VOLUME 10, NO. 1
W W W .FIRENE WS .COM
Serving New Jersey's Fire, Rescue & EMS Heroes JUNE 2015
Continued on page 5 - Fire News photo by John Axford
Fire News Welcomes Everyone to Harrisburg North Hall, Booths 704-705 – New Jersey Edition –
Page 2, Fire News, June 2015
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Fire News, June 2015, Page 3
In this issue... 2 Children Die in Orange House Fire Firefighters find the bodies of a one- and six-year old at a four alarm fire. See story on page 9
A Service for New Jersey Firefighters and EMS Heroes
146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY 11713 FRANK C. TROTTA, Publisher TIM EDWARDS, Executive Editor
Nice Save in Flanders Three police officers pull a woman to safety at a Flanders house fire See story on page 13
3-Alarmer in Millstone Tankers from Mercer and Monmouth counties are required to supply apparatus. See story on page 24
Earth Day in Farmington Farmington VFC #4 are joined by other first responders ...and Smokey the Bear. See story on page 26
St. Baldrick’s in Blackwood The Blackwood Fire Company raises over $21,000 at this annual event. See story on page 28
ACFA Valor Awards
DENNIS WHITTAM, Editor GARY P. JOYCE, Asst. Editor MARIE TROTTA, Vice President, Production/Sales LYNN SEDLER, Art Director CLIFF CHIESA, Production Manager Advertising Sales: BARBARA CONNOLLY, EVELYN ALOISIO Graphic Artist: GREGORY JONES 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, Michael J. Coppola, 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, 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, Gary W. Wasylyk, Chris Whitam, Wells P. Wilson, Gerald Wyhopen, Jr., Peter Danzo. Columnists: Bruce Johnson, John Salka, Billy Goldfeder. COPYRIGHT 2015, THE FIRE NEWS LLC., LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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The Atlantic County Fire Fighters Association helds its awards program in April. See story on pages 34-35
PLUS: Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 4 Special Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 29 Up Close . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 29 Industry News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 31 Business Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 35 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 36
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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.
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History Repeats Itself As I am writing my monthly editorial, tens of thousands of police officers, first responders and civilians are gathering in Bethpage, New York, to pay respects to NYPD Officer Brian Moore, who was slain by a thug, oh wait, I can’t say that, I stand corrected, I will say slain by a criminal. On Monday, City of Poughkeepsie firefighter Timothy Gunther will be laid to rest. Firefighter Gunther died in the Line of Duty while operating at a fire on May 5, 2015. On May 6, 2015, Washington DC firefighter Kevin McCrae was also killed in the Line of Duty. Fire News offers its sincerest condolences to the families and departments of our fallen responders. On May 7, 2015, I attended a class given to fire coordinators in Suffolk County (New York) in conjunction with the Suffolk County Police Department and Suffolk County EMS. The class, entitled Coordinated Response to Active Shooter Scenarios, opened my eyes and reminded me of the many - yes many - incidents that have happened in the world since 2000. If incidents involving active shooters are increasing, my question to you is; are you prepared? Columbine, Mumbai, Aurora had one thing in common: the threat of facing multiple threats simultaneously. In 2011, an EMT was shot in Baltimore. In 2012, four responders were shot, two fatally, in Webster, NY. Did you forget about these incidents? How about the teachers and students who lost their lives in Sandy Hook?
