|
| November 12th - Around 2100hrs, Engine 921 was dispatched to 431 Myrtle Ave., Bell Lake Apartments in the City of Woodbury, for a dwelling fire. Upon their arrival the crew was detailed to the Alpha division and setup as an initial RIC team. They completed a 360 of the building and threw additional ground ladders to 2nd-floor windows. As more RIC teams arrived, Engine 921's crew was detailed to vent adjoining apartments to the initial fire room. The crew cleared the scene around 2104hrs.
November 13th - A few hours later around 0419hrs, on Friday the 13th, Engine 921 was dispatched back to the City, at Bell Lake Apartments, for another working fire. Upon their arrival the crew of Engine 921 was detailed to the Bravo division exposures to check for fire extension, and also to ventilate. The crew cleared four apartments, found no extension, and vented the smoke. Once completed with this assignment, the crew was detailed to the initial apartment to assist with overhaul. The crew cleared the scene at 0652hrs.
Photos provided by Ted Aurig
Please click here for more images of this incident.
|
| November 11th - On Wednesday around 1640hrs, Battalion 3 along with Battalion 2 were dispatched to Clements Bridge Road, in the area of the Columbia Bank, for a report of a building fire. Battalion Chief C. Pfeiffer (9301) arrived and found a vacant 100x50 masonary building wtih heavy smoke showing. Quint 946 arrived and led off with a 1 3/4" line and began suppression. B/C Pfeiffer informed all arriving units that this fight would be an exterior fight with no interior operations. As crews arrived, the building was opened up with hooks and chain saws, and a 2 1/2" line was placed into service. A 5" supply line was also established and lighting was put into place. Crews extinguished the first floor fire and worked on putting out the fire in the basement. There was however a collapse of the floor into the basement, which slowed down the suppression effort. 926's crew opened up part of the roof on the alpha / bravo corner to extinguish a smoldering fire there. After the fire was extinguished, the scene was investigated by the Deptford Fire Marshal's Office.
Photos provided by Sean Nordaby
Click here for more photos of this incident.
|
| November 5th - Early Thursday morning around 0424hrs, Battalion 2 along with Westville EMS and Woolwich Fire Company were dispatched to the New Jersey Turnpike, mile marker 16.4 southbound, for a vehicle fire. Upon the arrival of B/C Thomas, he found a single vehicle well involved. Further investigation revealed that the burning vehicle had rear ended a moving car carrier. There were two minor injuries. Engine 921 arrived and extinguished the fire, as Westville EMS arrived to care for the injured parties. Engine 921 remained on location to assist the NJSP with lighting for their investigation. Leaving Maryland, and driving to NY for a Yankees' game: $300.00 Tickets for Game 6 of the World Series against the Phillies: $1500.00
Food, beverages, and Yankee apparel for the game: $400 Celebrating the Yankee victory over the Phillies: $300.00 Crashing your car and causing it to catch fire on the NJ Turnpike, and being rescued by Phillies supporting firefighters: PRICELESS!
Click here for more pictures of this incident.
|
| October 16th - Shortly after another NJTP call, around 0030hrs companies were dispatched back to the turnpike, mile marker 21.3 southbound, for a motor vehicle crash. Upon the arrival of B/C Thomas, he had found a passenger vehicle that had rear-ended a box truck. The driver of the vehicle had self-extricated and was sitting on the guard-rail. Engine 921 arrived and split its crew to provide BLS to the injured driver and to secure the heavily damaged vehicle. Assistance was provided to the NJSP with removing the vehicle from the travel lane to the shoulder to re-open the highway. The care of the driver was turned over to the Westville FD EMS unit on their arrival at the scene.
Click here for more photos of this incident.
|
| October 15th - On Thursday evening around 2131hrs, Battalion Two, Rescue 7-3, and Rescue 25-1 were dispatched to the New Jersey Turnpike at the 17.1 southbound mile marker for a commercial motor vehicle crash. There were reports of entrapment, as well as one of the trucks smoking. Upon the arrival of 9201 (Thomas), he found that two tractor trailers had crashed, one rear-ending the other. The driver of the rear-ending truck was trapped inside.
Orders were given for Rescue 738 from Westville to park in front of the truck in the high speed shoulder and start the extrication. Engine 921 was given orders to park behind the truck to act as a buffer and to send its crew forward to stabilize the truck, secure the fluids which were leaking, and assist with the extrication. An officer from Woolwich Fire Company was on location and was assigned to the other truck as was Westville FD's EMS unit. The driver was extricated at the 24 minute mark. Deptford FD remained on location at the request of the NJSP to light up the area for the investigation and removal of both vehicles.
Click here for more photos of this incident.
|
| October 11th - Early Sunday morning around 0708hrs, Engine 9-2 as well as Woolwich and Westville Fire Departments were dispatched to the New Jersey Turnpike, mile marker 21.4 southbound, for a motor vehicle crash with fire. Reports were that a single vehicle had rolled over with smoke showing. B/C Thomas arrived on location and found a single vehicle MVC into the woods, with no fire. There were four occupants, all of which had self-extricated, and advised that they were not hurt. All four occupants were covered in mud, oil, and water. The vehicle landed on it's roof against a tree in the marsh within the wooded area. The crew of Engine 921 assisted the young men with blankets, tyvek jump suits, and towels to clean themselves up. Engine 921 remained on location until the vehicle was recovered from the woods.
Story and Photos provided by B/C Rich Thomas
Click here for more stories of this incident!
|
| October 10th - On Thursday, Battalion Two was dispatched to 1030 Delsea Drive, the Westgrove Industrial Park, for a commercial vehicle fire. Reports given to B/C Thomas (9201) that the Communications Center was receiving numerous calls of an explosion and fire from within Westgrove. Upon the arrival of 9201, a 75x150' one-story commercial building was found with obvious structural damage, as well as a large amount of steam and debris emitting from within.
Two workers were found outside of the building stunned, reporting that a flange on a steam pressure vessel failed resulting in a steam explosion. Upon the arrival of Engine 923, the crew was ordered inside the building to check for any other workers and to secure the hazard. Tower Ladder 926 arrived and was ordered to ladder the roof to check the stability of the roof structure. The building had numerous broken windows, and bulging doors and walls. Township officials were also requested to the scene for assessment. The two workers were transported to the hospital for further evaluation. The building was secured, preventing access to areas where the walls had been damaged.
Story by B/C Thomas
Photos will be posted soon!
|
| July 16th - Station 9-2 & Rescue 938 was dispatched to 735 Central Ave in the Westville Grove section for a dwelling fire. Initial reports were that an elderly home owner was reporting that her television was on fire. Upon the arrival of Chief Thomas, he observed light smoke showing as well as a male, later identified as a neighbor, carrying the burning television out of the door of the dwelling. After extinguishment and the investigation, it was discovered that if the neighbor had not carried the television outside, the dwelling would have sustained significant smoke, fire, and water damage. The neighbor's efforts have prevented the home owner from losing her home, as well as her possessions.
Click here for more photos of this incident.
|
| July 7th - On Tuesday around 1421hrs, Engine 9-2 was dispatched to the Deptford Little League for a vehicle fire. Upon the arrival of the 1st engine crew, a 2008 Nissan Xterra was found fully involved. As the crews were stretching a 1 3/4" hand line, a loud explosion was witnessed coming from the vehicle. After the fire was knocked down and smoke cleared, it was evident where the explosion had originated from. The passenger side, rear portion of the vehicle where the rear hatch attaches had a large distortion. A pneumatic piston had exploded, bending the vehicle post and the hatch frame outward. The piston was still in place; however it too was distorted from the explosion. Fortunately no firefighters were injured on this incident. The cause of the fire was from the driver parking the vehicle on top of mulch next to a tree.
Photos and Story by B/C Rich Thomas
Click here for more photos of this incident.
|
| June 7th - Around 1556hrs, Battalion 2 along with the Westville and Woolwich Fire Companies were dispatched to the NJ Turnpike, mile marker 16.0 southbound, for a reported motor vehicle crash. Initial reports were that an SUV type vehicle had rolled over. Upon the arrival of 25-102 (Slusar), he confirmed a single vehicle rollover with three injuries and no entrapment.
Engine 921 was detailed to provide a safe area, utilizing the engine to block a lane of traffic then send the crew forward. The crew was split, with one part to secure the vehicle and its fluids, and the other part to assist EMS with packaging of the injured occupants. Once the patients were packaged and loaded into the BLS units, Engine 921's crew assisted the tow operator with cleaning up the scene to get the lanes opened.
Click here for more photos of this incident.
|
| June 1st - This previous weekend was a very active one for Battalion 2. Starting on Friday, May 29th around 2047hrs, Battalion 2 was dispatched to the intersection of Andaloro Way & Clifford Ave for a motor vehicle crash with entrapment. Upon arrival, a single vehicle was found to have struck a utility pole with a passenger still trapped inside the vehicle. Engine 921 was given orders to stabilize the vehicle, then lead off with the Hurst spreaders for a door removal. As the initial crew performed this evolution, the remainder of the crew prepared the Hurst rams for a dash displacement. Engine 923's crew manned the front bumper line of 921 for fire suppression. The extrication was completed at the 11 minute mark, and the passenger was turned over to awaiting EMS. The crews remained on location with lighting to assist the Deptford Police Department with their investigation.
A video has been posted here of this incident.
The following day on May 30th at 1552hrs, the Battalion was dispatched to 62 Fisher St for a structure fire. Upon the arrival of B/C Thomas, a 10x10 storage shed was found heavily involved. The shed was full of belongings of the resident, including a riding lawn mower, a push mower, and gas cans. Engine 923's crew was ordered to lead off with a 1 3/4" hand line and hooks. The crew made a quick knock on the fire and held it from spreading. The fire is under investigation by the Deptford Fire Marshal's Office.
Click here for more photos of this incident.
While the 30th was beginning to settle down, Battalion 2 was called for it's last call of the evening. Around 2029hrs, the dispatch was made to the rear yard of 118 Florence Avenue for an animal rescue. A cat was found stuck in a hole approximately 16' up in the tree. Ladder 926's crew used a 16' roof ladder to reach the cat. Lt. Dave McIntyre found the cat was stuck in the hole of the tree up to it's neck. The cat was successfully extricated from the hole and placed on the ground where it proceeded to run home.
More images of this story can be found here
|
| May 30th - As more technology has been introduced, we now have the pleasure of watching video of some of the more interesting calls we go to. B/C Thomas has the same type of camera system that police departments around the country utilize. As more incidents occur, we'll have more videos to provide for those who visit the website. I have added a new "Video Gallery" page, which can be seen in the menu on the left, or by clicking here. Please continue to check back to see if more videos have been added! Please also feel free to contact the Webmaster if you have any questions or concerns.
If a video says it is not available, it is because YouTube.com takes awhile to process them. Please check back later!
- Dan Lewis
|
| May 24th - On Sunday around 2149hrs, Battalion 2 was dispatched to the 1000 building of Shetland Way (Inverness Apartments) for a reported building fire. Upon the arrival of B/C Thomas, a two story 300 x 150' garden style apartment building was found with light smoke showing. Further investigation found that apartment 1005 was well involved. B/C Thomas asked the alarm room to fill the box and strike the "all hands".
Orders were given to Engine 923 to lead off with a 1 3/4" hand line and irons to force entry into the apartment. The Deptford Police Department was on location evacuating the residents from the other apartments in the building. The crew from Engine 923 secured its own water supply and forced entry into the apartment, making quick work of the fire. Additional arriving companies were detailed to check the 2nd floor exposures. Only a smoke condition was found; no extension into the apartments themselves. The fire was placed under control at the 15 minute mark, and the investigation is being completed by the Deptford Township Fire Marshal's Office and the Deptford Police Department.
Photos by William Rieger III
Click here for more photos of this incident.
|
| B/C Rich Thomas recently attended and completed the State of New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice 3 week course for Basic Arson Investigation. This course was held at the DCJ Academy in Sea Girt. Part of the class comprised of field investigations which were held in Newark, NJ. At one of the exercises, Truck 11 of the Newark FD arrived to assist the class in their investigation. The structure (a 3 story tenant building) was damaged by fire, with additional damage to the exposures at the Bravo and Delta sides. The class gained a vast amount of experience investigating the fire with the Newark Fire Marshal's office and the Essex County Arson Task Force as guides. A special thanks goes to Sgt. Anthony Calavano from the DCJ.
Click here for more photos of this event.
|
| May 15th - County Communications began receiving reports of a working vehicle fire on the NJTP, around mile marker 22.4 northbound. This prompted the dispatch of Battalion 2, Engine 25-1 (Woolwich), and Squad 7-3 (Westville). While responding, District 9 Chief Stephen Hubbs reported that he was over the NJTP at the Delsea Drive overpass confirming a well involved passenger vehicle. Crews arrived on location finding the passenger vehicle well involved, and led off with a 1 3/4" hand line to extinguish the fire. Additional crews assisted the NJ State Police with the lane closure using a blocking engine and traffic cones. Once the tow company arrived, the fire crews cleared the scene.
Click here for more photos of this incident.
|
| May 12th - At 2149hrs, a reported brush fire in the area of Malen Avenue caused Battalion 2 to be dispatched. While enroute, the County Communications Center reported that local PD was on location at 80 Taras Avenue for a detached shed that was fully involved. Crews arrived finding a 10x10 area well involved. They led off with a 1 3/4" hand-line, extinguishing and overhauling the fire. Further investigation revealed that it was not a shed but a 10x10 wooden fenced in area with a stock pile of firewood and two Rubbermaid storage sheds. The Deptford Fire Marshal's Office was requested to the scene for investigation.
Click here for more photos of this incident.
|
| May 11th - At 2300hrs, Battalion 2 along with Westville FD and Woolwich FD was dispatched to the New Jersey Turnpike, mile marker 14.4 southbound for a motor vehicle crash. Crews found a single vehicle crash into the guide rail. Two minor injuries were assessed by EMS as the fire department crews stabilized and secured the vehicle.
Click here for more photos of this incident.
|
| May 10th - Around 1718hrs, Battalion 2 was dispatched to the rear of the 1000 building at the Chestnut Lane Apartments for a dumpster fire. Upon arrival, crews found a 10 yard dumpster on fire. Crews extinguished the fire without incident.
Click here for more photos of this incident.
|
| April 23rd - Around 11:28hrs, Battalion 2 was dispatched to the Woodcrest Apartments, on Florence Avenue, for a reported motor vehicle crash with the vehicle into a building. Upon arrival, crews found a minivan had struck the A building of the apartment complex. There were no injuries to the driver nor the occupant of the apartment. Crews assessed the damage, and secured the utilities to the apartment involved. The scene was turned over to the Deptford Township Construction Official's office.
Later in the evening around 19:00hrs, the Mayor and Council of Deptford Township honored its volunteers by holding their annual Hall of Fame Recognition Ceremony. Honored from the Tacoma Fire Company and added to the Hall of Fame roster were; Sam Andaloro, Stephen Hubbs, William Graham, Tip Willard, and Walter Wright. The names of the past presidents of the Tacoma Fire Company were also read. Each recipient was awarded a certificate and a lapel pin.
Stories and photos by B/C Rich Thomas (9201)
|
| April 21st - Around 05:23hrs, the box was struck for a reported dwelling fire at 1305 Clearbrook Ave. The alarm room was reporting that they were receiving multiple calls of a working fire. Upon the arrival of B/C Rich Thomas, a 30x50 single family dwelling was found with heavy fire on the delta division, extending to the roof and to the alpha division. The residents had successfully evacuated the residence, and the "All Hands" was sounded. Orders were given to Engine 923's crew to lead off with a 1 3/4" hand line and start an interior attack. Engine 922 was ordered to spot a hydrant at Linda Lane @ Clearbrook, and lay into Engine 923.
The attic fire intensified and the evacuation order was given. All hands went into an aggressive defensive attack, and the fire was brought under control at the 40 minute mark. Crews were in service with three 1 3/4" hand lines, and one 2 1/2" blitzfire line. During the overhaul, crews located a pet cat in a rear bedroom and reunited it with the homeowner. The fire is under investigation by the Deptford Fire Marshal's office.
Story by B/C Rich Thomas (9201)
Photos by William Rieger III
Click here for more photos of this incident!
|
| April 20th - Monday afternoon around 17:16hrs, Battalion 2 along with Westville EMS and Woolwich FD was dispatched to the NJ Turnpike, MM 22.8 southbound for a reported motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival, a 5 vehicle crash involving 4 SUV's and 1 tractor trailer was found. Crews established a safe area as the accident was in the high speed lane, and the NJ State Police had not arrived yet. Once the safe area was established, the scene was assessed and minor injuries were found. Crews secured the vehicles and assisted EMS.
Story by B/C Rich Thomas (9201)
Photos by William Rieger III
Click here to see more photos of this incident.
|
| April 1st - Around 1729hrs, Battalion 2 along with Rescue 938 was dispatched to the intersection of Turkey Hill and Ladds Landing for a motor vehicle crash with reported entrapment. Upon arrival, crews found a two vehicle crash with one driver entrapped. Engine 921 stabilized the vehicle and went into service with the Hurst 32" spreaders, removing the driver side door. The crew from Ladder 946 stretched the bumper line from Engine 921 to provide suppression. Once the extrication was completed, crews assisted EMS with packaging the patient.
Story by B/C Rich Thomas (9201)
Photos will be posted soon!
|
|
| © Copyright 2010, Tacoma Fire Company, Dan Lewis |
|
