South Essex Fire Department

04/08/2026

Members of SEFD as well as surrounding departments attended training presented by Deputy Chief Avillo (Ret.). Chief Avillo presented on “When Buildings Change the Rules of the Game”; a presentation focused on operations in large area low and mid rise apartment buildings. As our response area continues to be developed with more lightweight apartment buildings, the demand on the fire department continues to grow. This presentation aids in our continued training to be able to successfully operate in the buildings we respond to.

Thank you to Anthony Avillo and a special thank you to Seton Hall University for allowing us to utilize the facilities to hold such a training.

04/05/2026

A happy and safe tour to all of those working members today

04/03/2026

Always happy to lend a hand, and some fire safety tips, for the burning of the bread the morning before Passover

03/22/2026

Structure fire 3/21/26.

Conditions upon arrival of Deputy 3

Video credit to JAB Gutters Facebook

02/27/2026

Press Release: 02/25/2026 Pedestrian Struck

Any available information can be directed to the Maplewood Police Department Detective Isetts

02/20/2026

Press Release regarding 2/17/26 Signal 11 in Maplewood

02/13/2026

Friday PSA: If you see us out and about with the ladder truck or engines, stretching hose lines or operating the aerial device, there’s a good chance we are out training. The best way for us to be prepared to operate at the houses and buildings in town is to get out and train in the same environment.

Feel free to double check or just chat with the members to see what they are doing. But should it be a real emergency, there would be 4+ rigs operating and you would probably be able tell just by watching that it’s an active emergency scene

02/06/2026

Extending out deepest sympathies and continued thoughts and prayers to Camden and all those affected

📄PRESS RELEASE📄
PFANJ MOURNS THE TRAGIC LINE OF DUTY DEATH OF VETERAN CAMDEN FIREFIGHTER

🚒 "Today, the city of Camden and the entire state of New Jersey lost a hero. This tragedy is a stark and painful reminder that the dangers of this profession do not only exist within a burning building. Our members put their lives on the line every single day,“ proclaimed Mathew Caliente, PFANJ President. “We are devastated by the loss of Brother [Howard] Bennett who dedicated his life to protecting the residents of Camden. Our hearts, our prayers, and our full support are with his family, his friends, and the members of CFD Local 788 Firefighters Union and Camden Fire Officers Local #2578 during this unimaginably difficult time."

🫂 The PFANJ is working closely with our International Association of Fire Fighters locals to ensure the family and the department have every resource necessary as they navigate this profound loss. Peer support resources have been on the ground in Camden since early afternoon to assist our members who are grieving, and station coverage is being led by departments who make up Camden County IAFF Local 3249 to give our members who were on duty the time to cope with this tragedy.

🔗 Full Press Release: bit.ly/pfanj-bennett-lodd

02/03/2026

South Essex Firefighters Foundation is participating in Seton Hall Basketball’s first responder night. Feel free to purchase tickets through our link and enjoy a night out with the SEFD Firefighters Foundation!

2/11/26 @ 7:30 PM - South Essex Firefighters Foundation

02/03/2026

A firefighter who carried the resident out was also brought to a hospital to be checked.

02/02/2026

February 2, 2026. Gifford Court, Maplewood. 2nd alarm structure fire with rescue.