Dillon Rinaldo Memory Lives On With State-of-the-Art Training Center Namesake

FAIR LAWN, NJ - The Fair Lawn Fire Department dedicated its new state-of-the-art fire training facility in the memory of Captain Dillon Rinaldo of the Baltimore City Fire Department. Captain Rinaldo, born and raised in Fair Lawn, died in the line of duty in October 2023 while battling a house fire.

Dillon served for six years as a volunteer firefighter in Fair Lawn.

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“Dillon was a firehouse kid,” said Chief Pete Yuskaitis. Dillon’s father Ralph has been a long- time member of the department, an Ex-Chief, and currently the Department’s Assistant Chief.

“As a child he would dress up as a firefighter and “respond” to calls. Dillon joined the Fair Lawn Fire Department and served for six years prior to being hired by the Baltimore City Fire Department in 2018. It was an obvious decision to dedicate our new training facility in his memory.”

“The borough made a sizeable investment into this facility. It will provide state-of-the-art training to our members for many years to come,” said Project Lead, Deputy Fire Chief Mike Salvini. “It allows for multiple fire companies to train simultaneously by using different simulations within the building. The facility will allow our members to practice on forcible entry, search and rescue in a smoke-filled environment, high rise operations and many other techniques. The centerpiece
of the facility are two burn rooms that provide firefighters the ability to extinguish a fire in a controlled and safe environment. We expect our companies to extensively use this facility.”

During the ceremony, Fair Lawn Deputy Mayors Cristina Cutrone and Josh Reinitz read a proclamation dedicating the facility. A sign was unveiled by Dillon’s father Ralph and mother Gerry which was adorned with the logos of the Fair Lawn Fire Department and Baltimore City Fire Department.

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