Introduction
John Daniel Huelas was born John D. Hulasinski in Camden on December 12, 1913 to John and Katherine Hulasenski. He shortened his name to Huelas after he had joined the Camden Fire Department.
Known to his brother firefighters as Jake, John Huelas was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on July 15, 1942. He was then living at 2834 Howell Street in East Camden. He reported for duty the next day with Ladder Company 3 at North 27th Street and Federal Street in East Camden. He served with Ladder 3 until May 19, 1943 when he was transferred “across the floor” to Engine Company 9, quartered at the same East Camden location. He remained with Engine 9 until June 16, 1951 when he was promoted to Captain and sent to Engine Company 11 at 901 North 27th Street in Cramer Hill.
Captain Huelas served with Engine Company 11 for almost 14 years. He spent twenty-three months at Engine Company 2, 619 Kaighn Avenue, from December 1, 1965 until November 1, 1967; followed by 22 months at Rescue Company 1, ending his assignment there on September 1, 1969. Captain Huelas finished 1969 at Engine Company 10 on Morgan Boulevard in Fairview.
During this period Captain Huelas’ son, William H. Huelas, became a Camden firefighter. He was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on November 8, 1968 and went on to have a long and distinguished career.
The new decade saw a return to the Kaighn Avenue firehouse, this time with Engine Company 8, where he served until October 1, 1977. In anticipation of his retirement, Captain Huelas was assigned to the 2nd Battalion Pool on October 1, 1977. He retired on pension January 1, 1978 after having served the City of Camden for over 35 years.
John D. Huelas moved to 2826 Thompson Street at some point after joining the Fire Department, and later moved to 2738 Hayes Avenue in Cramer Hill. Later in life he moved to Franklinville, and then to Pennsgrove, New Jersey. He passed away on June 7, 1998.
Portrait
John D. “Jake” Huelas
With Norbert Sorensen, Circa 1948
Young Norbert Sorensen with Camden Fire Department member John D. “Jake” Huelas at 910 North 24th Street, circa 1948. Norbert and his brother Richard Sorensen both became Camden firefighters, as did John Huelas’s son, Bill Huelas.
New Fire Fighters, November 1968
Named: From Left: Jerome “Jerry” Watson, Daniel Galasso, Camden County Jail Warden Charles Galasso Sr., William Huelas, Captain John D. Huelas (in civilian clothes), and Chief of Department Edward Michalak.
New Fire Fighters
Camden Courier-Post —
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.
Fire Card
John D. Huelas