Fire News New Jersey, April 2024

Page 26

Nominate a Hero See Page 6 for More Information. See story on page 7. - Fire News photo by William McFarland PRSRTSTANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID HICKSVILLE NY PERMITNO. 298 April 2023 Volume17, No. 11 NEW JERSEY NEW JERSEY

Hackensack Rescues at 3 Alarmer

Crews save people off the fire escapes as well as two children dropped to FFs.

See story on page 12

Heavy Fire at Ewing Twp. Blaze

Fire blowing out all windows, a collapse, and more keep FFs busy.

See story on page 14

Paterson

Warehouse Blaze

Firefighters are kept on overnight fire watch after battling a 4-alarmer.

See story on page 16

Egg Harbor City

3-Alarmer

Despite firefighters’efforts, a fire breaks trhrough the roof of a multi-use structure.

See story on page 18

Princeton Career Staff Officially Sworn

Nine firefighters who make up the career divison of the Princeton FD were sworn in on February 4, 2023.

See story on page 22

13 Displaced by Trenton Blaze

Firefighting efforts were hampered by a ceiling collapse and a damaged hoseline.

See story on page 23

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FireNews.com Fire News, April 2023, Page 3

From the Editor’s Desk

CFSI is Around the Corner!

CFSI? To our readers, I ask if you know what the Congressional Fire Service Institute is?

Every year, the departments that make a difference, send a contingency of representatives to Washington, DC, to partake in the National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner. In 2023, the CFSI Symposium will take place on May 22- 23.

The purpose of CFSI is to “Educate Members of Congress about Fire and Life Safety.” Formed in 1987, the Congressional Fire Services Caucus was established to just that, educate members of Congress about the work of the fire and emergency services, which goes far beyond simply fighting fires. It is important to know that, “The Fire Caucus was created to be a bipartisan group where Republicans and Democrats could work together to learn about our nation’s fire and emergency services, improve the readiness of local first responders, and jointly recognize their valor and dedication.” Alist of Fire Caucus members can be found on CFSI’s website.

Each year, approximately 2000 fire and emergency officials participate in this event. They attend seminars, conduct meetings with members of Congress and network to build relationships. At the conclusion of the symposium, the attendees assemble in the Washington Hilton

ballroom to hear our highest-ranking political leaders pay tribute to the dedication and commitments of our nation’s first responders.

By attending this event, you will have a better understanding about our government’s role in addressing the challenges and concerns of firefighters, emergency services personnel and the fire service industry. You will have the opportunity to speak with our friends in government about your concerns on national and local issues.

The CFSI program is designed to educate everyone on current and future national issues, legislation and policies that impact the entire fire-rescue and emergency services. Aside from meeting members of Congress and their professional staff, you will have the chance to meet with federal agencies and key administration representatives. In the past, members of the fire service who have attended this event came home with a sense of comradery toward the leaders of state and national organizations that represent the fire service industry. To learn more about the 2023 CFSI Dinner and Symposium, go online and visit www.CFSI.org.

In closing, I will leave you with a statement from the Congressional Fire Service Institute; “As a first responder, your job is to protect the citizens of your community against the threat of

West WindsorBlaze Quickly Extinguished

fire and other dangers. Our job at CFSI is to educate members of Congress about the work you perform and how the federal government can support the fire service in making our communities safer.”

I hope you visit the CFSI website to get a better understanding of their purpose and how you can be a part of this great event.

Oh, No! Not My Camaro!

Firefighters in West Windsor, MercerCounty, made quick work of a house fire during the night of January 10, 2023. The blaze on Canoe Brook Drive in the township’s Colonial Park neighborhood was reported at 2216. Smoke was issuing from vents on the second floorwhen police arrived. Careerstaff from West WindsorFire and Emergency Services (Station 45) and volunteers from the West Windsor(Station 43) and Princeton Junction (Station 44) companies responded, along with mutual aid from Princeton Fire Department (Station 60) and East WindsorFire Company 1 (Station 42). A1-3/4-inch hoseline was stretched to the interiorand fire located on the second floor. Asupply line was laid and water supply established, but it ultimately proved not to be needed as the blaze was quickly knocked down and declared undercontrol.

- Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliffe

- Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

On December22, 2022, Stations 25 and 26 were dispatched to a commercial building on Industrial Parkway foran activated fire alarm. While units were responding a memberin theirPOV radioed to dispatch that they were on scene with smoke showing from a garage doorand furtherinvestigation revealed a working carfire within the building. The assignment was upgraded to a structure fire bringing East DoverRITto the scene. Engine 2671 was first to arrive and stretched a 1-3/4inch line and quickly knocked down the fire. Fans were set up forventilation and when the smoke clear, it was revealed a brand new 2023 Camaro was the source of the blaze.

Page 4, Fire News, April 2023 FireNews.com

Townhouse Fire in Hamilton Township

The volunteerfire companies of Cologne, Laureldale and Mays Landing responded to Falcon Court in the TimberGlen Townhouse development on February 26, 2023, fora structure fire. ALaureldale fire officerwho was in the area saw a large headerand requested a ladder from the Pomona Fire Company from neighboring Galloway Township, which, upon its arrival, tied into a nearby hydrant and put its main into service on the B side and its crew stretched two 21/2 inch lines to the rearof the building and started attacking the fire. Firefighters on the Aside had multiple handlines in operation and once the bulk of the fire was knocked down, crews ventured in to check forextension. Two firewalls kept the fire from spreading through the complex. Also responding were Township of Hamilton Police and EMS, Atlantic County Fire Coordinators, Bargaintown, Atlantic City Airport Fire Department, Oceanville.

FireNews.com Fire News, April 2023, Page 7
- Fire News photo by William McFarland
Cover Story

Fire in Abandoned Hospital Highlights Busy Shift forTrenton Firefighters

January 8, 2023, proved to be an exceptionally busy tourof duty for firefighters in the state capital as members of Trenton Fire Department’s D Platoon battled fourworking fires in a 10-hourperiod, including one blaze involving part of the abandoned Mercer Medical Centercomplex. It was 1400 when crews were dispatched to the old hospital. Several othercompanies that would have been due were already committed to othercalls. Smoke was showing from the fenced-in complex on Bellevue Avenue when Engine 1 arrived. After forcing entry, firefighters realized the fire was betteraccessed from the rearoff Rutherford Avenue. Initially it was believed the fire was burning only on the exterior, but then heavy fire was confirmed in the base-

ment. The blaze was placed undercontrol at 1510. Anotherworking fire was reported at 1430 on the top floorof a three-story home on South Broad Street, on the opposite end of the city. This blaze was brought undercontrol by 1455 by remaining Trenton companies, as well as Rescue 1 and othercity firefighters who were quickly released from the scene of the first fire. The third workerof the day, reported at 1630 and declared undercontrol at 1648, was in the kitchen of a house on Emory Avenue. D Platoon’s fourth fire of the tour, reported at 2340, involved a vacant, boarded-up house on Cleveland Avenue. That blaze was placed undercontrol at 0037.

10 Cars Burn in South Amboy

On January 23, 2023, at 0300, the South Amboy Fire Department (SAFD) responded to a reported of multiple cars on fire on lower Main Street. Several handlines and foam lines were deployed. Ten vehicles were burned, but no injuries were reported. The Middle sex

Page 8, Fire News, April 2023 FireNews.com
- Fire News photos by Michael Ratcliffe County HazMat Unit was requested to the scene and the fire was underinvestigation by SAPD and Middlesex County Fire Marshal. All fire units were cleared the scene at 0500. - Fire News photo by Jamie Norek

Hackensack Kitchen Fire

Hackensack firefighters made quick work of a kitchen fire, whic h occurred on the evening of January 15, 2023, on Catalpa Avenue. Companies, dispatched to a report of a microwave on fire, arriv ed to a moderate smoke condition in the home and a fire on top of the microwave which started to extend into the kitchen vent duct

work. Two handlines were stretched and one was placed into operation to quickly extinguish the fire. Units remained on the sce ne forabout an hour, opening up and checking forextension, which was negative.

