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Family Affair: Father, Son Serve Together At Toms River Fire Department
Helping others runs in the Rice family’s blood.
Matthew Rice, 23, grew up surrounded by it.
His grandmother was an ICU nurse, his grandfather a police officer, and his dad, Dave, 47, is an EMT and firefighter. Matthew himself just graduated with his master’s degree in fire science: Explosion & investigation.
One of the best ways for father and son, Dave and Matthew, to spend time together is volunteering with Toms River Fire Co. No. 2 in the Toms River Fire Department.
“It can be a challenge at times volunteering together,” Dave laughed, “but it’s a lot of fun, a lot of ca…
Longtime Firefighter, Baseball Coach From Banksville Dies
A beloved firefighter, baseball coach, and Navy veteran from Northern Westchester is being remembered for his longstanding dedication to helping his community.
Banksville resident Preston Pratley died on Monday, May 27 at the age of 79, according to his obituary.
Born in 1944, Pratley was born in Greenwich and later moved to Banksville after marrying his wife, Geraldine Kerslake, in May 1968.
A graduate of St. Mary's High School in Greenwich, Pratley was a Navy veteran who also became a proud member of Local #38, Sheet Metal Workers.
He was also…
Former Newton FD Chief Edmund Zukowski Dies, 80
Edmund Zukowski, a longtime firefighter in Newton and former fire chief died on Thursday, May 23 at the age of 80, surrounded by his family, according to his obituary.
Zukowski was born in Newton and marred his high school sweetheart Rose in 1964, his obituary reads. After graduating from Montclair State College, he began teaching at Newton High School, where he taught industrial arts until his retirement in 1998, according to his obituary.
He began volunteering as a firefighter in 1968 at the Newton Steamer No. 1 Company, serving as Steamer Company Chief from 1990 to 1990 and was Newton Fi…
Newark Firefighter Injured In Three-Alarm Blaze: Authorities
One firefighter was injured and nearly 40 people were displaced following a three-alarm blaze in Newark on Monday, April 22, authorities said.
At 6:59 p.m., firefighters responded to a fire at 576 Broadway, an occupied 3-story, multi-use, multi-family building, that also houses a supermarket and El Kiosko Restaurant and Grill, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé said.
Firefighters observed a heavy fire upon arrival, and immediately called a 2nd alarm, requesting additional firefighters to the scene, Fragé said. The fire extended to adjacent occupied buildings, including a li…