Line of Duty Deaths

When I am called to duty, God wherever flames may rage,

give me strength to save a life, whatever be its age.

Help me to embrace a little child before it’s too late,

or save an older person from the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert to hear the weakest shout,

and quickly and efficiently to put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me,

to guard my neighbor and protect his property.

And if according to your will I have to lose my life,

bless with your protecting hand my loving family from strife.

FF Arthur McPartland

Arthur McPartland, Clifton Fireman, Stricken at Blaze

The Herald News (Passaic, NJ) Friday August 6, 1948

Arthur McPartland, 56, of 116 Hadley Avenue, Clifton, a member of the Clifton Fire Department 18 years, died of a heart attack while fighting a minor rubbish fire under the Erie Railroad viaduct in Piaget Avenue, Clifton, yesterday afternoon (August 5, 1948).

Mr. McPartland responded with Engine Company No. 1 from City Hall and he was helping to lay hose down a steep embankment when he collapsed. Police worked over him with a resuscitator but were unable to revive him. The Reverend John Ryan, assistant pastor of Saint Paul’s Roman Catholic Church administered last rites of the church. Doctor Patrick D. Wilson, who was also called, said Mr. McPartland had died almost instantly.

Mr. McPartland was born in Passaic and had resided in Clifton about 30 years. He was employed by the United States Rubber Company before his appointment to the fire department on March 3, 1930. He was a member of the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association, the Exempt Firemen’s Association, and the Holy Name Society of Saint Paul’s Church. He had served with the army in World War I.

Survivors are his wife the former Miss Mabel Allen; one son, Allen, who was an army air force captain during World War II; a brother, William, a Passaic fireman, and five sisters, Mrs. Sarah Strub, Miss Margaret McPartland, Mrs. Agnes Peterson, Mrs. Mary Healion, all of Passaic, and Mrs. Lillian Mullane, of Clifton.

Firefighter Arthur McPartland
Clifton Fire Department
March 3, 1930 – August 5, 1948

LT John P. Van Dorn Jr.

John P. Van Dorn Jr. 66 of Clifton died peacefully at his Clifton home surrounded by family on Saturday August 8, 2020. Born in Passaic, he was a lifelong resident of Clifton. John was a Clifton police officer prior to becoming a firefighter for the City of Clifton. He was a firefighter for 27 years and a member of FMBA local #21 in Clifton. John is survived by his daughter Kelly Van Dorn of Hoboken, by three sons; William of Nutley, Ryan and wife Angela of Clifton, and John III, and by a sister Clare Kuch and husband George of Clifton. 

Lieutenant John Van Dorn Jr. responded to the World Trade Center voluntarily on September 13, 2001. John passed away from a 9-11 WTC related illness. Lieutenant Van Dorn will be forever missed by his family, friends, and brother firefighters.

Lieutenant Van Dorn’s name was added to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial Wall on October 9, 2022.. This National Fallen Firefighter Memorial is located in Emmitsburg, Maryland at the US National Fire Academy.

Lieutenant John P. Van Dorn Jr
Clifton Fire Department
May 21, 1981 – June 1, 2009