Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner with us
MCAA Logo
Log in Sign up Join Hi, there Account
2026 Midyear Registration is OPEN
Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner
Log in Sign up Join Account

Stoppiello: Knowledge is key to fighting fires

Words: Matthew AdamsFor firefighters across the nation, knowledge of the intricacies of fire, combustion and the psychology of where people like to hide within a burning building are all important. Equally important is their understanding of the kind of structure the firefighters will be entering.

According to Fire Chief Dean Stoppiello of the Union Beach Fire Department, there are three types of structures: historical masonry houses built in the 19th century, framed houses of the '50s, and new construction. He said that, of these buildings, that they see fewer fires in the masonry structures.

"Sometimes the drywall will burn and sometimes there is wood on the inside, but overall they are the most fire resistant," he said.

Having this knowledge of the kind of structures that firefighters will face in each town leads to the ability to make better decisions.

"All of this knowledge translates to saving lives," he said.
 0
Bonding with Masonry 2026: Q2
June 2026

This issue’s questions come from a Mason Contractor and an Engineer. What questions do you have? Send them to info@masonrymagazine.com, attention Technical Talk.

David Biggs
Bonding with Masonry
Read More
The Thirty-Year Mason: Ergonomics as a Retention Strategy
June 2026

In most industry circles, the conversation around the labor shortage follows a predictable script: How do we find the next generation of masons? While recruitment is vital, we often overlook the most valuable asset already on the job site: the experienced

Shayne Sanders
MAP Partner
Read More
Acme Brick Company Releases 2026 Pocket Guide to Brick Construction
June 2026

For more than four decades, all the basics of building with brick have come in a guide small enough to fit into a pocket. Acme Brick has just released a 2026 version of its Pocket Guide to Brick Construction. And yes, it’s still printed on paper just like

MAP Partner
Read More
Masonry in the Media: Casa Azul, Chapultepec Castle, & More
June 2026

A film’s settings can take viewers to new locations, all from the comfort of their own home. It immerses them in the scenes, whether they take place in an opera house in Brazil or a grand mansion in Mexico City. Explore how these Latin American masonry ma

Lily Burger
Masonry in the Media
Read More