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From the Editor’s Desk Dennis Whittam, Editor It has been only recently that I have been hearing of drills designed to test responders’ skills and protocols for future incidents. Let’s face facts, horrible acts of violence will happen again. Are you prepared to handle this type of disaster? Brushfire season is upon us. There have been large fires throughout the country and the season has only begun. I remember back in 1995 when I watched flames jump across a highway on Long Island. Up until that fire, I thought I was a seasoned firefighter capable of handling any fire that came along. Boy, was I wrong! Last week I shared my experience with two of our probationary firefighters. I asked them if they had any idea how to fight a brush fire. Their honest answer was no. I appreciated their honesty and took them over to our department brush truck and proceeded to go over what they needed to know if they ended up on the truck. Simple things like how to stretch hose so the nozzleman could do his job. I think I opened the eyes of two enthusiastic probies. Experienced responders must take the time to share their experiences with our inexperienced members. After all, history repeats itself. If you were part of your company’s history, you must share your experiences with your newer members. More importantly, the company must listen to your stories because history repeats itself. Stay Safe, Dennis
Scullville House Blaze The volunteer fire companies of Scullville and Bargaintown responded to Kingsway Road on February 17, 2014, for a structure fire. Assistant Scullville Chief Steven Prisament arrived on location and established command, with Captain Patrick Flynn assuming operations. After an investigation of the interior firefighters discovered a fire upon opening the garage door. Command then requested first-in Scullville Engine 1532 to stretch a line to the garage. Command then had firefighters check the crawl space where there was fire in front of the residence’s fireplace. Firefighters stretched a second line into the front door of the home and had the floor in front of the fireplace opened up. Bargaintown Engine 1526 supplied Scullville’s second-due engine. Responding were Scullville, Bargaintown, Somers Point, Egg Harbor Township EMS, Egg Harbor Township Police, and the temperature was 13 degrees with ice. - Fire News photo by Ken Badger
Budd Lake Makes Quick Work of Vacant House On March 11, 2015, calls came in from neighbors on Springdale Terries in Budd Lake for smoke coming from a 1-1/2 story house. Car 52 and Engine 53 arrived and confirmed a fire in the rear of the house in the kitchen area. Command called for a second alarm as crews stretched a line in the front door and found the fire in the kitchen area and quickly knocked down the fire as Flanders Fire went to the roof and vented. - Fire News photo by Kevin Maloney
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Fire, Total Collapse in Pennsauken Blaze
On April 4, 2015, Pennsauken Township FM 11-1 discovered a brush fire in the yard of a residence at Stow Road and Union Avenue. An electrical wire had fallen starting the ground cover ablaze. Due to unusually dry conditions and high wind, the fire rapidly spread to the occupied two-story house on division D. The windswept flames traveled up the side of the house causing the fire to extend to both floors. Pennsauken, Squad16 from Collingswood and an engine from neighboring Cherry Hill responded automatically on the box. Also on the first alarm was Engine 2013 from Cinnaminson. The occupant of the house was safely removed. Handlines and two master streams were placed in service. The fire rapidly extended to the attic and through the roof, consuming the house. After 30 minutes of intensive efforts to control the blaze a collapse took place at division C. Fire Chief Joe Palumbo advised all members operating at the scene to be aware that an additional collapse of the property was imminent. Several minutes after this, the entire house collapsed. The home next door sustained some heat damage but was protected with a line manned by the Collingswood crew. Station coverage was provided by Westmont and Merchantville. ReHab 13 from Deer in Cherry Hill was called to the scene and as were extra BLS units from Pennsauken. EMS stood-by at the scene. There were no serious injuries reported. - Fire News photos by John Axford
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2-Alarmer in Passaic On February 14, 2015, Passaic firefighters along with an engine from Clifton fought a two-alarm fire in an apartment building on Prospect Street. The fire was located on the first floor on the B/C corner and extended to the apartment above. An aggressive attack kept the fire from extension and the main body was knocked down in 10 minutes. No injuries were reported. - Fire News photos by Peter Danzo
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Structure Fire in McKee City
Fire News, June 2015, Page 7
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The volunteer fire companies of Cologne and Mays Landing responded to West Jersey Avenue in the McKee City section on February 16, 2015, for a report of a structure fire. Mays Landing Chief John Sauerwald and Cologne Chief Shawn Vallauri arrived to find a two-story, wood frame, single-family dwelling with smoke showing. Chief Sauerwald requested mutual aid from Cardiff. Because the location was on the border of the two municipalities, with Cardiff closest, Cardiff Engine 1516 and 1512 were first in. An additional request for Bargaintown’s tanker was made as there were no nearby hydrants. A single line was stretched in the front door where firefighters found fire along the Bravo side and once the fire was extinguished, the entire Bravo wall was opened up. Cologne firefighters used their Tower 18 to open up the roof. Mays Landing Tanker 1819 and Bargaintown Tanker 1528 supported the effort. Responding were Cologne, Mays Landing, Cardiff, Bargaintown, Mizpah (covered Mays Landing), Laureldale, Germania (covered Cologne), Hamilton Township Police, Hamilton Township EMS. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe
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Fire News, June 2015, Page 9
2 Children Die in Orange House Fire
On February 20, 2015, the Orange Fire Department responded to a house fire on Central Place. On arrival, companies encountered a heavy fire condition on the first and second floors of a 2-1/2 story home with people trapped and several jumping out windows with burns. An urgent second alarm was requested. Fire was already extending into the homes on both sides as companies made a very aggressive push into the building in an attempt to conduct searches as conditions rapidly deteriorated. A third alarm was requested and command was forced to evacuate the building and ordered defensive operations. In brutal conditions with temperatures in the single digits
and with wind chill factors below zero, companies worked to protect the exposures and knock down the fire in the original building so that they could re-enter. A fourth alarm was requested as companies using a ladder pipe, a deck gun and numerous handlines started darkening down the heavy fire and all visible fire in the exposures. Firefighters were able to re-enter the building to conduct a search and work on overhaul, and discovered the bodies of a one-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl. The original building was a total loss, but both exposures were saved although they suffered fire damage. The cause of the fire was under investigation. - Fire News photo by Peter Danzo
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Hackensack Multi-Use 3-Alarmer On April 23, 2015, the Hackensack Fire Department responded to a report of smoke coming from the roof of a multi-story, multi-use Main Street building. Engines 2, 1, 5, and 4, along with Ladder 1 and Rescue 1 responded under the command of D/C Grieco who requested a second alarm bringing a Teaneck FAST unit and Englewood truck. Upon arrival of Engine 4, an attack line was stretched to the first floor, Engines 2 and 5 stretched handlines to the second and third floors as Engine 1 established a water supply. E4 began to extinguish the fire in the first floor kitchen. Command transmitted a third alarm for additional companies to the scene and for coverage. Conditions began to deteriorate and members were evacuated. Heavy fire was knocked down and companies re-entered the building to check for additional hot spots and conduct secondary searches. Due to the amount of fire and the condition of the building it was deemed compromised and had to be razed. The Red Cross was on scene to relocate families from the 12 apartments that were affected by the fire. Two firefighters were injured. - Fire News photo by Justin Derevyanik
South Amboy 4-Alarmer
On April 13, 2015, the South Amboy Fire Department was dispatched to the C-Town Supermarket on Bordentown Avenue for a structure fire. First arriving units encountered heavy smoke condition coming from the storefront, followed by heavy fire from the storefront and roof. A third alarm was quickly struck by Amboy Chief Mike Geraltowski, followed by a fourth alarm and special calls. A defensive operation started with multiple masterstreams including four elevated units. The use of multiple fire hydrants exhausted the South Amboy water supply causing the command to bring in the regional LDH strike teams. Approximately 3500 feet of five-inch line was relayed from a hydrant on Route 35 in Sayreville to supply the masterstreams. - Fire News photos by Mike Nowacki
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2-Alarmer in Vineland
On March 12, 2015, the City of Vineland Fire Department in Cumberland County was dispatched to South Delsea Drive for a structure fire at Double D’s Saloon. Command was established by Car 1, Chief of Department Robert Pagnani, who upgraded the call to an all hands and requested a second alarm. Tower 6’s and Engine 61’s crews entered the front door to search for the seat of the fire;Vineland Ladder 2’s crew also assisted. While moving back down the hallway, Firefighters Strain and Haught found fire in a room on the D wall of the A side. While speaking to command, a
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large volume of fire broke through the roof in the area of the crews working inside. The evacuation alarm was sounded. Numerous ladder pipes poured water on the fire for several hours. Responding were Unit B3, Car 1, Engines 11, 21,22, 31, 33, 42, 53, 61, Ladders 2, 4, Tower 6, Rescue 1, Investigator 6, Vineland City EMS Ambulance, Vineland Police, Rosenhayn VFC, Salvation Army, City of Vineland Electric Company, N.J. DOT, South Jersey Gas Co. - Fire News photo by Ken Badger
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Wood-Ridge Dumpster Fire On March 19, 2015, the Wood-Ridge Fire Department was dispatched to a reported dumpster fire at the Avalon Westmont Station Apartments. Upon arrival it was discovered that the contents of a dumpster were on fire and had extended to the adjacent structure. Crews from Wood-Ridge and mutual aid towns were able to quickly extinguish the fire with minimal damage caused to the interior of the structure. - Fire News photo by Dan Eckert
Nice Save in Flanders On April 28, 2015, Police Officer George Jadue was among the first to arrive at a fire at a two-story, wood frame home, and was met by two off-duty New Jersey State Policemen, who told Jadue a woman was inside the home. Heavy smoke prevented entry and they called to her and guided her to the stairs, where she was able to jump to the law enforcement officers, who pulled her to safety. Jadue and the resident were both transported by Flanders Fire Company #1 and Rescue Squad and the Budd Lake First Aid Squad to local hospitals for smoke inhalation and other minor injuries. - Fire News photo by Doug Fenichel, FFC PIO
