Download Page

04/30/2008-  Around 1715 hrs, Station 84 was sent to C-12 Lakewood Manor for a reported animal trapped in the wall.  8403 arrived and confirmed an unknown type of animal on an interior wall.  The occupant advised she had been listening to the cries of the animal for two days now, and after making calls to multiple agencies, the fire company was the only one to respond.  The occupant had already cut a 6"x6" hole in the wall, and after some poking and prodding, a squirrels tail emerged.  Now knowing what type of animal we were dealing with, the door to the apartment was removed and used as a blocking device to stop the squirrel from exiting the wall and entering deeper into the apartment.  After some coaxing, the squirrel self extricated itself and evacuated the apartment via the stairwell.  Station 84 advised county of the eviction and went available.

04/29/2008-  After a PowerPoint presentation on Del Co's flashover simulator at last weeks drill, Blackwood Fire Company members were prepared for the live burn drill.  Crews headed over the bridge to the Delaware County Emergency Training Facility.  After a brief rundown of what the facility offers and a safety lesson, crews split up into two groups and started training.  The first group entered "the box", a system of metal containers setup to simulate flashover conditions.  This training will benefit our members by allowing them to see and recognize the different stages of fire up to and including the flashover stage were you have seconds to react, or chances of survival are minimal at best.  The other group trained in the burn building.  This building is different from Camden County's propane building as it uses pallets and hay.  After several times burning, the groups switched.  Thanks to the instructors for an EXCELLENT training experience.

04/28/2008-  Just after the heavy rains hit on Monday afternoon, Station 84 was dispatched to C building in Lakewood Manor for an investigation.  Reports provided to 8401 were of water leaking onto the electrical service.  8401 arrived to find a large tarpaulin that had blown off an area of the roof that was being repaired.  R-84 arrived and were sent to the roof to asses the situation, Engine 842's crew split up to assist the rescue and secure the electric to the units involved.  After strategically placing some pike poles and salvage covers on floor two, crews managed to drain the leak into the sink.   The Rescue secured the tarpaulin and propped it up to allow it to drain onto the adjoining roofs.  The construction official was notified, and subsequently deemed the two apartments affected uninhabitable. Management relocated the families to other apartments in the complex.

04/26/2008-  At 0700, Engines 83, 84, and GC 93 were dispatched to Rt. 42 South at milepost 10.2 for a motor vehicle crash.  8401 arrived to find a commercial crane vehicle on it's side.  Rescue 84 and Squad 83 arrived and stood by on the off ramp, Engine 842 was advised to exit Rt. 42 and relocate to Lower Landing road.  The driver of the vehicle had self extricated and reportedly had minor injuries.  He was transported to a local area hospital for evaluation.  After barreling through the guardrail, the trucks saddle tank was compromised and leaked approximately 100 gallons of diesel fuel into the soil.  County OEM was notified and responded.  Engine 842 was released, Rescue 84 and Squad 83 remained on location until the tow company up righted the vehicle.  Then Rescue 84 went available, Squad 83 stood by while the tow company handled the cleanup.

04/16/2008-  At 17:37, Engine 82 and 84 were dispatched to the 1300 block of Blackwood-Clementon Rd for a highway hazard.  Engine 842 arrived, took a blocking position, and reported the crash to be on 84's side and would be operating as 840.  BLS was already on location tending to a patient.  After verifying there was a second patient, Engine 842 went to work stabilizing the vehicle and de-energizing the battery.  Rescue 84 arrived and were sent forward to assist in patient packaging.  The assignment was held to 84's units.  After mitigating a small spill, R84 went available.  Engine 842 remained on location to assist in traffic control.  After the tow trucks removed both vehicles E842 cleared the scene.

