Atlantic City International Airport Fire Department 24-1 IAFF Local S-18

06/14/2024

Happy Flag Day! 🇺🇸

05/12/2024

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Chief Gil Zonge of the Cardiff Fire Company. Please keep the Cardiff Fire Company, the Egg Harbor Township Fire Department and the Zonge family in your prayers as they navigate this difficult time. Over the years we have developed a strong working relationship with Egg Harbor Township’s fire companies largely in part due to Gil. His presence, and probably one of the most distinctive voices on Atlantic County fire channels, will be missed by all. Rest easy, Chief.

04/09/2024

There will be no change to flight schedule! Spirit is still flying out of ACY!

The airline also is deferring the delivery of new Airbus planes and furloughing 260 pilots in efforts to bounce back financially.

03/19/2024

On Saturday, March 16th, we had the pleasure of hosting our mutual aid partners in training evolutions based on Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) techniques. As members of our 2nd Alarm Assignment, these departments may be called on to perform vital functions in assisting with the extinguishment of fire, search and rescue along with RIC operations during an aircraft accident.

While all departments train on these scenarios as a part of their regular training, introducing an aircraft along with its unique hazards including the size, construction, materials and number of people in a confined area is an important area of understanding that many do not have an opportunity to experience.

We hope that everyone involved had the opportunity to learn something new and gain more knowledge in an area they may not have experienced prior to training. We would like to thank the 177th NJANG Fire Department, Brigantine Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2657, Pleasantville Fire Fighters IAFF Local 2616, Pleasantville Fire Officers IAFF Local 4928, Cardiff Volunteer Fire Company and Laureldale Fire Rescue for your time and look forward to more training in the near future.

01/12/2024

This post is a couple days later than I would have liked but the Airport Fire Department had the pleasure of swearing in our newest member, Salem Bahr, Wednesday evening. Firefighter Bahr has been with us for a few months now but, due to the holidays, we weren’t able to swear him in. Chief Quein officially swore in Firefighter Bahr and presented him his badge. Salem, welcome to the department and we wish you a memorable and safe career. Now get back to work!

12/14/2023

We are beyond humbled to be asked to help bring Santa to the John G. Leach School in New Castle, Delaware along with our amazing partners at the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City. Who needs reindeer when you can arrive in style on an MH-65 Dolphin?! Thank you to the staff of the John G. Leach School for this opportunity to spread some holiday cheer with your students! And a special thank you to Air Station Atlantic City for the incredible work you all do; not just yesterday but everyday.

12/07/2023

Today is the 82nd anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor. We’d like to honor the firefighters who lost their lives fighting fires on that infamous day. These firefighters are the only civilian firefighters to ever be awarded the Purple Heart in American history.

10/17/2023

Please share!!! Help Pleasantville Fire Department find their bell and return with no questions asked!

NEED THE PUBLICS HELP

Over the past week the bell which hung at our firehouse since it's creation in the 1900s has gone missing from behind our station. The bell as pictured below was made in 1909 by the Buckeye Bell Foundation. No questions asked we just want it to be returned as it is a part of our history and we have plans on making a memorial of it. Please contact us with any information.

08/23/2023

Station 24-1 was dispatched to the intersection of Tilton and Delilah Road for a vehicle fire along with Cardiff and Farmington Volunteer Fire Dept. Squad 24 assisted in extinguishing the fire. While on location Station 24-1 and 24-2 were dispatched for a Aircraft Alert 2, Foam 2416, 2417 & 2418 responded and the aircraft landed safely.

07/10/2023

We’d like to take a second to congratulate and brag about one of our firefighters, Mike McGrath on his first place win in the singles row in the Captain Michael D. McGrath Memorial Lifeguard Races, an event named after his late father. Mike has helped the Longport team win numerous years as well. We’re proud of Mike’s win and glad to have his dedication, determination, and heart as part of our department.

photo credit to the Press of AC

07/06/2023

Please keep the City of Newark Fire Department and all of the surrounding Departments who were a part of the rescue efforts in your thoughts this morning.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those impacted by this tragic loss. Rest easy and god bless you and your families.

06/15/2023

A truly unique training experience at ACY is in the books! The Atlantic City Airport Fire Department along with partners of 177th ANG FD, PAPD Fire, FDNY, Elizabeth FD, Philadelphia FD, and MacArthur Fire Rescue came together, in what may be a first of its kind training event, to employ and perfect firefighter and passenger safety skills and tactics.

We are proud to have worked with some of the best in the ARFF community and we hope this opens doors to more inter-state training opportunities and partnerships.

06/14/2023

05/28/2023

As you enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend, spending time with family and friends, barbecuing, going to the beach, or what ever brings you happiness and joy, please take a moment to remember all those who fought and died for our beloved nation.

It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived. -George S. Patton

05/13/2023

Three of our firefighters, Mike McGrath, Patrick Flynn, and Mike DeLuca with Chief Gregory Quein after completing U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City’s 5K to commemorate the Air Station’s 25th Anniversary. We are honored to have been invited to this event and we are shooting for full department participation at your 50th! Congratulations Airsta Atlantic City on 25 years and we look forward to continuing our partnership with you at ACY.

04/09/2023

*Update* Best friend’s owner has been located! Thank you all for your help.

Lost best friend at the airport!

02/16/2023

02/15/2023

Thank you to United States Congressman Jeff Van Drew for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit with our Department! We truly appreciate his continued support. 🇺🇸

12/24/2022

The tradition continues!

Members of the Airport Fire Department had the pleasure of escorting Santa to Shore Medical Center to spread some Christmas cheer to children who were unfortunately at the pediatric unit today.

