PAGE 36
September, 2014
1St Responder Newspaper - NJ
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MICHAEL FLORES
Ocean Gate drills with Pine Beach on simulated car fires Waretown, NJ. Ocean County firefighters from Station 37 Ocean Gate and 38 Pine Beach drilled together working on a live vehicle fire. The scenarios went as follows, an engine with a full crew from around the block would pull up on scene, secure their apparatus safely, perform size up (fully involved vehicle fire) and get to work.
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The firefighters wore full protective gear as well as used air from the SCBA equipment. Each fire company had two chances at this scenario thus allowing all members present to participate.
Then, the last two evolutions involved mixed members from both companies. Ocean Gate is located Southeast of Berkeley Twp and Pine Beach sits between Ocean Gate, Berkeley, and Beachwood. - MICHAEL FLORES
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? If you have photos you would like to see in our Where are they Now? feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.
RON JEFFERS
The Secaucus Fire Department recently acquired this 1989 Sea Ark vessel for Marine 1. It saws original duty as a New Jersey State Police patrol boat (#8288) and was later acquired by the North Hudson Regional Fire Department. It was converted into a fire boat in 2007 with the addition of a Hale 550-gpm pump and other firefighting related equipment.
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Prominent member of Cranford First Aid Squad mourned Barbara I. Ragone, 79, of Cranford, NJ., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 Born in Queens, NY, Barbara moved to Cranford, NJ in 1975. She was a member of the Rosary Society at St. Theresa’s Church, the Catholic Daughters of St. Theresa’s Court, Kenilworth Senior Citizens, Cranford Senior Citizens, Assistant Treasurer of the 2nd District of the NJ State First Aid Council for many years, Cranford First Aid Squad for 40 years. Barbara is predeceased by her husband Andrew Ragone in April 2014, and daughter Lisa Ragone. Surviving are three children Andrea Lewis and her husband Craig, Robert Ragone, and Barbara Cicalese and her husband Thomas. For the past 40 years Barbara was a prominent member of the Cranford First Aid Squad. The last 15 years Barbara served as President, and so much more. Barbara was the type of person who consistently went the extra mile for others regardless of how well she knew them. She always made sure each member had everything they needed, and made efforts to estab-
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lish relationships. Barbara was also a strong leader who made difficult decisions, attended various meetings, and put the squads interests above her own. On August 27, 2011, Hurricane Irene completely flooded the squads building destroying mostly everything. While many members resigned, Barbara was one of the few who refused to let the squad go without a fight. With the aid of other members and the state of NJ, the squad was rebuilt and better than ever. Today, CFAS boasts over 50 members strong and will be receiving a 2015 E-450 remount in late September. Barbara will be sorely missed by all, however her memory and dedication to this organization will forever live on. - JASON CRUZ