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On April 12, 2015, Englewood firefighters responded to a West Street address for a report of a fully involved van fire in the driveway extending into the home as well as a neighboring home. An offduty fire lieutenant discovered the fire, notified the department and evacuated the home prior to units’ arrival. A live electrical wire hampered operations and a second alarm was requested, but com-
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panies were able to quickly knock down the fire before it could extend and cause serious damage. The van was a total loss, one occupant was transported to the hospital with minor injuries and the fire was placed under control within 30 minutes. Teaneck, Hackensack and Tenafly responded on the second alarm to assist at the scene. - Fire News photo by Peter Danzo
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Bloomfield 2-Alarmer Recently, the Bloomfield Fire Department responded to multiple calls of a working house fire. Car 30 called in along with Engine 2, and confirmed they had a working fire and informed central that Engine 1 was closed (due to lack of manpower) and they had to wait for the next due engine to get water on the fire. Engine 2 and 3 arrived after Truck 1 and, shortly after, a second alarm was called bringing Belleville Engine 3, Nutley Engine 1, Montclair Engine 1, East Orange Ladder 2, Bloomfield Engine 4 and Rescue 1 to the scene. Three dogs perished in the fire, but one cat was saved. - Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti
Box Truck Fire in Budd Lake On April 9, 2015, calls started coming in from the extended stay hotel on International Drive in the Budd Lake section for a truck on fire at the rear of the building. Car 52 was the first to arrive and had a box truck full of flowers on fire and quickly called for Flanders Fire to assist with one engine. First-due Engine 59 pulled their front bumper line just as Engine 95 pulled in and assisted the crew with knocking down the fire and supplying a feed line to 59. The fire was contained to the back half of the truck; the flowers were destroyed along with the rear of the box truck. - Fire News photo by Kevin Maloney
Restaurant Fire in Minotola The volunteer fire companies of Minotola and Landisville and the Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Company were dispatched to Wheat Road in Minotola to the Tre Bellezze Restaurant, for a report of an automatic fire alarm. Communications retoned the companies reporting that police were reporting a structure fire. Landisville Chief Rick Coraluzzo, Jr., arrived and established command and reported he had a fire in a kitchen of a one-story restaurant with the kitchen fire suppression pulled. Minotola’s Telesqurt was first due and its crew led off with a preconnect into the kitchen. Command had a Landisville engine lay a five-inch supply line from a hydrant to supply the Squrt. Firefighters quickly knocked down the fire and ventilated the structure. Also responding were East Vineland and Richland , Buena Borough EMS, Buena Borough Police, Atlantic City Electric Company. - Fire News photo by Ken Badger
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Laureldale Snuffs Expwy. Blaze
On April 18, 2015, the Laureldale Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched to the Frank Farley Rest Center on the Atlantic City Expressway for a report of a fire in a storage shed. Chief Chris Tilley arrived and established command and requested mutual aid for a fire that involved a storage shed, and another storage container, exposing onto the adjacent Sunoco Gas Station. Firefighters
from Cologne, Mays Landing and the Atlantic City International Airport responded and held the fire to the storage containers with some exposure to the gas station. Firefighters checked the interior attic of the gas station with thermal imagers and found minimal exposure. Also responding were the State Police, Hamilton Township EMS. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe
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Smoke Condition Forces School Evacuation On April 21, 2015, Station 84 (Blackwood Fire Company), Station 82 (Chews Landing Fire Department) and Ladder 62 (Pine Hill Fire Department) were dispatched to Our Lady Of Hope school for a reported building fire. Engine 821 pulled an attack line, while Ladder 84 split its crew, sending the interior team to open up the walls and the OV man to open the exterior. Crews found smoldering damage on the exterior of the building. No injuries were reported and the fire was under investigation. - Fire News photos by Michael Breyer
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Mizpah Structure Fire
Recently, the volunteer fire companies of Mizpah, Weymouth, and Mays Landing responded to a structure fire on Railroad Boulevard in Mizpah. Assistant Mizpah Chief Eric Davenport arrived and requested water tenders from the Richland, East Vineland and Dorothy. Mizpah Chief Jamie Davenport arrived and established command and had Mizpah’s first-due engine go into service on the A side. The Mays Landing tender stretched a line to the B side. The Richland Fire
Company responded with two engines, one water tender, and a cascade/light unit. Richland Chief Anthony Monfredo had their first-due engine set up a Blitz Fire, while their second-due engine put down a five-inch supply line. Atlantic County Water Tender Task Force B was requested to augment the water supply, bringing water tenders from throughout Atlantic, Cumberland,and Gloucester Counties and a tender from Salem County. - Fire News photo by Ken Badger
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Somers Point MVA
The City of Somers Point Volunteer Fire Department responded to command for a vehicle into a utility pole. Firefighters rendered the Bethel Road and Durant Avenue on April 1, 2015, for a single-vehi- vehicle safe for removal. The Somers Point Police Department - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe cle crash. Somers Point Chief Frank Denan arrived and established investigated the crash.
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3-Alarmer Rips Through Home in Millstone Recently, the Millstone Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire with flames showing. Upon arrival companies encountered heavy fire in the attic with visible flames shooting through the roof. At times the smoke was so severe the home could not be seen. There were no hydrants in the area so water supply was critical. The master stream on the first-due apparatus, a Squrt, could not be used as there wasn’t enough water to supply both it and interior handlines. Eventually tankers from neighboring Mercer and Monmouth counties supplied water. The fire grew to a total of three alarms with mutual aid companies from Monmouth, Middlesex and Mercer Counties. - Fire News photos by Craig Haas
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Fire News, June 2015, Page 25
House Fire in Lodi
On April 4, 2015, an EMS crew conducting a fund drive discovered a working house fire on Liberty Street and notified the Lodi Fire Department. On arrival, command reported heavy fire on the D side of the 2-1/2 story dwelling from the first floor extending upward, and requested a second alarm. Companies stretched several lines into the structure, opened the roof and discovered that the majority of the fire was on the exterior with some extension into the
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home. The main body of fire was quickly knocked down, however a large amount of overhaul and opening up was necessary to get to pockets of fire and the fire was finally declared under control in just over an hour. Mutual aid came from Wallington, Garfield, Hasbrouck Heights, Maywood, Rochelle Park and Hackensack. - Fire News photos by Peter Danzo
Page 26, Fire News, June 2015
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Farmington at Earth Day Event
The Atlantic County Utilities Authority in Egg Harbor Township Farmington Volunteer Fire Company #4 of Egg Harbor Township celebrated Earth Day at their facility on Delilah Road on April 26, gave out fire prevention literature and gave demonstrations on fire 2015, under sunny skies with plenty of people. All the emergency related themes, and Smokey the Bear stopped by to greet the public. - Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe services; police, fire, EMS, sheriffs, and forest service attended. The
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St. Baldrick’s at Blackwood On April 12, 2015, the Blackwood Fire Company hosted their annual St. Baldrick’s event at The Palace Catering. The event started with a large car show with over 270 vehicles. Some 77 participants shaved their heads during the event, which raised over $21,000 towards childhood cancer research. Thanks to all who participated and helped make this such a wonderful event. - Fire News photos by Michael Breyer
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Up Close & Personal
John Cowie of the Barnegat Fire Company is the Ready-Set-Go chairman. - Fire News photo courtesy of John Cowie
Scott Kivet, Deputy Chief of the Middlesex County Fire Coordinators, George Gawron, 1st Assistant Chief of the Sayreville FD, and Rich Mulligan, Chief of Sayreville FD, operating at the South Amboy four-alarm fire. - Fire News photo by Mike Nowacki
Page 30, Fire News, June 2015
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Firehouse Kitchen While planning the fourth season of Firehouse Kitchen, I wanted to do something “cool” for the opening show. I remembered an e-mail I received, a short time ago, from the Connecticut State Fire Academy, in which they asked if we would like to come and film a show with their probationary firefighters. Apparently, Firefighter Ray and Firehouse Kitchen are a big hit amongst this group of soon-to-be firefighters. They had found the show on foodytv.com and had become avid viewers. Not wanting to let anyone down, of course Firefighter Ray obliged and we went to film an episode. I entered the main training building and found Captain Bill DeFord, one of the lead training officers. He was conducting a mask confidence drill, which consists of suiting up in full firefighter gear, including bunker gear and SCBA, and entering a maze of challenges based on escaping different scenarios one may have to face during a fire. This course was one of the hardest I have seen and coming from a retired New York City fireman stationed in Jamaica, Queens, that’s saying a lot. Back to the main reason why we are here, cooking! Captain Bill yelled, “Recruits, time for the meal!” Within 10 minutes, there were eight recruits in the kitchen prepping, cleaning, sautéing and cooking. On the menu for lunch was homemade minestrone soup, grilled chicken sandwich, an earthy, crunchy salad, and a yogurt parfait. After some bantering and yelling in the kitchen, Captain Bill instructed the recruits to go into the mess hall to eat. I said, “This isn’t lunch (referring to the food we just prepared),” and was told it was the prep for dinner. Three more hours of training was on the schedule. So back to the training field we headed. Before I knew it, Captain Bill came to me and said he was almost done with the cooking! “Bill, this is a cooking show! I need to film them cooking!” Luckily, my cameraman had caught the cooking action on tape. The meal was wonderful, and followed Captain Bill’s motto: if one is filled with good fuel, one will fight hard in a fire. What is cool about the Connecticut State Fire Academy is that it’s a sleep away program (recruits return home Friday through Sunday). The camaraderie I witnessed amongst these young firefighters reminded me a lot of how I felt about my experiences in the FDNY. After witnessing the training these recruits are put through, I would feel confident fighting a fire with them and knowing they had my back. Hats off to the “Frozen 46.” That’s what they nicknamed themselves due to the frigid winter we had this year. To find out more about Firehouse Kitchen or how to become a sponsor, visit firehousekitchenshow.com. Also, attention firefighters, I am looking for new fire cooks for the next season of Firehouse Kitchen. E-mail me at ray@firehousekitchenshow.com or call 631-514-5859.
By Ray Cooney
FRESH VEGGIE MINESTONE SOUP 1 28-oz. can of crushed tomatoes 4 cans of legumes (black beans, kidney bean, pinto bean, etc.) 1 bunch celery hearts , chopped 1 bag of baby carrots, chopped 5 cloves of garlic, crushed or minced 3 cups of chopped vegetables of choice 4 B of olive oil 6 cups of water 4-6 cups of homemade chicken or vegetable stock 1-2 cups of small variety pasta Pepper, oregano, basi and parsley to taste Parmesan Cheese for garnishing finished soup Sautee carrots, onions, celery, garlic and chopped vegetables in olive oil to soften. Add sautéed vegetables and legumes to stock, water and crushed tomatoes. Sprinkle herbs and spices in. Simmer for three hours. Bring to a boil a half-hour before serving and add pasta to soften. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan sprinkled on top.
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Fire News, June 2015, Page 31
MINERVA BUNKER GEAR CLEANERS ANNOUNCES PROJECT CLEAN HOODS, NEW MONTHLY PROGRAM TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE FIREFIGHTER HOODS. In an effort to protect the health and safety of firefighters, Minerva Bunker Gear Cleaners introduces a new monthly program to clean and sanitize hoods. Fire departments need a least two hoods per member to join the program and free shipping is provided both ways. Hoods are bar-coded with the department’s name and serial number. Each hood is thoroughly washed with Fire Soaps detergents and sanitized using an EPA Registered Hospital Grade Fabric Sanitizer which kills 99.99 percent of germs and bacteria. The hoods are then inspected and individually wrapped. Departments that participate in Project Clean Hoods receive a 10% discount on all of their bunker gear cleaning and inspection. Minerva selected the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) to receive five percent of the proceeds from Project Clean Hood. FCSN is dedicated to provide timely assistance to all fire and EMS personnel and their family members who have been diagnosed with cancer. “Firefighters get cancer at a rate three times higher than the rest of the population,” said Joe Xiras, founder of Minerva. “Hoods provide protection during fireground operations, however they soak up smoke and soot that are full of carcinogens. We hope that Project Clean Hoods helps firefighters reduce their risk of cancer. We also want to continue to support the FCSN
and their national firefighter cancer awareness and prevention programs.”
About Minerva Bunker Gear Cleaners
Minerva Bunker Gear Cleaners, with locations in New York, Charlotte and Miami, serves more than 1,000 fire departments nationwide from small volunteer to large metropolitan departments. Minerva is fully NFPA 1851 compliant and has taken the lead in developing the Fire Soaps line of detergents and anti-bacterial products for the fire and ems industry. For more information about Minerva and its range of services, please visit http://bunkergearcleaners.com.
About FCSN
Cancer has become the most dangerous threat to the health and safety of America's firefighters. The Firefighter Cancer Support Network provides timely assistance and one-on-one peer support to fire/EMS members and their families after a cancer diagnosis. FCSN, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, also educates the fire/EMS community about cancer awareness, prevention, early detection, and treatment options. For more details, please visit firefightercancersupport.org.