04/15/2008-  At 18:10, Engine's 84, 83, and GC93 were dispatched to 10.5 mile post Rt. 42 north for a vehicle fire.  Upon signing on, 8403 was advised to amend the response to milepost 11.7.  8403 arrived, established Rt. 42 command, and reported a passenger vehicle with the engine compartment well involved.  Squad 83 was first due and were ordered to stop short of the vehicle and stretch a 1 3/4" handline.  GC Engine 932 arrived, positioned in the median of the southbound lanes and sent their crew forward to assist with extinguishment.  Engine 841 arrived and assisted with opening the hood to complete extinguishment.  A BLS unit was requested by NJSP for one of the occupants who suffered an injury when she jumped from the moving vehicle after realizing it was on fire.  BLS transported the patient to a local area hospital for evaluation.  Rt. 42 command was terminated and the companies were made available.

04/07/2008-  In the early evening hours, Rescue 84 was dispatched to Evergreen Ave for a rescue assignment.  Initial reports provided to 8401 were of a 4 year old with her arm caught in a treadmill.  8401 arrived and confirmed the report and advised E842 to bring forward the port-o-power hydraulic spreaders and tool box.  Rescue 84 arrived shortly after and assisted E842 in extricating the patient.  The child was turned over to BLS for medical evaluation.

04/01/2008-  At about 13:35, Station 84, Engines 85, 86 and Ladder 82 were dispatched to 1501 Little Gloucester Rd, the Autumn Ridge Apartments K-37 for an apartment.  Initial reports were one call from maintenance reporting a vacant apartment on fire.  L-84 arrived, positioned on the A side and reported light smoke from the second floor.  8201 arrived and established 840.  Q-85 arrived and secured L-84 with water.  While L-82's crew threw ground ladders and assisted L-84.  Interior crews reported fire in the wall between floors 2 and 3.  After opening up and overhauling the area of involvement, the fire was placed under control.  840 scaled back the assignment to L84, L82, E86 and Q85.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

03/30/2008-  On March 30, 2008, 4 members of the Blackwood Fire Company will be shaving their heads for St. Baldrick's.  St. Baldrick's began as a casual conversation between friends and has exploded into the world's biggest volunteer-driven fundraising program for childhood cancer! In eight years, events have taken place in 18 countries and 46 US states, raising over $34 million, and shaving more than 46,000 heads.  This years event will be held in Collingswood and for the second year in a row we will be sponsoring a special little boy named AJ.  AJ was diagnosed with a rare kidney cancer that affects children called wilms tumor.  You can help support the Blackwood Fire Company Baldies by donating online to an individual or the team.

03/30/2008-  Just after midnight, Stations 84, 83 and ladder 82 were dispatched to 419 Central Ave for a dwelling fire.  Reports indicated a chimney fire.  8401 arrived with nothing showing and reduced the speed of the incoming with the exception of L84 and E842.  Minutes later the fire was placed under control and held to the units from 84.  L84's crew removed the materials from the firebox and utilized chains to free the obstructions in the chimney.  Units cleared after 0100.

03/29/2008-  At around 20:00 hrs, Station 84 was dispatched to 200 Marshall Ave for a motor vehicle crash.  8401 arrived to find a vehicle that had struck a utility pole.  The sole occupant self extricated and denied injury, subsequently ALS was recalled.  While on the crash, E842 responded to the Heritage store for a cardiac emergency.  It would later be discovered that the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash was reportedly heading to the Heritage store due to his son just being robbed.  The cardiac was another employee who was having chest pains due to the events.

03/28/2008-  At 22:15 Hrs, Task Force 821 was dispatched for a reported apartment fire at the Millbridge Apartments. This brought Station 82, Station 84, Engine 62, Ladder 62 and Rescue 75 to the assignment. Engine 842 arrived and reported fire from the 2nd floor windows of an end unit and was laying a supply line in , with the next due engine to pick up the hydrant. Ladder 84 took Division "A"  went into operation, while Ladder 62 took Division "C" and went into operation. Squad 62 stretched a 2nd suppression line to the second floor. All companies worked quickly and extinguished the fire, the fire was placed under control at 22:32 hours.  Photos courtesy of G. Rettberg, Lindenwold FD

03/25/2008-  Members from Blackwood and Chews Landing Fire Companies drilled at the burn building this Tuesday evening.  After a brief safety overview and walkthrough, the companies mounted up and operated as if they were arriving on a real working fire.  Utilizing our standard operating orders, L-84 arrived in division A and prepared for forcible entry and primary search, as E-842 laid a supply line and stretched the initial handline.  E-821 acted as the second due engine company and pulled the backup handline.  Companies continued to practice this evolution until all personnel had a chance to operate as all three companies.  This type of cooperative training will go a long way in the operations on the fire ground.  Throughout the spring and summer, Blackwood plans on attending several more burn buildings in the area including Delaware County, PA.

03/22/2008-   On Saturday, Blackwood firefighters were honored to participate in a homecoming for a local Marine.  Cpl Jesse Jamison, 22 a 2004 Timber Creek HS graduate who returned home after completing a second tour of duty in Iraq.  The Yellow Ribbon Committee, a local organization that provides and organizes a fitting homecoming for local soldiers, contacted Gloucester Township Police and Fire organizations to assist.  Cpl Jamison was escorted home by Gloucester Township Police and the Patriot Guard Motorcycle Club.  As he arrived he was greeted by hundreds of neighbors gathered under the huge flag flown from Tower Ladder 84.  Firefighters from Blackwood and Lambs Terrace participated along with Gloucester Township Police.  Congratulations to Cpl Jamison on your safe return home and thank you from the Blackwood Fire Company for your service to your country.

03/16/2008-  In the early morning hours, Task Force 82 was dispatched to 80-B Lakeview for an apartment fire.  Station 82 had initially been dispatched for an alarm system, when a second call advising communications of a smoke condition in the hallway upgraded the assignment.  8201 arrived and reported a three story apartment building with nothing showing.  Upon further investigation, a light to medium smoke condition was found in the common hallway.  E822 was ordered to split their crew, stretch a handline and perform primary a search.  E83 arrived next and were sent in to assist E822.  E842 arrived and stood by at the water supply, while L84 and L82 arrived positioning on the A and D sides.  The fire was quickly placed under control and the assignment was held to E822, L82 and E83.

02/19/2008-  At 0112 hrs, Station 84 was dispatched to 875 Erial Rd for an MVC.  Reports indicated police were out with an unoccupied overturned SUV.  E-842 arrived and confirmed the report reducing the speed of R-84.  Crews lit the scene and stood by while the vehicle was up righted by the tow company.  No occupants were located and The company went available.

02/18/2008-  In the 11 o'clock hour, Task Force 821 was dispatched to 927 Millbridge Apartments for a reported apartment fire.  E-842 arrived first and reported a two story garden apartment with light smoke from floor two, and assigned L-84 to division A and E-822 to the water supply.  8401 arrived and established command as 820.  GTPD reported a dryer fire with possible extension.  E-842's crew contained the fire to the dryer with a pressurized water can, as L-84 opened up the windows, confirmed no extension, and started positive pressure ventilation.  The assignment was held to Stations 82 and 84.  The occupants of the apartment were checked by EMS for smoke inhalation.  Station 84 cleared the scene as FM82 and 822 continued the investigation.

02/17/2008-  Minutes after 2000 hrs, Station 84 was dispatched to Blackwood Clementon Rd and College Drive for an MVC with a person complaining of chest pain.  Responding were 8401, 8403, E-842 and R-84.  E-842 and 8403 arrived to find a two car MVC, with BLS treating the patient.  The assignment was held to E-842, the crew safed the vehicles and mitigated a minor spill.  The company remained on location until both vehicles were removed by the tow company.

02/10/2008-  On February 8 and 9, 16 Blackwood Firefighters along with 44 other firefighters from surrounding counties and Pennsylvania participated in a 2 day Ice Rescue I training course conducted by Lifeguard Systems.  This intensive training course prepared firefighters to conduct rescue operations in cold water and ice.  Rescue 84 has been a fully functional, technician level Ice Rescue company since 1998 and with over 30 members certified to the Technician Level, many more trained to the Operational Level and equipment prepared for rapid deployment to Ice and Cold Water Emergencies.  Lifeguard Systems trains firefighters, rescue crews and scuba teams worldwide.  Their instructors and programs are top notch.  Many thanks to Cliff, Mike, Andy and Scott for a tremendous learning experience.