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.

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!

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.

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.

** **

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.

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.

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.

07/25/2026

STRUCTURE FIRE — NORTH MOUNTAIN AVE

Yesterday afternoon at 3:34 p.m., companies were dispatched to the 100 block of North Mountain Avenue for a deck fire extending up the siding of a home.

First-arriving crews found the deck fully involved and collapsed, with fire spreading under the siding into the exterior wall. Handlines were stretched to knock down the exterior fire while crews made entry to open up and chase extension inside. Primary and secondary searches were negative — including an extra search for a dog reported possibly inside, who was later confirmed safe with the homeowner.

No civilians were injured. One firefighter was treated and released for injuries sustained at the scene, and we wish him a speedy recovery.

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

06/19/2026

🚒 Training for the Moments That Matter Most

Thanks to funding secured through an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), members of the Montclair Fire Department recently completed an intensive four-day Vehicle Extrication Technician program with .

Over four days, firefighters trained on advanced vehicle stabilization, disentanglement, patient access, and modern rescue techniques using real-world crash scenarios. As vehicle technology continues to evolve, ongoing training like this is essential to ensuring our members are prepared to safely and effectively rescue trapped occupants.

06/05/2026

1,000 followers. 🚒🎉

When we started this page we made a promise — to show up for Montclair online the same way we show up for Montclair in the streets. Every single day.

1,000 of you said yes to that promise and we don’t take that lightly.

To every resident who followed, liked, shared, and commented — thank you. This page exists for YOU. We are just getting started and the best content is yet to come. 🙌

Montclair, you never disappoint. ❤️🚒

— The Montclair Fire Department Family

05/29/2026

Meet Tyler. 🚒😁

Born and raised right here in Montclair, Tyler has been serving this community as a firefighter for 5 years — and if you ask him, giving back to the town that raised him is exactly what the job is all about.

“Most people think we just put out fires. We have other responsibilities too.”

When he’s not suiting up, Tyler is… a stand-up comedian. 🎤 Yep. Montclair’s Bravest by day, making people laugh by night.

Funny. Responsible. Scholar.

We couldn’t be more proud to have Tyler on our team. Stay tuned — there are 69 more where he came from. 🚒❤️

Address

1 Pine Street
Montclair, NJ
07042

Website

https://www.montclairnjusa.org/Government/Departments/Fire-Department

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