FireNews.com Fire News, April 2023, Page 9
- Fire News photo by Peter Danzo

Blaze Destroys TractorTrailer Cab in Ewing Township

Flames consumed the cab of a tractor-trailerin Ewing Township on February 14, 2023. Volunteers from Prospect Heights Fire Company (Station 31) were dispatched to Stokes Avenue, near Homestead Avenue, fora vehicle fire. Aminute later, township careerfighters (Station 30) and additional volunteers from West Trenton Fire Company (Station 33) were added to the assignment

afterit was reported that the burning vehicle was close to a building. Crews manning Squad 30, Squrt 31 and Engine 33 arrived to find heavy fire showing from the cab of a parked tractor-trailer. The blaze was quickly knocked down with a pairof hoselines before any damage was done to the adjacent structure.

Page 10, Fire News, April 2023 FireNews.com
- Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliffe
FireNews.com Fire News, April 2023, Page 11

Scullville MVA

The Scullville VolunteerFire Company responded to Ocean Heights Avenue on January 7, 2023, foran MVAwith possible entrapment. Scullville Assistant Chief Patrick Shields arrived and established command fora SUVon its side and smoking afterit collided with a utility pole, overturned, slid and hit a tree. Scullville Rescue 1537 arrived, and its crew removed the windshield to turn off the vehicle as the driverhad already self-extricated but did not turn off the ignition. The Egg HarborTownship Police investigated the crash.

- Fire News photo by Ken Badger

Rescues at Apartment 3-Alarm Fire

Just after0030 on December26, 2022, Hackensack Fire Department’s 2nd Platoon was dispatched to a four-story structure on Prospect Avenue. On arrival a fire was located in apartment B5 with heavy smoke throughout the building and occupants on the fire escapes. Asecond alarm was transmitted. As companies stretched lines and searches were underway othermembers helped remove occupants from the fire escapes. Two young children were dropped down into the arms of firefighters. This was all performed by the first-alarm companies consisting of 18 members including the tourcommander. Interiorcrews reported fire in the hallway and stairwell extending to the third floorat which time command transmitted a third alarm. An Englewood truck, normally assigned on the working fire, was involved in a serious MVAwhile responding, so Hasbrouck Heights was requested. Mutual aid came from Teaneck, Bogota, Ridgefield Park, Maywood and Hasbrouck Heights.

- Fire News photo by Peter Danzo

Carinto Building

On the evening of January 8, 2023, Wayne Fire companies 1, 2 and 5 and Wayne EMS Rescue were dispatched to the Ethan Allen on Route 46 westbound fora vehicle that had left the roadway and crashed into the building. The first arriving chief found a sedan that has crashed into a support column of the front of the store with no structural damage. One engine was requested to secure the vehicle.

- Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

Page 12, Fire News, April 2023 FireNews.com
MVA

NJFFS’Asst. Firewarden Stephen Maurer Retires

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) gathered on December 15, 2022, at the Division C Headquarters in Mays Landing to celebrate the retirement of Assistant State Forest Firewarden Stephen Maurer.

Firewarden Maurer officially retired on January 1, 2023, with 41 years and 11 months of service to the agency. In addition to his regular duties as an Assistant State Forest Firewarden at the Trenton Headquarters of the NJFFS, Maurer served on several state and national committees and working groups. He is also a nationally recognized and certified fire instructor with accreditations from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the State of New Jersey.

Firewarden Maurer was presented with several items to honor his years of service as well as testimonial speeches reflecting on highlights and memories throughout his career. Assistant State Forest Firewarden Maurer will be missed by the NJFFS as well as the local, state and national partners he collaborated with. Presenting plaques to Firewarden Maurer are State Firewarden Gregory McLaughlin and B-1 Section Warden Thomas Gerber. - Photos by Ken Badger, Section C-5 District Firewarden (ret.).

