Fire News New Jersey, January 2021 edition

Serving NEW JFire, ERSEY Serving Rescue

VOLUME 15, NO. 8

W W W .FIRENE WS .COM

Fire,Serving Rescue & EMS Fire, Rescue & EMS Heroes & EMS Heroes Heroes Since 1973 Since 1996 1973 JANUARY 2021

See story on page 6.

- Fire News photo by Peter Danzo

Happy New Year from the Staff at Fire News

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Fire News, January 2021, Page 3

In this issue...

Milmay Head-on MVA A pickup burst into flames after a head-on collision but all occupants are out safely.

See story on page 7

East Orange Car Fire Crews make a quick stop of a car fire in a parking lot.

See story on page 12

Bargaintown House Fire A garage fire extends to a house, and suffers a partial collapse.

See story on page 16

Gloucester City Memorial A memorial is erected honoring three LODDs from a 2002 fire.

See story on page 18

A Service for New Jersey Firefighters and EMS Heroes 146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY 11713 FRANK C. TROTTA, Publisher TIM EDWARDS, Executive Editor DENNIS WHITTAM, Editor GARY P. JOYCE, Managing Editor MARIE TROTTA, Vice President, Production/Sales LYNN SEDLER, Art Director CLIFF CHIESA, Production Manager BARBARA CONNOLLY, Advertising Sales BRYAN LOPEZ, Editorial Assistant GREGORY JONES, Graphic Artist FIRE NEWS NEW JERSEY PHOTOGRAPHERS Chad Aaronson, John Axford, Keith Addie, Adam Alberti, Ted Aurig, Kenneth E.Badger, Dick Berry, Tommy Bilancia, Thomas Bischoff, James Bonner, Joseph Brecko, John Buttino, Bob Chester, John Clark, Alex Coulter, Carl Crossman, Damien Davis, Chris Denton, Alan Dumoff, Brian Duddy, Brett M. Dzadik, Dan Eckert, Doug Fenichel, Tom Finnegan, Joe Fortunato, Liam Glinane, Israel Goldstein, Thomas Hayden Jr., David Hernandez, Robert Halberstadt, Roman Izaryk, Erica Jacoby, Jeffrey Konya, Kevin Maloney, Robert Munson, Paul Newborn, Robert F. Newkirk, Denis Niland, Mike Nowacki, Elvin Padilla, Ed Pinkevicz, Dane Policastro, Michael Ratcliffe, Joe Repici, Paul Rodriquez, Mark Rosetti, Chris Saraceno, Robert Scollan, Dennis C. Sharpe, Steve Sperlak, Steve Skipton, Matt Spadaro, Danielle Tagerty, Tim Sullivan, Robert Tallaksen, Wayne Tasaki, Giuseppe Tartaglia, Jim Trepeos, Gregory Taylor, Ron Trout, Ken VanPelt, Kevin Umbach, Jose Vazquez, Ronnie Viola, Tom Vogel, Tom Walker, Mike Wallace, Chris Whitam, Wells P. Wilson, Gerald Wyhopen, Jr., Peter Danzo. Columnists: Bruce Johnson, John Salka, Billy Goldfeder.

COPYRIGHT 2021, THE FIRE NEWS LLC., LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Long Branch House Fire Crews make a good stop on a call for fire in the walls.

See story on page 23

Nine Editions Serving Long Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wildwood, NJ Proud Member Of:

Official Publication

DIY Decon Apparatus

of the NJ State Firemen’s Convention

South Egg Harbor firefighters build their own decon vehicle.

See story on page 25

PLUS: Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4 Special Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 20 Business Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 22 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 22 Industry News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 24

Letters to the Editor, byline articles, and columns represent the opinions of the writers and photographers and are not necessarily the views of the Fire News. We reserve the right to edit all of the above. We are not responsible for errors in advertisements beyond the cost of advertising space. Copy submitted is subject to editing for space requirements.

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Contents are copyrighted. Editorial and advertising copy cannot be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Fire News is published monthly by Fire News LLC, with corporate offices at 146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY 11713.

Page 4, Fire News, January 2021

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From the Editor’s Desk Dennis Whittam, Editor

Happy New Year?

I really don’t think that there is anyone who will argue that 2020 was a tough year.

Many districts were forced to change the rules governing socialization in our second home. Departments were forced to change response rules so that the members were kept safe as they rode on the trucks or came down to the firehouse to respond to calls. Kudos to our commissioners and chiefs, who had a tough job keeping everyone happy, while keeping their responders Covid free.

Yes, 2020 was a tough year. People lost family members and, in many cases, could not be with them when they passed away.

Rules also limited the wakes and funerals for our loved ones. Hospital rules drastically changed, and patients found themselves on their own after they were dropped off at the hospital. Nurses and doctors became your family while you were there. Thank you to the dedicated staff at all hospitals who went way above their job description to help us get well.

Are we going into 2021 with apprehension? Are you feeling that there was nothing positive in 2020 and the 2020 trend will con-

tinue in 2021? I personally had a lot of negative situations in 2020, but I learned a long time ago, to turn negatives into positive. Here are a few things I thought were positives that happened in 2020.

I developed a new hobby: Gyms were closed, so I got out and walked eight to 10,000 steps a day with my camera and soon learned that nature is thriving. Wow, my fire photos were replaced with wildlife photos!

We had major improvements in medicine. A vaccine for Covid-19 is here. Yes, researchers found a vaccine in record breaking time. I hope this research continues and we find cures for other disease such as cancer. We became innovated and our computer skills reached new levels. As I write this, my wife is currently teaching her students via Google Classroom. Our meetings are now commonplace using Zoom and Google Meet.

Education has adapted to the dangers of Covid. We learned that if the classroom isn’t sanitized every day and if students don’t wear masks all of the time, the disease haunts and infects us.

If I learned anything in 2020, I learned

that I must remain strong and excuses are not a way to overcome the negatives that are around us. Carry your positive thoughts into 2021. My favorite author was Mark Twain.

He once said, “Stay away from those people who try to disparage your ambitions. Small minds will always do that, but great minds will give you a feeling that you can become great too.”

You were given the skills to survive Covid-19 in 2020. You must set the example by carrying those skills into 2021.

You are first responders. You have been trained to do whatever it is to get the job done! Enter 2021 as a leader. Carry out the rules that you now know will keep everyone safe. Stay safe in 2021 ... and Happy New Year!

-Dennis

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Cover Story

Hackensack 3-Alarmer

On October 11, 2020, the Hackensack Fire Department started receiving multiple calls for a smoke condition and fire in the area of Elizabeth and Liberty Streets. While en route, E-1 reported a heavy smoke condition in the area. On arrival of Deputy 4 (acting as DC1) he reported a fire in a large single-story warehouse and transmitted a second alarm. An interior attack commenced with 2-1/2 inch handlines but, as conditions rapidly deteriorated — and the discovery of a dead hydrant — command ordered all members out of the building. As conditions improved, an interior attack was attempted again but conditions rapidly started to deteriorate again, forcing all members out of the building and a third alarm was requested. Two ladder pipes, numerous large handlines and ground monitors were put into operation and the fire was knocked down in a little over an hour after dispatch. One firefighter suffered a minor injury.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

- Fire News photos by Peter Danzo

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Fire News, January 2021, Page 7

Milmay Head-on, Fire

The Milmay Volunteer Fire Company from Buena Vista, along with the Dorothy Fire and Rescue Department from Weymouth Township, responded on September 5, 2020, at 1320, to Tuckahoe Road and Millville Avenue for an MVA head-on with a vehicle on

fire. Milmay Chief Eric Hensel reported all occupants out of the vehicles and one vehicle fully involved. The crash was under investigation by the New Jersey State Police.

- Fire News photo by Ken Badger

Page 8, Fire News, January 2021

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Flooding in Clifton On November 30, 2020, Clifton Engine 5 and Truck 2 responded to Route 3 West at the merge to Route 46 west for reports of multiple vehicles in flood waters with their occupants trapped.

Following heavy rains throughout the day, the interchange was severely flooded and as vehicles attempted to drive through the water, five passenger vehicles and a semi-truck became stuck in the flood waters which completely shut down Route 3 west. No drivers were injured but Truck 2 and Engine 5 stood by till all vehicles were removed from the highway and the roadway remained shut down until the water subsided.

- Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

Page 10, Fire News, January 2021

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Farmington Car Fire

The volunteer fire companies of Farmington and Cardiff respond- Farmington Engine 1547 arrived and pulled a single 1 -3/4 inch line ed to the Walmart on Black Horse Pike on October 5, 2020, at 1612 and began knocking down the fire assisted by the use of foam. Also for a vehicle fire. Bargaintown Chief Eugene Sharpe was already on responding were EHT EMS and EHT Police. location and reported a fully involved vehicle with no exposures.

