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June, 2020, UPS, page 2

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June 01, 2020 | NEW JERSEY Ron Jeffers, New Jersey Editor

UPS: On Apr. 11th, Port Authority first responders, STBA O'Halloran and TBA Brierty answered a call of a contract worker having a seizure on the roof of the Lincoln Tunnel Administration Building, in Weehawken. The victim had no pulse and wasn't breathing when they arrived. CPR was initiated and they used a defibrillator. After three rounds of CPR and two shocks, the worker started breathing and regained a pulse. EMS then transported the man to a local hospital. Officials added that they were later informed that the worker was awake and alert.

DOWNS: A fire damaged an ice cream parlor at Fantasy Island Amusement Park in Beach Haven, March 29th.

UPS: At the start of April, the Plainsboro Fire Company had minimal medical respiratory protection to the point that members had to share N95 masks. On April 1st., the residents of the Walker Gordon Development surprised the fire company with a large donation of N95 masks, allowing each member to have their own.

DOWNS: Millburn firefighters battled a fire that involved a “bag room” structure at the Canoe Brook Country Club, on Apr. 9th. This structure is detached from the main clubhouse.

UPS: During the coronavirus outbreak, dorms in Hoboken were being used to house medical staff and first responders. Jonas Hall at Stevens Institute of Technology was described as a “makeshift firehouse.” Stevens' contract with the city to house personnel is funded through federal money earmarked for COVID-19 expenses.

DOWNS: During severe weather and powerful winds, on Apr. 13th, the Wildwood Fire Department responded to close to 50 incidents. According to their Facebook page, the winds were so strong that the sign of the side of their aerial ladder apparatus was blown off and damaged. There was some major damage to the boardwalk between Rio Grande and Burk Avenues, but there were no reports of injuries.

UPS: Many fire departments transported the Easter Bunny around town to cheer up kids and adults, alike, during the pandemic. Madison firefighters took the bunny for a ride on their 1921 Ahrens Fox antique pumper and passed the Goryeb Children's Hospital in Morristown as part of their rolling Easter Parade.

DOWNS: Officials said a forest fire that burned about 1,500 acres in Cumberland County, in April, was caused by lightning strike. The fire occurred in the Millville Wildlife Management Area.

UPS: On April 10th, Jersey City officials welcomed six new firefighters to the department. The recruits had been helping at the city's two COVID-19 sites, officials said. “It's in these times of crisis that often the true heroes shine through, and these new graduates have already been on the front lines helping Jersey City get through this pandemic,” said Mayor Fulop.

DOWNS: Once Cherry Hill firefighters extinguished a car fire in a Route 70 parking lot, April 16th, a body was found inside, authorities said. Investigators were called in and called it an active death investigation.

UPS: In April, Cedar Knolls Fire Lt. Belott and Firefighter/EMT Suly delivered 100 gowns and capes to the NJ Firemen's Home, in Boonton, to support the nursing staff and our state's retired firefighters.

DOWNS: On the morning of April 19th, Bayonne fire units were dispatched to an industrial accident call at the Bayonne Dry Dock. Firefighters found a worker employed by a painting contractor who fell 35-feet down into a confined space, in the forward bow section of the USNS Red Cloud, officials said. The ship was in dry dock for repairs. Firefighters set up a technical rescue operation and descended into the hole, where the 25-year-old male worker was found to be unresponsive. He was deceased at the scene.

UPS: While on patrol, Washington Twp. (Morris County) Police Officer Marut observed smoke coming from a dwelling, April 20th. Flames were already through the roof of the home as he called it in to the Morris County Communications Center. He assisted residents off of their porch and away from the flames, Lt. Mark Niemynski said.

DOWNS: A pet dog died as the result of a dwelling fire on Winding Way, in Byram Twp. on April 21st. The building was heavily involved in fire upon arrival of fire units. The occupant was not home at the time of the blaze.

UPS: Asbury Park Fire Chief Kevin Keddy said the city purchased a $16,000 mobile decontamination machine that will help clean ambulances and other emergency vehicles. The chief said Asbury Park was able to secure the mobile unit by ordering it in January, before concerns of the global pandemic. “Now there's a 10-week wait for them,” the chief said. The machine, built by the company Aeroclave, is placed in a vehicle or small room space and then operated remotely. It fogs the interior of the space, and it also has a wand applicator to clean different surfaces.

DOWNS: Flames consumed the Bagelsmith Food Store & Deli in Hunterdon County, April 21st. The alarm of fire on Route 173 came in a 1:22 a.m. in Union Twp., officials said, and the building was heavily involved in fire.

UPS: Off-duty Port Authority police officers have been decontaminating ambulances, paramedic trucks and even boots and pants of EMS workers after they deliver patients at Hackensack University Medical Center. The Port Authority PBA paid for the equipment.

DOWNS: A truck driver was badly burned when his tanker truck burst into flame after being struck by another vehicle near Bayway Circle in Elizabeth, April 24th. Flames extended to, and gutted, a nearby two-family dwelling on South Elmora Ave, displacing nine residents. The driver was taken to St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston. Haz Mat teams were called in due to a 200-gallon fuel spill that reportedly was running off into a storm drain.

UPS: After fighting COVID-19 for over a week in two different hospitals, the ex-chief of Wayne Preakness Fire Co. 4, Al Piombo, was released from the hospital in mid-April. With good news, for a change, members of all five township fire companies and the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad put together a drive-by parade to celebrate his victory. The rigs passed Piombo's home with lights flashing and sirens blaring. “This is the best medicine he could receive,” said his wife, Sue.

MEMO: The New Jersey Firemen's Home, in Boonton, is a 95-bed health care facility dedicated to aid the members of NJ fire service. The coronavirus outbreak has devastated the home where over a dozen residents have died and others, plus members of the staff, have been tested positive. The home is in desperate need of PPE donations. Numerous agencies have answered their call, but more are needed.

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Ron JeffersNew Jersey Editor

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