Serving NEW JFire, ERSEY Serving Rescue
VOLUME 16, NO. 6
W W W .FIRENE WS .COM
Fire,Serving Rescue & EMS Fire, Rescue & EMS Heroes & EMS Heroes Heroes Since 1973 Since 1996 1973
NOVEMBER 2021
See story on page 6. - Fire News photo by Peter Danzo
Fire News’ Looking Back Blasts From the Past See Page 11
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Fire News, November 2021, Page 3
In this issue... All Hands in Shamong A barn fire and explosion draw a crowd of first responders. See story on page 10
Close Call in Denville While responding to Hurricane Ida a tree comes down on a rescue vehicle. See story on page 12
3-Car MVA in Police Chase Responding to a chase for a shooting suspect results in two police vehicles and a civilian car down. See story on page 16
Ship in Drydock Fire in Leesburg A ship with a Hollywood pedigree goes on fire, drawing a two-county response. See story on page 20
All Hands and a Save in Medford Two times in three months Medford firefighters pull an unconcious victim from a house fire. See story on page 24
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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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:
Up Close and Personal A closer look at first responders from around the area. See story on page 25
PLUS: Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4 Special Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 22 Industry News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 24
Official Publication
of the NJ State Firemen’s Convention 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. The placing of an advertisement in this publication does not constitute endorsement. 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, November 2021
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From the Editor’s Desk Dennis Whittam, Editor
Are You Ready for Winter Whoa’s? The other day, I responded to a call, only to find that my car windows were totally fogged up and I was unable to safely drive. While I was waiting for my car windows to clear, I realized that before we know it, we will be dealing with horrendous weather conditions that affect our response to the firehouse. I thought it would be fun to share some of the remedies that firefighters shared with me over the years. So, let’s have some fun. Reminiscing over my past 50 years of driving, I thought of some of the advice I received on the topic of dealing with the cold conditions of winter. Many of the experienced drivers I talked to had to deal with weather conditions in areas like Alaska, the Dakotas and the Adirondacks. My first real lesson on the adverse effects of weather was in the early 70s. I learned how members of the military in Alaska kept their cars from freezing. I learned that drivers had to install battery warmers, oil warmers, coolant warmers and interior warmers. Interior warmer? Yes, the vinyl seats in cars would crack into pieces if the seats were not kept warm. Thankfully, Long Island only must deal with frosted windows, weak batteries losing their charge and black ice.
In 1979, I learned that cold conditions, even on Long Island, created havoc for my Volkswagen diesel engine. A few of my truck driver friends suggested installing coolant heaters to keep my engine block warm. Voila! The problem of starting my car was solved. The downside was that I had to plug my car in at night. I joined the volunteer fire service in 1992. It didn’t take me long to figure out that my response in the wee hours of the morning was detained because my car’s windshield had to be defrosted before I could respond. Thankfully, remote starts came into play. When a call came in at 0300, I reached over, hit the remote start, got dressed and ran out to my car which was starting to warm up. I also kept a spray bottle of windshield washer fluid that I added a few ounces of dry gas to. Dry gas is an alcohol-based liquid that further lowered the freezing temperature of my windshield washer fluid. It worked well to rapidly defrost my windshield. I also learned not to turn on my windshield wipers right away. Turning the wipers on would remove the fluid and the windows would fog up again. If you go to your local auto parts store,
you will find windshield covers, spray deicer, and other items to help you overcome frosted windows. If you are in a cold area, do a search online to find all kinds of heaters that can keep your car warm at night. Why am I sharing my stories of winter whoa’s with you? Over the years, I have seen members scrape a small hole in the frost that covered their windshield. Then, they would drive to the firehouse only realizing that the ice that was scraped off reappeared halfway to the firehouse. Be smart and safe. Don’t respond to the firehouse until your car’s windshield is clear. Have a safe winter. Think of winter whoa’s before they happen. - Dennis
Page 6, Fire News, November 2021
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Cover Story
Bergenfield 2-Alarmer
