NJ Fire Guys
Run#: 24-019
Date: June 13, 2024
Guest Chief Nick Palumbo Sr.  

Chief Nick Palumbo Sr. served for over 43 years in both the career and volunteer fire services, spanning 5 decades. He began his service in 1975 when he joined the Colts Neck Fire Co #2. Continuing into Freehold First Aid Squad where he first got his EMT. He then joined the Monmouth Hose Co of the Freehold Fire Dept, where he rose to the rank of Captain. Chief Palumbo left Freehold and joined East Freehold Fire Co. in 1992 where he held many positions and rose to the rank of Chief in 2010-2011.  

Nick began his career with the Department of Defense Fire Service in 1991 when he was appointed to the Military Ocean Terminal in Bayonne Fire Department, where he rose to the rank of Captain before they were BRAC’d in 1995. He transferred in 1996 to Fort Monmouth Fire & Emergency Services where he served until the base was BRAC’d in 2005. In 2010 he transferred to Picatinny Arsenal Fire & Emergency Services, where he retired from the federal fire service in 2012 after 21 years of distinguished service  

Beyond suppression Chief Palumbo is a nationally and internationally certified in fire and explosion investigations. For more than 31 years he worked in private industry for insurance carriers and attorneys. He opened his own private detective agency, Palumbo Investigations, in 2001. In his career he has performed over 5,000 investigations. He is a qualified fire expert in the courts of 7 states, having testified in many cases.  

In the mid 1990’s Nick, along with the late Ken Vitty, revamped the Vehicle Fire Investigation course. This led to a position as a Lead Instructor in the State of New Jersey Criminal Justice Academy's Arson Investigation course. Which he maintained for over 20 years among having taught numerous classes throughout the US and Canada. Nick is a Life Member of the NJ Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators. He faithfully served on the Board of Directors for many years, including serving as their President from 2001- 2005.  

He now enjoys his retirement with his porch cigars, his wife of 44 years, Philly and their 6 Grandchildren. Oh yeah, his three adult child Mathew, Josephine and ME, Nick Palumbo Jr.