JOHN COLLINS was appointed to the Camden Fire Department in the spring of 1884 to serve as an extra man with Engine Company 1. He replaced Daniel Bromley. When the Fire Department was reorganized on July 1, 1885 and eighteen of the extra men were laid off, John Collins was among that number.

Camden Fire Department records do not list an address or occupation for John Collins, which makes it quite difficult to ascertain who he was or what became of him after leaving the Fire Department. There were four different men named John Collins who were living in South Camden when the 1884-1885 Camden City Directory was compiled. To date no other evidence has emerged to indicate which of these men served with the Camden Fire department.