FireNews.com Fire News, April 2023, Page 13

Heavy Fire on Arrival At Ewing Township Blaze

Dispatched at 1324 on February 11, 2023, in response to multiple 911 calls, firefighters in Ewing Township in MercerCounty, arrived to Berwyn Avenue to find flames blowing out nearly every window on the second and third floors of a 2-1/2-story dwelling. Priorto arrival, responding crews from Prospect Heights (Station 31) and West Trenton (Station 33) volunteer fire companies and Ewing’s careerstaff (Squad 30) reported a large column of smoke visible formiles. Due to the volume of 911 calls, MercerCounty Central transmitted a full first alarm, which sent mutual aid to the scene from Lawrence (Engine 22), Pennington (Engine 51), Trenton (Ladder1), and Hamilton (Engine 2 and Truck 2). Firefighters initiated an aggressive interiorattack, however, heavy fire conditions and a collapse of the stairs to the third floor forced Prospect Heights Chief Doug Browerto order crews to evacuate and switch to defensive operations. Interioroperations laterresumed afterthe bulk of the fire was knocked down with exteriorhoselines and Squrt 31’s elevated masterstream. The blaze was finally declared undercontrol at 1427.

- Fire News photos by Michael Ratcliffe

Page 14, Fire News, April 2023 FireNews.com

Paterson Warehouse Blaze

At around 2230 on February 11, 2023, companies in Paterson’s 3rd Battalion were dispatched to Jefferson Street fora building fire. On arrival, the correct address was on Garfield Street, in a large single-story warehouse with a bow string truss roof. Companies reported the building was well involved with fire through the roof and exposure problems. Asecond alarm was quickly requested as companies went into defensive operations to protect the exposures which included a 2-1/2 story frame church. As portions of the roof collapsed and a third alarm was requested. While those companies were responding, command reported heavy fire and explosions occurring within the building and transmitted a fourth alarm which brought mutual aid companies to the scene. Six aerial streams, several deck guns, ground monitors and handlines were put into operations, successfully protecting the exposures. The fire took several hours to be placed undercontrol and companies maintained a fire watch throughout the night and following day.

- Fire News photos by Peter Danzo

Page 16, Fire News, April 2023 FireNews.com

Looking Back

LenolaCirca Late 1900s

The Lenola VolunteerFire Company operated this Ahrens Fox pumper.

Winslow1960s

Fire Company in Winslow Township, Camden County sometime in the 1960s.

FireNews.com Fire News, April 2023, Page 17
- Fire News photo from the Dennis C. Sharpe collection - Fire News photo from the Dennis C. Sharpe collection

Egg HarborCity 3-Alarmer

On February 14, 2023, ta 0020, the volunteerfire companies of Germania and South Egg Harborwere dispatched to Route 30 and Vienna Avenue at RefrigeratorCity in Egg HarborCity fora report of a structure fire. ASouth Egg Harborline officerarrive d and requested two additional ladders to respond with the Egg HarborCity and Pomona Volunteerfire companies dispatched. Firefighters were able to utilize a nearby hydrant forwatersupp ly. Firefighters threw ground ladders on the Aside to access the se cond floorapartments. The building was a two-story wood frame

interiorwith a masonry exterior. Otherfirefighters utilized the Egg HarborCity ladderto access the roof forventilation. Heavy smoke hampered firefighting efforts and despite theirefforts, the fire broke through the roof forcing firefighters out of the building. The fire grew to three alarms, with the remaining Galloway Township companies of Bayview and Oceanville dispatched to the scene whi le Elwood and City of Absecon covered. The cause of the fire was underinvestigation.

