. Steel beams were twisted and warped by the heat. Four freight cars were reduced to ash and puddles of molten tin; four additional cars were seriously damaged. Eight automobiles parked on a nearby lot also went up in flame.

Fire Chief Edward V. Michalak Jr., said the possibility of arson was being explored. “You can just bet we’re going to look into this one awfully close,” he commented.

Capt. Charles A. Bates of Engine Co. 6, one of the first men on the scene, said: “The wheels on the truck hadn’t stopped rolling yet when we pulled the second alarm.” Although companies arrived within minutes after receiving a box alarm, “the yard was entirely gone by the time we got there,” Bates explained.

A third alarm was sounded at 2:07 a.m. and the fire became a general alarmer at 2:12 a.m. Chief Michalak ordered homes in a five-block area opposite the warehouse evacuated. Many residents already had fled and some courted disaster by rescuing their autos from a parking lot adjacent to the warehouse.

Some 25 city fire units, including five which had been fighting a grocery store fire at Haddon Avenue and Line Street, converged on the scene when the general alarm was issued. All off-duty and auxiliary duty firemen in the city were called in and the mutual-aid fire company plan brought 13 suburban companies in to provide backup protection at the empty firehouses. Three of the units — from Brooklawn, Audubon and Gloucester City — assisted at the scene.

Firemen were hampered by heavy smoke and strong winds, which blew firebrands of burning wood onto the roofs of nearby homes. Some of the embers, Michalak said, were two feet in length. “We had to go to the rooftops with pump tanks to extinguish secondary fires,” he said.

Michalak ordered the homes evacuated when it appeared that the buildings might ignite spontaneously in the intense heat.

The warehouse, owned by Penn-Central but operated by the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines, had been used to store tin rolls heading for Campbell Soup’s 2nd and Arch Street can-making factory. Damaged freight also was stored in the facility.

Despite the strike at Campbell Soup, freight trains manned by a “blue-ribbon” crew of supervisory personnel had continued to move goods from the

[Continued on Page 2 — Col. 1]

BLAZING shell of railroad warehouse collapses of ball of white-hot flame during height of early morning fire today. Warehouse, railroad cars and autos were destroyed.
Edward V. Michalak — Charles A. Bates — Engine Company 6 — Alfred Nigro

Boy, Girl Saved in City Fire

Camden Courier-Post — August 21, 1968

Boy, Girl Saved in City Fire

Two children were revived by artificial resuscitation last night after being rescued from flames which damaged a bedroom of their home.

The boy and girl, two-year-old Kenneth and eight-month-old Tracy, are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Bagby of 2108 Van Buren Street, Camden.

They were rescued after fire broke out in a second floor bedroom of the home at 11:19 PM. They were asleep in the room at the time.

Fought Flames

The girl was rescued by James Robinson, acting captain of Engine Company Three. Robinson went through the building until he reached the bedroom.

According to Battalion Chief Thomas McCabe, Robinson fought his way through the flames and heat in the room to reach the child. The girl was not breathing when rescued, McCabe said, but Robinson performed the artificial resuscitation.

The boy was rescued by Captain Chester Gedrich of Engine Company 10, who climbed a ladder to reach the bedroom. The youth was handed down the ladder and revived by fireman Joseph Lesniewski of Engine Company 10.

Taken to Hospital

The children were taken to West Jersey Hospital Northern Division, Camden, where they were examined and released.

Two other Bagby girls, five-year-old Dawn and six-year-old Kim, were next door, at 2106 Van Buren Street, with their mother when the fire broke out.

Chief McCabe said he did not know the whereabouts of the father at the time of the fire.

Twelve Sworn In As City Firemen

Camden Courier-Post — November 8, 1968

New firefighters appointed to Camden Fire Department, November 8 1968 — Twelve men were sworn in today to implement the second phase of a 42-hour work week for Camden city firemen.

The new firemen, three of them following their fathers into public service, were administered the oath by Fire Chief Edward V. Michalak.

The men will begin basic training at the city’s fire academy immediately, Michalak said, in order to begin their duties in January.

They are part of a total complement of 24 who will be used to allow some of the department’s firemen to begin a 42-hour work week.

So far one-third of the department have been working the new schedule, approved by voters last November.

An additional 12 men are expected to be appointed within the next few weeks. The entire department is scheduled to work 42 hours by January, 1970, when the third phase of the plan goes into operation.

