Maplewood Recruit Receives Training at Newark Fire Department

Long-time Maplewood resident James P. Richardella, age 31, was sworn in as a full-fledged firefighter on Dec. 20 after completing training at the Newark Fire Department. Richardella attended the Newark training through a shared service between the Maplewood and Newark fire departments.

If the name is familiar, there's a reason: James is the nephew of Maplewood Fire Chief Joseph Richardella. Said the Chief, "He's the first Maplewood firefighter to graduate from the Newark academy fire class. This is the result of proper timing and the cooperation of the Newark Fire Department. This shared service is a tremendous opportunity and benefit to Maplewood. To be trained by the largest and most elite department in the state has given James a strong foundation moving forward and I am grateful. Hopefully this opportunity can remain for future hires."

The younger Richardella has graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marines and is a certified boat captain, according to his uncle. He has also attended classes at Union County College pursuing a fire science degree.

During their months of training at the Newark Fire Department, Richardella and other recruits performed “caterpillar” push-ups, ran a mile while lugging a three-inch fire hose, battled mock blazes and stoically worked through injuries, all the while learning to work as a team.

Yesterday, that “band of brothers”—as they were described by one Newark fire official—were sworn in as full-fledged firefighters, a class that includes recruits who will serve on the Millburn and Maplewood departments as well as Newark.

“Let’s have a moment of silence. Savor it, because this moment will live in your hearts for eternity. For at this moment you are now firefighters,” Fateen A. Ziyad, director of the Newark Fire Department, said to an audience of fire personnel, their families and well-wishers gathered at Newark City Hall.

With its extensive resources, the 600-member department, the state’s largest, plans on continuing to offer training to neighboring departments.

“The level of training you receive here is second to none,” said Maplewood Chief Richardella.

Read more about the ceremony .