Visitation information for Honorary Firefighter Nico Cassabria

Viewings for Nico Cassabria will be held at Our Lady of Hope Parish - St. Agnes Church 701 Little Gloucester Road Blackwood Wednesday evening 5:30 PM until 9:00 PM and Thursday morning 9:00 AM until 10:45 AM.  His Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 AM Thursday. Information for donations in lieu of flowers will be posted later today.  Information regarding visiting departments and apparatus will be available by Monday night. If you have any questions please feel free to email us at firechief@gtfd4.org

 

 

Honorary Firefighter Nico Cassabria

The members of the Blackwood Fire Company regret to announce that our Honorary Firefighter Nico Cassabria has lost his courageous and long fight against Neuroblastoma. We can only offer our support to the family in their time of need. We ask that everyone please respect the family's privacy and we will post any details of the arrangements as they become available.

Rest easy Brother Nico, we have it from here. May you always watch over us and keep us safe as we will carry your name and memory with us forever. 

  From the Cassabria Family

At 5:17am our sweet, sweet boy won his fight against neuroblastoma. Steve and I talked to him about all the amazing things he'd done in his life, how we think he is the most wonderful child, and how much he is loved, not only by us, but by so many others as well. We told him how he would be completely healed in heaven and be able to run and do other things a 10 year old should be able to do. One of his fantastic hospice nurses came to make sure he was comfortable and soon aft...er he transitioned in complete peace.
We thank you all for your love and support of our son; it means so much to us.

Fly high, Nico. We love you to the moon and back and to infinity and beyond.

I wanted you more than you ever will know,
So I sent love to follow wherever you go.
...
You are my angel, my darling, my star... and my love will find you, wherever you are.

~Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You
-Nancy Tillman

US Navy gets into the fight by honoring Nico Cassabria with a flag of his own

While Honorary Firefighter Nico is in his greatest fight, the challenge has surpassed the first responders, and now brings in the big guns of the U.S. Military.

"On July 13th the submarine USS Topeka, flew a brand new American Flag in honor of Nico. The flag was flown from morning to evening colors and will be presented to him along with authentic letter officially recognizing Nico as a honorary sailor on the sub. Keep fighting Nico! #hooyah #NicosFleet#NoOneFightsAlone"

Honor, Courage, and Dedication, to not give up the fight, will always inspire many to never to give up Hope, and retain more supporters to help support a on going battle. 

#NicosArmy
#NicosFleet
#HonoraryFirefighter
#BrothersInArms
#NoOneFightsAlone

Courtesy of Catherine Gottlieb.and NICO'S ARMY

Blackwood firefighters train on basic rope rescue skills

Members have spent the last few weeks during training nights going over the basics of our rope rescue systems and all the equipment that goes with it. Tuesday June 27th the Blackwood firefighters put their skills to the test with a simulation rope rescue call. Members split the crew up to send people down to make contact with the victim (rescue dummy), others were setting up the rope systems that we use.  These skills help us be better prepared should a real emergency happen. 

Rescue 84 respondes for a motor vehicle crash

Sunday afternoon Blackwood Fire Company, Gloucester Township Ems, Virtua Medics and the Gloucester Township Police were dispatched to the 200 block of Erial Blenheim Road for a motor vehicle crash with injuries. EMS arrived to report an overturned vehicle into the woods with no entrapment next to Blackwood Elementary School. 8401 (Chief Cipriano) and Quint 83 who were just clearing from another assignment arrived and confirmed the report by ems. Units cleared up at about 20 the minute mark.  

Busy Saturday for Blackwood Fire Company

Starting with a early morning storm that came through Camden County at around 630 in the morning, the members of Blackwood Fire Company answered 7 calls for service for multiple trees down along Lakefront and Central Avenues. These trees brought down multiple power lines in the area. Much to the dismay of the residents of the area the power remained out for several hours while the electric company worked with the Gloucester Township Public Works department to clear the roadway of the trees. During this time the Blackwood Fire Company was also dispatched to a reported apartment fire in Autumn Ridge. 8401 (Chief Cipriano) arrived assumed command reporting a light haze in the apartment, crews found a burnt up electric motor in the heater room and returned to service soon after.  We ended the night with two more calls for service while a duty crew was in house.

Blackwood Fire Company's newest members

This past Sunday marked the end of recruit training for two of Blackwood Fire Company's newest members. Probationary Firefighter Jen Raskin and Probationary Firefighter Kevin McKendry completed over 190 hours of Firefighter 1 training provided by the Camden County Emergency Regional Training Center located in Lakeland. Both members spent every other weekend learning various skills that they will put to use very soon. Congratulations and good luck!

Blackwood Extinguishes Dumpster Fire During Busy Memorial Day Afternoon

After clearing up from an incident at the Gloucester Premium Outlets on Monday afternoon, Station 84 was dispatched for a dumpster fire in Tory Estates. During the response, Engine 842 with Captain Dunlap on board came across a motor vehicle crash at Blackwood-Clementon Road and Cherrywood Drive.  8402 (AC Coucoules) requested Station 82 (Chews Landing) to handle the crash once no injuries were confirmed and continued on to the dumpster fire. During this operation, Station 84 was also dispatched to a crash on Route 42. Station 82 handled the crash for Station 84. All companies cleared up around 6 p.m.