Gloucester City Fire Department Evaluation; Discipline is Missing; Nine Men Resigned

Note: The article was first published in 2024

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (2024(Cleary’s Notebook News)–The Gloucester City Mayor Dayl Baile and Council hired the Smith Consulting Group of Ocean City, NJ, in 2024 to assess the members Gloucester City paid fire department. The owner, James P. Smith Jr., has 30 years of experience in firefighting and is the Ocean City Fire Chief overseeing 67 department members.

According to the report, the 14-page evaluation was conducted by interviewing all 22 department members to understand their issues, views, perspectives, and ideas for future growth.

After interviewing the members, the evaluator observed that discipline needs to be consistently administered and that officers should be trained to handle infractions. The report mentioned that nine people, or 40 percent, have left the department over the past 11 years.

Smith released 20 recommendations, each placed under a subtitle. For example, under the title DISCIPLINE Smith wrote in part;

1: The department should receive training from a legal expert in managing disciplinary issues in the fire service. All members must understand what is deemed harassment, unacceptable acts, and the value of respect towards peers. The current culture in the department is disappointing, and for many members, it is seemingly void of respect towards their peers.

2:The department must create a set of rules and regulations that is a guide for the department rules and acceptable actions and behaviors.

3: Return to basics for training. If a member needs more time to become proficiendt in a certain skill, they should recieved the proper time and instruction.

4: Organize training with Camden City for hazardous materials and special operations is important. A better understanding of who is responding for the GCFD crew when in Camden is necessary. Once threw with training in Camdem the crew should return to the city immediately.

5: Provide prior knowledege to the shift that training will be upcoming.

6: The department should invest in a records management program to log and record all training.

7: Consider a schedule change from a four platoon system to a three platoon system. This will require a negotiation with the unions. It is more efficient and will provide extra staffing that the members requested.

8. Carrying vacation time from year to year should stop. This would eliminate the unknown of how many shifts the chief need to cover for any given year.

9. If a three-platoon system is enacted, vacation slots should be limited to just one member daily.

10. Sick time usage in 12 hour-blocks should stop. Members may be capable of returning to work in less time, but are forced to stay out for a full 12.

11. Consider merging the two labor unions for the betterment of the department and the community.

12. Consider starting a Community Risk Reduction program to assist the citizens of Gloucester City before emergencies happen.

13. Establish the civil service rank of deputy chief and promote an officer who shows strong qualities of a future department chief. The newly created deputy chief rank salary should minimally be the current fire chief salary.

14. The GCFD must reestablish relationships with all of their mutual aid partners. Training needs to occur with more than just Camden City.

15. The entire department should receive leadership training.

16. The department should rebrand itself. Have a fresh new start and place the hostile acts and behaviors in the past.

17. Some type of sensitivity training needs to occur. The stories from the interviews are disappointing. The members need to be informed of what is unacceptable behavior.

18. Once the local civil service entrance list is exhausted, consider hiring firefighters from the county list.

19. The fire chief salary needs to be raised to attract the best and the brightest to the position.

20. Consideration should be made around Chief Hagan’s retirement that an outside individual hired as a department head may be better than just promoting someone internally to the fire position. Some patience is vital to finding the right person. Internal or external pressure to fill the position should not be entertained.

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Philly Highways Get a Green Makeover

Concept photo of Philadelphia’s “Gateway to the City” project along Schuylkill East Bound near 30th Street. / Photo: Courtesy of City of Philadelphia

The Office of Clean and Green Initiatives, in partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, announced the “Gateways to Philadelphia” Anti-Graffiti & Highway Beautification project.

The endeavor focuses on highway beautification and landscaping improvements for major entryways and interchanges spanning from Philadelphia International Airport and 30th Street Station to Independence Hall. It blends graffiti removal, gardening updates, and mural art to enhance our key roads.

Noteworthy Mention: A forthcoming semiquincentennial-themed mural on I-76 at Spring Garden Street will nod to Philadelphia’s pivotal role in U.S. history.

Why It Matters: This initiative helps shape visitors’ first impression of Philadelphia upon their arrival.

Cooper University Health Care EMS Celebrates 10 Years of Serving the City of Camden

VIDEO: Cooper EMS 10^th Anniversary of Serving Camden

(CAMDEN, NJ) — Cooper University Health Care’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is celebrating 10 years of providing emergency medical services to the City of Camden. The anniversary marks a decade of faster response times, integrated and innovative care, and strong community partnerships.

Since launching operations in January 2016, Cooper EMS has rapidly responded to hundreds of thousands of emergency calls across Camden. The team has consistently met one of the most critical benchmarks in emergency medical care: arriving on scene for advanced life support (ALS) calls in under eight minutes more than 90% of the time.