Just before 0600 on September 3, 2021, the Bergenfield Fire Department responded for a reported house fire on North Prospect Avenue. On arrival companies encountered the second floor of the 2-1/2 story frame fully involved with heavy fire blowing out almost every window. A second alarm was requested as crews quickly hit the fire from the exterior before making a push into the second floor. The fire extended into the attic. However, all visible fire was knocked down in approximately 45 minutes and the fire declared under control in just over an hour. The cause of the fire was under investigation. Less than eight hours later, the tired members fought another unrelated secondalarm house fire not far from this one. - Fire News photos by Peter Danzo
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Appliance Fire in Passaic
On July 9, 2021, the Passaic Fire Department responded to Quincy Street for a fire. Ladder 2 arrived to a large three-story multipledwelling with nothing showing on arrival, but a 360 showed smoke showing from the rear. Crews met a resident suffering from burns stating an appliance had caught fire and was brought out to the rear deck on the third floor. A line was stretched as the resident was transferred to EMS. The fire was smoldering on arrival and limited extension was found in the room of origin. An investigator was requested to the scene and crews were picking up lines 30 minutes into the fire. - Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti
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Scullville Commercial Fire…and Then Some
The volunteer fire companies of Scullville and Bargaintown were dispatched on June 24, 2021, at 1430, to Ocean Heights Avenue and the Red Rose Auto Body for a structure fire. Scullville Chief Steven Prisament reported a working fire and requested a response from the City of Somers Point for RIT and one engine from Cardiff. Upon arrival, command had Scullville Ladder 1535 stretch two 1¾ inch lines. Bargaintown Tender 1528 did a 1000-foot lay of LDH to Ladder 1535. Firefighters laddered the structure and extinguished a fire in the roof with firefighters pulling ceilings in the interior which exposed fire underneath. During the incident, an alarm was received for fire at EHT High School which was handled by Cardiff and Farmington. Responding to the Red Rose incident were Scullville, Bargaintown, Cardiff, Somers Point, EHT EMS, EHT Police, EHT Fire Official, EHT Fire Police, N.J. State Fire Marshal’s Office. - Fire News photos by Ken Badger
Page 10, Fire News, November 2021
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All Hands Barn Fire in Shamong
On September 8, 2021, Taskforce 28 was dispatched for a reported barn fire with a “big explosion” in the area of Manitoba Trail in Shamong. Chief Smith arrived and reported a barn fully involved and requested all companies be placed in service. Due to a lack of hydrants in the area, he also requested that a tender strike team be added to the assignment. Chief 2800 relayed orders to Engine 2812 to utilize their deck gun on arrival to protect an exposure, which included two large propane tanks and a heating fuel tank. Crews from Shamong, Tabernacle, Medford, Medford Lakes, Vincentown, Evesham, and Hammonton, operated for about two hours. No injuries were reported and the Burlington County Fire Marshal’s Office was investigating the cause of the fire. - Fire News photos by Dave Hernandez
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Fire News, November 2021, Page 11
Looking Back Ocean City - 2021
Lawrence Twp. - 2001
The Castaway Cove fire of January 30, 2021. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe
Dispatched on June 15, 2001, to investigate a report of smoke in the area, firefighters in Lawrence Township arrived to find a working fire involving three interconnected trailers fully furnished as an office building on Bakers Basin Road. - Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliffe
Barnegat 1940s The Barnegat Volunteer Fire Company of Lacey Township in Ocean County. Circa 1940s. - Fire News photo from the Dennis C. Sharpe collection
Page 12, Fire News, November 2021
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Close Call in Denville
Hurricane Ida struck Denville on September 1 and 2, 2021. Early in the morning of September 2, the Rockaway River and the Den Brook begin to flood many streets in the center of town. The Denville Fire Department started evacuating the residents from the flooding areas. Assistant Chief Troy Decker was driving the utility truck and had just delivered the boats to the Woodland Avenue area to rescue residents from isolated houses. As the chief began to unload the Zodiac from the
trailer, he heard a tree crack behind him and he jumped off the trailer landing on his back and momentarily blacking out from the fall. When he came to, he was entangled in the large tree with electrical wires sparking around him. The 30-foot tree brought down all the power lines and also hit the boats and the boat trailer. When the wires stopped sparking, he was able to climb over the tree and escape the area. - Fire News photo by the Denville PD; story by Charles Botti
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Fire News, November 2021, Page 13
