Fire News New Jersey, April, 2024

3 Alarm Commercial Building Fire

Lakewood Fire Department was dispatched a building fire at an abandoned warehouse.

See story on page 8

Shed Fire in Toms River

Toms River Stations 25 and 26 responded to a 10 x 20 shed fire on Parkview Lane.

See story on page 11

Resident, Dog Killed in Ewing House Fire

Companies were dispatched for a dwelling fire with a reported elderly female trapped inside.

See story on page 14

MVAat Delilah and Atlantic City Expressway

Egg Harbor Township Fire Department responded to a motor vehicle crash with entrapment.

See story on page 16

Lawrence Township Creek Claims Another Vehicle

Emergency personnel were called out for another vehicle that plunged into the Shabakunk Creek.

See story on page 21

Rainy Day House Fire

All Brick Fire Companies responded to a house fire at a 2-story wood frame with fire showing from the rear.

See story on page 24

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8-Alarm Inferno Consumes Mattress Warehouse

Firefighters from across Middlesex County, togetherwith mutual aid from five otherNew Jersey counties, were mobilized to battle a raging inferno that consumed a mattress manufacturing facility and warehouse in North Brunswick on Jan. 24, 2024. The fire was fueled wood, foam and otherhighly-combustible raw materials used in the manufacturing of mattresses and box springs. Along with, Propane tanks, forklifts and othermachinery exploded and helped furtherintensify the blaze. Additional alarms were ordered and firefighting efforts were hampered by a broken watermain in the area. Mutual aid tankertask forces and strike teams from Somerset, Mercer, Monmouth, Burlington and Ocean counties were called in. It took over30 tankers and overhalf-a-million gallons of waterfrom Farrington Lake. Firefighters kept the fire from spreading to several exposures, including an attached commercial building and neighboring residential properties. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported to eitherfirefighters orworkers who had to be evacuated from the blazing warehouse. Firefighters remained on scene forthe next several days dousing hot spots and assisting investigators. - Fire News photos by Mike Ratcliffe

House Fire in Rural Egg HarborTownship

Fire Pit Goes Up In Flames

The volunteerfire companies of Scullville and Bargaintown from the Egg HarborTownship Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire on Betsy Scull Road on February 12, 2024. Firefighters were on the scene in minutes, and were faced with heavy fire showing from a large wood frame dwelling. Asecond alarm was called in forremaining township fire companies. The building was located in a rural area, a tankertask force was requested. The fire eventually went to multiple alarms and the cause is under investigation.

- Fire News photo by Vern Cruse

Firefighters in Hamilton Township, MercerCounty, were called upon to set up a landing zone fora medevac helicopteraftera man was badly burned on Feb. 3, 2024. The 911 callerreported hearing a loud explosion and then seeing a blaze in the rearof the house, with a person running around possibly on fire. Upon arrival was an outdoorfire pit burning. Furtherinvestigation revealed that an adult male had suffered severe burns, from an accident involving the fire pit and a containerof gasoline. Robert Wood Johnson EMS personnel and Capital Health System paramedics stabilized the patient on scene, then transported him to a field at Nottingham High School for the landing zone. The patient was then flown via CooperUniversity Health Care medevac to the burn unit at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.

- Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliffe

Toms River Chimney Fire Causes Major Damage

January 21, 2024, East Doverand Island Heights Fire Companies were dispatched to a home on St John Ave fora reported chimney fire. The initial call came in from a resident across the lagoon saying they could see visible flames from the chimney. Upon arrival Chief reported heavy fire on chimney and attic. It was quickly upgraded and a call to bring in Silverton and Ocean Beach. Atransitional attack was initiated as one exteriorline was stretched to knock down the exteriorfire while additional crews went to the second floorand attic to knock down the extension.

- Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

CarAblaze in Toms River

Toms RiverStation 26 responded to the parking lot at Donovan Catholic Church on HooperAvenue fora reported carfire. Acolumn of smoke could be seen from a distance as crews arrive to a well involved engine compartment fire. The crews quickly extinguished the fire.

- Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

South Amboy Celebrate New Chiefs

MayorFred Henry of South Amboy officiated the swearing in of new officials on January 1st, 2024, at City Hall. The 2024 Chief of Department Timothy Gay (Progressive Engine 9), 1st Assistant Chief Rafael Albarran (Mechanicsville Engine 10), and 2nd Assistant Chief Michael Kelly (Enterprise Truck 8) were sworn into theirrespective offices in front of family, friends, and fellow firefighters. MayorHenry congratulated the new chiefs and thank them fortheirdedication to the city. MayorHenry also thanked out going Chief John Dragotta fora job well done in 2023.

- Fire News photos by Jamie Norek

3 Alarm Commercial Building Fire

January 8, 2024, Lakewood Fire Department were dispatched to Ocean Avenue fora reported building fire. Crews arrived confirming a working fire and the Chief transmitted a second alarm fora well involved abandoned warehouse with exposure problems. Crews received reports that there were possible occupants on the second floorand a third alarm was requested. The crew attempted to entered building but heavy fire consumed the building. The crews remained on scene throughout the evening hitting deep seated fire. - Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

Eastampton Extraction Drills

On February 26, 2024, members of Eastampton Fire Rescue, spent the evening performing extraction drills. Allowing youngermembers some needed tool time and seniormembers to refresh skills and share tips and tricks of the trade.

- Fire News photos by Eugene Oberfrank/Eastampton Fire Rescue

Oradell 2 CarCrash

February 10, 2024, Oradell Fire Department Squad 22 responded to a 2-carmotorvehicle accident on Spring Valley Avenue and Ridgewood Avenue. It was reported one of the occupants was trapped in the vehicle. The driverin one of the vehicles along with otheroccupants were evaluated by Holy name Hospital EMS. Command requested PSE&Gelectric company to check out a pole that was struck by one of the vehicles. The accident is underinvestigation. - Fire News photo by Chris Denton

Shed Fire in Toms River

On February 6, 2024, Toms River Stations 25 and 26 responded to a reported shed fire on Parkview Lane. A10 x 20 shed in the rearof the property with heavy smoke showing. Aline was stretched quickly knocking down the heavy fire within the shed. The cause is still underinvestigation by the Toms RiverFire Bureau.

- Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

Garage and Truck Ablaze in Toms River

In the early morning of February 14, 2024, Toms RiverFire Stations were dispatched to a home on Twin Oaks Drive fora reported truck fire in close proximity to the home. Ladder2865 was first to arrive and transitioned theirassignment into fire attack and stretched a line to quickly knock down the truck fire and head to the interiorof garage. Quick response on the fire helped limit damage to the home and keep majority of the fire damage to the garage area of the home. Engine 2671's crew located and safely rescued a dog from the home.

- Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

Resident and Dog Killed in Ewing House Fire

Aresident and herdog perished in a house fire in Ewing Township, January 23, 2024. On-duty Ewing, Prospect Heights, and West Trenton Fire Companies were dispatched at 7:12 p.m. fora dwelling fire with a reported elderly female trapped inside. Heavy fire was showing from the front of the 1.5-story home when first-due arrived. An aggressive interiorattack and search was immediately initiated. Arapid intervention team (Ladder4) from Trenton was also dispatched. The bulk of the fire was quickly knocked down, and the blaze was undercontrol at 7:56 p.m. Sadly, the victim, who was reported to have been 90 years old was already deceased inside the home, togetherwith herpet.

- Fire News photos by Michael Ratcliffe

3-Car Collison at Delilah and Atlantic City Expressway

The volunteerfire companies of Cardiff and Farmington from the Egg Harbor Township Fire Department, responded to Delilah Road and Atlantic City Expressway Exit 9 on February 22, 2024, fora report of a motorvehicle crash with entrapment. Cardiff Chief Gil Zonge, arrived and established command and had first due Rescue 1517's crew pull a line and two tools and do a "doorpop" afterdisabling the vehicles power. Firefighters assisted EMS in removing the injured and stood by until the vehicles were removed. The cause of the crash is being investigated by the Egg Harbor Township police.

- Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe

Bargaintown Annual WinterFundraiser

The Bargaintown VolunteerFire Company in Egg Harbor Township held theirannual winterfundraiseron February 24, 2024 at Kingpin Lanes. The family event is includes bowling and a silent auction. - Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe

ACFAExecutive Committee Dinner

Members of the Atlantic County Firefighters Association (ACFA) Executive Committee attended the spaghetti and crab dinnerat the NeverThere Gun Club in Hammonton on November3, 2023. This is a semi-annual event that draws hundreds of people.

- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

FFHurt at Auto Body Fire on Halloween

Trenton Fire Department’s D Platoon was on duty when the first of several 911 calls started coming in. Engines 3, 10 and 7, Ladder2, Rescue 1, and Battalion 1 were initially dispatched to South Broad Street. With multiple calls being received, the assignment was immediately upgraded to an all hands. While enroute to Furman Street, first-due Engine 3 arrived to find smoke showing from the roof of the single-story structure occupied by R&R Auto Body. Crews forced entry and found a working fire inside. The bulk of the fire was quickly knocked down. One firefighter reportedly suffered a laceration and was transported to hospital by Trenton EMS.

- Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliffe

Somerdale New Mack Engine and New Building

Shed Fire in Atlantic County

The Cardiff and Farmington Fire Departments in Atlantic County responded to FarrAvenue at 21:00 hours on November23, 2023, fora report of a structure fire. Ironically, two Cardiff firefighters live adjacent to the fire scene and called the station about the working fire in a shed in the rearof the property. The crew of the first due Cardiff engine stretched 2 lines onto the fire with a quick knock. The second due Cardiff engine supplied its tank waterand the Farmington engine provided scene support with lights. The cause of the fire is underinvestigation by the EHTFD investigators.

- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

The Somerdale Fire Department in Camden County has acquired a new Mack Engine and built a new building to house it!

- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Toms River Annual Open House

October8, 2023, was the Annual Toms RiverOpen House with all fire companies in attendance. Stations participated in various demonstrations forfamily members and residents. There were live burns, high angle rescues, carfires, forcible entry, waterrescue and more!

- Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Conference

April 22-26, 2024

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City

Do not delay, register now for the best emergency preparedness conference on the east coast. You have until March 1st to take advantage of the Early Bird rate of $200, that’s a $50 savings over the standard rate. At the door it will be $300.

Besides saving some money, you will also get the best selection of available training classes, classes are filling up quickly!

We will be celebrating 25 years of providing training and networking opportunities to our attendees and as such, we have some very special events planned to include you in the celebration. Visit our website www.njepa.org for more information and to register, space is limited on some events so make sure to sign up soon.

We look forward to seeing you in Atlantic City in April!

Fell from Ladder Trimming Hedges

Toms RiverFire Station 26 secured a Landing Zone forRWJ

LifeFlight to transport a patient that had fallen off a ladderwhile trimming hedges. The patient was flown to JSUMC. No update on condition of patient.

- Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

Lawrence Township Creek Claims AnotherVehicle

The Lawrence Township creek is fast gaining a similarreputation - at least locally - forclaiming the vehicles of student drivers. At 5:23 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2024, emergency personnel in Lawrence were called out afteranotherdriving lesson went wrong and a vehicle plunged into the Shabakunk Creek. The shopping center’s rearparking lot is a popularplace forarea residents who are learning to drive to practice theirskills. Inexplicably, however, this incident was the third time in eight months where a student driversomehow managed to crash a vehicle into the same part of the creek. As in the previous incidents, firefighters had to enterthe waterto hook up chains so the vehicle could be towed back onto land. Luckily, there were no serious injuries reported during any of the three incidents.

- Fire News photos by Michael Ratcliffe

Looking Back City of Englewood - 1979

The 1979 American La France built & served to The City of Englewood. It was the Departments 1st closed cab rig and 1st diesel powered apparatus.

- Fire News photo by D. Barry & part of Chris Doc Denton Collection

Bargaintown VolunteerFire Company

Looking Back at the Bargaintown Volunteer Fire Company when the State Firemen’s Convention was in Atlantic City.

- Fire News photo by Dennis Sharpe

Bergenfield - 1976

1976 Peterbilt cab and chassis with body by Salisbury constructed this rescue forthe Bergenfield fire department it was in service until 2004. It was replaced by a KME Rescue truck. Bergenfield Fire Department has changed their radio call signs to Rescue 1. Historically, the department fire apparatus had a blue gumball light orblue light bar. All were changed to a mix of red, white and blue lights.

- Fire News photo by Chris Doc Denton

CAMPBELLSUPPLYIS THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE PROMOTION OFSPENCER CAMPBELLTO THE POSITION OFDIRECTOR OFOPERATIONS FOR ALLCAMPBELLSUPPPLY.

Spencer has been an integral part of our organization since his early years, demonstrating unwavering dedication and contributing significantly to our success.

With a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of our company’s values, Spencer is poised to lead with vision and determination. In his new role, he will oversee all Service and Part s operations across all Campbell Supply, working closely with key stakeholders to ensure operational efficiency, profitability, and the highest level of customer service.

“We are confident that Spencer’s leadership and strategic acume n will continue to drive the success of our organization,” said Scott Campbell CEO at Campbell Supply. “His commitment to excellence and his longstanding dedication to our company make him the ideal candidate for this role.”

Spencer will collaborate closely with our Parts and Service Directors and Managers, ITstaff, Controllers, and HR staff at each location to uphold our company’s reputation for excellence and deliver unparalleled customer service.

Please join us in congratulating Spencer on his well-deserved promotion.

CFSI AND MASIMO TO HONOR THE PHILADELPHIA FIRE DEPARTMENTFOR EXCELLENCE IN EMERGENCYMEDICALSERVICES

The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) and Masimo wil l honor the Philadelphia Fire Department with the 2024 Excellence in Fire Service-Based EMS Award for their innovations in emergency medical services. The award presentation will occur at the 34th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on April 29th in Washington, DC.

The Philadelphia Fire Department was selected for its Alternative EMS Response Units (AR) that provide ALS capabilities in non-ambulance vehicles for four types of emergency medical care. Three units are SUVS staffed with paramedics and specialized care providers. One unit serving the University of Pennsylvania delivers emergency medical care and courtesy rides to students with low-acuity complaints. The fire department assigned a second unit to an area of the city with an extremely high rate of substance use disorder incidents, while a third unit responds to behavioral health emergencies. Afourth unit, a utility cart equipped with ALS equipment and a paramedic, provides rapid response to medical calls at Philadelphia International Airport. Since being placed in serv ice, these units have taken tremendous pressure off the EMS system, enabling traditional medic units to respond to other calls. Bas ed on the success of these units, the fire department intends to place mo re of them in service.

“With fire departments across the nation developing innovative programs to enhance their EMS capabilities, CFSI is proud to cosponsor the Excellence in Fire Service-Based with Masimo to rec ognize fire departments for their innovations,” said Jim Estepp, CFSI President. “I extend my congratulations to the Philadelphia Fir e Department for developing an innovative EMS program that is enhancing the level of emergency medical care for the citizens of Philadelphia.”

“Masimo is proud to co-sponsor the Excellence in Fire Service-Based EMS Award,” said Andy Jones, Senior Vice President of US Alternate Care. “At Masimo, we focus on the spirit of innovation just as fire departments strive to innovate in their delivery of emergency medical care. By offering industryleading monitoring solutions, we are helping fire departments improve patient care outcomes at the emergency scene, resulting in more lives being saved. Congratulations to the Philadelphia Fire Department for being honored with this award.”

For additional information about the 2024 National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner, please visit the CFSI website. This event benefits the mission of the Congressional Fire Services Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy organizatio n designed to educate members of Congress about fire and life safety issues.

Rainy Day House Fire

All Brick Fire Companies responded to a house fire at Davidson Avenue on December10, 2023. In a heavy rain crews arrived to a 2-story wood frame with fire showing from the rear. Crews made a quick knock down of the fire by an interiorattack and the fire was placed undercontrol 20 minutes after arrival.

Tenafly New Engines

Tenafly Fire Department, received a 2023 Rosenbauer

Viper109 RearMount Ladderwith a pre-piped waterway with controls on the turntable and remote controlled. Acustom LED backlit ladderboards that displays Tenafly Ladder1.

- Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

- Fire News photo by Chris Denton

CarAblaze on Trenton Freeway

It was about 6:45 p.m. when Trenton’s Rescue 1 and Engine 6 were dispatched to the area of the Trenton Freeway (Route 1) South nearthe New York Avenue exit. Finding nothing there, both companies began to search the area. Trenton firefighters located the blazing vehicle just overthe municipal line in Lawrence Township. A short time later, Rescue 1 pulled up to find Lawrence police already on scene with a carfully-engulfed in flames along the southbound shoulder. The occupants had all already gotten out and were safe. Rescue 1 members went to work, and were soon joined by Lawrence’s Tower201 and Engine 6 and the stubborn blaze was finally subdued.

- Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliffe

RiverEdge Co. 1 Swears in New Officers

The officers of the Atlantic County Fire Chiefs Association were sworn in January 30, 2024, by Howard Berchtold Jr., Executive Committee Chairman of the Atlantic County Firefighters Association held at the City of Absecon Fire Station. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Prospect Heights Fire Co. (Station 31) FirefighterJoey Hall brings an extra length of hose up to extend a line during overhaul operations at a fire that destroyed a detached garage on Carlton Avenue in Ewing Township on Dec. 16, 2023.

- Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliffe

Prospect Heights Fire Co. (Station 31) Lt. Cameron Broweris shown during overhaul operations at a fire that destroyed a detached garage on Carlton Avenue in Ewing Township on Dec. 16, 2023.

- Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliffe

Chief of The Dept., Robert Schlossberg (Left), River Edge Mayor, Tom Papalco (Center), Bergen County Executive, Jim Tedesco III (Right).

Toms RiverFire Chief McKay Bayville Fire Co., Fire Chief McKay - Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

Wayne Dilks of the City of Linwood Fire Department being sworn in as a Sergeantat-Arms forthe Atlantic County Firefighters Association at theirFebruary 21, 2024, meeting in Longport by President Chuck Macintosh Jr.

- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Chief Of The Dept., Robert Schlossberg (center), Assistant Chief Greg Cariddi, Deputy Chief Eric Schultz, Captains; William Sanders & John Mauthe Jr., Lieutenants; Ben Silver, James Carroll, Seth Hanauer, John Farelli.

- Fire News photos by Chris Denton