“Cooper was founded in Camden almost 140 years ago with a clear mission: to serve this community with excellence, compassion, and innovation, especially in moments when care matters most,”said George E. Norcross III, chairman of Cooper University Health Care’s Board of Trustees.“For the past decade, Cooper EMS has embodied that mission every single day—delivering faster, more coordinated emergency medical care, improving outcomes, and strengthening trust across neighborhoods throughout the city. Cooper’s EMS team’s record of success reflects not only their clinical excellence, but their deep and enduring commitment to the people of Camden.”

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American Lung Association Grades Pennsylvania Efforts to Reduce Tobacco Use in New Report

4^th annual “State of Tobacco Control” report will also outline steps to protect the health of communities across Pennsylvania from tobacco use, the leading cause of preventable death and disease

Embargoed findings and interviews available upon request (with agreement in writing to honor the embargo).

On Wednesday, January 28, the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania will release the 24th annual “State of Tobacco Control” report, which evaluates state and federal efforts to eliminate tobacco use and save lives with proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies. The report will grade Pennsylvania’s tobacco control measures in five areas, including funding for state tobacco prevention programs, state tobacco taxes, smokefree workplace laws, coverage of and access to quit tobacco treatments, and ending the sale of flavored tobacco products. Access to the embargoed report and embargoed interviews are available upon request.

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Missing Endangered Adult Female Mary A. Jones

On October 28, 2025, at approximately 9:57 a.m., Mary A. Jones, age 69, was reported missing. Ms. Jones was last heard from by family members on October 3, 2025.

Ms. Jones is described as a Black female, approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing about 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Her clothing at the time of her disappearance is unknown.

The investigation has determined that Ms. Jones traveled internationally to Guyana and was expected to return home during the week of January 12, 2026. She did not return as scheduled, and her current whereabouts remain unknown.

The Gloucester Township Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance. Anyone with information regarding Ms. Jones’ location is urged to contact 9-1-1, the Gloucester Township Police Department at 856-228-4500, or the GTPD Anonymous Crime Tip Line at 856-842-5560. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through the GTPD website at https://gtpolice.com/tips .

RC Szabo Plumbing Review: 30+ Years of Excellence in Illinois

Finding a trustworthy plumber in the Chicago area means looking beyond flashy advertising to examine real experience, proper licensing, and customer satisfaction. RC Szabo Plumbing & Sewer has built their reputation over three decades serving Midlothian, Orland Park, and surrounding Illinois communities with professional residential and commercial plumbing services.

Company Background & Credentials

Established with over 30 years of industry experience, RC Szabo Plumbing operates under Illinois License #058-120239, providing the credentials and accountability that protect homeowners from unlicensed operators. The company specializes in both residential and commercial plumbing, with particular expertise in emergency services, sewer line repair, drain cleaning, and innovative flood protection systems that address common Chicago-area challenges.

Their service area covers the Chicago metro region, with a strong presence in south suburban communities including Orland Park, Tinley Park, Oak Forest, Palos Heights, and Homewood. This local focus allows for faster emergency response times compared to distant franchise operations that may route calls through corporate centers before dispatching technicians.

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Commissioners celebrate 124th Correctional Police Officer Recruit Class

The Camden County College Police Academy for Corrections will celebrate the graduation ceremony of the 124^th Basic Correctional Police Officer Recruit Class. The 27 graduates will go on to serve in correctional facilities in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Cape May, Mercer and Salem counties.

“These officers represent the next generation of dedicated corrections professionals,” said Commissioner Jonathan Young, liaison to the Department of Corrections. “It is not an easy job, but it is an essential one. I look forward to seeing them make a meaningful difference in our community.”

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Two Charged with 2016 Pemberton Township Home Invasion Homicide

Norman Mosley was shot and killed by intruders inside his home in the Browns Mills section of Pemberton Township in September 2016.

Multiple detectives from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Pemberton Township Police Department were assigned to the case, but the intensive investigation failed to produce any arrests. Until now.

Following Mosley’s death, in a small room on the second floor of the Burlington County Courts Facility in Mount Holly, lead BCPO Detective Anthony J. Luyber met with Tamara Burrows, Mosley’s mother, and promised her that he would continue to vigorously investigate the case until those responsible for killing her son were identified and brought to justice.

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How to Build a Life You Love After Addiction

Walking out the doors of a rehabilitation facility is a massive victory. You feel a sense of relief and clarity that is hard to describe. But once the initial excitement fades, a very practical question usually pops up: What am I supposed to do now? You aren’t just returning to your old schedule or your old haunts. You are trying to construct a totally new daily existence that keeps you healthy, happy, and safe.

Make a Plan Before You Leave

Success rarely happens by accident. It happens because you prepared for the hard days while you were feeling strong. You shouldn’t wait until you are back in the “real world” to figure out your next move. A solid strategy for aftercare is the bridge between 24/7 care and total freedom.

This phase is designed to guide you at a speed that feels manageable. It isn’t just about avoiding substances; it’s about handling stress without them. Because your life looks different than anyone else’s, this plan has to be custom-made for your specific needs. By setting this up before discharge, you ensure you have a safety net ready the moment you step outside.

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