Members of the Airport Fire Department have taken great pride in being able to bring Santa to SMC , especially for the kids, every Christmas Eve for so many years, the exact count has been lost to time. And a special thank you to retired Assistant Chief Bill Higbee for helping us out in being the big man himself.

On behalf of all of us at Station 24-1, we wish you a safe and merry Christmas.

12/14/2022

We are honored to have once again assisted U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City in bringing Santa to the John G. Leach School today. Santa upgraded to an HH-65 and our very own Chief Greg Quein was along for the ride. It is truly humbling to know that we are able to bring so much joy to these students. We can’t wait until next year!

12/10/2022

The members of Local S-18 are deeply sadden to learn of the passing of our long time labor relations representative Myron Plotkin. Myron has represented our local since its inception in 1993. We are extremely grateful for the service Myron provided to our membership. We extend our condolences to the entire Plotkin family.

12/09/2022

Such an incredible opportunity to have Step Up and Lead at ACY yesterday. All of you out there, not just firefighters, should really look up Chief Viscuso.

11/28/2022

Congratulations to ACY based Spirit Airlines Captain David Morrissey on his retirement! We wish you a happy and healthy retirement!👨🏼‍✈️🇺🇸

11/24/2022

From our family to yours, have a safe and happy holiday!!

09/30/2022

It is bittersweet that the Atlantic City International Airport Fire Department announce the retirement of Chief of Department Nelson Wiest. Chief Wiest has admirably served ACY for 26 years, beginning his career with the South Jersey Transportation Authority in 1996. Nelson served as a firefighter, captain, assistant chief; and became Chief of Department in 2016.

As we said a few nights ago, trying to list Chief Wiest’s accomplishments would only result in an incomplete list and a post too long to read. We mean that. Chief Wiest has been our department’s biggest advocate and cheerleader. It shows. The training we have received and the equipment we run is a testament to Chief Wiest. Our department has incredible working relationships with numerous local, county, state, inter-state, federal, and private agencies cultivated and maintained by Chief Wiest because he lives and breathes the Airport Fire Department. Local S-18 President Matthews said it best: Chief Wiest is a firefighter’s chief.

Some may say Chief Wiest’s greatest accomplishments happened at the kitchen table. If not for Chief Wiest we might have never had “Bad Decision Tuesday”. Bad Decision Tuesday (which has happened on days besides Tuesday) usually involved about $90 of Taco Bell for lunch, and the regret shortly after. Nelson has also been known to bring in pork roll (not Taylor ham) that you might have thought was sprinkled with a little bit of heaven and if you were lucky enough to be on shift when he brought it in, you know you were eating good that day. Quite honestly, it’s the kitchen table where Nelson will be missed the most. The stories, the laughs, the reminiscing. A chief isn’t just retiring; we’re saying goodbye to a friend and brother.

Chief, thank you for what you’ve done for our department over the years. You’ve taken us far and you’re leaving us in good hands. We wish you all the best in retirement and what ever the future has in store for you. It’s well deserved. It has been an honor and a privilege. You always know where to find us. Happy retirement!

09/24/2022

Even though our last post was almost entirely about Chiefs Wiest and Quein, we’d like to take a second to mention an also very important part of last evening: the promotions of two officers and the swearing in of a new firefighter. Captain Timothy Green was promoted to Assistant Chief and Firefighter Michael D’Orazio was promoted to Captain. We’d also like to welcome Firefighter Allie Fitzpatrick to our department as she was officially sworn in last evening. To Chief Green and Captain D’Orazio: we wish you continued success in your careers and in your new rolls in the department. To Firefighter Fitzpatrick, we wish you a long and safe career here with us.

09/24/2022

Last night, was quite a night at the Airport Fire Department. The Airport Fire Department hosted our second ever change of command ceremony, as well as promotions of two officers and the badge pinning of a new firefighter to our department. Hosting this event has been very bittersweet. Chief Nelson Wiest, our chief since 2016, will be heading off into retirement at the end of the month and will be passing the reins to Chief Gregory Quein. Under the leadership of Chief Wiest our department has thrived. Quite honestly, the list of accomplishments of Chief Wiest is long, and an attempt to try and list them all would result in an incomplete list and Facebook saying this post was too long. Suffice it to say, our department may be small, but Chief Wiest has made a huge impact. Chief Quein stated last night, Chief Wiest leaves behind big shoes to fill, and there is no doubt a truer statement (no pressure, Chief). We’d like to thank everyone who came out last night to help us celebrate the career of Chief Wiest, the success of Chief Quein as he takes on Chief of Department, two promotions, and the swearing in of a new firefighter.

09/15/2022

This is a couple days later than I wanted to post this but we’d like to take a second and humble brag about one of our firefighters, Patrick Flynn, and his completing Ironman Atlantic City. 70.3 miles. MILES! This is a huge accomplishment for anyone and Pat has managed to dedicate himself not only to training for this event, but also the craft of being a firefighter and EMT, plus his family and personal life. Pat, congratulations brother now get back to work!

08/03/2022

Proud to participate in neighboring Absecon for National Night Out! 🚒🚑🚓🇺🇸

06/03/2022

On Wednesday June 1st we were paid a special visit by Eriks Gabliks, Superintendent of the National Fire Academy. It was a pleasure having the Superintendent spend some time learning about ACY and its many partnerships here on the campus.

It’s clear to us that the Superintendent has never forgotten his “Jersey” roots. Thank you sir for breaking bread at our “kitchen table” and your commitment to the fire service!