MARGATE - A fire destroyed a home on the 100 block of Jefferson Avenue Wednesday night. Firefighters worked quickly to control the blaze, and neighbors were shocked by what they saw.

"As soon as I came out, first thing I saw was just smoke pouring out up into the sky."

A fire engulfed a two story home on the 100 block of North Jefferson Avenue just before 6:30 Wednesday evening. Police and firefighters arrived on the scene a short time later.

"The flames were huge – I really couldn't believe it," said Margate resident Kelsey Dickerson.

As the firefighters arrived, neighbors say the flames were inching closer to.......Continue Reading 

ATLANTIC CITY - Thirteen men were added to the ranks of the Atlantic City Fire Department thanks to a "SAFER Grant" that was awarded to the city two years ago.

"I'm just really excited. I've been waiting for this day as long as I can remember."

For Eric Koob it's been a life long dream that has finally come true for him and twelve other men.

"I was happy with my career I was at, but when I got the call I was ecstatic," said recruit, Mauro Sandoval. "I hugged my kids and I kissed my wife."

For fire recruit Tim Brining, the career choice was almost fate.

"My dad was a volunteer when I was growing up and I always thought it was the greatest thing to do, to hang out at the fire house all the time."

As of Friday the newest group of Atlantic City firefighters are able to do just that.

"We got a ten million dollar grant a couple years ago to......Continue Reading 

Atlantic City added 13 firefighters to its ranks today, many who have already served the city on its Beach Patrol.

“Our ocean water rescue component just picked up a little,” Capt. Angelo DeMaio said as about half of the recruits introduced themselves as city lifeguards.

The firefighters were added using federal grant money awarded in February 2011. The grant previously was used to bring back 28 laid-off firefighters and add 20 new ones in November 2011. Now, with just five months left on the money, 13 more were hired.

But Fire Department leaders said they have applied for a SAFER — Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response — retention grant that would cover two additonal year. Fire Chief Dennis Brooks also said that several retirements are expected in February, likely allowing the department to hire even more firefighters.

The recruits will begin their eight-week training Monday, under DeMaio. All have lived in the city for at least the past five years, and most said they were either lifelong residents or had been in the city since they were children.

“I’m as excited as I am happy to see Atlantic City products taking advantage of the opportunity that’s being afforded to you,” Mayor Lorenzo Langford said.

The new recruits in order of their test standing are: Jason Pendlebury, Timothy Brining, Richard Restaino, Patrick McDevitt, Joseph Welsh III, Derrick Williams, William Nagle, Adrian Wilson Jr., Richard DiCioccio, Eric Koob, Patrick Reynolds, Matthew Dougherty and Mauro Sandoval.

Two years ago: Atlantic County considers countywide dispatch system

Congratulations to one of our own Elwood Firemen Tim Brining for being accepted into the Atlantic City Fire Department.  Tim has worked for over six years to get in to the department. He starts at the Fire Academy on Monday Jan 7th 2013.