11-23-06 Black Horse Pike - Fatal M.V.A (Pics and Story by Chief Vannoni)

On Thursday, November 23, 2006, at 0525 hours, the Blackwood Fire Company (Rescue 84) the Gloucester Township Emergency Medical Alliance (Squad 805), the Virtua Health Systems Mobile Intensive Care Unit (Medic 46), along with the Gloucester Township Police were dispatched to New Jersey State Highway 168 (Black Horse Pike) in the area of Garfield Avenue for a reported motor vehicle crash.  Initial reports provided by the Camden County Communications Center indicated they had received reports of a vehicle which had struck a tree and was now fully engulfed in fire. Upon the arrival of Chief Vannoni (8401) a single vehicle crash was discovered with the vehicle at final rest against a tree and off the ground.  Fire was evident from the underside of the vehicle in the area of the rear differential.  This fire was quickly extinguished with a portable fire extinguisher from Blackwood’s command vehicle.  The driver of the vehicle presented no obvious signs of life.  Rescue 84 arrived, under the command of Assistant Chief John Carlin (8402), and was assigned to stabilize the vehicle and open it up to facilitate the searching of the passenger compartment to ensure no additional occupants were present who may have required rescuing.  Engine 841 was assigned to search the surrounding area to ensure no occupants had been ejected from the vehicle.  Engine 842 arrived and was assigned fire suppression and deployed a 1 ¾ inch hose line to protect the rescue crew.  No other patients were located and the scene was turned over to the Gloucester Township Police Department, who would conduct the investigation into the cause of this fatal crash.  Fire department resources remained on location assisting the police investigation through providing lighting and an elevated platform for aerial photographing.  Subsequent to the arrival of the medical examiner, and at his request, fire department personnel assisted with the removal of the victim.  Both the fire department and E.M.S. resources went available at 0728 hours.  Police remained on location continuing to investigate the cause of this crash along with the New Jersey Department of Transportation who had taken control of traffic by establishing detours in accordance with the NJ state highway diversionary plan.

 11-13-06  612 Blenheim Rd. All Hands Dwelling (Story by Bill Reiger III Pics by Rich Moulder)

At approximately 2 p.m. on November 13, Gloucester Twp. police were sent to 612 Blenheim Rd. to handle a mental health patient. Upon their arrival, the patrolmen were confronted with heavy fire in a dwelling. Police quickly requested that the all-hands fire assignment be dispatched. Unit 8301 arrived to a 1.5-story, single-family dwellin (30x25) fully-involved. Companies went right to an exterior attack with multiple sized handlines. One woman was removed from the dwelling and evaluated by EMS.There were no firefighter injuries and the fire in being investigated by the Camden County Fire Marshal's Office.

11-9-06 215 N. Black Horse Pike ( Story by Chief Vannoni , Pics by Rich Moulder)

On Thursday, November 9, 2006, at 0926 hours, the Blackwood Fire Company (Rescue 84), the Gloucester Township Emergency Medical Alliance (B.L.S. 805), the Virtua Health Systems Mobile Intensive Care Unit (A.L.S. 46), along with the Gloucester Township Police were dispatched to 215 North Black Horse Pike, for a reported man down and trapped beneath a pile of logs.  Upon the arrival of Chief John Vannoni (8401), initial reconnaissance revealed that one 55 year old male, who had been manually moving these logs, was trapped beneath numerous large pieces of tree, some weighing as much as 300 pounds.  Verbal contact was made with the patient who indicated he was a cardiac patient with a pace maker and that he was in extreme pain and was experiencing respiratory difficulty.  At this time only the patient’s arm and hand were visible.  To ensure adequate resources and staffing was available Rescue 82 (Chews Landing Fire Department) and Rescue 93 (Deptford Township Fire Department) were special called.  Heavy equipment (front end loaders) was requested from the Gloucester Township Public Works Department.  An aero medical helicopter from the New Jersey State Police (Southstar) was requested to fly.  An engine company from Washington Township (Gloucester County) was assigned to establish the landing zone.  Within 26 minutes from the initial dispatch of fire department resources the patient had been uncovered and was being packaged on a long board.  The patient was transported by ground to Cooper Trauma Center in Camden, where he was admitted in critical condition.  The rescue operation was completed at 0959 hours.  The cause of this accident is being investigated by the Gloucester Township Police Department and O.S.H.A.

11-3-06 1350 Little Gloucester Road - Vehicle  (photos and Story Vannoni)

At 0049 hours, the Blackwood Fire Company (Engine 84) was dispatched to #1350 Little Gloucester Road (Quail Ridge Apartments) for a reported vehicle fire.  Almost immediately following the initial dispatch, the assignment was upgraded to a reported structure fire which added the Chews Landing Fire Department (Ladder 82) and the Gloucester Township EMS Alliance (BLS 806).  Upon my arrival, a twenty eight foot long motor home was discovered fully involved in the rear parking lot of the Quail Ridge Apartment complex; one automobile was parked within close proximity and presented an exposure hazard.  The fire was extinguished with two 1 ¾ inch lines by the crews of E-841 and E-842.  Rescue 846 established lighting and assisted with overhaul operations.  Although looked upon by some as just an oversized vehicle fire, recreational vehicles present a myriad of additional concerns that need to be addressed by the fire department operating at the scene of these fires.  Although a vehicle, it also presents many situations normally confronted at a structure fire.  Additionally, a large propane supply is normally mounted on these vehicles.  During this incident a line from the propane supply had failed and an active leak was created.  This situation was not permitted to complicate the incident as Engine 841’s Captain (William Robb), through his training and experience, had made locating the propane supply a priority and mitigated the leak by securing the main valve on the tank.  120 volt A.C. power is supplied to these units through a shore line or a generator along with two separate direct current electrical (12 volt) systems thus introducing several areas of potential electrical shock hazards.  No injuries were sustained as a result of this operation.  The cause of this fire is being investigated by the local fire marshal, the Camden County Fire Marshal’s office and the Gloucester Township Police Department.

10-21-06 Black Horse Pike & Marshal Ave - M.V.A (Pics and Information by Chief Vannoni)

On Saturday, October 21, 2006 at 1235 hours, personnel from the Blackwood Fire Company (Station 84), who had just returned from an EMS call, monitored the Gloucester Township Police being dispatched to a crash, involving a motorcycle, just around the corner from Blackwood’s Central Avenue station.  Included in the initial report was that the cyclist was down on the highway and not moving.  Rescue 84 immediately responded.  The Gloucester Township Emergency Medical Alliance (B.L.S. 806), the Virtua Health Systems Mobile Intensive Care Unit (Medic 46), along with Station 84 were dispatched to the intersection of the Black Horse Pike and Marshal Avenue for this incident, while the rescue was en route.  Upon the arrival of Chief Vannoni (8401), a two vehicle crash involving a motorcycle and an automobile was discovered.  The cyclist was down on the highway and the driver of the automobile had exited his vehicle through the passenger door.  The crew of R-84 made patient contact with both patients and initiated primary assessments.  A second B.L.S. unit was requested for the driver of the automobile.  Fire Department personnel assisted with patient packaging and mitigating a minor non-recoverable fluid spill from the motorcycle.  B.L.S.  805 and 806 transported the patients to area hospitals.  Fire department resources cleared the scene at 1257 hours.    The cause of the crash is being investigated by the Gloucester Township Police Department.

9-1-06 Fountainview Apartments - 5th Alarm Building Fire

Gloucester Township, NJ- Gloucester Twp. units were notified of a building fire at 1501 Little Gloucester Rd., the Fountainview Apartments, on September 1, 2006 arounf 0450 hrs. with possible entrapment. 

Command arrived and found a 2 story apartment complex with heavy fire showing.  Command was recieving reports of possible jumpers.  The 2nd and 3rd alarm were sounded very early in the job. 

First arriving engines went in service with multiple handlines.  The emergency evac. was sounded bringing all companies out to set up the master streams.

 Blackwood's Tower was set up in Division A just as the fire broke the roof line.  The blaze climbed to 5 alarms as companies from Camden County and Gloucester County were brought in to the scene.  The status of the occupants is unknown but EMS crews did not find any jumpers at the time.  Bulk of the fire was knocked down at the 90 minute mark.

8-4-06 Rt. 42 - Vehicle Fire (Pics and write up by Chief Vannoni)

At 0641 hours, Blackwood Fire Company (Engine 84), Chews Landing Fire Department (Engine 82) and Blenheim Fire Company (Engine 83), were dispatched to New Jersey State Route 42, northbound, in the area of exit 9B, for a reported vehicle fire.  Upon the arrival of Chief John Vannoni (8401), a tri-axle dump truck, filled with sand, with a tire fire was discovered.  The fire was quickly extinguished with one 1 ¾” handline from the first due engine company, Engine 842.  The New Jersey State Police, along with the NJ Department of Transportation Emergency Services Unit, ensured traffic was controlled in a fashion which provided a safe work zone for the crew of the engine company to work within.  Engine 842 cleared and became available at 0718 hours.

3-21-06  234 Crestview - All Hands Dwelling

Gloucester Twp FF's were dispatched for a report of a chimney fire. Command arrived to find a 2.5-story, single-family dwelling with heavy fire showing from the B division. Crews had a chimney fire with extension into the attac. The all hands was requested upon arrival. All Gloucester Township companies, along with Hi Nella, Deptford and Runnemede worked to bring the blaze under control. One firefighter was transported to the hospital for seizures.

2-21-06 Jarvis Ave - Junkyard (pictures by Walt)

Crews were dispatched in 8-6's local for a vehicle fire in a junkyard.  Command arrived and struck the all hands for several vehicles on fire.