Three of the men appointed today represent second generations to work for the city or county. They are: Jerome J. Watson, 21, of 935 Beideman Ave., whose father, Donald, is a former city police chief; Daniel J. Galasso, 26, of 3023 Atlanta Road, whose father, Charles, is warden of the Camden County jail; and William H Huelas, 22, of 320 E. Bettlewood Ave., Oaklyn, whose father, John, is a captain in the city fire department.

In addition, twins Ronald J. and Robert G. Boyle, 22, of 1127 N. 33rd St. were included in the group.

Others appointed were: George S. Szychulski, 22, of 1412 Mt. Ephraim Ave.; Glenn H. Moore, 23, of 142 Chestnut Ave., Woodlynne; Marvin W. Bendy, 28, of 250 S. 3rd St., Gloucester; Samuel Battle Jr., 21 of 1121 Kaighns Ave.; Ronald Angemi, 22, of 1306 Merrimac Road; Robert C. Welch, 28, of 1475 Ormond Ave.; and George R. Abbey, 25, of 1 Oak Walk.

Chief Michalak, November 1968

Six Begin Fire ’Basic’

Camden Courier-Post — January 3, 1969

New firefighter appointments, January 3 1969 — Six Camden men started basic training to become firemen today.

The six recruits bring the Camden Fire Department to full complement, according to Fire Chief Edward V. Michalak.

They are Thomas S. Watson Jr. of 1022 N. 24th St., Lloyd W. Henshall of 1153 Bergen Ave., Lloyd G. Birdsong of 2103 S. 9th St., Leon J. Johnson of 2981 Alabama Rd., Richard P. Williams of 507 S. 6th St. and Curtis J. Britt of 1144 Marion St.

Receipt from CFD Captain Warren Carter, 1969

1969 receipt from CFD Captain Warren Carter — 1969 — Receipt from CFD Captain Warren Carter

Eight Cited For Service Above Duty

Camden Courier-Post — March 27, 1969

Eight Cited For Service Above Duty

Two Camden Fire Department Engine Companies were awarded unit citations and eight firemen attached to the companies were each given merit citations yesterday for service above and beyond the call of duty.

Camden Fire Chief Edward V. Michalak awarded the citations to representatives of Engine Companies 3 and 10 in ceremonies held in the department’s headquarters at Third and Arch Streets.

Chief Michalak said the eight firemen under adverse conditions and without regard to personal safety, boldly rescued two children from a burning second story bedroom last August 20.

According to Michalak, captain Chester Gedrich, 47, entered the home located at 2108 Van Buren Street, by ladder and rescued 8 month old Tracy Bagby, passing her to Joseph J. Lesniewski, 40, who took her to the street and gave her artificial respiration.

Meanwhile, Michalak said, acting Captain James Robinson, 31, entered the flaming building, went up the stairway and rescued Tracy’s, 7-year-old brother Kenneth.

Assisting in the rescue were firemen Clair H. Graham, 58, Harold Johnson Jr., Ronald Gorski, 30, George Kurtyan, 24, and Robert W. Frett also 24.

4 Firemen Suspended By Melleby

Camden Courier-Post — October 14, 1969

Equipment Check

Camden Courier-Post — November 15, 1969

March 3, 1971

Camden Honors Heroic Fireman

Camden Courier-Post — May 6, 1971

Paper Warehouse Fire

Camden Courier-Post — May 8, 1972

Fire Rakes Paper Firm In Camden

Camden Courier-Post — May 8, 1972

Paper warehouse fire continued, May 8 1972 — A three-alarm fire, fed by tons of waste paper, blazed out of control this morning in the Abbey Paper Stock Co. warehouse in the 1300 block of Pine Street, Camden.

Two-thirds of the city fire-fighting equipment was at the scene as firemen, hampered at times by failing water pressure from a leaky hydrant, fought to contain the blaze. Cinders and pieces of burning tar paper fell throughout the area starting small fires in brush and grass.

The first alarm was sounded at 10:32 shortly after the fire started in the 96-year-old three-story brick warehouse used to house waste paper. Batallion [sic] fire chief James Stewart said that when he arrived on the scene the fire was already burning through the roof and the west wall of the brick building had collapsed onto a one-story structure beside it, also owned by the paper company.

Stewart said he sounded the second alarm at 10:35 a.m. and the third at 10:40 a.m. Fire chief Edward V. Michalak Sr. arrived on the scene after the third alarm had sounded.

The fire was the second blaze in the complex of warehouses in five months. No one from the company was at the scene this morning, and firemen reported no injuries. Employes of the Allied Chemical Co., across Pine Street from the blazing warehouse, stood guard behind a high wire fence with fire-fighting equipment as burning embers drifted over the fence.

View a 3-minute video of the May 8, 1972 warehouse fire on YouTube.

A 3-minute video of the May 8, 1972 warehouse fire is available on YouTube.

Warehouse Blaze Cause Under Probe

Camden Courier-Post — May 9, 1972

Pon-Pas Paper Stock Company warehouse fire, May 9 1972 — An investigation was continuing today into the cause of a three-alarm fire yesterday that destroyed the warehouse of a Camden waste paper packing firm.

The first alarm was sounded shortly after 10 a.m. when the fire broke out in the warehouse of the Pon-Pas Paper Stock Co. in the 1300 block Pine Street. The 96-year-old building was used to store bales of waste paper which was later recycled.

Two-thirds of the city’s fire-fighting equipment was at the scene as firemen, hampered at times by failing water pressure from a leaky hydrant, fought to contain the blaze. Cinders and pieces of burning tarpaper fell throughout the area starting small fires in brush and grass. The fire was reported under control at noon.

According to Al Fabel, general manager for the firm, no estimate of damage has been made. He said no one from the company was at the warehouse yesterday when the fire started. Firemen reported no injuries.

Fabel couldn’t estimate how many fires have been started at the warehouse, but did say there have been several in past years. “One of the problems we have at the warehouse,” Fabel said, “is vandalism. We check that warehouse every day, and three out of five times a week we find the door open and paper all over the place.”

Firemen did not indicate they suspect arson at the warehouse, formerly owned by Abbey Paper Stock Co.

The second alarm was sounded at 10:35 a.m., Batallion [sic] Chief James Stewart said yesterday, and the third at 10:40 a.m.

BROKEN HYDRANT wasn’t much help to firemen yesterday at a blaze which destroyed a Pon-Pas Paper Stock Co. warehouse on Pine Street. The fire marshal’s office is investigating the fire. Charles DiBartolomeo, superintendent of Camden’s Water Department, said this hydrant apparently was struck by a heavy vehicle and broken off at the bottom.

Chief Michalak at Fourth Alarm Fire

August 23, 1972

Poet’s Row Fire

August 23, 1972

Fire Ruins 14 Houses, Arson Seen

Camden Courier-Post — June 18, 1974

Three-alarm fire believed set by arsonists sweeps through the 400 block of S. 4th Street in Camden Monday, destroying nine houses — THREE-ALARM fire believed set by arsonists sweeps through the 400 block of S. 4th Street in Camden Monday, destroying nine houses. Courier-Post Photo by John Avery.

Fire Ruins 14 Houses, Arson Seen

By JOSEPH BUSLER

A fire believed to be the work of arsonists swept through 14 houses on the 400 block of S. 4th Street, Camden, Monday afternoon, virtually destroying nine of them and heavily damaging the rest.

Twenty-two persons were left homeless.

The three-alarm fire apparently was set on the second floor rear of 423 S. 4th St., one of four vacant houses on the block. It then travelled along an air-space between the second-floor ceiling and the roof to spread to all the houses, according to Camden Fire Chief Edward Michalak.

A combination of low water pressure and inoperative fire hydrants delayed firemen’s efforts for several minutes, according to fire officials.

Neighbors reported that fires had occurred on several occasions recently in the vacant houses of the block, and that No. 423 had been set afire Sunday night. It has also been the site of a fire which seriously damaged it Friday night, the neighbors said.

No one was injured during Monday’s fire, which was first reported at 3:49 p.m. and which was brought under control at about 6 p.m. The second alarm was turned in at 3:55 p.m. and the third at 4:05 p.m. according to Battalion Chief John Giuliano.

The affected block of houses extended between Washington and Berkley Streets in Camden’s Lanning Square section.

Although the fire blanketed most of central and south Camden in acrid gray smoke, few flames were visible from the street. However, the roofs of nine of the houses collapsed into the second floor, and firemen were forced to chop holes through the remaining roofs to stop the spread of the blaze. Water drenched the contents even of the houses that sustained little fire damage, and residents were hauling out what water-soaked furniture and clothes they could reach even as firemen continued to pour water onto the smouldering roofs.

