12-10-05 Collingswood- Audubon Toy Run in PA

FRANKLIN MILLS MALL - On a freezing Saturday morning four members of the Collingswood Fire Department and three members of Audubon Fire Department geared-up for a toy run in PA.An engine from Audubon and a Collingswood ladder-truck traveled over the bridge as the sun was coming up. The event was sponsored by the 92.5 WXTU Country Radio Station, and supports the Child Abuse Prevention Effort. The day started in Bala Cynwood, where the vehicles decorated in Christmas lights met up to form a parade that led to the Franklin Mills Mall where the annual "toy mountain" would be built. A total of 92 vehicles showed up to support the cause. These included big rigs, buses, fire trucks, ambulances, and personal vehicles.Collingswood won first place for "Best Decorated Large Vehicle. This is Collingswood's second year of participation in the event. The career-firefighters of Collingswood provided funds to purchase 15 fire truck toys for the cause.

11-20-05 Collingswood Circle - M.V.A Rescue (2 ejected, 2 trapped)

Engine 1613, Squad 1647 and Medic 43 were dispatched for a M.V.A at the Collingswood Circle. Police arrived to find a 1 vehicle accident with multiple victims. Engine and Squad arrived to confirm, 2 ejected, 2 escaped via windows, and 2 still trapped. The Rescue Box was filled and additional BLS and ALS was requested. Pennsauken, Camden City, Audubon, and Woodlynne BLS units were dispatched. Rescue crews worked to remove the roof to free the trapped occupants. Reports lead to believe the vehicle flipped, became upright, and then flipped again landing on its side. All pt.'s were transported to Cooper Medical Center. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Camden County Crash Team. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

11-07-05 Collings & Atlantic Ave - M.V.A

 Collingswood Engine 1613 and Squad 1647 were dispatched to a report of an MVA at Collings and Atlantic avenues.
Crews arrived to find a 2-car accident with heavy front end damage on both vehicles.
A mutual aid BLS unit was requested, bringing in Westmont.
Two occupants from the Jeep were transported to a local hospital. The driver of the SUV was not injured.

11-6-05 Toys for Tots Run

Members of Collingswood's Fire and Police departments participated in the ABATE Motorcycle Club's 25th Annual Toy Run to the Childrens' Hospital in Philadelphia on November 6, 2005.
All participants took new unwrapped gifts for the children that are going to be in the hospital during the holiday season.
Hundreds of motorcycles came out to support the cause.

10-31-05 200 Block of White Horse Pike- M.V.A Rescue

District 16 was dispatched around 8 a.m. to the 200 block of White Horse for a report of an MVA. Units arrived to find a 3-car accident, with the occupants still inside their vehicles. Rescue 1615 and Engine 1613 arrived and stabilized the vehicles. All patients were extricated. Pennsauken BLS was added due to the multiple patients.
All patients were transported to the local hospital.

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10-06-05 Newton Lake - Vehicle in the Creek

District 16(Collingswood), and Medic 44 were dispatched in the area of Parkview C tower for a water rescue assingment at Newton Creek.  PD was on scene with a car in to the river.  A witness stated she saw the occupant stop at the edge, feel the water, and drive in.  Rescue 1615, Engine 1613, and Squad 1647 arrived and deplyed the Marnine unit.  Crews located the vehicle in the water.  Camden County Sheriffs Dive Unit arrived and performed a search in the vehicle.  No occupants were found.  The tow company arrived and drug the vehicle to land.  Searches were performed inside the vehicle to find no occupants.  The tags of the vehicle came back stolen.

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09-19-05 Haddon - Browning  - M.V.A Rescue

District 16 and ALS were dispached for a M.V.A Rescue Assingment at Haddon Ave and Browning Rd.  1601 arrived to find a 2 car accident, a mini van on its side with 1 occupant trapped insde.  The pt. was conscious and did not appear to be seriously hurt.  Crews went in service with the tools.  Crews cut the A and B posts, and used a saw zaw to cut the roof to allow access.  Pt. was extricated around the 15 minute mark.  ALS and BLS transported the pt. to Cooper Hospital.  The driver of the pickup admitted to running the red light.  He was not injured. 

09-01-05 Rt. 130 - Black Horse Pike - M.V.A

Collingswood Engine 1613 and Oaklyn Squad 1857 were dispatched to a report of an MVA at Route 130 and Black Horse Pike on September 1, 2005.
Units arrived to find a head-on collision, with severe damage. Both drivers were transported to a local hospital. The driver of the pickup appeared intoxicated at the time of the crash.

08-29-05 Haddon Ave - Overturned Tractor Trailor

 At 8:15 a.m., on August 29, 2005, Station 16-1 (Collingswood) was notified of an MVA at Haddon Avenue in the area of the Route 130 overpass. The MVA was upgraded to a rescue assingment with a report of a tractor-and-trailer that flipped.
Crews arrived to find the trailer on its side with the driver self-extricated.
Squad 1647 transported the driver, who had minor injuries, to Cooper Medical Center. Crews remained on scene for five hours as tow companies worked to upright the vehicle.
Catelli Brothers reported the truck to be carrying around 30,000 - 40,000 lbs of meat. The vehicle was one block away from its building when it crashed. No other vehicles were involved. The vehicle was uprighted without causing any damage to the meat.
The cause of the accident is under investigation at this time.

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05-02-05 Captain Ball Swearing In Night

John T. Ball Jr. was sworn in as Captain of the Collingswood Fire Department Tuesday night at the town meeting.  Captain Ball has 24 years in with the Department.  Capt. Ball has worked his way throught the ranks  as Firefighter/EMT, Shift Officer, Lt. and holds the 2nd highest rank now as Captain.  The Collingswood FMBA union presented Captain Ball with a gold leaf frontice piece with a handpainted design. 

04-14-05 - M.V.A. Overturned Vehicle- Rt. 130 Northbound

 Engine 1613,Squad 1647 and Medics were dispatched for a M.V.A on Rt. 130 Northbound near the Circle.  The crash was upgraded to a Rescue Box with confirmed entrapment by Gloucester Twp EMS who saw it happen.  While FD units were enroute PD pulled the occupant out of the vehicle.  Reports were the vehicle was traveling southbound when it was cut off.  The vehicle then slammed into the wall, flipped over it, and landed sideways in oncoming traffic of the Northbound lanes.  Pt. had minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital.  All FD units remained on scene cleaning up the wreck.

03-24-05 226 Richey Ave - Dwelling Fire

District 16 and Engine 1511 were dispatched for a reported dwelling fire at 226 Richey Ave. Chief 1601 arrived on location with fire showing from division B, C corner. Engine 1613 led off with an 1 3/4 handline. Crews knocked down the fire which was contained to the eaves with no extension in the dwelling.

03-19-05 Company Dinner

Some shots from the Collingswood Fire Company Dinner at the Community Center. 

02-10-05 Rt. 130 Southbound M.V.A

District 16, Squad 16 and Medic 43 dispatched for a overturned vehicle. Upon arrival units found a car on its side with 1 occupant trapped. Rescue 1615 arrived and extricated the driver in 9 mins by cutting the windshield

02-04-05 424 Comley Ave - Dwelling Fire

Station 16-1 and Engine 1511 were dispatched for a reported dwelling fire.  1602 arrived with smoke showing ordering 1613 to lead off with an 1 3/4 attack line.  1614 arrived and performed interior vent.  1511 arrived and layed out to the hydrant and supplied 1613.  Crews worked and contained the blaze in minutes.  The County Fire Marshal belived a wire shorted out from the garbage disposal.  Fire was contained to the kitchen with no extension.  All residence escaped without harm. 

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01-22-05 Rt. 130 Southbound M.V.A

Around 1300 hrs on a snowy Saterday afternoon, Engine 1613, Squad 1647 and medic 43 were dispatched in the area of Dunkin Donuts for a M.V.A.  Upon arrival units found a car smashed against a pole with the driver injured.  Crews worked to get the pt. out and transported her to a local hospital. 

01-03-05 Swearing In Night

Monday night(Jan 3rd, 2005) Collingswood FD had the swearing in of the new officers and FF position in the Borough of Collingswood town meeting. Mayor James Maley swore in Robert Fox to the Lt. position, Keith Davis to the Shift Officer position and Mike Prete as a Probationary Firefighter. All 3 took the oath given by Mayor Maley.

917 Stokes Ave - Cat in the Tree

A call came in for a public assist.  Upon arrival the resident stated her neighbor's cat was stuck in the tree.  Engine 1613's crew put up a 28' ladder to attempt to bring the cat down.  The crew decided that the Probie was the best man for the job.  FF Prete fought with the cat for several minutes until the cat decided to give up and let Prete bring him down.  Once on the ground the cat proceeded to bite and draw blood from 2 firefighters.