- Fire News photo by Ken Badger

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Deal Van Fire

On November 28, 2020, the Deal Fire Company was alerted of a van fire in the Deal Casino parking lot on Ocean Avenue. Engine 61-75 arrived to a well involved pool supply van with no exposures.

With assistance from Deal Police a line was stretched and the fire was quickly extinguished.

- Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

Fire News, January 2021, Page 11

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East Orange Car Fire Held

On November 19, 2020, the East Orange Fire Department responded to North Arlington Avenue for a car fire. A heavy column of smoke could be seen while en route and units found an engine compartment fire in a setback parking lot. Engine 1 stretched a 2-1/2

inch line to the rear of the structure to supply the attack line. The fire eventually extended to some nearby leaves and was quickly knocked down.

- Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

Page 14, Fire News, January 2021

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Extrication in Somers Point

The City of Somers Point Fire Department responded to Maryland Avenue and Shore Road on October 22, 2020, at 1031, for a report of an MVA with entrapment. Firefighters arrived to find a single vehicle on its side with one occupant trapped.

Assistant Chief Jay Loder had firefighters stabilize the vehicle and do a roof removal. The patient was taken to the nearby Shore Medical Center by the Egg Harbor Township Ambulance Squad. The cause of the crash was investigated by the City of Somers Point Police Department.

- Fire News photos by Ken Badger

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Bargaintown House Fire

The volunteer fire companies of Bargaintown and Scullville responded to Churchill Drive on November 5, 2020, at 2159, for a structure fire. Bargaintown Assistant Chief Wil Hancock reported heavy fire showing from the garage of a two-story, wood frame, single-family dwelling, which automatically responded the City of Somers Point Fire Department for RIT. Bargaintown Chief Eugene Sharpe had Bargaintown Engine 1527 lay into the fire with an LDH, a 300-foot lay. A/C Chief Hancock had a Blitz Fire set up on the A/D corner to hit the fire in the garage and allowed for numer-

ous handlines that were put into operation. Ground ladders were then set up to remove the second-floor windows on the A side on the B corner. Once the fire was knocked down, a vehicle was discovered inside the garage. Firefighters were then backed out while timbers that were displaced by the fire were removed. The fire was investigated by the EHT Fire Official. Also responding were Cardiff, Farmington, City of Linwood (covered), EHT EMS, EHT Police, and the Cardiff, Bargaintown, and Scullville auxiliaries.

- Fire News photos by Ken Badger and Dennis Sharpe

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Gloucester City Memorial The Gloucester City Fire Department in Camden County has erected a memorial in honor of the three firefighters who answered their final alarm on July 4, 2002. Those who died were Mount Ephraim Chief James E Sylvester, Gloucester City Firefighter Thomas G. Stewart III and Camden County Fire Marshall John D. West, Sr. Also etched in granite are the names of the victims: Colletta M. Slack, Alexandra C. Slack and Claudia Slack. Inside the station is a personal memorial to Firefighter Stewart III. - Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe

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Fire News, January 2021, Page 19

Page 20, Fire News, January 2021

Bargaintown MVA and Fire

The volunteer fire companies of Farmington and Bargaintown from the Egg Harbor Township Fire Department in Atlantic County responded to Milepost 38.1 northbound on September 20, 2020, at 1652 for an MVA and fire.

- Fire News photo by Ken Badger

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Fire News, January 2021, Page 21

Well Off on Arrival

The volunteer fire companies of Mays Landing, Laureldale, and Weymouth from the Township of Hamilton, along with the Richland Fire Company of neighboring Buena Vista Township, responded to Dehirsch Avenue on November 22, 2020, for a report of a fire. Firefighters arrived to find a single-family dwelling well

off, which took an hour to bring under control. The cause of the fire was under investigation. Assisting were Dorothy, Estell Manor and East Vineland along with Township of Hamilton EMS and Police, and Atlantic City Electric Company.

- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Up Close

Assistant Chief Herb Sykes and Chief Gene Sykes of the Newtonville Volunteer Fire Company of Buena Vista Township in Atlantic County with their new rescue-engine.

- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

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Page 24, Fire News, January 2021

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CFSI OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR LEADERSHIP AWARDS The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) is now accepting applications for the CFSI/IFSTA Dr. Anne W. Phillips Award for Leadership in Fire Safety Education and the CFSI/NFFF Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award.

Named in honor of Dr. Anne W. Phillips for her profound and enduring contributions to fire safety education, the Phillips Award recognizes individuals for outstanding achievements at the national level in fire safety education. It is named in honor of Dr. Anne W. Phillips who served on the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control that published the seminal report, America Burning. Dr. Phillips wrote the minority report that called for greater federal awareness for public safety education.