Bridgeton Structure Fire...Again
On September 28, 2021, the City of Bridgeton Fire Department responded to Pleasant Avenue at 1412 for a report of a structure fire. Firefighters arrived to find a structure that had previously burned ,on fire. The working fire box was transmitted bringing
mutual aid to the scene. The fire was quickly knocked down and the cause was under investigation. Also responding were Gouldtown, Millville, Rosenhayn, and Upper Deerfield. - Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe
Page 14, Fire News, November 2021
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Long Branch Annual Cigar Dinner
On September 8, 2021, the Long Branch FMBA held their annual cigar dinner at Rooney’s Oceanfront in Long Branch. Each attendee received cigars at the door along with an open bar, a buffet dinner, and many door prizes and raffles. - Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti
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Chase Ends in Collision for 3-Vehicles
On the evening of September 13, 2021, the Clifton Police Department was responding to join Passaic Police in pursuit of a vehicle that was stolen and connected with a shooting with a high-powered riffle in Paterson earlier in the day. As the pursuit entered Clifton, multiple units attempted to join the pursuit and, at the intersection of Clifton and Main Avenues, Cars 2002 and 2004 collided with a civilian vehicle flipping one of the interceptors. All parties were able to selfextricate. Clifton Fire EMS transported both officers and the civilian driver to St. Josephs Paterson in stable condition. - Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti
Page 18, Fire News, November 2021
Chester 2-Alarm Fire
Around 2300 on September7, 2021, Chester Police, while on patrol, saw a glow from Lamerson Road and advised of a well-involved house fire. Chester Chief 1 requested a second alarm and a Tender Task Force due to no water in the area. Chester Engine 1, Ladder1 and the tender arrived and started a defensive attack as fire was through the roof. Tenders and other units staged on Route 206 and the tender shuttle was set up in the highway. Crews remained on scene throughout the night and into the morning. There were no injuries and the Morris County Prosecutors office and the Chester Police were investigating the fire. Companies from Morris and Somerset counties assisted at the scene and station coverage. - Fire News photos by A/C Kevin J. Maloney; Budd Lake FC
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Page 20, Fire News, November 2021
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That Ship Looks Familiar Volunteer fire companies from throughout Cumberland and Cape May counties responded to High Street in Leesburg for a report of a vessel fire. For you movie buffs out there, the fire was located on the Lauren, the stand-in ship to the boat featured in the book and movie, The Perfect Storm (the Andrea Gail). Firefighters used several water tender task forces to fight the fire. - Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe
The 2021 New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Conference is in the Books
Long Branch 2-Alarmer Long Branch department was alerted to a fire in an apartment in the north end of the City on September 26, 2021. Units arrived to find a working structure fire in a second-floor unit. The onduty lieutenant immediately requested a second alarm, bringing all City companies as well as mutual aid from Deal, Sea Bright, Neptune Twp, Asbury Park, West Long Branch and Monmouth Beach. Long Branch and Elberon EMS and the Monmouth County Fire Marshal responded as well. - Fire News photo by Chris 'Doc' Denton
We did it! We finally held an in-person Conference after waiting 28 months due to Covid-19. It was great seeing everyone! We welcomed over 500 attendees to our new venue at Harrah's Waterfront Conference Center. Sunday evening, we held our Annual Networking and Awards Reception where we honored three Jonathan Young Scholarship Recipients, Ava Downs, Mark Steinberg and Justin Crawford. The Kevin Tuno Memorial Emergency Manager of the Year was presented by Todd Biebel, Verizon Wireless to Ed Conover, New Jersey Department of Human Services OEM. Atlantic City Electric's Ken Mosca presented the Company's Award of Merit to Fire Chief Scott Evans, Atlantic City Fire Department. Phyllis Worrell of Virtua Health presented a moving tribute for the 20th Anniversary of September 11, 2001. Major Scott Poulton, New Jersey State Police shared with the audience a recap of activities around COVID-19 and where the state is heading. Over 50 Breakouts and Training sessions were available to attendees, along with an inside vendor area and outside large vehicle display. The compressed Conference ended on Wednesday, September 22, with a presentation follow-up on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas School shooting by representatives of the Coral Spring Police Department. Mark your calendar now, the 2022 Conference is scheduled for May 2 through 6, 2022, at Harrah's Waterfront Conference Center.