THE FF1 STORY AS IT LOOKS TO THE FUTURE It was a regular Tuesday in the spring of 2005 for most people, but for Jonathon Van Norman it would soon become a date that would change his life. On April 12, 2005, "Firefighter One" was officially founded and even though the office was in the basement of his house at the time, he was onto something that would soon take New Jersey by storm. As a fire chief, Jonathon was always on the search for reliable vendors for his department but many of them did not have customer service as a priority and he knew that there must be a better way. With a strong background in sales, he was confident that his company could provide a higher quality of service to fire departments around the state. It didn't take long for Firefighter One to make its first sale - uniform badges from Smith & Warren for the Jefferson Fire Department. New manufacturers were picked up each week and before you knew it, many departments across Northern New Jersey had established a relationship with Firefighter One. Hand tools, uniform accessories, and eventually turnout gear became regular sales and a new office and a larger team was needed. Jonathon packed up his downstairs office and moved to a larger space in Jefferson off of the busy Route 15. As the company continued to grow, the product lines became larger with vendors like Fire-Dex, MSA, TNT Rescue and Zodiac Boats. This put Firefighter One on the map across the Northeast United States and again, the team had to be expanded upon in sales and the development of a service team had begun. With a new division added to the company, it was time again for the office to move up to Sparta to a larger shop with warehouse space, upstairs offices and a larger showroom. The showroom had opened up an opportunity to sell 5.11 Tactical, Game Sportswear and dozens of uniform options to walk in customers at their convenience. The showroom proved to be so successful that a need for another store in Morris County was evident and in 2011 the Roxbury Showroom opened up which brought hundreds of customers through the doors in the first few months. This store would eventually become the home of FF1 Uniforms with a full team of professionals to help with Class A and Class B Uniforms, customized apparel and little knick-knacks for 1st responders that walk in each and every day. As equipment was being sold at higher volumes, Jonathon realized that departments needed training on these new products so he approached a local training company, with several well known firefighters from across the region and acquired "CSS" and started the Firefighter One Training Division. This was an easy transition as of the owners of CSS, Scott Warner, had known Jonathon for years and it was as if it was meant to be. The training division is now busier than ever, out on average four times per week training teams across New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Seeing the immediate success with the Roxbury store, a small shop was opened up in Hazlet, NJ as a sales office and showroom for our customer in Monmouth County. This store was in a great location on Route 36 but quickly became too small for what the company needed so in January of 2015 the new FF1 Wall location opened up with a large service bay and a sales office for local Chiefs to stop by and order equipment. In 2013 Firefighter One re-branded as the focus was no longer just firefighters, but for all emergency services personnel and became FF1 Professional Safety Services. Along with this change came a HUGE announcement as well, FF1 would now become the authorized dealer of Ferrara Fire Apparatus for the state of NJ. This would change a lot for the company and within a few months, once again had to move.
In May 2014, a 10,000-square-foot building with an empty adjacent lot was purchased around the corner from the previous office, which provides 5,000 square feet of warehouse and workshop space for apparatus service, repairs and inventory stock for the sales team. With a focus on customer service, FF1 has continued to grow year after year and has been able to offer revolutionary new products as they have become available like FireDex PPE with the industries best leads times, TNT Rescue tools and the best warranty on extrication tools and the brand new MSA G1 SCBA. Ninety-five percent of the employees at FF1 have been or currently are involved in the emergency services within their community or as a career. "This makes a huge difference when it comes to working with customers," said Van Norman, President and Owner of FF1, "a lot of the time we know what they are looking for before they can finish their sentence. I look forward to the future of FF1, because if you had told me 10 years ago that we would be where we are today, I wouldn't believe you. That makes me really excited to see where will be 10 years from today!" For more information of FF1 Professional Safety Services visit us at www.FF1.com or call us at 973-940-3061.
10 Fun Facts about the 10 Years of FF1 Professional Safety Services 1. The logo has changed three times 2. The first product line ever sold by FF1 was Smith and Warren Badges. 3. The company started in the basement of Owner Jonathon Van Normans house in Jefferson, NJ and has moved 3 times ultimately landing us in our current 10,000 sq ft Headquarters in Sparta, NJ. 4. During the week of Superstorm Sandy in 2012, FF1 employees traveled over 4,000 miles between Rochester, NY and Medina, OH to get supplies for customers in need across NY & NJ. 5. FF1 supported 90 local events and fundraisers for emergency services in 2014. 6. President and Owner Jonathon Van Norman prefers to be called “Jonathon” instead of “Jon”. 7. www.FF1.com was viewed by 19,226 different users in 2014 at an average of 52 per day 8. First Ferrara Truck sold by FF1 being delivered on the 10th Anniversary 9. In the first five years of existence, Jonathon and Sales Manager Todd Rudloff each gained 40 pounds, and in the last five years have lost said 40 pounds. 10. Between 2013 & 2014, the Training Division at FF1 has trained 627 people in Moving Water Awareness.
