Editorial

From the Editor’s Desk

Dennis Whittam, Editor How Are YourNew Recruits Doing?

In New York, the Fireman’s Association of New York has been encouraging fire departments throughout the state to hold a RecruitNYweekend. I am always amazed at the number of people who stop by the firehouse for this event and had no idea that, according to the National Fire Protection Association, 70 percent of firefighters in the United States are volunteers. This number used to be higher. I joined the volunteer fire service almost 30 years ago. As a kid who grew up in New York City, my wife had no idea that the fire service in our community was 100 percent volunteer. When I decided to join my department — with my wife's blessing of course —we soon realized that being a volunteer firefighter involved a lot more that riding on a truck and fighting an occasional fire. Almost 30 years have passed, and I still find my love for my department is still going strong. Unfortunately, my health has gotten in the way of being first due. I am still active in other ways and try my best to support the members who have followed in my footsteps. Before you take on new members, it is imperative that the Chief of Department sits down with the perspective new member to explain what their obligation to the community entails. I know most departments do this. Unfortunately, the new member doesn’t always realize that he or she may not have the time to volunteer. I joined at a time when my two children were active with school and community sports. I worked 50 miles away from my home. There were many nights that I arrived back home and found myself attending training classes at either my department or at the county fire academy. After I finished the basics, I realized that training never stopped. To maintain active status like most volunteer firefighters, you must participate and maintain your training, drills and response percentages throughout the year. This is where new recruits, no matter what their age, become a problem. I know I am speaking to the choir. If you are reading this, you are aware of the responsibilities of being a first responder. The problem I see is that when we take on new members they really do not understand how much time they need to fulfill their obligation to the fire service.

In my early years I always had to work a second job to pay the bills. Volunteering in the fire service is that second job that pays no bills. If you take on this second occupation, you must be passionate about your decision to protect the community! As a recruiter for the fire service, what do you do to make the person fully understand what their obligation is to your department and to the community that you serve, before they sign on the dotted line? If you find that your new recruits are not living up to your expectations, do not let poor service go by without addressing it immediately.

Recruiting volunteers takes time. Maintaining active, well-trained volunteers can be difficult. Volunteer recruitment is hard work! Volunteer retention is even harder work. Motivating and maintaining new recruits is the job of every member in your department. - Dennis

Teterboro Airport Fire

On March 30, 2022, the Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department responded to a building on the Teterboro Airport property fora smoke condition. Asmall fire was found in the HVAC system and a working fire was transmitted bringing mutual aid from Lodi, Wood-Ridge, and Carlstadt. The fire was quickly contained with a line and there was no extension to the building. Mutual aid was released shortly aftertheirarrival and the fire was placed undercontrol within 20 minutes. - Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

Pleasantville House Fire

Firefighters from the City of Pleasantville responded to Franklin Boulevard on April 9, 2022, fora structure fire. Car70 (Raymond) arrived, established command and reported heavy fire showing from the Bravo side of a multi-story, multi-family structure and requested a second alarm, bringing mutual aid from Atlantic City Airport, Northfield and Linwood; West Atlantic City covered. Command had the crew of Engine 1 hit the fire with Engine 2 laying a supply line and Ladder 1 opening up. The fire was quickly brought undercontrol. The cause of the fire was underinvestigation. - Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe

Piscataway Commercial Fire

On March 22, 2022, the Piscataway Fire Department responded to the Pepsi Company warehouse fora large exteriorfire which had extended into the warehouse. Alarge numberof pallets were on fire up against the building producing a column of smoke that could be seen from many parts of the state. The fire became an extended operation bringing multiple mutual aid companies to the scene along with tankershuttles from a nearby river. Heavy fire consumed the roof area but aerial masterstreams were able to contain the fire to the centerof the building. - Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

Cover Story

On April 11, 2022, the Cranford Fire Department responded to Orchard Street for a house fire. First arriving units were met with fire showing from all sides on the first floorand a second alarm was struck. Companies initially attempted an interior attack but, with heavy fire extending through the balloon frame construction and water supply issues, the home was evacuated multiple times. Eventually three alarms were struck brining mutual aid from Westfield, Elizabeth, Union, Roselle Park and Garwood to the scene. - Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