Mrs. Hermina Gonzalez, of 419 S. 4th St., one of the more heavily damaged homes, said she was sitting in her house when a neighbor came running in yelling, “Fire! Fire! Get out!”

Her husband, Juan, who with his wife operates a corner grocery store located in the first floor of their home, estimated his loss at $12,000. No official estimates of the total damage were available, although one policeman, who knew several residents, said “There were some of the nicest homes in South Camden in that block.”

Painters had just completed repainting the interior of 433 S. 4th St. hours before the fire struck. L. Willis, the owner, would say only, “A tragedy has happened here.” But his neighbors said he had had the house redecorated as a surprise for his wife, Julia, who was in Atlanta, Ga.

Chief Michalak said the fire was “of suspicious origin…we definitely believe it was set.”

The time of day, the fact that the fire started in the second floor of a vacant house and its quick spread through houses that were peopled were all factors indicating arson, Michalak said.

“It’s not the first time we’ve been on this row,” Michalak said, referring to the previous fires.

The three-alarm fire, which occurred simultaneously with a fire in East Camden, tied up most of the city’s fire-fighting equipment, so two pumpers usually kept in reserve were impressed into service, Michalak said. Additionally, volunteer companies from Haddon Heights, Audubon and Westmont were brought into the city on a stand-by basis.

Seven pumpers and two ladder trucks manned by 54 firemen were used to fight the blaze, Michalak said. Included among these were two pumpers and a ladder truck recently acquired by Camden from Philadelphia and still bearing the Philadelphia Fire Department insignia, leading many onlookers to believe the Philadelphia department had been called in.

Battalion Chief Giuliano said that firefighting efforts had been delayed perhaps 10 minutes by low water pressure.

“Ten minutes is a long time in the fire-fighting business,” Guilano [sic] said, but would not estimate to what extent the delay had increased the damage.

Three fire hydrants near the scene of the fire were found to be inoperable, and firemen had to stretch hoses over two blocks away to get adequate water.

Firemen said that the number of inoperable fire hydrants in Camden is so large that the fire department recently completed a survey of all fireplugs in Camden and has marked the defective ones so that no time will be wasted attempting to link up hoses to them.

Residents reported that one hydrant, located on Berkley Street between 4th and 5th Streets, has been inoperable for over two years and had remained unrepaired despite numerous complaints.

Representatives from the City Welfare Department and the OEO Neighborhood Council were on hand to relocate those dispossessed by the fire. Most of the residents made arrangements to stay with relatives or friends.

Fatal fire truck crash is blamed on their sirens

Camden Courier-Post — August 18, 1975

By TONY DAVIS
Courier-Post Staff

A Camden fire official said he believes Saturday’s collision of two fire trucks that killed one person and injured 14 others was caused by the inability of the drivers to hear each other’s vehicle over their own sirens.

However, Acting First Battalion Chief Joseph Anderson stressed that he was only “theorizing” and that a full investigation of the crash would begin today. The two trucks, Engines One and Eight, collided at 6th and Pine Streets at about 5:15 pm, Saturday, Anderson said.

The impact of the crash sent Engine Eight, which was heading north on 6th Street, into the Livecchi grocery store while Engine One, which was heading east on Pine Street, stopped safely about one block north on 6th Street, Anderson said.

The two vehicles were en route to the scene of a minor fire in a vacant house about two blocks from the scene of the collision. Anderson said another truck was called to extinguish the blaze.

Dead was 65-year-old Wilkins Tisdale, of 583 Line Street, Camden, according to Blair M. Murphy, an investigator for the Camden County Medical Examiner’s office. Murphy said the causes of death were internal injuries and a severed arm.

Tisdale, a retired construction worker who had just walked out of the grocery store, was pinned for 90 minutes under a large freezer in the store, Anderson said.

Juanita Dorsey, 34, 704 Pine Street Camden, who had been standing inside the store, was pinned under the freezer when it was hit by the truck, Anderson said. The woman was listed in satisfactory condition in Cooper Hospital with back injuries.

Richard Sorenson, a hoseman for Engine Eight, was in critical condition at Cooper with a punctured lung, broken ribs and a broken nose, right shoulder and right arm.

Paul Delfing, driver of Engine One, and James Peterson, driver of Engine Eight, were both pinned inside the cabs of their vehicles for 20 minutes, and later treated and released from Cooper for head and facial injuries, Anderson said.

Sorenson and five other firemen on the two trucks were all thrown from them by the crash. The other firemen injured were Joseph Chelhowski, captain of Engine Eight, who was in satisfactory condition in West Jersey Hospital, Northern Division with ankle injuries and bruises.

Albert Collum, captain of Engine One, who was in stable condition at Cooper with a concussion, a broken finger, contusions and bruises.

William Smith, a hoseman for Engine Eight, who was being held for observation at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital with head and facial cuts and bruises.

John Asher, a hoseman for Engine One, and Paul Capazola, a hoseman for Engine Eight, who were treated and released from Cooper for cuts and bruises.

Five other persons were injured, none seriously, in the crash. One, Leonard Medford, of 611 Line Street, Camden, was in satisfactory condition at Cooper Hospital with leg injuries. The others were all treated and released from Cooper and Lourdes hospitals.

Anderson said the diesel engines of the two trucks both received “extensive” damage and that he did not know if the eight-year-old trucks, which he said usually last 15 years, could be used again.

Chief Edward V. Michalak said the department has pressed two of its older, auxiliary pumpers into service to keep the city’s nine engine companies and three ladder companies at full strength.

Michalak said, however, that the two trucks damaged were among the newest the City owned.

Although he would put no dollar estimate on the damages, he said they were “excessive” and that it would not be known until at least Tuesday whether they could be repaired.

The city will not be receiving any new fire trucks until next April, when delivery of four pumpers is expected.

Although the city has experienced fire truck mishaps before, the chief, a 33-year veteran of the force, said this was the most serious.

He would not comment on the cause of the accident pending completion of the department’s investigation.

Fatal Fire Truck Crash at 6th and Pine Streets

Camden Courier-Post — August 18, 1975

Council Checking Into Crash

Camden Courier-Post — August 22, 1975

Council Checking Into Crash

By RICH BERGEMAN
Courier-Post Staff

The brakes on one Camden fire engine will be examined by a specialist to see whether brake failure was responsible for Saturday’s collision of two fire trucks in which one man was killed and 14 persons injured.

However, Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Jiannetto, appearing before Camden City Council Thursday, said he felt the possibility of brake failure was remote because Engine No. 8 is safeguarded by a complex triple-brake system.

Jiannetto said James Peterson, the driver for Engine Co. No. 8, reported he believed the brakes on his vehicle failed to function when he saw Engine Co. No. 1 emerge from a cross-street.

The collision occurred at 6th and Pine Streets as both fire companies were responding to a house fire about two blocks north of the accident scene. The crash sent Engine No. 8 through the wall of Livecchi’s Grocery at 601 Pine Street, killing Wilkins Tisdale, 65, a shopper emerging from the store at the time.

Engine No. 8 was traveling north on 6th, which is a through street, while Engine No. 1 was headed east on Pine for 7th Street, where the driver planned to turn north to the fire scene.

Both captains reported their vehicles were traveling at a relatively slow rate of speed, and that buildings at the corners of 6th and Pine obscured their view.

There was also speculation that the drivers were unable to hear each other approach because of the noise from their own sirens.

So far, fire and police department investigators have not yet fixed blame on either driver, according to Public Safety Director David Kelly.

Jiannetto said representatives from Ward Lafrance Co., manufacturers of the two eight-year-old vehicles, have told them Engine No. 1 was demolished, but Engine No. 8 may be repairable.

Martin McKernan, city attorney, said the city carries $250 deductible collision insurance on both vehicles, and said the city is also covered by liability insurance concerning the injuries and damages caused to those outside the department.

Still hospitalized are:

Juanita Dorsey, 34, of 704 Pine Street, listed in fair condition at Cooper Hospital with back injuries.

Leonard Medford, of 611 Line Street, listed in fair condition at Cooper with leg injuries.

Richard Sorenson, a hoseman for Co. No. 8, listed in serious condition at Cooper with a punctured lung, broken ribs and a broken nose, shoulder and arm.

William Smith, also a hoseman for Co. No. 8, listed in satisfactory condition at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital with head and facial cuts.

Mitchell Street Boarding House Fire

November 23, 1977

Mayor Errichetti and Chief Michalak

Mayor Angelo Errichetti and Chief Edward V. Michalak with CFD photographer Bob Bartosz — From Left: Mayor Angelo Errichetti, Chief Edward V. Michalak, Camden Fire Department photographer Bob Bartosz

Funeral of Chief Edward Michalak, 1994

Contingent of officers and members attend the funeral of Chief Edward Michalak at Saint Anthony of Padua R.C. Church, 1994 — A contingent of officers and members attend the funeral of retired Chief of Department Edward Michalak at Saint Anthony of Padua R.C. Church, 1994

Pallbearer Detail of six Chief Officers carry the remains of Chief Edward Michalak to Arlington Cemetery, Pennsauken, 1994 — Members of the department render salute as Pallbearer Detail of six Chief Officers carry the remains of Chief Edward Michalak to his final resting place at Arlington Cemetery in Pennsauken, New Jersey. In formation at far end of the column is Chief of Department Kenneth Penn and former Chief of Department John J. Mogck Jr.

Important Note!

Edward Vincent Michalak

Personnel Record and Badge Receipt

Engine Company 3 and the 3rd Battalion, 1956

Staff Office at Fire Headquarters, 1961

Cleaner Plant Blast Injures Fire Captain

Camden Courier-Post — December 23, 1958

Mutual Aid Fire Drill ‘Success’

Camden Courier-Post — October 2, 1963

Director Garrity Presents Proclamation to Chief MacDowell

Fire Captain Is Promoted

Camden Courier-Post — April 30, 1964

Acting Chief of Department, 1964

20 Firemen Pass Test For Captain

Camden Courier-Post — September 26, 1964

Change of Command, December 31, 1964

Michalak Takes Fire Dept. Reins

Camden Courier-Post — December 31, 1964

House of Hazards at the Central YMCA

Camden Courier-Post — January 28, 1965

New Pumper Assigned to Engine Co. 3

Camden Courier-Post — 1965

First Annual Retirement Dinner

May 3, 1966

Camden Third in State Fire Prevention Campaign

Camden Courier-Post — 1965

Appointment to Chief of Department, July 1, 1965

Chief of Department, 1965

Camden Is 3d In Nation in Fire Prevention

Camden Courier-Post — 1965

Letter to National Fire Protection Association

November 16, 1965

7 Firemen Take Oaths in Camden

Camden Courier-Post — February 1, 1966

3 Boys Killed in Camden Fire

Camden Courier-Post — February 5, 1966

Chief Michalak with Other Fire Officials, 1966

Spring Clean Up Week

May 1966

City Firemen Seek 42-Hr. Work Week

Camden Courier-Post — May 24, 1966

Fire Hydrant Vandalism Cited

Camden Courier-Post — October 5, 1966

Handshakes Greet Two New Deputy Fire Chiefs

Camden Courier-Post — November 29, 1966

Chief Michalak, 1967

Ray’s Tavern Fire, 5th and Mickle Streets

4 Trapped in Blaze Saved by Firemen

Camden Courier-Post — February 10, 1967

Fire Destroys Toy Shop, 2 South Camden Homes

Camden Courier-Post — March 8, 1967

Firemen Injured At Raging Blaze

Camden Courier-Post — March 8, 1967

General Alarm — Two Fires Destroy 9 Buildings

Camden Courier-Post — May 20, 1967

Newly Appointed Firefighters

Camden Fire Department — November 10, 1967

Eleven Recruits Join Fire Dept

Camden Courier-Post — July 15, 1968

’Molten Tin’ Fire Burns RR Warehouse

Camden Courier-Post — August 15, 1968

Boy, Girl Saved in City Fire

Camden Courier-Post — August 21, 1968

Twelve Sworn In As City Firemen

Camden Courier-Post — November 8, 1968

Chief Michalak, November 1968

Six Begin Fire ’Basic’

Camden Courier-Post — January 3, 1969

Receipt from CFD Captain Warren Carter, 1969

Eight Cited For Service Above Duty

Camden Courier-Post — March 27, 1969

4 Firemen Suspended By Melleby

Camden Courier-Post — October 14, 1969

Equipment Check

Camden Courier-Post — November 15, 1969

March 3, 1971

Camden Honors Heroic Fireman

Camden Courier-Post — May 6, 1971

Paper Warehouse Fire

Camden Courier-Post — May 8, 1972