Editorial

From the Editor’s Desk

Dennis Whittam, Editor WinterBlues are Almost Gone!

I really think we have had worse winters so far. Yes, it’s been cold, however on Long Island we survived an 18-inch snowstorm. In my early years as a firefighter, I looked forward to standing by at my firehouse for snowstorms. As I have aged, I find the warmth of my home a better place for me to ride out the storm!

Before I continue with my editorial, I would like to thank my company for riding past my home after a recent storm and taking the time to dig me out. Digging out the senior members of the Terryville Fire Department has been a tradition that is still carried out today. I know first-hand that snow standbys do not end immediately after the snow stops falling. The members traditionally ride past members in need to make sure their homes are cleared so that they can safely respond to calls. From a personal viewpoint, it hurts to stand on my driveway and watch my family of firefighters clear a path so I can continue to respond to calls. Thank you, Terryville Fire Department Company 2, for your help! I will have the coffee ready for you when you return after calls.

I would like to reflect on the recent rash of Line of Duty Deaths in our nations police departments. As I watched the live coverage at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC of Detective Wilbert Mora’s and Detective Jason Rivera’s funerals, I am not ashamed to say that there were times during the funeral service that I was teary eyed. I could feel the passion of His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan as he comforted the families of our fallen police officers. I was genuinely moved by the outpouring of love from the thousands of police officers and other responders, who stood in the cold and snowy weather to show strength and offer comfort to the families of New York City’s fallen police officers. As I heard the voice of Detective Jason Rivera’s wife eulogize her husband. I became teary eyed. She brought back the importance of always hugging your family when you go to work as a first responder. You never know if you will return to hug them back. Like all responders, worldwide, we are present to help the members of our communities. I just wish that communities would realize this and encourage change to respect those individuals that are trying to make a difference. According to the ODMP—Officers Down Memorial Page —nationally, there have been 35 LODDs in 2022.Thirty-one of those deaths happened in January! The causes of police officer deaths are varied. Visit www.odmp.org to learn more about police Line of Duty Deaths. Spring is not far away. It is a time we see our lawns return to their lush green color and we see our flowers start to emerge from the cold winter that is leaving us. In the fire service, it is a time of the year that we get out and resume our hands-on training at our fire academies and department training facilities. I am looking forward to spring 2022. Take the time to renew your commitment to training so that you are the best that you can be when you go into battle. I leave you with a quote I once heard, “Think positively and positive things will happen.”

See you at the Fire Academy! —Dennis

Two FFs Injured at 2-Alarmerin Trenton

Two firefighters were injured while operating at a two-alarm blaze involving fourrowhouses in Trenton during the early morning of December7, 2021. It was just before 0600 that the blaze on Chase Court was reported. First-due fire companies arrived to find heavy fire on the first and second floors of one of the homes in the middle of the row, with flames extending via the cockloft into the three otherattached homes. An all hands was called, followed by a second alarm at 0620. It wasn’t until 0735 that the fire was officially declared undercontrol. One civilian burn victim was transported to hospital by EMS. Also transported were two firefighters, one with a burned hand and the anotherwith a shoulder injury reportedly suffered during a floor collapse. - Fire News photos by Michael Ratcliffe

Mayday Called During Trenton Two-Alarm Christmas Eve Blaze

Trenton firefighters spent Christmas Eve 2021 battling a two-alarm warehouse blaze and assisting one of theirbrothers aftera Mayday was called. The fire occurred in a vacant structure on South Clinton Avenue and Mott Street. The building, built in 1897 as part of the sprawling John A. Roebling’s Sons industrial complex, was well-known to firefighters due to several previous fires there. It was 2231 when Engines 3, 7 and 10, Ladder2, Rescue 1 and the South Battalion were dispatched. Engine 3 quickly arrived and reported heavy smoke showing, prompting an all hands. Engine 1, Ladder4, Special Services 1 and the North Battalion responded. Heavy fire conditions were encountered inside the building and a second alarm was requested bringing Engine 8 and Ladder1 to the scene. At 2332 a Mayday was transmitted and it was reported that a memberof Rescue 1 had been hurt on the first floor. Otherfirefighters quickly carried theirinjured comrade outside and passed him to EMS. He was transported to a local hospital, where it was found that his injuries were not serious and he was discharged a few hours later. The blaze was officially placed undercontrol at 0005. Just a few hours later, before the sun had even risen on Christmas morning, Trenton firefighters responded to an even largerblaze - a three-alarm arson that burned six rowhomes and killed two residents. - Fire News photos by Michael Ratcliffe

Cover Story 11 Alarms forPassaic Warehouse Blaze

Amajorfire destroyed a large factory/warehouse and pressed firefighters to the limit in Passaic on January 14, 2022. Companies initially dispatched to a carfire on Route 21 just before 2030 quickly realized they had more than a carfire when they reported a large column of smoke while en route. On arrival, companies confirmed the address as on Canal Street and reported heavy fire in a large factory, approximately 250- x 325-feet, and a second alarm was requested, quickly followed by a third. With a heavy fire condition through the roof and spreading rapidly, exteriorlines were put into operation as masterstreams were being set up. Access to the property was limited and Route 21 was shut down so that aerial streams could be set up on the highway which ran adjacent to the fire building. Additional alarms were requested bringing numerous mutual aid companies to the scene and the Passaic Valley Water Commission was requested to boost pressure as much as possible. The main exposure was a large warehouse that housed a pool supply company and stored a large quantity of chlorine; crews were successful in protecting that building. Eleven alarms were transmitted, bringing over200 firefighters from six counties to the scene. The fire was placed undercontrol by Chief Trentacost approximately 12 hours later. At the height of the fire, flames rose almost 100feet above the building and the tremendous smoke condition was visible formiles. Large embers rained down on neighborhoods southeast of the fire but no additional fires were reported. At least 12 firefighters were reported injured mainly due to slips and falls, however only one was transported. Several fire boats were dispatched as the back half of the building fronted the Passaic Riverbut they were unable to be utilized and fuel trucks were brought into the scene to re-fuel apparatus as they began to run low.

- Fire News photos by Peter Danzo

Looking Back

Mt. Laurel - 2019

On August 27, 2019, Taskforce 36 units were dispatched to fire in a three-story apartment building with heavy fire on all three floors. Battalion 3603 held the fire at the third alarm. Two dogs were rescued, and one firefightersustained minorinjuries. - Fire News photo by Dave Hernandez

Florence Township - 1997

Adisabled man was killed and six rowhouses were destroyed during this four-alarm fire in the 200 block of West Second Street in Florence Township, Burlington County, on January 18, 1997. The fire, reported at 11:51 p.m., was not declared under control until 3:08 a.m. - Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliffe

Fieldsboro Borough - 1997

Three bodies were discovered among the ruins afterfirefighters extinguished this three-alarm blaze at 9 Washington Street in Fieldsboro Borough, Burlington County, on January 25, 1997. State police investigators laterruled the deaths a double murderand suicide and said the killerused an accelerant to start the fire before taking his own life. - Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliffe

Michael Ratcliffe

FireNews.com Fire News, March 2022, Page 9 East Orange Multi-Use 2-Alarm

On January 9, 2022, just aftermidnight, the East Orange Fire Department responded to the cornerof Tremont and Brookwood fora fire. Engine 5 reported heavy smoke in the area and arrived to a large cornerresidentialover-commercial with heavy fire showing on the first floor. Asecond alarm was transmitted bringing all East Orange companies to the scene along with an Orange quint. Crews attempted an interiorattack as fire extended to the second floorand began to self-vent out of multiple second-floorwindows. The fire began to run the cockloft and command ordered all companies out. Three ladderpipes and multiple additional masterstreams were set up as it became a “surround and drown” operation. The below-freezing temperatures created dangerous icing conditions as crews conducted extended overhaul before clearing the scene overthree hours afterarrival. - Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

Appropriately Named Location

The volunteerfire companies of Farmington and Cardiff responded to Fire Road on January 18, 2022, at 1555, fora structure fire. The West Atlantic City (WAC) Fire Company, returning from a vehicle fire, responded directly to the scene and were first in. Farmington Chief Harry Goodman IVrequested a second alarm, bringing the remaining Egg HarborTownship Fire companies and one engine from Pleasantville. Farmington Engine 1543 upon arrival stretched 100-feet of LDH to a nearby hydrant and supplied the WAC engine. Also responding were EHTPolice, EMS, NJ American Water Company, Atlantic City Electric Company, Atlantic County Road Department forsanding the icy road. Absecon covered Farmington, Linwood covered Cardiff, Somers Point covered Bargaintown, and Northfield was RIT. - Fire News photos by Flora Phillips and Dennis C. Sharpe