Cranford 3-Alarmer

Paterson 2-Alarmer Stopped

On March 30, 2022, Paterson Engine 5 was first to arrive to a residential structure fire on 12th Avenue that had fire in the rearof the home against a large brick multiple dwelling on the Delta side. Due to the exposure issue a second alarm was struck. Paterson companies knocked down the fire with an offensive attack preventing an extension to any exposures. Mutual aid came from Totowa, Passaic and Clifton to cover. - Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

Table Top Planning

City of Pleasantville Fire Department Captain Marc Raymond (a formerFarmington member) and Scullville Assistant Chief Patrick Flynn held a “Tabletop” demonstration using a variation of the PalmerDoll House formembers of the Farmington and West Atlantic City Volunteer Fire companies on April 19, 2022. The demonstration allows firefighters to see how to read smoke, thermal dynamics of fire, survivability, controlling the flow of fire, doorcontrol, and the importance of thermal imaging. - Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe

SAM Operating System Demo

The Atlantic County Fire Chiefs Association sponsored a demonstration of the SAM operating system developed by IDEX at theirApril meeting at the Farmington VolunteerFire Company. By controlling intake, discharge and tank valves as well as engine speed, SAM manages watersupply to the crew while the operator focuses on the fireground and crew support. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Totowa Warehouse Fire

On March 25, 2022, the Totowa Fire Department responded to Vreeland Avenue fora fire. Crews arrived to a large singlestory warehouse with smoke showing. ALittle Falls engine and West Paterson truck were requested to the scene. Upon furtherinvestigation, a machine was found to be on fire within the building. Aline was stretched through the Charlie side while engines from Totowa relay pumped due to the long stretch into the scene. The fire was quickly knocked down but a heavy smoke condition remained in the building. Extensive ventilation was set up as both truck companies checked the roof and found no extension. - Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

Wanaque Bar& Grill Fire

On March 30, 2022, the Wanaque Fire Department was dispatched to the popularFlips Barand Grill fora fire. Asmall fire was located on the exteriorBravo side and a Pompton Lakes truck was dispatched to the scene. The fire was quickly knocked down and there was no extension into the interiorof the bar. Crews used fans to evacuate smoke from the bar, which was turned back overto the ownerwithin an hourof arrival. - Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

Bargaintown MVA

The volunteerfire companies of Bargaintown and Cardiff responded to Fire Road in front of the Joe Canal’s LiquorStore on January 19, 2022, at 0753, foran MVAwith fluids on the highway. Bargaintown Assistant Chief Wil Hancock arrived and established command, recalled Cardiff, and had the crew of Bargaintown Rescue 1527 put oil dry on the highway and cut the battery cables to both vehicles. - Fire News photo by Ken Badger

FireNews.com Fire News, June 2022, Page 11 Wires Down Start Brush Fire

Recently, calls came in forpowerlines down on Mohawk Trail starting a brush fire. Car51 and 52 along with Engine 53 and Tender57 were on the assignment but crews were forced to wait and safely control the fire till the power company could secure the power. New Jersey Forest Fire and Flanders Rescue 97 were also added to the call and, once the powerwas secured, crews stretched three lines around the fire and had the fire undercontrol within an hour. JCP&Lwas on the scene to repairall the powerand remove the tree that had fallen causing the lines to drop. There were no injuries. - Fire News photos by A/C Kevin J. Maloney; Budd Lake FC

Hamilton Firefighters Tackle Blaze Involving SolarPanels

Ice Land, a popularice skating and hockey arena in Hamilton Township, MercerCounty, was damaged by a fire that involved solarpanels on the building’s roof on EasterSunday, April 17, 2022. Dispatched at 1544, Hamilton firefighters were initially sent to the 3800 block of Quakerbridge Road aftera passerby reported seeing smoke coming from the rearof the Public Storage facility there. Responding firefighters, finding a smoke condition in the area but unable to locate any fire, began to search the surrounding area. That was when they discovered a blaze involving several rows of solarpanels amid one of the large arrays on Ice Land’s roof on Tennis Court. Firefighters gained entry to the building and also reportedly found a small fire in an electrical room, with a moderate smoke condition throughout the interior. The fire was extinguished using hoselines and Truck 17’s aerial masterstream, and was officially declared undercontrol at 1612. - Fire News photos by Michael Ratcliffe

Page 14, Fire News, June 2022 2 FFs Injured in Passaic 4-Alarmer

The Passaic Fire Department responded to President Street recently, fora house fire. Police advised they had heavy smoke coming from the home and the battalion chief arrived to heavy smoke and fire showing from the eaves on division 2 of a 2-1/2 story wood frame and quickly struck a second alarm. Companies attempted an interiorattack but, due to the fire running void spaces, a down power-line across Ladder1 and the front yard, and an interiorceiling collapse that trapped a handline, command ordered all companies to evacuate and struck the third alarm and a fourth shortly thereafter. Engines from Clifton, Wallington, Garfield, Rutherford and Carlstadt along with ladders from Paterson and East Rutherford responded to assist. As crews stretched multiple exteriorlines and set up two ladderpipes heavy fire consumed both the second and third floors which ultimately lead to a roof collapse. Two Passaic firefighters were injured during the fire. - Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

Hamilton County CarFire

The volunteerFire Companies of Cologne and Mays Landing responded on February 6, 2022, at 1421, to the Black Horse Pike and Leipzig Avenue forthe report of a motorvehicle fire. Cologne Chief Paul Gram arrived and established command. Cologne Engine 1854 stretched the bumperline and was charged with foam and started knocking down the fire. Upon the arrival of Mays Landing Tender1819 theircrew utilized theirelectric extrication tool to open the hood of the vehicle allowing final extinguishment of heavy fire coming from the engine compartment. Upon completion of extinguishment firefighters retrieved the driver’s personal belongings. The cause of the fire was underinvestigation. Also responding were the Township of Hamilton Police and EMS. - Fire News photo by Ken Badger

She-Shed Saved in Collings Lakes

The volunteerfire companies of Collings Lakes and Newtonville responded to Sherwood Avenue on February 15, 2022, at 0956, fora report of an out building on fire very close to a house. Upon the rArival of a Collings Lakes engine two lines were pulled. Upon entering the building FirefighterRandy Knapp, Jr., found a dog inside and quickly brought it from the building with no serious injuries. The B side exposure was a neighbor's “She-Shed” that firefighters saved with some minordamage. - Fire News photo by Ken Badger

Cherry Hill 7-11 Blaze

Alate morning blaze caused heavy damage to a Cherry Hill 7-11 store located on Brace Road off CR 561 on March 15, 2022. Upon arrival, companies had a moderate smoke condition showing from the B/C corner. First-due companies made a quick search of the store and began to open up. Special calls were made forMount Laurel, Westmont, Lawnside and Cherry Hill ReHab 13. Two lines were placed into service forheavy fire in the utility/storage area. It took the members 20 minutes to extinguish the fire. Battalion Chief Wade Houlihan placed the fire undercontrol at 1115. The interior of the 7-11 and its contents were badly damaged, but there were no injuries. The store was closed permanently. - Fire News photos by John Axford

Haddonfield House Fire

Early on April 18, 2022, aftera long and busy Easterweekend, a fire broke out in the basement of a 1-1/2 story occupied dwelling on Reillywood Avenue. The members of the family were all sleeping. The ownerof the home was awakened by the fire and was able to wake his family and evacuate the house. Haddonfield Chief of Department Lou Frontino arrived and advised the Alarm Room to transmit the working fire box. Companies responded from Haddonfield, Boro EMS, Cherry Hill Twp., Westmont, Haddon Heights and Lawnside. First arriving apparatus stretched lines and began an interiorattack. Heavy fire was found on the A/D cornerof the basement and heavy black smoke poured from the doors and windows. The fire extended to the first flooras the companies continued to knock down heavy pockets of fire. Aftera half hourstruggle the fire appeared to be knocked down and the heavy black smoke lightened up. There were no injuries reported. The house suffered majordamage throughout. - Fire News photo by John Axford

The SweetwaterSix

SweetwaterChief Gary Franklin with five of the original SweetwaterSix ladies who answered calls in Mullica Township during the day while the men were at work. The plaque presented to them will hang at the Fire Training Center. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Looking Back

Ewing Township - 1998

Dispatched to investigate a smoke condition in the area of Madison Avenue and Fifth Street shortly before midnight on October5, 1998, Ewing Township firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke pouring from a building occupied by Naticchia’s Custom Woodworking. It took firefighters about an hourto bring the blaze undercontrol. - Fire News photo by Michael Ratcliffe

Ocean City - 2016

On October6, 2016, Central Dispatch received a call reporting a van on fire between houses. First-due crews quickly extinguished the blaze, saving the exposures despite the fire load in the van. - Fire News photo by Robert Macom

GloucesterTwp. 2016

GloucesterTownship units were dispatched to the La Cascata Apartments on November18, 2016. Crews arrived to find heavy fire conditions in a two-story end-ofthe-row apartment building. - Fire News photo by Ted Aurig

WaterTender Drill

Ajoint watertendertask force drill was held May 1, 2022, at an unoccupied commercial structure in Winslow Township with the Atlantic County Water TenderTask Force B and the Winslow Township Fire Department. - Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe

FireNews.com

Fire News, June 2022, Page 23 Woman Dies as Result of 3-Alarm Blaze

Araging fire in East WindsorTownship in MercerCounty, on March 5, 2022, destroyed one home, damaged two others, and burned a 74-year-old woman so badly that she laterdied as a result. It was 1425 when East Windsorfirefighters and area mutual aid companies were dispatched to Bennington Drive fora reported explosion and structure fire. While en route, Monroe Township Tower57 reported a column of smoke in the sky and requested a second alarm. Firefighters arrived to find the middleof-the-row dwelling fully-involved in fire. The home’s sole occupant had already been pulled from the flames by a neighbor. Critically burned, she was flown by NJSPmedevac to the burn centerat Cooperman Barnabas Medical Centerin Livingston, where she remained until herdeath on April 4. Athird alarm, calling additional fire companies to the scene from Mercer, Middlesex and Monmouth counties, was ultimately sounded before the blaze — which was partially fueled by a ruptured natural gas line —was finally extinguished. The roof and interiorsuffered a total collapse. Fire walls on eitherside, however, helped firefighters limit extension and prevent more serious damage from occurring to the adjoining homes. Officials said the reported explosion likely involved a home oxygen cylinderthe deceased had used fora medical condition. - Fire News photos by Michael Ratcliffe

Route 80 SUVFire

Budd Lake firefighters were sent to Route 80 east just before exit 25 fora carfire. Cars 51, 52 and 50 along with Engine 59 were assigned to the call and arrived to find an SUVfully involved. Engine 59 stretched theirfront bumperline on the fire and quickly knock down the fire as NJ State Police shut down one lane. There were no injuries and the crew went back in service within 45 minutes. - Fire News photo by A/C Kevin J. Maloney; Budd Lake FC

Ship Bottom Handles LZ Duty

On March 4, 2022, Ship Bottom Fire Department, Surf City Fire Department and Beach Haven EMS responded to set up an LZ fora RWJ Barnabas Health med flight fora patient who suffered a stroke. - Fire News photo by Peter K. Cirina

FireNews.com Fire News, June 2022, Page 25 Secaucus

Blaze

On April 13, 2022, all Secaucus Fire units were dispatched to the Marina Key Complex fora building fire. On the arrival of the first chief, fire had already burned through the roof and was spreading to the cockloft area. Mutual aid from Lyndhurst, Rutherford, and a task force from Jersey City responded directly to the scene. As heavy fire consumed the top floor, command ordered all units to evacuate the building and the fire was hit with two ladderpipes and multiple handlines. Although one building was severely damaged, extension was limited to the two adjoining structures. Supply lines forone ladderpipe was delayed aftera Tesla driverdrove directly overa LDH laid across the parking lot. - Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti