Woodbury, NJ — January 24 — A second alarm building fire in the 1700 block of Crown Point Road in West Deptford Township prompted the Woodbury Fire Department's Ladder 5 to respond on an automatic mutual aid assignment. The response was a component of long-standing regional agreements that offer more personnel and resources in the event of prolonged disasters.

When Ladder 5 crews arrived, they started working with mutual aid partners who were already on the scene. In order to enhance ventilation, total fireground coverage, and suppression operations while upholding accountability and safety, second alarm assignments are utilized. Automatic mutual aid, according to fire authorities, protects coverage in home districts while ensuring prompt assistance across jurisdictional boundaries. At the time of the report, operations were underway, and more updates were anticipated as circumstances developed.