Longtime Newark Firefighter, Trailblazing Latino Retires In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — Raul Malave began his career as a Newark firefighter in 1996. Now – more than 27 years later – he’s getting a fond farewell from his peers.

Last week, city officials gathered at Newark Public Safety Headquarters to commemorate Malave’s retirement at a public ceremony.

Malave started his career at Engine 26 and later at Engine 18, rising to the rank of captain of Ladder 10 and later Engine 10.

He continued to rise in the ranks of the Newark Fire Department, notching several milestones for the city in the process, officials said:

“Malave is the first Latino to hold the rank of Deputy Fire Chief, as well as the first Latino promoted to the rank of Fire Battalion Chief in 2010. He also served as Executive Officer to the Fire Director and later as the Executive Officer to the Fire Chief.”

In January 2016, Mayor Ras Baraka appointed Malave to the role of assistant public safety director. Malave’s “commitment and dedication to public service” also afforded him the role of deputy Essex County fire coordinator, officials said.

But that wasn’t the finish line for the ambitious firefighter, officials added:

“On June 30, 2022, Mayor Baraka appointed Malave as Interim Public Safety Director. In this role, he led the Division of Police, Division of Fire, and Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and Preparedness with oversight of more than 1,000 sworn police officers, 650 firefighters, and over 350 civilian employees.”

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