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Fire News, November 2021, Page 21
3-Car MVA in Elmwood Park
On August 20, 2021, Elmwood Park Engine 1, Truck 4 and Rescue 1 responded to Route 46 for a car fire following an MVA. On arrival, the first chief found no fire but three vehicles were involved in the MVA on the eastbound side of Route 46. Little Falls EMS,
along with Clifton and Wallington responded to treat three injuries while the three vehicles needed to be towed from the scene. - Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti
Page 22, Fire News, November 2021
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Cooper River Muster Recently, Cradle of Liberty Antique Fire Apparatus Association held their annual muster at Cooper River in Pennsauken. A lot of beautiful apparatus were on display and there were also vendors selling T-shirts, patches, loose hand tools and other collectible fire memorabilia. The Cradle of Liberty Antique Fire Apparatus Association also sold gyro sandwiches and sodas at the event along with the Camden County Fire Police. - Fire News photos by Chris ‘Doc’ Denton
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All Hands Dwelling Fire with a Save
On August 30, 2021, Taskforce 25 units were alerted for a structure fire in Medford Township. A neighbor called and reported smoke from the roof of a dwelling. Engine 2511 arrived and stretched in the dwelling. Deputy Chief 2510, Watson III arrived and established command. While Engine 2511 was making their attack, they located an unconscious occupant inside. They removed the victim to EMS and the victim was flown to the hospital. Mutual aid came from Mount Laurel, Evesham, Medford Lakes and Tabernacle. The cause of the fire was under investigation and no other injuries were reported. This was Medford Fire and EMS departments’ second successful rescue of an unconscious victim from a fire in three months. - Fire News photos by Dave Hernandez
TOYNE, INC. APPOINTS NEW JERSEY EMERGENCY VEHICLES AS DEALER FOR NEW JERSEY Toyne Fire Apparatus, Inc., announced that New Jersey Emergency Vehicles (NJEV) has been named the authorized sales and service dealer for Toyne brand fire apparatus and products for New Jersey. NJEV, a division of P.L. Custom Body & Equipment Co., has been a dealer in the fire and emergency industry since 2007. NJEV operates from their 25,000-square-foot sales and service facility headquartered in Manasquan, NJ. With the introduction of Toyne Fire Apparatus, NJEV becomes a one-stop-shopping super center for all your emergency vehicle needs for the entire State of New Jersey. NJEV sells a custom line of Type I and Type III PL Custom Ambulances, Malley Type II Ambulances, Remounts, Conversion Vehicles, Rescue 1 Heavy and Light Duty Rescue and now Toyne Fire Apparatus. Visit www.njev.net for more information. Toyne Fire Apparatus is a leading manufacturer of firefighting vehicles and equipment. Founded in 1942 in Breda, Iowa, Toyne has consistently delivered quality-built fire apparatus to departments all across the nation. For more than 75 years Toyne has been building a reputation for manufacturing fire trucks that are built to take the call.
Toyne is proudly 100-percent American owned and operated. Specializing in stainless steel bodies, both bolted and welded, that are built to perform in the toughest conditions, Toyne offers a full line of custom and commercial pumpers, tankers, and aerials. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.toyne.com.
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Fire News, November 2021, Page 25
Up Close & Personal
Closter Chief Mark Lupardi speaks at the 9/11 memorial service in Closter. - Fire News photo by Chris ‘Doc’ Denton
River Edge Firefighter Nicole Greco. - Fire News photo by Chris ‘Doc’ Denton
Firefighter Joseph Lenarski of Ewing Township’s Prospect Heights Fire Company (Station 31) takes a break after battling a first-alarm fire at Mercer County’s trash transfer station on August 26, 2021. - Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliffe
The Long Branch Chiefs making dinner for the members of the department that attended the Wildwood convention and also to thank the members of the department for their continued support. Pete Delissa, Chief of the Department, is on the left with Assistant Chief Miguel Guarda. - Fire News photo by Chris ‘Doc’ Denton
Gene Sheppard of Pennsauken and his 1942 Diamond T at the Wheaton Muster on August 15, 2021. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe Mauricetown Firefighter Don Hundt waits his turn to offload during the High Street fire in Leesburg on September 28, 2021. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe
Page 26, Fire News, November 2021
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Remembering 9/11 Atlantic County, Hamilton Township Remembrance Ceremony. - Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe
Large Rubbish Fire in Ewing Township
A fire involving tons of rubbish inside a building at Mercer County’s trash transfer facility kept firefighters in Ewing Township busy during a hot and humid August 26, 2021. It was 1711 when volunteers from Prospect Heights (Station 31) and West Trenton (Station 33) fire companies, along with Telesquirt 30 staffed by Ewing Township career firefighters, were dispatched to the facility on Calhoun Street. Mutual aid came from Lawrence Township’s
Slackwood (Station 21) and Lawrence Road (Station 22). Master streams from Ladder Tower 31 and Ladder Tower 33, along with multiple hoselines, were put in service to extinguish the fire. A backhoe from the facility was used to break up the smoldering pile. The blaze was declared under control at 1757. - Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliffe