Editorial

From the Editor’s Desk

Dennis Whittam, Editor Where Does Experience Come From?

I became a firefighter in 1992. As a probationary firefighter and for the next few years, I constantly found myself challenged to be the best at what I was doing. After a few months, I felt like a seasoned firefighter. Fortunately, one or two of the old-timers kept me in line and made sure my ego wasn't going to get me in trouble.

Searching for a theme for this month's Fire News editorial, I gave thought to my career as I mow start my 30th year in the fire service. One of the thoughts that came to mind was the summer of 1995. Throughout that summer, Long Island had an unusual amount of brush fires. Upon our return to the firehouse, one of our senior members always asked how the fire went. It seemed that every time he asked about the fire, the flames were hotter, and the size of the fire increased exponentially. Fast forward to July 2022.

Last week my department battled a fatal fire that challenged our members. I know everyone can look back and recall a fire that not only challenged your skills, but also left a scar on your memory. The memory of a fatal fire doesn't go away. You are left with a haunting mark that will always come back to you in some way. Kudos to my department for making sure our members understood that they did their best to save life and property. I applaud the members of my department who did their best to save the victims of this fire.

Now, back to 1995. The Long Island Wildfires of August 1995 started in July of 1995. Yes, throughout the summer of 1995, brush fires were breaking out throughout Terryville, Rocky Point and eventually moved south to the Long Island Pine Barrens. As a firefighter, what goes through your mind as you are responding to a fire and see a dark violent cloud of smoke in the direction that you are traveling? Responding to my first major wildfire, I had no idea what to expect. Thankfully, the crew of experienced firefighters knew what we were in for that day and kept a watchful eye out for one another as the flames exploded around us. I believe 12 departments worked feverishly to bring the blaze under control. Unfortunately, due to the hot and dry conditions, the flames seem to pop out all over Long Island and eventually led to the Long Island Wildfire of 1995. This fire burned approximately 5000 acres.

I urge all new firefighters to research this fire. Ask yourself would you be ready to go to work to bring a major wildfire under control? Keep in mind that every call is a learning experience. Drills help us direct our thoughts and prepare you for dealing with a thought process to battle fires that may cross your path. Experience is what is needed to safely get you through a tough situation.

I recommend that on nights you are sitting at the firehouse, take a moment to share some of the difficult fires you have had with your newer members. Talk about the scenario so that your members are aware of how they can stay safe during difficult calls. Be prepared for the return of the unexpected call. -Dennis

NJChiefs Wildwood Seminar

The New Jersey State Fire Chiefs Association proudly presents Chief Anthony Avillo as their seminar presenter at Wildwood.

The seminar will be held Thursday, September 15, 2022, at 0830 in the Wildwood Convention Center. There is no charge for the membership, and there is a $20 fee for non-members. CEUs have been applied for from the NJ Division of Fire Safety. For more information and to pre-register and or pre-pay contact: www.njchiefs.com. We look forward to seeing you in Wildwood!

Anthony Avillo, M.S. retired in March 2015 after a 30-year career in the fire service. Avillo was a Deputy Chief in the North Hudson (NJ) Regional Fire and Rescue, assigned as 1st Platoon Regional Tour Commander.

Fire OfficerExcellence

This Full Contact Leadership / Fireground Strategies-based presentation will seek to challenge both current and prospective fire officers regarding preparation, attitude, philosophical approach, and operational and organizational skill both in the hard environment (on the fireground) and in the soft environment (the areas and time when you are preparing yourself and your subordinates for the fireground). This course will address officer and departmental responsibility as it relates to the Full Contact Leadership mantra: “Allow NOTHING to interfere with your ability to maintain the ready and in-service status of your command.”

Cologne Fire Stopped

The volunteerfire companies of Cologne, Laureldale and Mays Landing, along with Tower15 from Cardiff, responded to the Woodlands Complex in Cologne on June 20, 2022, at 0615, fora report of a structure fire. Mays Landing Assistant Chief Ken Badger, Jr., arrived and reported an active fire. Cologne’s assistant chief assumed command and the fire was contained to the rearsection of the unit but necessitated firefighters to open up. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Fire & Safety Services Hits 21 Years with the Burn Foundation

President David Russell of Fire & Safety Services, Ltd., of South Plainfield and Pierce Manufacturing, have committed to another year in support of the Burn Foundation. His dedication and support of the Burn Foundation has helped the burn care and burn patient communities going back to the new millennium.

Artist Joseph Getsinger will again be presenting an original, limited-edition Burn Foundation image for 2022 at the Wildwood Firemen's Convention on September 16 and 17, 2022. It is the Burn Foundation’s most important fundraiser.

And Joe Getsinger’s art has been a major influence in the foundation’s successful fundraising efforts in Wildwood for 42 years. - Fire News photo provided

Atlantic City 3-Alarmer

The Atlantic City Fire Department responded to St. James Place and the Boardwalk on June 24, 2022, at 0900, fora structure fire. The fire went to three alarms before being brought undercontrol with the last apparatus leaving the scene at 1430. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Cover Story

Kearny 5-Alarmer

Kearny firefighters responded to Laurel Avenue at approximately 1030 on June 26, 2022, fora residential fire. Crews arrived to heavy fire in the rearof the home with extension issues. Ambient temperature was at 100 degrees. The fire jumped the neighboring house and eventually went to five alarms. Mutual aid came from North Arlington, Belleville, Jersey City, Bayonne, Harrison, and North Hudson. - Fire News photos by Michael Saggau, Jr.

South Egg Harbor Decon Unit

The South Egg HarborVolunteerFire Company from Galloway Township responded Decon 5 to a third-alarm fire in Atlantic City on June 24, 2022, to do a rapid decon of firefighters. This was the brainchild of pastChief Scott Feldman (top, second from left) and Chief John Kolb (on the farright). - Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe

Clifton House Fire

On May 5, 2022, all Clifton Fire Companies were dispatched to Joyce Lane fora house fire. Engine 5 and Truck 2 simultaneously arrived to a 1-1/2 story wood frame with smoke and fire showing from the Alpha side. Engine 5’s crew quickly deployed a 1-3/4 inch line through the front doorto knock down the bulk of the fire. A backup line was stretched as crews worked on the second floor. Ladder3 came through the parking lot on the Bravo Charlie cornerto ladderthe rearof the home. The fire was placed undercontrol within 30 minutes and mutual aid coverage was provided by Passaic, Paterson, Bloomfield, Montclair, and Nutley. - Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

2 Burned at Paterson 3-Alarmer

Paterson crews responded to Madison Avenue on June 26, 2022, for what would become a three-alarm fire. Units arrived to heavy fire on the second floorextending to the attic and exposure problems. Paterson EMS was called to the scene urgently fortwo burn victims. - Fire News photos by Ronald Bombaro

Page 14, Fire News, August 2022 1 Dead at Fire,

MC Crash

The volunteerfire companies of Farmington and Cardiff responded to Delilah Road fora report of a vehicle fire on June 25, 2022. Firefighters arrived to find a motorcycle crash with fire involving grasslands and the motorcycle. Upon investigation firefighters found the driverseveral yards away apparently deceased. The scene was turned overto the police along with Investigators from the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

AC Expressway MVA

The volunteerfire companies of Farmington and Cardiff, along with firefighters from the Atlantic City Airport Fire Department, responded to the Atlantic City Expressway on July 3, 2022, at 1650 foran MVAwith rolloverand entrapment. Farmington Assistant Chief Dennis Sharpe arrived and reported no entrapment and returned the Egg HarborTownship apparatus. The ACY-IAPSquad 24 arrived and command was turned overto them and all occupants were examined by EMS from the Egg HarborTownship Ambulance Squad. The cause of the crash was underinvestigation by the New Jersey State Police. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Looking Back

Paramus - 2017

On March 13, 2017, the Paramus Fire Department responded to Denny Wiggers Garden Centeron Paramus Road. Upon arrival, companies discovered a working fire in a 1-1/2 story stone building, which was loaded with firewood being dried. - Fire News photo by Peter Danzo

Somers Point - 2017

The City of Somers Point VolunteerFire Department responded to West Dawes Avenue on June 25, 2017, fora structure fire. Firefighters found fire in the basement and worked to bring the fire undercontrol with an enormous amount of effort. Firefighters were on location forseveral hours. - Fire News photo by Carl Crossman

Wildwood Crest 2017

On June 25, 2017, the Wildwood Crest VolunteerFire Company was dispatched fora report of a structure fire with two building involved and a large column of heavy black smoke showing from two threestory single-family homes. - Fire News photo by Ron Harwood

Scholarship Winners

On behalf of the Egg HarborTownship Fire Department, President Wallace Bakely recently presented $500 scholarships to (left to right) Charles Jones and Jonathan Cimino of the Egg Harbor Township High School. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Fire News, August 2022, Page 17 Women Powerin

West Milford

Women Powerin the fire service; fourfirefighters from the West Milford Fire Department. - Fire News photo by Chris ‘Doc’Denton

CedarGrove 5-Alarm Blaze

On June 27, 2022, at 2247, the CedarGrove Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on Tiffany Court. Upon arrival, heavy fire was reported on the Charlie/Delta side, and fire coming through the roof. Occupants were reported out of the building. Several attack lines were stretched as well as several 2-1/2 inch lines to the door. During the course of a primary search, a few domesticated birds and a cat were removed. Interiorcrews were unable to make significant progress with the fire and an evacuation was ordered. Minutes afterall members were clear, a collapse of the ceiling and roof occurred. The fire was placed undercontrol around 0330, and the fire reached five alarms. Mutual aid came from North Caldwell, Verona, Montclair, Fairfield, West Caldwell, Essex Fells, Roseland, Little Falls and a Bloomfield Cascade unit. Station coverage was provided by West Orange, Bloomfield and Nutley. - Fire News photo courtesy of Chris Donlon, DC, Cedar Grove FD

Harrington Park Engine Crew

Members of Harrington Park Engine 561 pose fora group picture aftera wetdown forRamsey Rescue 8. - Fire News photo by Chris ‘Doc’Denton

Wetdown of New Apparatus

Members of Harrington Park Fire Department pose fora group picture before the dedication and wetdown of theirnew Pierce Ladder 569 and Pierce Ford Pumper563. - Fire News photo by Chris ‘Doc’Denton

Page 20, Fire News, August 2022 Where Are They Now?

In North Myrtle Beach, Ray Volosin, formerly of Wallington. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Doug Alpers, Lake Hopatcong. is now with Horry County FD, SC. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Chris Tillotson ex-Hillsborough now Horry County, SC. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

FireNews.com Fire News, August 2022, Page 21 VentnorCity 2-Alarmer

VentnorCity firefighters responded to VentnorAvenue fora fire on June 18, 2022. The fire was located in an upstairs room and eventually went to two alarms before being brought undercontrol. Three aerials were used to control the fire with mutual aid from Atlantic City, Margate and Longport. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe