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01/24/2010-  At 0442, the 5 inch strike team was dispatched to Gloucester City for a 5 alarm fire involving a 300'x300', 3 story building completely involved.  The strike team, which consists of E-842, E-821, E-632, GC E-932, E-65, E-81, and E-75 assembled at Gloucester City High School in preparation for deployment of a 5" supply line.  The fire was soon darkened down and the strike team was returned prior to deployment.

01/23/2010-  At 1423, units responded to 35 Mulberry Street in the lambs Terrace section of town for a reported dwelling fire.  Upon arrival of 8501, the all hands was transmitted bringing 8401, L-84 and E-842.  Crews were faced with a chimney fire with extension to the dwelling. 8401 was assigned to Operations. L-84 threw a 35' ground ladder, checked attic on B side for extension. L84 crew also checked attic from interior for extension. Both met with negative results. E842 crew stood by in manpower.  The fire was quickly brought under control.

01/15/2010- Engine 842 attended the funeral of NJ DOT worker Joseph Kealey. Kealey, 45, an Emergency Service Patrol Operator, parked on the shoulder of southbound I-76 near the I-295 interchange to assist a minivan with a flat tire when a Dodge Magnum driven by an alleged DUI driver hit Kealey and slammed into the back of his DOT service truck. In a multijurisdictional demonstration of support, organizations statewide attended services today. Those represented included NJ DOT, NJSP, DRPA, Garden State Towman’s Association, and several other municipal police, fire and EMS agencies from the Camden County Area.

01/14/2010-  Minutes past 1800, a highway box was dispatched to State Highway 42 at the 10.4 north mile mark for a motor vehicle crash.  Companies arrived to find an overturned SUV.  Both occupants had self extricated and were transported to a local area hospital for evaluation.  R-84 and E-842 stood by to assist NJ DOT with cleanup of debris and safing of the vehicles battery after it was uprighted.  Just as crews were clearing the scene, Rescues 83, 84, and 82 were dispatched to 1008 North Black Horse Pike for a crash with reported entrapment.  This too was an overturned vehicle, however, first arriving crews reported no entrapment and held the assignment to station 83.

01/12/2010-  At 1600, Rescues 83, 84, and 82 were dispatched to 701 Little Gloucester Road for a motor vehicle crash with entrapment.  While units were responding, an updated location of Coles Road and Fairway Drive was given.  Q-83 and 8404 arrived simultaneously to find a two car MVC with two occupants trapped in one of the vehicles.  8301 assumed command and 8404 was assigned extrication.  Q-83 handled the engine company responsibilities while R-82 stabilized the vehicle, then removed both passenger side doors and B post.  Medics on scene requested a helicopter for one of the occupants, 8202 and E-821 handled the LZ.  E-842 de-energized the other vehicle involved while R-84 mitigated a fluid spill.  Access was made to both occupants in short order and after packaging, they were transported to Cooper Trauma.  Despite the efforts of all companies involved, the occupant that was flown did not survive the crash and was pronounced at the hospital later in the evening.  The crash is being investigated by GTPD.

01/02/2010-  Gloucester Township firefighters participated in the annual Gloucester Township Council Reorganization meeting.  This meeting included the swearing in of newly elected Mayor David Mayer, Councilwoman Michelle Gentek, Councilman Daniel Hutchinson and Councilman Frank Schmidt.  Blackwood Fire Company congratulates the new Mayor and Council persons.

12/31/2009-  At 2105, Task Force 82, Engine 69, and ISAT were dispatched to 245 Landing Road for a reported dwelling fire.  Initial reports provided to 8202 were of a dwelling, fully involved with police receiving numerous calls.  8202 arrived and reported a 1 1/2 story dwelling with heavy fire division A.  L-84 and E-821 arrived and went into operations coordinating initial fire attack with a heavy waterline and opening up the rear.  8403 assumed division A and quickly advised all companies the floor had collapsed.  After E-821 put a hit on the bulk of the fire, E-842 stretched an 1 3/4" handline through division C to the basement to complete extinguishment.  Additional crews from R-84, E-841, Q-83, Q-85, U-81, Sq-75, and R-32 operated into the new year extensively overhauling the structure.  FM-82 and the County Fire Marshals office are investigating the cause of the fire.

12/29/2009-  At 0640, Task Force 821 was dispatched to 134 Millbridge Apartments for a reported apartment fire.  8404 arrived with nothing showing and an audible alarm sounding.  Residents were reporting smoke and flames from the heater room.  A quick recon verified a fire in the heater room and E-842 was advised to lay in and lead off with an 1 3/4" handline.  L-84 arrived shortly after and located a small fire in the heater with no extension and used a pressurized water can to extinguish the fire.  The assignment was held to E-842, E-821, and L-84.  The scene was turned over to the property management and all companies made available shortly after.

12/28/2009-  About a month ago, a request to the Board of Fire Commissioners for replacement and additional gear racks at the Blackwood-Clementon Road Station was granted.  After investigating the options out there, it was decided Gear Grid were best suited and the order was placed.  The delivery came Monday morning.  Members started working on assembly at 1545 and by 2200 all racks were assembled, mounted, and PPE transferred over.  Special thanks goes out to FF David Vannoni for doing a majority of the legwork required to complete this endeavor.

12/22/2009- The recent snowfall has everyone around the area digging out.  The Blackwood Fire Company would like to remind citizens, as they clear their driveways and sidewalks it is a good idea to also remove the snow from around a nearby fire hydrant.  Please clear a path approximately 3 feet around the hydrant and shovel a path from the street or roadway up to the fire hydrant.  The removal of snow helps the fire crews quickly identify where fire hydrants are located and allows them to promptly get to work on extinguishing fires. Fire hydrants that are blocked or concealed by snow may potentially delay gaining a water supply which ultimately disrupts the timely manner in which firefighters are able to fight the fire and, may allow a fire to grow uncontrollably; with fire approximately doubling in size every 20 seconds.  The Blackwood Fire Company wants citizens to know that they appreciate their help in the removal of snow from around local fire hydrants.

Carmen Iacovone, a resident of the Blackwood section of Gloucester Township, stands next to his "adopted" fire hydrant after it had been dug out.  Photo by            J. Vannoni

Please clear a path approximately 3 feet around the hydrant and shovel a path from the street or roadway up to the fire hydrant.  Photo by J. Vannoni

12/17/2009-  It is with deep regret that the Officers and Members of Blackwood Fire Company announce the passing of Life Member and Past Commissioner Joe Martinez. Services will be held on Monday from 1800 - 2100 at Earle's and Tuesday morning at Earles, with a mass to follow at St. Judes, and burial at New St. Mary's in Bellmawr.

12/16/2009-  At 2050, a dwelling box was transmitted for 205 E Church Street.  8403 arrived with a 1 1/2 story rancher with heavy fire throughout and requested the all hands.  L-84, E-842 and E-841 arrived almost simultaneously.  Both Engines secured  a water supply and deployed 2 1/2" handlines.  Crews attacked the fire putting a good knock on it.  The lines were then broken down to 1 3/4" to complete extinguishment.  The fire was placed under control within 30 minutes.  Several holes needed to be cut in the floor of the main living space due to fire in the crawl space.  The Red Cross was notified to provide victim services for 13 residents.  Two deceased animals were turned over to animal control.  The fire required extensive overhaul and companies operated into the next morning. The fire in under investigation by FM84, CCFMO, and GTPD.                          First alarm companies - E841, E842, TL84, R84, E821, E822, TL82, R82
Second Source companies - E83, Q83, E86, Q85, R93                                                All Hands - Air 81, covers to 84 and 82.

12/2/2009-  At 0634, Station 84 was dispatched to Hydes Plastics on Main Street for an alarm system.  Initial report to 8404 was of a trash chute detector activation.  Minutes later, an update of a dumpster fire was transmitted.  8404 arrived and confirmed a trash compactor fire in close proximity to the building with an attached trash chute and asked for the box to be filled, bringing Station 82 and BLS 805.  L-84 arrived, staged the apparatus and the crew was sent to the interior to check for extension.  L-84's crew reported a medium smoke condition throughout with no fire extension.  E-842 arrived, dropped a supply line and attacked the fire from the exterior.  E-821 and E-841 arrived and stood fast.  The fire was quickly placed under control and held to Station 84.  Crews ventilated the building utilizing onsite exhaust fans.  After extensive overhaul of the trash compactor the company was made available at 0738.

12/1/2009-  Minutes before 1000, Rescues 84, 82, and GC 10-3 were dispatched to Grenloch Lake, in the area of College Drive for a water rescue assignment.  Reports indicated a vehicle had left the roadway and was submerged in the lake.  U-845 arrived and reported a vehicle into the lake with the lone occupant who had self extricated with the assistance of GTPD.  No other services were required and the assignment was recalled.