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August, 2021 UPS, page 2

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August 01, 2021 | NEW JERSEY Ron Jeffers, New Jersey Editor

UPS: New members of the Elizabeth Fire Department are Firefighters Reina, Parry, Conoshenti, Masciandaro, Feehan, Alkhulani, Garcia, Gahrmann, Kelly, Maldonado, Macnab, Santos and Zatko.

DOWNS: Firefighters worked to extinguish four fires on the property of the McNeal Mansion in Burlington, June 7th. According to officials, the fires started around 3:45 a.m. and damaged an outhouse, carriage house, warehouse and another structure.

UPS: Firefighters rescued a woman who had been badly burned on her hands and feet during an apartment fire at the Cherrywood Apartments in Gloucester Twp., June 5th. She was trapped in an upstairs unit, officials said. She was taken to Cooper Trauma Center.

DOWNS: Two firefighters suffered heat exhaustion and were hospitalized due to a fast-moving fire in an attached garage that extended to a Ramapo Valley Rd. home in Oakland, on a hot and humid June 8th.

UPS: In June, the American Lung Association in New Jersey hosted its 8th annual Fight For Air Climb at the Red Bulls Arena in Harrison. Participants include first responders from throughout the state. The event raised $40,000. This year, the event took place outdoors for the safety of participants, volunteers and staff, according to a press release.

DOWNS: A fire raced through the second-floor and attic area of an East Clinton Ave. dwelling in Bergenfield, June 11th. A resident and her son got out safely, officials said.

UPS: Driving home from work, an off duty South Vineland Fire Company volunteer firefighter rescued a woman trapped in a burning Millville dwelling, in June. Shane Zanes works as a correctional police sergeant at Cumberland County Jail, and is also a volunteer fire lieutenant. Zanes heard the alarm transmitted for the Millville fire and he was first to arrive. He encountered flames and a heavy smoke condition in the one-story home. A man in the street told Zanes that his bed-ridden wife was trapped about six-feet from the door. Without the benefit of protective gear, Zanes crawled through the doorway, where there was intense heavy fire and smoke. He heard the woman cry out and followed her voice, he said. Zanes reached her and got her out to safety. The victim was taken to Inspira M.C. in Vineland, where her condition was not immediately known, according to an article in the Daily Journal.

DOWNS: At least two people were reported to be seriously injured as the result of a dwelling fire on E. Main St. in Wrightstown, June 15th.

UPS: On June 10th, Hampton's firefighters presented the fire company's Ladies Auxiliary with a first of a kind award. Each member was named “Firefighter of the Year.” They were honored for “all of their years of outstanding support.” The auxiliary was formed in 1939.

DOWNS: Flames damaged the High Anxiety water slide ride at Mountain Creek Water Park in Vernon, June 15th.

UPS: On June 16th the Perth Amboy Fire Department held a memorial service to honor the “Eagle Nine.” In 1921, nine city firemen lost their lives when a train, at the corner of Market and Elm, collided with a piece of fire apparatus that was responding to a fire. The train tracks were at street level and trains traveled at high speeds as they entered the city, officials said. The gate tender had not lowered the crossing gates due to the fire alarm that was coming in, according to historian John Leo Fedorka, causing the collision with the train known as the Barnegat Express. Relatives of the those members, local officials and firefighters were in attendance for a plaque unveiling that will stand at that corner, inside the new train station. The lost members were: Chief George T. Larson, and Firemen James Anderson, John Donegan, Hans Holt, Victor Janderup, Joseph Kutcher, Peter Larson, John Mowrey and John Torgesen. The crash was said to be the largest loss of firemen in a single accident in New Jersey.

DOWNS: Twenty-three residents were displaced and a city firefighter was injured as the result of a 2-alarm fire involving three dwellings on South 14th St. in Newark, June 17th. The firefighter sustained a minor neck injury, according to Public Safety Director Brian O'Hara.

UPS: On June 11th, the Avenel Fire Department, in Woodbridge Twp., swore in two new career members to bring staffing to 13. They are Firefighters Thomas Karlin and Anthony Torres. In addition, Adam Karlin was promoted to provisional captain.

DOWNS: A cooking accident was believed to be the cause of a fire that injured a Newark Avenue woman in Jersey City, June 14th. The victim suffered severe burns to nearly 50 percent of her body and was taken to St. Barnabas M.C. for treatment, officials said.

UPS: Effective on June 16th, the following were appointed as probationary members of the Hackensack F.D.: Matthew Carroll, Manuel Castano, Warren Fernandez-Williams and Chelsea Spethmann.

DOWNS: Approximately 250 people were evacuated from their homes due to a heavy volume of fire at C's Picnic grocery store on Squankum Rd. in Lakewood, June 20th.

UPS: Firefighters of the newly established Station 76 Fire Department, in Manchester, recently took their oath of office, sworn in by Mayor Kenneth Palmer. Station 76 is the community's first paid fire department. Roger Brown was sworn in as captain. The career firefighters are: Andrew Christensen, Michael Ott, Neal Lelievre, Salem Bahr, Mark Costner, John Filardo, Daniel Mechkowski and Rachel Murray. They also have EMT training.

DOWNS: A silo fire at the American Custom Drying complex in Burlington, June 22nd, caused the evacuation of employees. Officials believe the flames were sparked by dust.

UPS: On June 21st, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr., co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, marked the 20th anniversary of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, which was created by Rep. Pascraell's FIRE Act. Since its inception, the AFG program has provided $9.25 billion to fire departments nationwide, including $198,500,000 in grants to New Jersey fire departments. Pascrell was joined by government officials, chiefs and firefighters from throughout New Jersey at a ceremony in Paterson. “Integral to the FIRE Act was the late Chief Lou Imparato of the Passaic Fire Department,” said Pascrell. “Simply put, the FIRE Act would not have been possible without Lou's help in conceiving the bill and bringing all groups together to push in the same direction.”

DOWNS: A huge cloud of black smoke rose above the Home Depot store on Route 130 in Hamilton Township, June 23rd, that involved a section of solar panels on top of the store's roof. No injuries were reported.

UPS: On the evening of June 22nd, Paterson Battalion Chief Kenneth Kiefer responded to a report of a car into a building and fire at Spruce & Oliver St.'s. The chief found an SUV had ran through gas station pumps and crashed against a boat and auto. There was a strong odor of gasoline with flames showing from the passenger side of the SUV. The chief heard screams coming from the vehicle. Chief Kiefer couldn't get the driver's door or passenger door open and went to the hatchback. It was unlocked, and the chief opened the door to encounter a wall of heat and smoke, according to TAP into Paterson. The chief reached into the vehicle and pulled the driver, who was now curled up in the back seat, out of the SUV to safety.

DOWNS: A dwelling on Kristian Dr. in Sicklerville was heavily damaged by a fire on June 24th. A total of five homes suffered some damage as a result of the fire, officials said.

UPS: The Bayville Fire Company celebrated 75 years of service at Berkeley's “Sound of Summer” concert series and fireworks display, June 23rd.

DOWNS: A Manchester homeowner escaped flames in her Tern Court home, but her dog was unable to get out and died, June 25th. The homeowner was taken to Southern Ocean Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation, officials said.

UPS: Cape May's 1928 American LaFrance pumper has returned to the firehouse after a 5-year restoration project in Harleysville, Pa., as per the firefighter's Facebook page. Department members thanked “C” shift Lt. Jeff Laag for his time and effort seeing the project through.

DOWNS: About eight families were displaced after a 3-alarm fire at the Riverwalk Condos in Clifton, June 26th. One person was treated for smoke inhalation, officials said.

UPS: In Parsippany, Mount Tabor firefighters have moved in to a new firehouse on Tabor Rd., on the site of an old firehouse, according to the Parsippany “Patch.” This department has a total of three houses and covers about nine-square-miles in Parsippany. The new building is about 12,000-square-feet with offices, storage space, a gym and meeting room. There is space for four pieces of fire apparatus and a special bay for a Par-Troy ambulance.

DOWNS: One Newark firefighter was injured and four police officers treated for smoke inhalation as the result of a fire in a Mapes Ave. dwelling, July 6th, officials said. About 18 families were relocated.

UPS: Promotions in the Teaneck Fire Department include M. Notarangelo to battalion chief, M. Brown to captain and S. Van Mater to lieutenant.

DOWNS: Two residents of an Arlington Ave. dwelling, in Teaneck, died as the result of a 3-alarm fire on the morning of July 8th. Firefighters tried to rescue the residents, but they were turned back by heavy fire, officials said. The top floor of the the building was fully involved. The bodies were found in an attic apartment, according to reports. Two other residents were able to escape the burning house. One township firefighter suffered leg burns and two others were treated for heat exhaustion. It is believed the fire started on the lower floors.

UPS: On July 7th, Port Authority Lincoln Tunnel tunnel and bridge agents (TBA) responded to a cardiac arrest victim on a transit bus on the Weehawken side of the tunnel. STBA Schuyler, TBA Puleo and TBA Crisostomo arrived along with Port Authority police officers and began CPR. A defibrillator was also utilized, officials said. They continued resuscitation until the patient regained a pulse and began breathing. Weehawken EMS arrived and provided further treatment, after which the victim was able to walk off of the bus.

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Ron JeffersNew Jersey Editor

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