Established in 2007, the Sarbanes Award recognizes organizations that embody the critical goal shared by CFSI and National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF): To

ensure we do everything humanly possible to create an environment where EVERYONE GOES HOME at the end of every call. The actions and achievements of the recipient must address at least one of the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives developed by the American fire service during the 2004, and subsequent, National Fire Service Life Safety Summits hosted by the NFFF. CFSI and the NFFF named the award in honor of former Senator Paul S. Sarbanes, a former co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and author of the legislation that established the NFFF. The award presentations will take place at the 32nd Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner scheduled for April 29, 2021, in Washington DC. Please contact CFSI at update@cfsi.org if you have any questions.

The Phillips nomination can be found at: https://www.cfsi.org/awards/anne-phillips-

award/.

The Sarbane Nomination can be found at: https://www.cfsi.org/awards/senator-paul-ssarbanes-fire-service-safety-leadershipaward/.

FDIC INTERNATIONAL BRINGS PRODUCT SOURCING VIRTUAL WITH THE FDIC PRODUCT NETWORK: A SINGLE PLATFORM FOR ALL PRODUCT SOURCING NEEDS AND LIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE INDUSTRY FDIC International and Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment are launching an ALL-NEW year-round virtual experience, FDIC Product Network, beginning December 8, 2020. The platform was developed for the fire community based on industry demand to provide decision makers with a single year-round resource for sourcing and building connections within the FDIC community virtually.

FDIC Product Network will use its entire cadre of marketing vehicles, coupled with exhibitor product content to provide buyers an interactive look at what’s new, next and innovative to fulfill their departments sourcing requirements. Access is complimentary for attendees and will include: • Live monthly video product demos where you can view and interact with exhibitor’s products & services and ask real-time questions to presenters; • Access to on-demand video product demons following live events; • Easy-to-use searches and personalized recommendations based on user profiles and search behavior; • Exhibitor showrooms featuring information about the brand and latest products and services complete with a company chat feature to ask question or receive more information; • Personal calendars to request and accept one-on-one meeting requests with exhibitors; “While the FDIC Product Network does not replace the experience of connecting face-to-face at our live events, it allows the FDIC community to still see each other and continue to connect to drive business forward year-round in a safe, virtual environment. We

believe the platform will be a powerful sourcing and lead generation tool, providing critical connections between exhibitors and attendees that ultimately keep our communities safe,” says Eric Schlett, Senior Vice President, Clarion Events Inc., Fire & Rescue Group.

While the FDIC Product Network will be open year-round, each month will feature two or three days of live events organized around a specific product category theme. The schedule kicks off on December 8 with SCBA & Breathing Air. Additional themes throughout 2021 will include: PPE, Apparatus & Specialty Vehicles, Apparatus Accessories & Components, Innovations, Wildland & Urban Interface, FDIC in Review, Education & Training Services and Systems, EMS, Stations, Training Buildings and Station Equipment & Supplies, Extraction, Special Ops & Rescue, Communications, Software, Accountability & Compliance Systems.

“As we continue to navigate through not being able to see everyone face-to-face, we are excited for this new opportunity to launch a platform that can change how our industry does business moving forward,” Schlett continued, “our team is committed to continuing to provide solutions that bring the industry together.”

Explore FDIC Product Network and get started by creating an attendee profile or learning more about becoming an FDIC Product Network exhibitor at: www.fdicproductnetwork.com.

For more information about FDIC International and FDIC Product Network, please visit: www.fdic.com.

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Fire News, January 2021, Page 25

DIY Decon Vehicle

The South Egg Harbor Volunteer Fire Company have put into service Decon 5, which was built by the members of the fire company.

The vehicle was donated and all work was done in house, including the paint job which was done by Chief Scott Feldman. The vehicle was designed to do a quick decon of firefighters with showers that are installed along with a station for firefighters to doff their gear

and a station for them to get scrubs on. Chief Feldman explained the vehicle was not designed for serious chemical hazmats, but it could be used for that purpose if needed. Chief Feldman would like to give a tip of the helmet to all of those who assisted in the project with either manual labor or technical advice.

- Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe

Page 26, Fire News, January 2021

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Looking Back The City of Pleasantville on July 16, 1910 at the O’Donnell Hotel Fire that was at North Main Street and Old Turnpike.

- Fire News photo from the Dennis C. Sharpe Collection

Looking Back The 1889 Gloucester City Fire Department.

- Fire News photo from the Dennis C. Sharpe Collection