Page 18, Fire News, April 2023 FireNews.com
- Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe

Long Branch MVA

On January 3, 2023, at 1941, the Long Branch Fire Department responded to an MVAon Myrtle Avenue involving an overturned vehicle. Arriving firefighters found the single occupant driver to be entrapped. The vehicle was quickly stabilized, and the driverwas safely extricated. Ladder25-91, Engine 25-74, and Rescue 25- 85 operated on scene. - Fire News photos by Chris ‘Doc’Denton

FireNews.com Fire News, April 2023, Page 19

Uh-Oh!

On January 20, 2023, Toms RiverStation 26 responded to HooperAvenue just priorto the Station 26 Sub-Station fora reported pole on fire. Engine 2671 arrived to find a dump truck hauling an excavatorhad gotten tangled in overhead wires knocking down multiple poles and wires. Heavy traffic quickly built in the area as powerwas out along with nearby stop lights. The fire was out but crews awaited the arrival of JCP&L.

- Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

Page 20, Fire News, April 2023 FireNews.com

Second Alarm Transmitted forTrenton Blaze

Trenton firefighters assigned to B Platoon battled a two-alarm blaze that damaged two homes in the state capital on February 11, 2023. At 1446, Engines 3, 10 and 7, Ladder2 and Rescue 1 were dispatched While en route, companies spotted a column of smoke. The all-hands signal was transmitted and the balance of the first alarm units were dispatched. When companies arrived, heavy fire was showing from the Lamberton Street building. The second alarm was struck and multiple hoselines were placed in service when it was confirmed the fire had extended into the neighboring home on Lamberton. Crews were briefly ordered to evacuate afterwatersupply was compromised by an apparatus mechanical issue. Once watersupply was stabilized, interioroperations resumed and the blaze was declared undercontrol at 1555.

- Fire News photos by Michael Ratcliffe

FireNews.com Fire News, April 2023, Page 21

Princeton CareerStaff Officially Sworn In

The nine firefighters who make up the careerdivision of the Princeton Fire Department in MercerCounty were officially sworn in during a ceremony held February 4, 2023, in Princeton’s municipal building. While some of the careerfirefighters have been on the job since 2020, others were only recently hired. The ceremony was led by Princeton Directorof Emergency Services Michael Yeh, wit h the oath of office administered and badges formally presented to the firefighters by Princeton MayorMark Freda. Princeton Fire Marshal Joseph Novak, volunteermembers of the PFD, and fire-

fighters from neighboring towns were on hand to witness the ceremony. Bagpipers from Hamilton Township Professional Firefighters Pipes and Drums band opened and closed the services. The Princeton careerstaff are Local 72 of the New Jersey Firefighte rs’ Mutual Benevolent Association (FMBA). Congratulations to: Salvatore Baldino, George Luck III, Keith Wadsworth, Mark Nicholas Sitek, Andrew Summers, Gregory Griffis, Justin Kabis, Robert Walker, and Joseph Lenarski.

Page 22, Fire News, April 2023 FireNews.com
- Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliff

FirefighterInjured and 13 Left Homeless by Trenton Blaze

ATrenton firefighterwas hurt battling a blaze that damaged both sides of a duplex and left 13 people temporarily homeless in the state capital on February 7, 2023. Members of B Platoon were on duty when a resident of a McKinley Avenue address called 911 about 2055 to report his home was filling with smoke. Engines 7, 10 and 6, Ladder2, and Rescue 1 were dispatched. When Engine 7 arrived, they found fire showing from the roof, which occupied the right half of the 21/2-story duplex. The all-hands signal was transmitted and the balance of the first alarm (Engine 1, Ladder4 and Special Services 1) was sent. Engine 3 also responded as extra manpower. Heavy fire conditions were encountered on the second and third floors and fire extension was confirmed into the exposure. Firefighting efforts were reportedly complicated by an interiorceiling collapse and a damaged hoseline. Nevertheless, the bulk of the fire was extinguished within a half hour. Amemberof Engine 3 was taken to a local hospital forevaluation of minorinjuries and the Red Cross responded to help displaced residents.

FireNews.com Fire News, April 2023, Page 23
- Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliffe

INAUGURALNFFFGOLFTOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER

I would like to invite you to a new National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) event, the inaugural NFFF Topgolf Tournament at National Harbor! The event will be held on Sunday, March 26, 2023, from 1400 to 1700 at 6400 Clipper Way, Oxon Hill, Maryland.

This tournament will raise funds for the NFFF’s programs to honor the fallen, assist their families, and prevent line-of-duty deaths across the country.

This is a great opportunity to join with friends, firefighters, and the local community and enjoy three hours of high-tech golf. All attendees receive food, a drink ticket and contest ticket, swag bag, and can bid in the silent auction.

Topgolf has climate-controlled hitting bays for yearround comfort with HDTVs in every bay and throughout the sports bar and restaurant. Golf clubs are complimentary or

you can bring your own to take aim at the giant outfield targets. The high-tech golf balls will score themselves. You can participate as an individual player or sign up to be a sponsor. We are offering sponsorship opportunities at various levels and the sponsor prospectus details each level and the benefits we provide. For more information or to purchase tickets/sponsorships online, visit theevent website or contact Regina Livingston by email or at 443-302-2907.

Please feel free to share this opportunity with your friends and contacts in the area. Thank you and we hope to see you there!

FDSOAHEALTH AND SAFETYCONFERENCE DRAWS RECORD ATTENDANCE

Four organizations combined their firefighter health, safety and wellness conferences to bring more education to more fire service professionals

The Fire Department Safety Officers Association’s annual Health and Safety Conference broke new ground last month by collaborating and co-locating with like-minded health- and safety-focused fire service organizations.

For the first time the First Responder Center for Excellence’s Health and Wellness Symposium, F.I.E.R.O.’s PPE Symposium, Science Alliance’s inaugural Nerdstock and FDSOA’s Health and Safety Conference were held at one location with overlapping da tes.

“This collaboration made sense for the associations, the attend ees and the vendors,” says FDSOA’s Executive Director Rich Marinucci. “By co-locating, we saved everyone travel expenses and offered a deeper, more diverse line up of educational programs than we could have on our own. Collaborations always take more work. But when partners like these come together with a common goal of protecting firefighters, everything falls into place - and everyone comes out a winner.”

FDSOAhad nearly 40 speakers, 33 break-out educational sessions and two general sessions, Marinucci said. This drew significantly more attendees and vendors than any of the previous shows over the past eight years.

Those speakers included the U.S. Fire Administrator Lori Moore Merrell and Retired Fire Chief Dennis Compton, as well as long list of health and wellness experts.

One of the conference’s highlights was the FDSOAChairman’s Award being presented to National Fallen Firefighter Foundation Executive Director Ronald Siarnicki. Siarnicki announced earlie r this year he would retire after leading the group for 22 years.

“I am humbled to receive this award from our great friends at FDSOA,” Siarnicki said. “And I want to extend my gratitude to FDSOAfor everything they do to educate and train safety officers.”

FDSOAnamed Casey Jones the 2023 Safety Officer of the Year. Jones, in his acceptance speech said the unknown was the most dangerous thing facing the fire service today. “There are a lot of unknowns, but it is really ourselves, because we are the ones who fear the unknown.” Preparedness, he said, is not a destination, but an

ongoing effort to learn and improve.

And learning and improving was the at the core of the combined conferences.

F.I.E.R.O. President Robert Tutterow said he came away from the joint conferences with a renewed sense of its importance and th e importance of health and safety play in fire department leaders hip.

“As I’ve reflected on this past week, I’ve had the thought that no one should be deemed qualified for fire chief unless they have served two years as a certified HSO officer in a department,” Tutterow said. “This safety week has established itself as the must-go event f or fire service personnel and vendors. You will not find better topics and speakers than at this conference.”

Science Alliance drew standing-room only to its TED Talk-style presentations focusing on firefighter health and wellness research. The new group was the brainchild of noted fire service researcher Sara Jahnke, who is the director and senior scientist at NDRI-USA.

“Everyone worked so hard over the past year to take Science Alliance, and ultimately Nerdstock, from concept to reality,” Jahnke said. “I was filled with a parental-like pride and emotion looking out and seeing standing room only for our sessions. It not only validated our staff’s hard work, but also the importance the fire service places on meaningful scientific research for firefighter health and wellness. The collaboration with FDSOA, F.I.E.R.O. and FRCE was critical to our success.”

About FDSOA

The Fire Department Safety Officers Association was established in 1989 as a non-profit association. Its mission is to promote safety standards and practices in the fire, rescue and emergency services community. The association is led by a volunteer board of directors and has a small staff to handle the day-to-day operations. The association is dedicated to the issues that affect the critical rol e of the safety officer in protecting and promoting the safety and health responsibilities of fire departments, communities and first res ponders. FDSOAcan be found on the web at www.fdsoa.org. Please follow FDSOAon LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Page 24, Fire News, April 2023 FireNews.com

Somerville Holiday Parade

On December3, 2022, the annual Somerville Holiday Lights parade was held throughout the township featuring emergency vehicles from across Somerset County and beyond. Thankfully the rain that had fallen all day subsided less than an hourbefore the parade started allowing the full parade route to be completed!

FireNews.com Fire News, April 2023, Page 25
- Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

Restaurant Fire in West End

Live Wire Fire

- Fire News photo by Chris ‘Doc’Denton

In the early afternoon of January 4, 2023, the Long Branch Fire Department responded to the Windmill Restaurant in West End foran odorof burning. Upon arrival, firefighters were met with a smoke condition and located an active gas-fed fire underneath the basement steps. Firefighters gained access to the area and made a quick stop on the fire, preventing furtherextension into the building. The area was subsequently overhauled and utility companies notified.

Cardiff Shed Fire

The volunteerfire companies of Cardiff and Bargaintown responded to RutterAvenue fora report of a structure fire. Cardiff Chief Gil Zonge arrived to find a garden shed well involved. The crew of first arriving Engine 1516 made short work of the fire and used its tank waterto extinguish it. The fire was investigated by the EHTFD Fire Officials. Also responding were the EHTpolice and EMS.

- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

On January 31, 2023, at approximately 0830, while clearing a fire alarm, Engine 2671 responded to Bay Avenue fora reported downed wire on fire. Aprimary wire was found on the side of the road burning and JCP&Lwas requested to the scene. The roadway was closed down and, once the powerwas secure, crews extinguished a small brush fire.

- Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

2023 NJ Emergency Preparedness Association Conference

April 17-21, 2023

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino - Atlantic City, NJ

If you haven’t registered yet, put it on your To-Do List. March 1 through April 14, 2023, the registration fee is $250 and after that, the fee is $300.

Visit our website www.njepa.org

to view our schedule of Training Sessions and Breakouts and register for training before the classes reach capacity.

NJEPAin partnership with the New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management is pleased to continue the initiative that will allow Conference attendees to complete the Advanced Professional Series (APS) within three years.

The Advanced Professional Series offers how-to training focused on practical information. This series emphasizes applied skills in disaster operations and management, in conjunction with the Professional Series emergency management fundamental skills. The APS course lineup was first established to motivate and challenge students to continue emergency management training. Courses include practical skills from the whole spectrum of emergency management and disaster duties. APS courses are classroom based unless otherwise noted. Students who complete the five required courses and any five of 15 elective courses are eligible to receive the FEMA Advanced Professional Series Certificate of Completion.

By completing the APS, individuals show that they are knowledgeable in the five mission area components of emergency management: prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery. The series completion certificate is a standard that is recognized across the country. The APS does not require a recertification once initially completed and there is no cost to participate in the FEMAsponsored certification program. APS courses are delivered through the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management.

See you in April!

Page 26, Fire News, April 2023 FireNews.com
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