By: Richard L. Smith
An Emerson fire official has been arrested following an investigation into forged documents and falsified records involving firefighter safety procedures.
According to a statement released by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, 45-year-old Richard A. Solimando of Emerson was taken into custody on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Paramus.
The arrest stems from an inquiry led by the Prosecutor’s Confidential Investigations Unit under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck.
The investigation began in late January after officials received information about potential misconduct involving the Emerson Fire Department.
Authorities say that between January 7 and January 27, while serving as a Senior Fire Captain, Solimando improperly conducted respirator fit tests for department members and then fraudulently signed off on reports to indicate they had been completed correctly.
Prosecutors allege the false documentation could have compromised the safety protocols designed to protect firefighters during emergency responses.
As a result, Solimando was charged with forgery and tampering with public records. He has been released pending his first appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack.
The case remains under review as the Prosecutor’s Office continues to evaluate the scope of the alleged misconduct.