Page 32, Fire News, June 2015
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Training at Camden Center Members from Station 84 (Blackwood Fire Company) got the chance to train at the Camden County Regional Emergency Training Center’s Burn Building recently with Gloucester Township Fire District 6 and Station 62 (Pine Hill Fire Department). Members trained on hoseline advancement and operation. Thanks to District 6 for the training opportunity. - Fire News photos by Michael Breyer
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Looking Back The Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company of Upper Township in Cape May County today and in 1948. - Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe
Fire News, June 2015, Page 33
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ACFA Valor Awards The Atlantic County Fire Fighters Association presented 50-Year Awards during their 24th Annual Valor Awards Program on April 15, 2015, to Chief Robert J. Gibney of the Dorothy Volunteer Fire Company, Donald G. Milne of the Egg Harbor City Fire Department, and James Sanford of the South Egg Harbor Volunteer Fire Company. Accepting the award on Mr. Sanford’s behalf were his children. - Fire News photo by Ken Badger
A Unit Valor Award was presented to Atlantic City Fire Department acting-Captain Andrew Hunt, FF Bruce Martin, FF Daniel Geraci and FF Thomas Higbee, all of Ladder 2, for a rescue at a Winchester Avenue fire on April 26, 2014. Pictured also are Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian (left) and actingChief of Department Vincent ‘Skip’ Granese (right). - Fire News photo by Ken Badger
THANK YOU! 91,400 for the likes! (Let’s make it 100,000!)
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Fire News, June 2015, Page 35
ACFA Valor Awards
Meritorious Valor Award presented to: NJFFS Section Warden Russ Fenton, Chief Walter ‘Butch’ Kienzle, Egg Harbor City Fire Department Chief Shawn Vallauri, Cologne Volunteer Fire Company former-Captain Kieth Mullineux, Egg Harbor City Fire Department. The award was for a November 15, 2014, fire with a rescue. Pictured with the recipients is William Edwards, NJFFS State Fire Warden. - Fire News photo by Ken Badger A Meritorious Valor Award was awarded to members of the Atlantic City Fire Department; Captain Kurt Marron, FF Joel Sparano, FF Khalif Bennett, all of Rescue 1, and FF Shay Still of Ladder 1 for a rescue on November 27, 2014. Pictured with the recipients are Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian (left) and acting Atlantic City Fire Department Chief Vincent ‘Skip’ Granese. - Fire News photo by Ken Badger
Captain Jason Rouse of the Bargaintown Volunteer Fire Company and civilian Fred Maccarelli for a rescue that occurred on November 26, 2014, on the Atlantic City Expressway. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe
Page 36, Fire News, June 2015
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No Guts, No Glory! There are different ways to learn than just in a classroom. And we all agree firefighters are a competitive bunch. So this year Firehouse Expo is offering firefighters the opportunity to compete in the inaugural Fire-Rescue Competition Powered by Firehouse. The timed competition will simulate a Mayday involving a downed firefighter and will require teams to perform a relay rescue operation to search, locate and extract the downed firefighter. The three fastest, most efficient times will move on to the finals on Saturday, July 18, 2015. A voluntary pre-conference training session will be provided the day before the competition for all registered teams. The training will include classroom instruction and hands-on training. Skills being evaluated during the competition include: Command and Control Operations; Personnel Accountability and Reporting; Fireground Communications; Forcible Entry Techniques; Navigating a Diminishing Clearance Obstacle; Overcoming Entanglement Hazards; Up and Over/Lifts and Carries; Wall Breach; Victim Search, Packaging and Removal; Restricted Opening Rescue and Removal Operations Applications are currently being accepted for state and regional conferences interested in hosting a qualifying event for the 2016 National Championships. For this year’s event, the top three teams in regional events being offered at Fire-Rescue East (Daytona, FL) Smokey Mountain Weekend (Pigeon Forge, TN) and the Maryland Fireman’s Convention (Ocean City, MD) are slated to participate in this year’s championship. All events are being Powered by Firehouse. The team named National Champions will take home a trophy and bragging rights … until next year’s event! For a complete description of the competition, event rules, grading criteria and team registration information, visit FirehouseExpo.com.
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Page 38, Fire News, June 2015
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Roosevelt Community Egg Hunt
The Roosevelt Volunteer Fire Company hosted its second annual Community Egg Hunt at the Roosevelt Public School on April 12, 2015. Over 1200 eggs were filled with prizes, and over 50 children participated in the event. The company raised a little over $200. Prizes were donated by CentraState Fitness Center, Sesame Place,
Sahara Sam’s Oasis Indoor and Outdoor Water Park, Englishtown Raceway Park, New Egypt Speedway, East Windsor Bowling, Chuck E. Cheese of Princeton, Bounce U of West Windsor, Rita’s Ice and RedBox movie rental. - Fire News photos by Amy Batista