Early Morning Accident Sends One Cyclist to Cooper Trauma

July 27th -Taskforce 7 (Westville, Woodbury & National Park Fire Departments), along with Gloucester City B.L.S. 557, West Deptford Squad 691 and UMH Life Support 1 were dispatched to Broadway and Duncan Ave. for a Motor Vehicle Crash with entrapment.

Motorcycle lost control and struck a parked vehicle with two (2) cyclists on board.  Cyclist #2’s right leg was trapped up into the rear tire, into the frame.  Cyclist #1 was up and walking around at the scene.

 Police Department was on location at arrival of Fire Department Command, Assistant Chief Eric Farley 7302.

Scene size up: One (1) motorcycle on the ground next to, but between, two (2) Parked passenger vehicles, with obvious damage to parked vehicle #1 and with one (1) patient, Cyclist #2, lying on the ground in the supine position with his Right leg trapped, conscious and alert.  The motorcycle was leaking gasoline from the fuel tank.

Westville Rescue Co. 738 was the first apparatus on scene; they split their crew for patient and vehicle stabilization, secured the fuel spill and set up the tools to start extrication with assistance from Woodbury Engine Co. 511 and National Park Engine Co. 811 stretched a 1 3/4” bumper line from Rescue 738.

Extrication was on going for about 20 minutes when medics from Life Support #1 advised command they request for Aero – Medical.  Assistant Chief Farley requested an additional Engine Company from Deptford F.D. (E-921) to set up an L-Z ¼ mile from the scene.

Fire Boat 7 Operates On Delaware River Boat Fire

July 8th - At 1536 hrs. Gloucester City Fire Department was dispatched to the Delaware River at the mouth of Big Timber Creek for a Marine Vessel on fire. Battalion 504 special called for Westville Fire Departments Fire Boat 7 as they could see a large column of smoke in the air and reports of the occupants of the boat jumping in the water and possible serious injuries. As Fire Boat 7 signed on and began making there way out to the river, they where advised of a heavily involved vessel. Gloucester City arrived and made sure all occupants had been removed and where advised that the occupants of the boat had been transported to River Gate Park (West Deptford) with serious burns and advised the Fire board to send EMS to that location. Fire Boat 7 arrived and led off with the deck gun, knocking down the bulk of the fire, crews tied off to the vessel and began operating 2 - 1 3/4" handlines to extinguish the remaining fire and cool down the vessel. NJSP then towed the vessel into the Gloucester City Marina and began the investigation .Fire boat 7 followed NJSP into the marina and again operated to cool down the remaining hot spots and finish overhauling the vessel. The injured occupants of the vessel where transported to Corzer Chester Hosiptal for there injuries by West Deptford EMS. Fire Boat 7 returned to service after approx. 2 1/5 hours.

On Scene: 

Command: Battalion 504
West Deptford Operations: 6201
Fire boats: (Westville FB-7, (Camden City FB-1)
Marine: 51 (Gloucester City)
Marine Police: NJSP, PASP, US Coast Guard, Philadelphia P.D.
BLS: 691, 693
ALS: Life Support 1

July 2nd - At approx. 2330 hrs. Camden County Task Force 5 was dispatched to the 600 Block of Hunter St. for a Dwelling Fire with possible entrapment. Battalion 504 arrived and had a row of 4 Dwellings with heavy fire showing from the middle of the row. Squad Co. 51 arrived and led off with the deck gun knocking the bulk of the fire down. Ladder Co. 736 arrived shortly after with a crew of 6 and was sent into the D-exposure to search and check for extension. With a primary and secondary search negative, the truck crew began to open up the 3rd floor and extinguish the minor extension. All searches came up negative and no injuries where reported. The Ladder crew operated for approx. 2 hours before returning to service. Engine Company 733 was relocated to Gloucester City Fire Headquarters for a cover, they returned to service after approx. 1 hour.

All Hands Dwellings Keeps Companies Rolling

June 30th - On Saturday June 30, 2007 Taskforce 5 (Woodbury, Westville, and National Park Fire Departments) along with Squad 59 and Life Support 4 were dispatched at around 0900hrs to 71 Stuart Street for the dwelling with possible entrapment.

With 502 (Deputy Chief Gotthardt) and 7303 (Lieutenant Cattell) on radio responding Gloucester County Fire Board was reporting multiple calls reporting heavy smoking coming from the dwelling with, one neighbor reporting fire in a hallway, with the neighbor unsure if anyone was home.

502 arrived at 71 Stuart Street and reported he had 2 ½ story wood frame single family dwelling with heavy smoke showing through out, with heavy fire coming from Division “C” side of the dwelling. Placing all hands in-service, 502 requested county to re-tone the companies for the all hands working fire.

Engine 511 arrived where they established their own water supply in the front of dwelling, while the crew stretched Two 1 ¾ handlines to the 2nd floor and were meant with heavy fire conditions.

Ladder 736 arrived split there crew for primary search & ventilation to the roof. While searching the companies came across a dog and two cats that appeared to be suffering from smoke inhalation, all three were removed from the dwelling and seem to be in good shape, when they were turned over to Gloucester County Animal Control.

Engine 811, Ladder 516 and Rescue 738 arrived and began stretching the 3rd 1 ¾ handlines to the interior. With companies making good progress 500 requested the covers be removed from Station 5-1 and brought into the job for additional manpower.

Engine 631 Colonial Manor, Deptford’s Ladder 936, Cascade 947, and Ladder 946 were all brought from Station 5-1 and were not used the companies were returned.

With the bulk of the fire knocked down in the second and third floors companies were removed from the dwelling to do a quick par. Companies began breaking down while remaining hot spots were extinguished. Whiling performing the secondary search companies found two cats deceased in the rear of the dwelling.

County and Local Fire Marshal’s Office were on location beginning there investigations.

There was no Firefighter injuries reported, companies were available with in the 3 hr mark.

On Scene:

Command: 7303 (Lieutenant Matt Cattell)
Operations: 502 (Deputy Chief Bill Gotthardt)
500 Aide 501 (Chief John Keuler)
Interior Command
3rd Floor 7301 (Chief Murtaugh
2nd Floor 7302 (Assistant Chief Farley)

Engines: 511, 811, 631

Ladders : 736, 516, 946, 936

Rescues : 738

FAST Company : 322

Cascades: 947

BLS: 591, 592

ALS – Life Support 4

Special Call: FM-52, CFM -2, CFM-4, CFM-1, PSEG, Gloucester County Animal Control, Canteen 9-1

Taskforce 5 Takes in Vehicle Fire In Woodbury

June 19th - At around 1700hrs on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 Gloucester County Fire Board Dispatched District 5, the Acme on Route 45 in Woodbury for a Vehicle Fire. Upon the arrival of Woodbury Police, Sergeant requested an expedite from the fire company do to the vehicle being involved with other cars in the area, with possible exposure problems.
Engine Company 511 and 811 arrived and to find a Dodge Stratus Parked in the parking lot of the Acme with an engine compartment fire. Engine 511 stretched the 1 ½ front bumper line, and began forcing entry to the hood, while the crew from Engine 811 begin suppressing the fire.

Engine Company 733 also assistant with enter to the hood, the crew preformed a reversed roll of the hood by using a hailigan bar and bolt cutters.

Rescue Company 738 level 1 staged

The fire was contained to the one vehicle and the fire was quickly placed under control.

There was one minor firefighter injury that EMS attended to at the scene.

The Taskforce was available with in the hour.



On Scene:

Command: 801 Chief Mark Gismondi;

Operations: 7301 Chief Chuck Murtaugh

Engine: 511, 811, and 733

Rescue: 738

Squad: 591


 
  
 
Photos By: Bill Rieger III 1st Responder News

Dwelling Fire In Woodbury

May 26th -At around 10:30hrs on May 26, 2007, Gloucester County Fire Board received a call from the resident at 28 Stuart Street in Woodbury for a reported dwelling fire. The resident stated that there was a fire in the 1st floor involving a window air conditioner. 9-1-1 dispatchers advised him to evacuate the dwelling if safe and not return into the dwelling and to wait for fire department personnel outside. Taskforce 5 (Woodbury, Westville, and National Park) was dispatched to 28 Stuart Street between Mantua Ave and Lafayette Ave for the dwelling all-hands operating. Upon the arrival of Police and Assistant Chief William Volk, the Chief had a 3 ½ story wood frame dwelling with heavy smoke showing throughout.

Engine 511 arrival and picked up their own water supply while the company began stretching the 1 ¾ handline through the front door, Ladder 736 arrived and went to work venting the dwelling while the engine company was making quick work of the fire. Command was transferred to Chief 801 Mark Gismondi and Chief Volk began operations. With the bulk of the fire believed to be knocked down and the smoke dissipating the fire was place under control. All incoming units were order to level one stage and to send their manpower forward. Local and County Fire Marshal’s Office were requested to scene. Crews were on scene for a little over an hour and half with no firefighter injuries reported.

The Fire is being investigated by the Fire Marshal’s Office.
On Scene:
Command : 503 Assistant Chief William Volk/ 801 Chief Mark Gismondi
Engine: 511, 811
Ladder: 736
Rescue: 738
Fast Team: Camden County 325
BLS(Squads): 591, 592
Others: Woodbury Police Department, Woodbury Fire Marshal’s Office, Gloucester County Fire Marshal’s Office, PSE&G



 
Photos By: Bill Rieger III 1st Responder News

Garage Fire With Exposure On Hazel Ave.

May 24th - At around 12:44 hrs on Tuesday, May 22, Gloucester County Fire Board dispatched District 6 West Deptford Township to Crown Point Rd and Hazel Ave, for the All-Hands working building fire. Westville BLS Squad 739 happened to be close to the scene when they overheard the dispatch. They arrived on location and advised the Alarm Room the fire was in the Borough of Westville and to dispatch Taskforce 7 (Westville, Woodbury & National Park) to the box.

With both the district and taskforce responding, Assistant Chief E. Farley 7302 was on scene and had a 20’ by 20’ detached garage in the rear yard of 347 Hazel Ave well involved, with a 25’ by 25’ exposure garage with the ‘C’ Division involved.

Command order the first due Engine Company ,Engine 733 proceed down Hazel Ave. and operate with the deck gun with a alley shot, placing the deck gun in-service to knocking bulk of the fire down, while crews setup the 3” blitz line. Crews from District 6 arrived and setup on the “C” division and went in-service 1 - 1 ¾.

Crews made quick work of the fire losing only one of the two garages involved, and saving the exposure garage. Crews were in-service with extensive overhaul while the Fire Marshal preformed his investigation.
Crews were on scene for a little over an hour with no firefighter injuries. The fire is being investigated by Westville Fire Marshal’s Office.

On Scene:

Command: 7302 Eric Farley /7301 Chief Chuck Murtaugh

Engines: 733, 811,511, 614, 631,

Ladders: 736, 516, 514, 626
Rescues: 628, and 738
Utility’s: 737

BLS: 692, and 557

Other: Westville Police Department, West Deptford Police Department, Brooklawn Police Department, Westville Fire Marshal’s Office, PSE&G, Representatives from Conrail and Sunoco Oil Refinery.



 
Photos By: Bill Rieger III 1st Responder News

Rush Hour MVC Route 295

April 24th - At around 1900hrs Rescue 73, BLS 73, Rescue 62, and Engine 63 were dispatched to Route 295 southbound in the area of 24.4 mile marker for a motor vehicle crash.

Chief Murtaugh was on radio responding when county notified him of a 2 car crash with injuries, 7301 was reporting the accident to be on the Broadway Overpass, the Chief arrived and confirmed a 2 car crash in the high speed lane with two injuries.

Upon the arrival of Rescue Company 738 the crew went to service with a door pop on a vehicle to remove a victim from his vehicle. While Crews from Engine 631 and Rescue 628 aided in the packaging and removal of both victims.

Westville’s BLS 739 and Logan’s BLS 1893 transported two patients to the hospital for evaluations.

 Firefighters were on scene for 45minutes with no firefighter injuries.

This accident is under investigation by the New Jersey State Police.

On Scene: Command 730 (Chief Murtaugh)
Engine: Colonial Manor 631
Rescue: Westville 738, Rescue 628
BLS: Westville 739, Logan 1893
Other: New Jersey State Police, New Jersey DOT



Photos By: Bill Rieger III 1st Responder News

Early Morning Fatal Route 295

April 23rd - At around 0830hrs on Monday  Rescue Company 738 (Westville), Squad 739 (Westville), Life Support 1(Underwood Hospital) and Engine Company 631 (Colonial Manor) were dispatched to Route 295 Northbound in the area of Exit 25 for a Commercial Motor Vehicle Crash with entrapment.

            Squad 739 was responding when Gloucester County Fire Board reported a Car and a tractor trailer crash, on the low speed shoulder of the road with numerous calls reporting the vehicle drove into the rear of the tractor trailer at a high rate of speed.
 
            Squad 739 arrived to a 2 vehicle crash with one vehicle into the rear of a tractor trailer. Chief Murtaugh arrived on scene to assume Route 295 command, Squad advised command that patient expired, Underwood Hospital’s Life Support 1 continued into the scene for the pronouncement, Command 730 requested the New Jersey State Police for the investigation and the Medical Examinator to scene.

            Following the investigation, and the arrival of the tow company, the tow company removed the vehicle from the rear of the tractor trailer and the Crew from Rescue Company 738 and Engine Company 631 crews began the recovery of the victim  with, the Jaws of Life along with the Hurst 6ft extend hydraulic ram. Extrication was completed with a difficult door pop and the rolling of what was left of the dash, which was completed 20 minutes after the 2 1/2 investigation.

While on scene a second accident occurred at mile marker 26.3 which was taken by Engine Company 631, with minor injuries.

Early reports are that the tractor trailer carrying large steal I beams was parked in the slow speed shoulder with a flat tire waiting for the arrival of a replacement tire when, the tractor trailer was struck by a conversion van in the rear of truck.

            The Rescue and Squad were on scene for a little over 3 ½ hours with no firefighter injuries, while out of the borough, the borough was cover by Taskforce 7 and Squad 591.

The accident is being investigated by the New Jersey State Police

On Scene: Command 730 (Chief Murtaugh)
Engine: Colonial Manor 631
Rescue: Westville 738
BLS: Westville 739
Life Support: UMH 1
Other: New Jersey State Police, New Jersey DOT, Medical Examinator


Photos by: Crews from New Jersey Department of Transportation; Digital Signal Processing;
with conjunction with the Westville Fire Department

Taskforce takes Daytime All Hands Job in National Park

April 20th -At around 1200hrs on Friday, District 6 was dispatched to 644 Columbia Ave, in Verga Section of West Deptford for a reported dwelling fire.  Shortly after the dispatch for Columbia Ave, Woodbury’s Ladder Company 516 was dispatched to 250 Glenwood Ave in Woodbury Heights for a building fire.

With companies from West Deptford responding to the dwelling fire, Gloucester County Fire Board was reported 1caller stating he sees smoke coming from the windows and believed no one is home at the current time but was not certain, and caller also stated he could hear the smoke dectors going off in the home.

West Deptford Police arrived on location and advised their police dispatcher that the fire was “ a very big fire and to have fire company expedite”.

Upon the arrival of 6101 Chief Zimm he reported to the county he had heavy fire on the Division “B” side of the Dwelling and advised county to redispatch the all hands operating and the box to be completed.

Upon the arrival of 6201 Chief Bilger, Chief Bilger assumed Columbia Blvd command and requested that Taskforce 8 be added to the job due to the location of the dwelling being on the National Park side of the street. Ten minutes in to the job Taskforce 8 was dispatched to 644 Columbia Ave for the dwelling all hands operating.

Upon the arrival of Engine Company 614 (Thorofare), Engine Company 631(Colonial Manor) and Ladder Company 626(Verga) crews made entry through the front and back doors making work of the fire towards each other venting the dwelling as they went, the fire was located in the middle of the house in the kitchen area.

With 516 on scene in the Heights and checking the building with the TIC and coming up negative on the search the ladder was available and responded to the Park for the dwelling.

Ladder Company 736 responded along with Engine Company 511 and Engine Company 811. Ladder 736 arrived on scene and went to the roof with a crew from National Park and Verga to vent the roof. While Engine 511 found additional water supply in C Division on Wesley Ave, and the crews from Ladder Company (516) and Engine Company (811) staged their apparatus and sent their crews forward.

Command was transferred to 800 Columbia Ave. (Chief Mark Gismondi 801) and at the twenty minute report he reported he had 1 ½ story Single Family Home with two 1 ¾ handlines in-service with companies making good process, fire was probable.

The fire was later placed under control at 1239hrs approximately 40 minutes into the job, with crews performing extensive overhaul. Command requested Local Fire Marshal and County Fire Marshal Office to scene.

The fire is being investigated by the County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Companies cleared the scene with no reported firefighter injuries.

On Scene:
Command: 6100 (Chief Phil Zimm), 6200 (Chief Jeff Bilger), and Command 800 (Chief Mark Gismondi)

 Engines: Thorofare 614, Greenfield's 663, Colonial Manor 631, Woodbury 511, National Park 811
Ladders: Verga 626, Woodbury 516,  Westville 736
Rescues: Thorofare 613
Utilities: Verga 627
Fast Teams: Tacoma 921, Camden County  Bellmawr 325
Covers: Wenonah 13-1 to 5-1, Mullica Hill 23-1 to 8-1, Camden County Bellmawr 32 to 7-3, Paulsboro’s Engine 1711 to 6-6, Tacoma’s Ladder 926 to 6-2,  Gibbstown’s Rescue 2118 to 6-1
Special Calls: FM-6, CFM-1, PSE&G Electric and Gas

 
Photos By: Ron Trout www.Phillyfirenews.com

Taskforce Assist National Park Police Department

April 14th -On Saturday, at around 15:20 hrs; the Westbury Park Task Force was dispatched for an emergency assignment in National Park. While en-route, units responding; were advised from County and Command on location (801), to stage on Hessian Ave, away from the incident in the area of the Parke-Towne Pharmacy. After arriving on location, Woodbury and Westville assisted National Park in setting up a means of traffic control to help keep all civilians safe and away from the scene. It was learned shortly after arrival that there had apparently been some sort of altercation between Police and a male subject who had fired his weapon and had apparently then barricaded himself inside the dwelling. Firefighters on location helped police with traffic control and also remained on location as back-up in the event that a fire had been started as per County procedures. Several tense hours had passed by, before Command received word from Police and SWAT that they were able to make themselves available and return to station. Officials at this time, are not releasing any information concerning what happened at the scene or with the subject but all companies at the scene were available around 18:30 hours.

 

Photos and Story by: Brent Stanley Woodbury Fire Department
 

Building Fire At Charlie Browns, In Woodbury

April 10th - At around 0600hrs on April 10, 2007, Engine 51 was dispatched to 111 North Board Street the Charlie Brown Restaurant for the alarm system. Upon the arrival of Woodbury Police, the police notified there dispatcher that the building was pushing heavy black smoke from the cooking vents in the rear of the building. The box was quickly upgraded bring Taskforce Force 5, to the scene. Upon the arrival of 7301 (Chief Murtaugh) the chief reported to Gloucester County Fire Board he had 3 story restaurant style facility with smoke showing from the vents on ‘B’ side of the building.

Ladder Company 516 arrived crews forced entry to the rear of the restaurant, and made access to the kitchen area of restaurant. Ladder Company 736 arrived and made entry through the front door and went to work with ventilation and checking for further extension. Engine Company 511 secured the hydrant at the corner of Broad and Hunter, and Engine Company 811 stood fast in the driveway to lie to the hydrant.

Companies found a small fire in the kitchen area that was suppressed with a extinguisher and the fire was quickly placed under control, with companies placing positive pressure into the building.

Companies cleared with no firefighter injuries.

The fire is being investigated by the Woodbury Fire Marshal’s Office.

On Scene: Command 7301 (Chief Murtaugh)
Engines: 511, 811
Ladders: 516, 736
Rescues: 738
Others: BLS 591, Woodbury Police, Woodbury Fire Marshal’s Office

 
Photos By: Bill Rieger III 1st Responder News
 

Ladder 736, Engine 733 Go to Gloucester for Dwelling

April 9th - At around 1350hrs on April 9, 2007, Camden County’s Taskforce 5 was dispatched to 804 Centre Street in Gloucester City, for the reported dwelling fire. Camden County Fire Board received a call from the occupant stating her basement was filling with smoke. Battalion 504 arrived to a 1 1/2 story Single Family Dwelling with smoke showing, 504 placed the all hands in service. With Squad Company 51 on location, crews stretched a line to the basement to make quick work of the fire in the laundry room. While the crew from Ladder Company 736 setup ventilation throughout the house. While Mt. Ephraim Rescue 455 went to work checking for further extension. Crews cleared with no firefighter injuries and the fire is being investigated by Camden County Fire Marshal's Office.

On Scene: Battalion 504 Houst
Squad: 51
Ladder: Gloucester County Westville 736
Rescue: 455
BLS: 5
Others: Gloucester City Police, Gloucester City Fire Marshal and Camden County Fire Marshal

Photos By: Bill Rieger III 1st Responder News
 

Mission Statement

The mission of the Westville Fire Department is to provide a professional level of community fire protection, emergency medical and rescue services to the citizens and property owners within the Borough of Westville, in order to prevent or minimize the loss of life, pain and suffering and property damage as a result of fire or other type of emergency.

The Fire Department's mission will be accomplished by the effective use of it's volunteer, career, and physical resources, in cooperation with other public agencies, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment, innovative techniques, and available technology to provide a high level of cost efficient, quality service