Story by Vanessa
An Emerson man is facing criminal charges after authorities say he mishandled critical safety procedures while working with the town’s fire department. Fire Department Captain Richard A. Solimando, 45, was taken into custody in Paramus on May 16, 2025, following a weeks-long inquiry by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
The case began on January 27, 2025 when the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office received information about suspicious activity involving safety records within the Emerson Fire Department. Investigators looked into the claim and discovered that, during the month of January 2025, Solimando had improperly overseen respirator fit testing for firefighters. Solimando then allegedly completed and signed off on documents that were not valid.
Richard Solimando, who held a leadership position in the fire department at the time, now faces charges related to creating false documents, and altering official records. He was released after his arrest and is scheduled to appear in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella reminded the public that the charges are not proof of guilt and that Solimando is presumed innocent unless proven otherwise in Court.