Budd Lake Tractor-Trailer vs. Train

Recently, the Budd Lake Fire Department was dispatched to the area of Waterloo Valley Road and Kinney Road at a New Jersey Transit crossing fora report of a train that hit a tractortrailer. An engine and chief were tied up on a garbage fire in town so a city-wide request was put out forFlanders Fire and an engine from nearby Netcong. Units arrived and found a commutertrain had struck a tractortrailer that was stuck on the tracks. Aftera quick assessment the driverof the truck was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries; there were seven people on the train that were not injured. Units remained on scene forfourhours until the truck was removed. Morris County HazMat was called to oversee a vegetable oil spill from the truck. New Jersey Transit Police and Mount Olive police were investigating the crash. - Fire News photos by A/C Kevin J. Maloney; Budd Lake FC

MontclairCarFire

On January 6, 2022, MontclairEngine 1, Engine 2 and Truck 2 responded to Grove Street fora carfire. Engine 2 arrived to find an engine compartment fire in a minivan and stretched their bumperline. The fire was quickly knocked down while the crews from Truck 2 and Engine 1 assisted in overhaul. Car6 responded to the scene to conduct an investigation, but the cause of the fire was undetermined. - Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

Bergenfield Garage Fire

Just before 1900 on January 2, 2022, the Bergenfield Fire Department continued theirstreak of working fires when they were dispatched to Bogert Place fora garage fire. Companies arrived to fire in an attached garage at a twostory frame dwelling. Heavy fire was venting from the garage and threatening the rest of the home. Asecond alarm was requested as the first-in engine stretched a 13/4 inch handline and quickly got wateron the fire. The main body of fire was knocked down in under20 minutes with no extension, however, due to limited access to the still burning vehicle in the garage, a winch was used off of Rescue 1 to pull the vehicle from the garage allowing companies to complete overhaul and extinguishment. No injuries were reported and the fire was placed undercontrol in about an hour.

- Fire News photos by Peter Danzo

Two Killed as 3-Alarm Arson Burns Six Homes in Trenton

Just hours afterbattling a two-alarm blaze in an abandoned warehouse on Christmas Eve 2021, Trenton firefighters went back to work to tackle a three-alarm arson fire that burned six rowhouses and claimed the lives of two residents. Many city companies had barely finished cleaning up from the earlierjob when, about 0330 on Christmas morning, multiple 911 calls flooded Trenton’s communications center reporting a fire on Rusling Street. First-due crews arrived to find the 2-1/2 story dwelling fully-engulfed, with flames having already spread to several adjacent homes. Second and third alarms were transmitted in quick succession, sending all on-duty resources to the scene. Mutual aid in the form of an engine and aircascade unit from Hamilton Township and an engine from Bordentown City were also specialcalled. Multiple hydrants in the neighborhood were tapped to supply the many hoselines and masterstreams that were put in service. Ultimately, a half-dozen homes and several vehicles were damaged before the blaze was extinguished. Two bodies were laterlocated amid the ruins of the original fire building. Just days later, authorities announced that a 28-year-old suspect had been arrested and charged with murderand otheroffenses forallegedly starting the fire. - Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliffe

Abandoned House Fire in Rutherford

On January 10, 2022, the Rutherford Fire Department responded to an abandoned home on Belford Avenue forreports of smoke coming from the house. Companies were advised while en route by police they had heavy smoke showing and a FAST was requested immediately from Wallington. Crews stretched a line to the interior while Truck 1 conducted vertical ventilation via ground ladders. Asecond alarm was transmitted bringing East Rutherford and Lyndhurst to the scene. The fire was knocked down within 15 minutes of arrival and mutual aid was released shortly after. - Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

Wanna’Call it a Night After the First Hit?

On December5, 2021, the Oakhurst Fire Department was dispatched to Monmouth Road and Park foran overturned vehicle into a building and on fire. Crews arrived to a carrolled overinto a ditch a block away from Park with the driverself-extricated and no fire. Furtherinvestigation found the vehicle slightly struck a building at the intersection and left the area at a high rate of speed when the drive lost control, struck a utility pole and rolled the carinto a ditch. The sole occupant was transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center. - Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

FireNews.com Fire News, March 2022, Page 19 New Chiefs in South Amboy for2022

On January 1, 2022, the City of South Amboy swore in the new fire chiefs. At a ceremony at City Hall, MayorFred Henry swore in 2nd Assistant Fire Chief Timothy Gay from Progressive Fire Company Engine 9, 1st Assistant Fire Chief John Dragotta from Independence Hose Engine 7 and Chief of the Department David Szatkowski from Protection Engine 6. Assistant Chief Gay was accompanied by his wife Lisa as his sons and daughter, Nick, Kevin and Stephanie, watched. Assistant Chief Dragotta was accompanied by his wife Diane and daughters Hannah and Jenna. Chief Szatkowski was accompanied by his motherEileen and fatherEdward. Chief Szatkowski is a third-generation fire chief. His fatherEd Jr. served in 1981; grandfatherEd Sr. served in 1961; and uncles John (1991) and Steven (2017) also served. - Fire News photo by Jamie Norek

Bergenfield Fire Department Officers for2022

(First row, left to right): Deputy 2 Alex Kneisler; Chief of Department. Steven Naylis and Deputy 1 Norman Hoyt, Jr. (Back row, left to right): Lieutenant Greg Coca, Captain Ryan Zadrozan, Lieutenant Kevin Schade, Captain David Byrne and Captain Richard O'Connor. - Fire News photo by Chris ‘Doc’Denton

Page 20, Fire News, March 2022 Paterson Commercial 4-Alarmer

Fouralarms were required to bring a fire in a home improvement company undercontrol in Paterson on January 5, 2022. Just after0500 Fire Dispatch transmitted the box in the 3rd Battalion fora building fire on Berkshire Avenue. Engine 2 reported heavy fire in the rearof the large single-story commercial building. Battalion 3 requested a second alarm due to the volume of fire as well as exposure problems. With heavy fire throughout the building, exteriorlines and elevated streams were put in service in both the front and the rearas temperatures dropped and freezing rain created treacherous conditions on the fire ground, as well as on area roadways. Within 45 minutes the fourth alarm was transmitted, bringing mutual aid companies to the scene and into the city forcoverage. Most of the roof collapsed into the building and the fire was finally placed undercontrol just before noon. No injuries were reported, howeverfirefighters did rescue a guard dog from the building. The fire was underinvestigation. - Fire News photos by Peter Danzo

Page 22, Fire News, March 2022 New Milford Chiefs

(Left to right): Jerry Smithson, Jr., Second Assistant Chief; Jared Birnbaum Chief of the Department; and Robert O’Brien First Assistant Chief. - Fire News photo by Chris ‘Doc’Denton

Two Months and Counting!

The 23rd Annual New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Association Conference will place at Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center, May 2-6, 2022. Will you be there?

All registrations whether you are an Exhibitor, Sponsor or Attendee are open.

We are looking forward to returning to our five-day program offering a diverse selection of breakouts and trainings. Visit our website www.njepa.org to view the schedule and to register.

When you register, you will notice that our fees have increased slightly. We have held our fees constant for the past three years, but we have been forced into increasing them to provide the level of service and amenities that you have come to expect. You will find that there is no additional charge for the Annual Luncheon, all we ask is that you indicate if you will be attending when you register so that we may plan accordingly. Our Conference is still the most economical of its type on the East Coast.

Nominations for the Kevin Tuno Emergency Manager of the Year Award closes April 1, 2022. If you know an individual or a program that is deserving of this recognition, please go to our website and make a nomination.

In addition, applications for the Jonathan Young Scholarships are being accepted until April 15. Any individual, either a senior in high school or enrolled in a college program involving Emergency Preparedness/Management may apply. The application is also available on the website.

Stay up to date on all additions or changes at the Conference by visiting our website, www.njepa.org , often.

We look forward to seeing you in May!

Thanks to Pres. Kirby

Outgoing Atlantic County Firefighters Association President Charles ‘Chick’Kirby was presented a thank you forhis service by association 1st Vice-President Dennis C. Sharpe on January 19, 2022. - Fire News photo by Anthony Cortez

Strawberry Fields MVAand Fire

The Laureldale VolunteerFire Company responded to Tamminen Road off of Route 322 on December18, 2021, at 0104, foran MVA with fire. Engine 1833 arrived and Laureldale Captain Bill Sorshek established command fora fire in a vehicle that was located on New Jersey Forest Fire Service property known as Strawberry Field. As Laureldale firefighters extinguished the fire, Forest Fire Unit C-7 arrived and extinguished a field fire started by the vehicle. The incident was investigated by the Township of Hamilton Police and also responding was the Township of Hamilton EMS. - Fire News photo by Ken Badger

All Hands Put to Work forBlaze in Chambersburg

Just hours afterthey fought a two-alarm blaze involving a duplex in the city’s West Ward, firefighters in the state capital handled an allhands fire involving two rowhouses on the opposite side of town during the evening of December10, 2021, on Roebling Avenue, in the Chambersburg neighborhood in the East Ward. Dispatched were Engines 7, 3 and 10, Ladder2, Rescue 1 and the South Battalion. Heavy fire was showing from the rearof the structure, located on one end of a row of fourattached two-story homes. Firefighters worked to contain damage to two of the fourhouses, and the blaze was declared under control at 2103. - Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliffe