Editorial

From the Editor’s Desk

Dennis Whittam, Editor Are You Ready To Lead?

As I write my December editorial, Thanksgiving is almost upon us. I sincerely hope you “remember the reason for all seasons,” and give thanks that you are part of one of the greatest organizations, namely, the Fire Service!

Over the next few weeks, our departments will be holding their elections of new officers. I know some of you hold elections of new officers later in 2022. Regardless, whenever you hold elections, my thoughts for new officers are the same. Sitting in the front seat is only a small part of your job. Are you ready to lead by example?

Afew weeks ago, I attended a Lieutenant Joseph P. Dibernardo Seminar. If you were not there, especially as an upcoming officer, you missed a terrific three-day seminar that challenged the skills of everyone who attended. As I photographed the firefighters utilizing the search maze, I realized my place is behind the lens. Wow! Were the participants challenged! I spoke with a few members who finished the course. Their comments were similar and concluded that they were out of shape and needed to get back to the gym. As a new officer, or even an officer who is in a second year of the position, are you ready for the challenging call? I urge you to look into the mirror and evaluate yourself. We live in troubled times. Can you handle the serious or unconventional call that you are presented with when you get off the truck?

As a new officer, it is your job to motivate your crew. Is your crew serious about doing truck maintenance? If you weren’t serious about this as a firefighter, chances are your crew will follow in your footsteps. The last thing you need as an officer is to ask for a piece of equipment and it does not work. Guess what? You as the officer could be liable for not following through and checking what your crews did during truck maintenance. Remember, when your members speak to you, listen completely! Don’t just evaluate your members, evaluate yourself first. Lead by example. If you want your team to get up at 0300, you better be there with them.

As we enter the holiday season and hold Santa parades, breakfasts with Santa, and toy drives, remember to set the example and exude professionalism and goodwill toward the people you serve.

According the US Fire Administration, the fire service has lost 118 active firefighters in the Line of Duty. As a new officer, visit the US Fire Administration online at https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/. Click on a few of the names of our fallen members and look at the causes of the fatalities. As a new officer, maybe you can make a difference by understanding how our firefighter family members died. Make a difference by remembering those who were taken from their families doing a job that they loved.

Prepare to enter 2022 to make a difference and shine as a new leader in your department.

Merry Christmas to all!

- Dennis

GSPCarFire

The volunteerfire companies of Farmington and Bargaintown responded to Milepost 38.6 northbound on the Garden State Parkway on October3, 2021, for a vehicle fire. Assistant Chief Sharpe established command upon arrival and advised Bargaintown Tender1528 and Farmington Rescue 1547 to pull off the highway onto the shoulderbehind the fully involved vehicle. One line was stretched from 1528 and knocked down the fire. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Lyndhurst CarFire Snuffed

On September2, 2021, Lyndhurst Station 32 was dispatched to Valley Brook Avenue fora vehicle fire in close proximity to a building. Engine 1 arrived to an engine compartment fire in between two brick buildings. One line was stretched and the fire was quickly knocked down with no exposure to eitherof the homes. - Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

Fire Service Occupational CancerRegional Seminars

The dramatic increase in the incidence of occupational cancers is one of the most important problems facing the fire service today. The First Responder Center coordinates the activities of the Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance, a collaborative effort among all fire service constituencies to educate personnel about cancer prevention, provide resources for those who have been diagnosed with an occupational cancer and support research to address the disease.

In September 2017, the FSOCAhosted a national symposium focusing solely on fire service occupational cancers, the first event of its kind. Over two days, presentations and workshops covered current research, prevention strategies, presumptive legislation, benefits, and other relevant topics. Based upon the overwhelming positive feedback we are taking the show on the road and conducting regional one day seminars based upon some of the key topics from the symposium.

TRAININGDATE: Saturday, January 29, 2022 LOCATION: Millburn High School ADDRESS: 462 Millburn Avenue, Millburn, NJ 07041 TIME: 0800 - 1630 REGISTER: Regional Cancer Seminar 1.29.2022 or https://www.firstrespondercenter.org/training/

Regional CancerSeminarTopics Include:

An overview of research studies to date, including a discussion of underrepresented groups and research needs; Modifiable Risk Factors and Healthy Lifestyle; Exposure Reduction and Implementation Strategies; Support After the Cancer Diagnosis. AGENDA

0800 - 0815 Overview Welcome from Host Department/Agency 0815 - 1000 How Did We Get Here and Where Are We Going? An overview of research studies to date, including a discussion of underrepresented groups and research needs. This session will also provide an overview of dermal and inhalation carcinogen exposures to firefighters. 1000 - 1015 Break 1015 - 1200 Modifiable Risk Factors and Healthy Lifestyle This session will address reducing risk, increasing protective factors, and building resilience through a healthy lifestyle. Wellness best practices regarding diet, exercise, smoking cessation, and sleep, as well as successful programs. 1200 - 1300 Lunch 1300 - 1445 Exposure Reduction and Implementation Strategies This session will look at procedures that can be implemented by departments and personnel to reduce exposure at the fire scene, in apparatus and at the fire station. This session will also discuss current advances in PPE development to reduce exposure as well as best practices for fire fighter decontamination processes. 1445 - 1500 Break 1500 - 1600 Support Afterthe CancerDiagnosis This session will provide an overview of the FCSN tool kit and key steps in the cancer treatment process. 1600 - 1630 Concluding Remarks Final remarks will touch on presumptive legislation as well as how an organizations overall culture fits in with implementing change.

Hackensack Office Building Fire

On the evening of October9, 2021, Hackensack Fire and Police dispatchers started receiving calls of smoke coming from a house in the area of Main Street and Coles Avenue in the Fairmount section of the city. Engine 5, stationed nearby, arrived and reported heavy smoke from a large 2-1/2 story frame building used as offices. Two handlines were placed into service as Ladder1 worked on ventilation and Deputy 4 requested a second alarm. Visible fire was quickly knocked down, however, fire was in the structure and rapidly spreading in all directions. Visible fire started lighting up on the second flooron the Delta side and moments latera majorceiling collapse occurred on the first floor, which provided the oxygen the fire needed and the fire quickly intensified. Command ordered all companies to evacuate, requested a third alarm and switched to a defensive attack as heavy fire now blew out windows on the Bravo side endangering a multiple dwelling and also shot 15 to 20 feet out the front-attic window. All heavy fire was knocked down in approximately 30 minutes, allowing all outside streams to be shut down and the intensive job of overhaul to begin. The fire was placed under control at around 0130 and all companies cleared the scene at 0230. - Fire News photos by Peter Danzo and Capt. Justin Derevyanik, HFD PIO

Oft Overlooked

Firefighters at the Atlantic County Fire Training Centerwere taught recently one of the most basic and fundamentals of firefighting; packing hose. If done incorrectly it may look like it was loaded with a forklift. - Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe

RVFire in Germania

The volunteerFire Companies of Germania and Pomona from the Galloway Township Fire Department responded to West White Horse Pike on August 11, 2021, and the White Horse RVCenterfora report of fourcampers on fire. Germania Chief Dave Simpkins arrived, established command and reported one camper, a towbehind, on fire with one camperon the C side as an exposure with the fire radiating onto it. Command had the Germania engine crew pull two lines; one onto the fire and one onto the exposure which helped extinguish fire on the C side. Upon the arrival of the Pomona engine, they supplied Germania with waterand its crew assisted with overhaul and mop up. - Fire News photo by Ken Badger

New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Conference 2022

Just Around the Corner

We’ve wrapped up the 2021 Conference so it’s time to start planning the 2022 Conference!

Our Call for Papers has opened. If you are interested in presenting at the 2022 Conference, either a Training class or a Breakout session, the week of May 2-6, please visit our website at www.njepa.org.

Sponsor and Exhibitor opportunities are also available; get all the information you need on the website.

Attendee registration will open the first week in January, watch your email for more information.

The Conference will again be held at Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center which affords us the opportunity to have Training, Breakouts, Exhibits and Receptions all in one area. Adjacent to the Conference Center we will be offering a large vehicle display.

All of us at NJEPAwish you and yours a healthy and safe Holiday Season and a Very Happy New Year!

Looking Back

Magnolia - May 2015

On May 31, 2015, a two-alarm fire heavily damaged a 2-1/2 story occupied dwelling on Ashland Avenue in Magnolia Boro, Camden County. The home was destroyed and the family displaced. - Fire News photo by John Axford

Paterson - June 2015

On June 30, 2015, the Paterson Fire Department responded fora fire on Hamilton Avenue. The fire eventually went to four alarms with mutual aid companies covering the city and assisting at the scene. - Fire News photos by Peter Danzo

North Brunswick July 2015

On July 22, 2015, a five-alarm fire broke out inside the DCH Collision Centeron Livingston Avenue in North Brunswick. The fire burned fordays and caused many local residents to be evacuated. - Fire News photo by Ken Ternlund

Dorothy Motorcycle vs CarMVA

The volunteerfire companies of Dorothy (Fire & Rescue), Milmay, and Estell Manorresponded to an MVAat Boulevard Avenue and Lafayette Street on September2, 2021, at 1452. The crash involved a carversus motorcycle with a male on the ground, conscious. Dorothy firefighters, responding from a fire in Mays Landing, arrived quickly with Dorothy Assistant Chief Kevin Seelman establishing command. Upon assessment of the injured biker, EMS requested a medevac from JeffSTATand an LZ was established in the rearof the Belcoville School. The patient was flown to Atlantic City Trauma Center, City Division. The cause of the crash was investigated by the New Jersey State Police. - Fire News photos by Ken Badger

‘Forest Fire Service’ Was Big Hit forthe Burn Foundation at Wildwood

Burn Foundation Administrator John McCann was elated how well received the “Forest Fire Service” print raffle and collector pin donations went during the Wildwood Fireman’s Convention for 2021. The crowd donated over $14,500 to take a chance at one of 30 signed and numbered prints by artist Joseph M. Getsinger, or a framed signed number one giclee canvas print of that image. David Russell, President of Fire and Safety Services, who sponsored the prints and raffle tickets, helped John McCann pick out the winners. Artist Joseph Getsinger was present; this was his 41st year creating art to benefit the Burn Foundation. Collector pins, which sold out for the first time, were sponsored by First Harvest Credit Union through Senior Vice-President Kenneth Barnshaw, who was present at the Burn Foundation booth with the artist. Many thanks go out to the Burn Foundation volunteers who stood at the gates collecting donations, etc.

Other sponsors that contributed to the Burn Foundation fundraiser were: Wil Edwards of Premier Art and Frames,. John Cortese of VanGoghAgain Galleries, Chip Lillie of CHOICE Custom cards, President Bill Eachus, Jr., of B.C.& B. Graphics, who printed the full color raffle tickets and the full sized prints.

The Burn Foundation Raffle Winners for the "Forest Fire Service" signed and numbered prints at the 2021 Wildwood Firemen's Convention were: Maxfield, Michelle Davis - Maywood, NJ, Joe Hartman Egg Harbor, NJ, John Paul Jones - Kansas City, KA, Ed Beck - Dennis Township, NJ, Dave Walter, Emily Magno, Helmetta, NJ, Larry Olphant - Manhawkin, NJ, Michelle Arancio - Middlesex, NJ, Ed Fleming - Flemington, NJ, Rick Woods - Cottage Place, PA, Kristina Imboden - Nazereth, PA, John Nunn, NJ, Adam Hartsoush - Carney's Point, NJ, Kevin Berry, PA, John Hebble - Stanhope, NJ, Dave Michael, Aitor Ostolaza - Landing, NJ, Brian Tierney - South Amboy, NJ, Fred Porsicano - Mickleton, NJ, Dayton Kenney - Barnegat, NJ, Jeff Shaw, Eileen Buccino - Westfield, NJ, Casey Agliano - Barto, Pa., C. Sawboda - Tuckerton, NJ, Jerry Sheord - Budd Lake, NJ, John D. Clark, Roy Hollahan Levittown, PA, and Lee Smith - Wanaque, NJ

The Grand Prize Winner for the #1 giclee canvas of “Forest Fire Service” was Nikki Winkles of Sewell, NJ. - Fire News photos by Bryan Lopez

NJ FFs Museum Open House and Memorial Srvice

On September28, 2021, the New Jersey Firefighters Museum held theirannual open house with many antique fire apparatus on display and family activities throughout the property. At 1300 the memorial service was held forthe fallen firefighters from across New Jersey lost since the last service. Many family members of lost members were in attendance along with representatives from their departments. - Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

Page 18, Fire News, December2021 Up Close & Personal

Captain Ed Budzinski of Lawrence Township’s Slackwood Fire Company (Station 21) at the scene of a first-alarm fire at MercerCounty’s trash transferstation on August 26, 2021. - Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliffe (Above) Egg HarborTownship Scouts at the 9/11 event at the Farmington Fire Company. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

(Right) Gordon Gross operating Leesburg’s tenderat a job on High Street on September28, 2021. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

NFFF Memorial Service

The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service was held October2, 2021, in Emmittsburg, Maryland. - Fire News photos by Josh Treat