33 calls in a week... |
January 18 - The ALL-VOLUNTEER members of Station 37 received little rest this past week,
accumulating some 33 calls from Sunday, January 11th through Sunday, January 18th. Although the majority of
the runs were routine "smells and bells", crews did battle a 3-alarm fire, a vehicle fire, a dumpster fire and
a tractor-trailer accident with a large fuel spill that required the response of the Somerset County Haz-Mat team
and shutdown Route 206 for almost 12 hours on Sunday. Thank
you to all the members who assisted the department in responding to this rather unusual amount of calls in such a
short time span.
|
|
3rd Alarm Fire on Sunday morning |
|
|
January 11 - At approx. 09:30 Stations 37 & 36 were requested to 176 Capricorn
Drive for the reported structure fire with possible entrapment. Chief officers from 36 & 37
arrived on-scene with Hillsborough PD, confirming entrapment and assisting in rescuing a 15 y/o
female out a from a first-floor bathroom window. The victim that was reportedly entrapped was later found to be on the
other side of the structure. An aggressive interior attack was initiated while heavy smoke and
fire vented from both floors of a 2-story L-shaped garden apartment building. Due to several frozen
hydrants in the vicinity a tanker task force was requested to supply water at the scene.
Due to deteriorating roof conditions and the fire spread to the attic area, the evacuation signal
was given and crews retreated to a defensive position. Shortly after the evacuation command
accountability showed that two members were missing. The F.A.S.T. team went to work, but searches
for the downed firefighters provided to be negative. Fire damage was limited to both the upstairs
and downstairs units at the end of the building, with smoke and water damage to two surrounding
units. All (16) residences in the building were temporarily shut down by the township OEM due to
utilities being shut down. Three firefighters from Station 48 and four township police officers
were transported to the hospital with minor injuries and smoke inhalation.
Units on-scene included: Station 36 (Hillsborough #1),
Station 37 (Hillsborough #2), Station 38 (Hillsborough #3), Station 30 F.A.S.T. Team & Truck (Finderne),
Station 57 Engine-1 & Truck-1 (Somerville), Station 48 (Neshanic). Station 28 Tanker (Millstone Valley), Station
45 cover (Montgomery #1), Station 42 cover (Manville), Hillsborough EMS, Somerville EMS, Somerset
Medical Center ALS units, Hillsborough OEM, Hillsborough PD, and the Somerset County Prosecutors Office.
All Station 37 units cleared the scene by 15:00.
Click here to view the pictures
Additional multimedia: (opens in a new window)
News 12: Article
Hillsborough Beacon Article
Courier-News: Picture |
Courier-News: Article
Homepage of Station 36 Fire: Pictures
|
|
Two Fires in Two Days |
|
January 2 - At about 18:30 Station 37 was requested for the ladder to assist
Stations 36 & 48 on a working structure fire at the old foundry off Clawson Ave. in
the Flagtown section of the township. The crew from Tower 37 operated at the scene
for about an hour.
January 3 - At 09:15 Station 37 was dispatched in front of 65 New Amwell Rd. for
the reported trailer fire. 1st Asst. Chief Rawles arrived on location within minutes to
report smoke and fire from a racecar trailer on the side of the roadway. Engine 37-103,
Tactical Support Unit 37-151 and Mini-Pumper 37-145 operated at the scene. Units were
released approx. 30 mins later.
|
|
Another Strong Year for the Members of Station 37 |
January 1 - Station 37 ends the year with 570 calls. A more detailed breakdown
of incident types and totals can be found here.
|
|
New Fire Line Officers for 2004-2005 |
December 2 - Results of the December Elections:
- Fire Line Officers for 2004-2005
- Chief (37-C1): Bob Wiecenski
- 1st Asst. Chief (37-C2): Carl Rawles
- 2nd Asst. Chief (37-C3): Tom LaPlaca
- Captain (37-C4): Pat Buckley
- 1st Lieut. (37-C5): Bruce Vatter
- 2nd Lieut. (37-C6): Jim Paterno
- 3rd Lieut. (37-C7): Rich Bartolucci
- Quartermaster: Rob Ross
- Executive Line Officers for 2004-2005
- President: Ted McCollum
- Vice President: Bill Shaffer
- Treasurer: Robert Uniszkiewicz
- Secretary: Bruce Baran
- Corresponding Secretary: Patricia White
- Master-at-Arms: Tony Bisignano
- Trustee: Walter Ivas
- Trustee: Philip Stolz
- Trustee: John Gross
- Trustee: Mike Majewski
- Trustee: Charles Ingraham
|
|
Daytime Mutual Aid to 2nd Alarm in Manville |
|
November 24 - Crews from Station 37 were dispatched at 08:50
for mutual aid into Manville (again) with one engine and one ladder to the scene at 101
South 18th Ave. for the bedroom fire. Crews from Station 37 arrived on-scene to find
heavy smoke and fire showing from the 2nd floor of a 2.5-story woodframe dwelling.
Crews from 37 assisted in fire suppression and overhaul efforts. Units on-scene
included: Station 42 (Manville), Station 37 (Hillsborough #2) and Station 30
(Finderne). Station 37 units cleared the scene by 11:00.
|
|
Station 37 hosts FF Survival/RIT Team training |
November 21-23 - Crews from Station 37 participated in a FF Survival/RIT
Team training instructed by former FDNY Lt. Bob Pressler, FDNY FF Tim Klett and OH FF Dave
Gallagher. Friday night training consisted of videos and a slideshow, then
Saturday and Sunday's training were located at the Somerville Fire Training Tower. Although
everyone was definately exhausted by Sunday afternoon, we learned an incredible amount of
valuable information over the weekend. A big "thank you" goes out to our great instructors!
Also, a special thanks to the Hillsborough Lowes for donating the supplies needed for this
drill.
Pictures located here.
|
|
Mutual Aid to Manville for the Dwelling Fire |
|
|
November 19 - Crews from Station 37 were dispatched at 22:50
mutual aid into Manville with one engine and one ladder to the scene at 932
Kennedy Blvd. for the working structure fire. Crews from Station 37 assisted in
searches of the structure along with fire suppression and overhaul efforts in the
basement of the structure. Units on-scene included: Station 42 (Manville), Station
37 (Hillsborough #2), Station 30 (Finderne) and Station 57 (Somerville). Station
37 units cleared the scene by 01:00.
|
|
2 days - 2 serious MVAs |
|
|
November 12 - Crews from Station 37 were dispatched at 21:30
to Millstone River Rd. in front of #1048 for the MVA with rollover and entrapment.
Units from 37 assisted 79-Rescue on-scene while they performed the extrication.
Assistance was called from Somerville Rescue for their technical rescue team, as
well as Station 42 (Manville) for fire suppression standby. Northstar medivac was
requested by cancelled due to weather conditions. All 37 units cleared the scene
by 23:30.
|
November 11 - Station 37 was dispatched around 20:00 to assist Station 36
and 79-Rescue with setup of a landing zone for Northstar medivac for the victim of a
head-on MVA with entrapment at New Centre Rd. & Roycefield Rd. All 37 Units cleared the scene
by 21:45.
|
|
Another Structure Fire - Bloomingdale Drive |
|
|
|
|
November 9 - Crews from Station 37 were dispatched at 10:45am
to 11 Bloomingdale Drive Apt. 424 for the reported working basement fire. Command
arrived on-scene within minutes confirming a working fire with heavy smoke showing.
Mutual aid was then requested from stations 36 and 38 to the scene, Station 28 (Millstone Valley)
for the cover assignment at Station 37 and Station 30 (Finderne) for their F.A.S.T.
team. An aggressive attack by the operating crews knocked down
the fire, limiting the damage to the basement of the fire unit. A special thanks to
Somerville Fire Safety Unit 505 for his help at the scene with the investigation.
Hillsborough Fire Safety Unit 661 also responded to the scene for the investigation.
All companies cleared the scene by 14:30.
|
|
Structure Fire - Wildflower Lane |
November 5 - Crews from Station 37 and 36 were dispatched at 23:10
to 284 Wildflower Lane for the reported structure fire. 37-C2 & 37-C3 arrived on
location within minutes advising a working fire in the 2nd floor rear bedroom.
Mutual aid was then requested from Station 38 to the scene, Station 42 (Manville)
for the cover assignment at Station 37 and Station 30 (Finderne) for their F.A.S.T.
team. An aggressive attack by first-arriving officers and firefighters knocked down
the fire, limiting the damage to only contents of the bedroom. Hillsborough Fire Safety
Units 661 & 662 responded to the scene for the investigation, and all companies cleared
the scene by 00:30.
|
|
37 Responds for the Plane Crash |
|
|
November 2 - Crews from Station 37 and 38 were dispatched at 08:50 along with
79-Rescue to the field across from the Hillsborough Funeral Home on Route 206 for a
plane crash. Units arrived on-scene to find a single-engine ultralite plane that had
crashed into an area of trees. Crews from both companies stood-by at the scene while EMS
tended to the pilot due to fuel leaking from the plane. All companies cleared the scene
by 09:30.
|
|
MVA w/Entrapment and Fire |
October 22 - Crews from Station 37 were dispatched at 20:51 along with
79-Rescue to the intersection of Route 206 & Valley Rd. for the MVA w/entrapment and
reported vehicle on fire. PD arrived on-scene shortly thereafter advising all units
to expedite due to confirmed entrapment and a working fire. Station 37 responded with
Engine 37-103, Engine 37-102 and Tactical Support Unit 37-151. Mutual aid was requested
from Station 36 to setup a landing zone for Northstar Medivac at Station 37. With the
victim being extricated from one vehicle prior to our arrival, crews from 37 extinguished
the engine compartment fire and assisted in searching for additional victims. After
assisting the Somerset County C.A.R.T. investigation team units cleared from the scene
by 22:30.
|
|
37 Takes Home Three Awards! |
October 11 - The crew from Station 37 attended Neshanic's (Station 48)
75th Anniversary Parade on Saturday, October 11th. Station 37 came home with: Best
Appearing Truck Company (37-116), Best Appearing Mini-Pumper/Brush Unit (37-145) and
Best Appearing Special Services Unit (37-151). Congrats again to the crew from 37
for bringing home more awards - keep up the great work!
|
|
2nd Alarm House Fire in 36's First-Due |
|
|
October 3 - Units from Station 36 and 37 were alerted at 1001 hrs to 506 Hoagland Ct. for the
reporting of a house fire. Units from Station 36 arrived first and made an aggressive stop on the fire
that was located on the 2nd floor of a 2.5-story house. Units from Station 37 responded with Engine 37-103,
Tower 37 and Tactical Support Unit 37-151. Crews from 37 assisted Station 36 with truck company operations
and overhaul. Stations on the scene: Hillsborough #1 (36), Hillsborough #2 (37), Hillsborough #3 (38),
Neshanic (48), Finderne FAST Team (30), Hillsborough EMS (79), Hillsborough Fire Safety Units 661 & 662,
Hillsborough PD. Station 37 units responded to two other incidents were operating at the scene. Station 37
returned to service in approx. two hours.
|
|
Afternoon Blaze Contained |
September 5 - Units from Station 37 and 38 were alerted at 1500 hrs to the Nelson's Corner
Shopping Center at 601 Route 206 for the reported smoke condition in a store. Division of Fire & Safety
Unit 66-1 arrived on location to find a heavy smoke condition in multiple stores. Mutual aid from Station
36 was requested to the scene at this time. Due to 38 having an engine on the road already, our crews
rolled Tower 37 first-due to the job. Crews from Tower 37 both laddered the building to check the rooftop
AC units as well as assisted interior crews with checking the ceiling areas for the source. The source was
found to be an overheated motor in the dry cleaning store which ignited the materials around it. Units on-scene
ventilated the neighboring stores and returned to service in one hour.
|
|
Tower 37 wins awards! |
|
|
August 30 - Congratulations to Robert Brady and the members of Station 37 for the hard work
and dedication to prep Tower 37 for both the Somerville Engine Co. 1 anniversary and the Boonton parade. In
the end their hard work paid off with the crew from 37 bringing home two 2nd place Tower Ladder awards
from the Somerville anniversary as well as a 3rd place Tower Ladder award and the Farthest Company
Traveled award from Boonton. Job well done by everyone!
|
|
Fatal MVA |
August 25 - Station 37 & 38 Fire responded at 13:10 with 79-Rescue to a fatal head-on MVA on Route 206 near the
intersection of Hillsborough Rd. Units arrived on location to find a pickup truck that crossed the
center line and collided head-on with a fully-loaded Mack truck hauling garbage. The driver of the
pickup truck was declared D.O.A. by EMS and Medics. Both 37 & 38 Fire later were requested to stand-by
while 79-Rescue extricated the victim from the wreckage. Route 206 was shutdown in both directions
for several hours while authorities completed their investigation.
|
|
Vacant Building |
August 10 - Station 37 Fire was dispatched at approx. 16:15 to a report of a smoke condition coming from
the roof of abandoned steel factory on Old Camplain Rd. PD arrived on location within minutes and
reported flames visible from the rooftop. First-due engine 37-102 laid-in from the hydrant and went
to work forcing entry to the structure and looking for the seat of the fire along with the truck
crew from Tower 37. Interior crews found a room and contents fire in the office area of the building
that had extended up a wall and into the roof area. The fire was knocked-down quickly and damage was
basically limited to the room of origin with minimal extension. Mutual aid from Station 36 assisted
37 on the scene. Station 38 was requested on the cover assignment. The blaze is under investigation
by the Hillsborough Twp. Bureau of Fire Safety.
|
|
Afternoon 3rd Alarm |
| August 5 - Stations 37 & 36 Fire were dispatched at approx 14:20 to the report of a possible structure fire with
smoke coming from under the side of the dwelling. Intial reports indicated the blaze was located in
36's first-due area, so with engines 36-101 & 103 on the road the crew from 37 rolled Tower 37
first-due. Upon further clarification the incident was found to be in 37's first due at the intersection
of Roycefield & Valley Rds. Tower 37 arrived on location with heavy smoke and fire showing from the
first floor of a 2.5-story woodframe turn-of-the-century home, followed by both engines from 36 which
tied the hydrant and laid-in. Due to difficulties accessing the home, "colliers mansion" type conditions
within and a reported collapse in the rear, the evacuation signal was given and crews retreated to an
exterior attack. The stubborn fire, which was found to be fed by a natural gas line in the basement,
was held to the basement area with moderate extension to the room above and resulting smoke and heat
damage throughout the house. Units from 37 (HTVFC 2), 36 (HTVFC 1), 38 (HTVFC3), 48 (Neshanic), 42 (Manville),
and 30 (Finderne - FAST Team) operated on the scene with cover assignments from 28 (Millstone Valley).
Due to extensive overhaul units from Station 37 remained on the scene well into the evening hours.
|
Looking for older news?
Click here |
