~MISSION STATEMENT~

CAR FIRE ON RT. 42

5/11/2012 - At 9:36 p.m., Engine 84 and Engine 93 (GC Deptford) were dispatched to Rt. 42 northbound in the area of exit 12 for a reported vehicle fire. 8401 (Chief Vannoni) established Rt. 42 command and reported a vehicle in the center lane with an active engine compartment fire. Engine 841 took a blocking position in the center and right lanes of the highway, deployed the 150' preconnected 1 3/4" front bumper line and made quick work of the fire. Crews stayed on location until 10:23 p.m., before being released from the assignment.

BLACKWOOD HOSTS NJ SAFR TASK FORCE MEETING

5/10/2012 - Blackwood Fire Company proudly hosted the 10th anniversary meeting of the New Jersey SAFR Incident Management Task Force. According to the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), the purpose of the incident management task force is to foster communication and cooperation between organizations that are involved in responding to traffic incidents in these complex and congested interchange areas, to identify the incident management needs of those organizations and to address those needs through funding, training or other programs.

Members of Blackwood Fire Company have been active participants in the task force since its creation in 2002.  Dr. Harry Carter and Fire Police Officer (FPO) Steve Austin of The Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI) were invited as special guests for the anniversary meeting, and spoke to the 50 members in attendance about current national trends regarding responder safety at highway incidents.  Dr. Carter and FPO Austin also complimented the group on their accomplishments and level of cooperation, noting that the same is not often seen in other areas of the country.  For more information regarding the efforts of the ERSI, visit www.respondersafety.com. 

The Blackwood Fire Company thanks Dr. Carter and FPO Austin for taking time out of their busy schedules to visit our station and share their wealth of knowledge and experience with members of the task force.  A special thanks also goes out to members of the DVRPC, particularly John Ward and Laurie Matkowski, whose tireless efforts and dedication have been largely responsible for the success of the task force.  For more information regarding the task force, visit the DVRPC website at www.dvrpc.org. 
 
 

KITCHEN FIRE IN HUNTINGTON MEWS

5/2/2012 - This evening, at 5:26 p.m., Station 84 was dispatched to the Huntington Mews Condominiums off of Broadacres Drive for an investigation. Crews encountered a smoke condition from a small kitchen fire in the involved unit. The fire was controlled by the home owner with a fire extinguisher and crews from Ladder 84 and Engine 842 overhauled the kitchen. The company was released from the assignment just after 6:00 p.m.
 
 

SHED FIRE IN 82'S LOCAL

5/2/2012 - At 11:44 a.m., Station 82 (Chews Landing) and Station 84 were dispatched to the area of Brown and Atlantic avenues for a reported shed fire. Units arrived with fire showing from a shed and Engine 821 went into operation with an 1 3/4" hose line to knock down the fire. Ladder 84 assisted in overhauling the structure and went available at 12:42 p.m.
 

DRYER FIRE IN CHESTNUT GLEN

4/24/2012 - At 11:37 a.m., Station 84 and Station 82 (Chews Landing) were dispatched to 2 Hampton Court for a reported dwelling fire. FM 82 (Fire Marshal Young) arrived to find a two story wood frame single family dwelling with nothing showing. 8401 (Chief Vannoni) arrived shortly after and assumed command. Ladder 84 positioned on the alpha side of the dwelling and Engine 841 secured its own water supply and stretched an 1 3/4" hose line. Upon further investigation, crews encountered a light smoke condition throughout the house and found a dryer fire in the laundry room. The fire was contained with a pressurized water can and crews cleared the scene at 12:19 p.m               
 

ALL HANDS BUILDING IN CHEWS LANDING

4/16/2012 - This morning at 4:09 am, Task Force 83 (Blenheim) was dispatched for a reported building fire in the area of Jersey Devil Tattoo on the Black Horse Pike. 8301 (Chief Smith) arrived at 1106 N. Black Horse Pike in 82's (Chews Landing) local to find a one story commercial automotive garage with heavy fire in the alpha-delta corner and requested the all hands box. Quint 83 laid in and stretched a 2 1/2" hose line into the building and Ladder 84 took the alpha division. Members from Ladder 84 cut the garage doors with Squad 86 (Erial) to open up the building and went to the roof to vertically ventilate the structure as Engine 841 laid 800' of 5" supply to Ladder 84. Crews from Blackwood were released around 6:40 am and the fire is under investigation by FM82.
*Photos courtesy of Richie Moulder. For more photos, visit our Facebook.  
 
 

TWO FIREFIGHTERS LOST IN PHILADELPHIA WAREHOUSE FIRE

4/9/2012 - The Philadelphia Fire Department lost two of its own on Monday morning during a five alarm fire in the Kensington section of the city. Lieutenant Robert Neary, 60, and Firefighter Daniel Sweeney, 25, both from Ladder 10, were killed when the exposure building they were operating in collapsed.

At 3:13 am, Engine 2 was dispatched to Jasper and York Streets for a reported rubbish fire. Engine 2 arrived to find a working warehouse fire and requested a tactical box. The fire eventually climbed to five alarms and took over two hours to place under control. At 5:56 am, while crews from Ladder 10 were operating inside a furniture store adjacent to the fire building, part of the warehouse wall collapsed on top of the furniture store. Four firefighters were trapped in the debris and two were able to be rescued. Lt. Neary was pronounced dead at the scene and FF Sweeney was taken to Temple University Hospital before being pronounced dead. Lt. Neary served 37 years with the Philadelphia Fire Department and  FF Sweeney had five years with the department and is the son of a retired Philadelphia Fire Department Captain.

Blackwood Fire Company sends it thoughts and prayers to the Philadelphia Fire Department and the family and friends of Lt. Neary and FF Sweeney.
*Photos courtesy of PhillyFireNews.com.
 

MORE ENGINE COMPANY TRAINING IN BLACKWOOD

3/25/2012 - Members spent another Sunday afternoon stretching and packing hoselines to the rear the Blackwood-Clementon Road station. Firefighters went over the basics of pulling and advancing the 200' 1 3/4" and 200' 2 1/2" lines.
 

BLACKWOOD PARTICIPATES IN KIWANIS PARADE

3/24/2012 - On Saturday morning, Blackwood Fire Company participated in Kiwanis Little League's annual opening day parade. Members were a part of short march down the Black Horse Pike to the Kiwanis complex along with others from throughout the township. Blackwood would like to thank Kiwanis Little League for allowing us to be a part of this yearly tradition.
 

ACCIDENT ON ERIAL-BLENHEIM RD.

3/23/2012 - At 3:33 pm, Station 84 was dispatched to the area of Route 42 and Blackwood-Clementon Road for a reported motor vehicle accident. 8401 (Chief Vannoni) arrived at the intersection of Erial-Blenheim Road and Church Street to find a car resting on its side with negative entrapment. Crews from Rescue 84 and Engine 841 spread oil dry and secured the battery. Rescue 84 was released from the incident to respond to another accident on Rt. 42 along with Ladder 84 and Engine 842, but were recalled prior to arrival. The company was made available at 4:02 pm.
 

HIGHWAY HAZARD IN KMART PARKING LOT

3/16/2012 - On Friday afternoon at 2:46 pm, Station 84 was dispatched to the Kmart parking lot off of Blackwood-Clementon Road for a highway hazard. Rescue 84 and Engine 841 arrived with GTPD and GTEMS to find a one car motor vehicle accident with no injuries. Crews spread oil dry to clean up fluids from the vehicle and the company was made available at 3:08 pm.
 

NEW MEMBER ENGINE COMPANY TRAINING

3/11/2012- Members spent Sunday hooking up hydrants and pulling hose line with a few of Blackwood's probationary members. The probies discussed the basics of the engine company, learned how to properly dress a hydrant and practiced pulling and packing the 300' 1 3/4" hose line off of Engine 841's hose bed.
 

LADDER AND RESCUE ON 2 ALARM FIRE IN LINDENWOLD

3/9/2012 - Early this morning, Station 63 (Lindenwold) was dispatched to to the 100 building of the Stonington Court Apartments for a reported apartment fire with people trapped. After encountering heavy fire conditions and extension into other units, command requested the second alarm bringing Squad 66 (Voorhees), Engine 641 (Stratford), Ladder 84 and Rescue 84 to the scene. Blackwood was dispatched at 7:46 am, responded with 10 firefighters and set up Ladder 84 on the bravo side of the building. Crews opened up the bravo side along with Ladder 22 (West Berlin) and assisted in exterior operations. Station 84 was made available at 10:56 am.
*Photos courtesy of Richie Moulder
 
   

SMALL FIRE IN AUTUMN RIDGE

3/7/2012 - At 7:03 pm, Station 84, Station 82 (Chews Landing), Ladder 62 (Pine Hill) and GTEMS were dispatched to unit F-38 of the Autumn Ridge Apartments off Little Gloucester Road for a reported apartment fire. Initial reports provided by Camden County Communications advised incoming companies that they were getting multiple calls for a balcony fire that was possibly extinguished. 8401 (Chief Vannoni) arrived and reported that there was an injured civilian who was pulled from the apartment by an off duty firefighter and a Gloucester Township police officer. After receiving a report of smoke in the apartment, 8401 requested that the secondary source companies be added to the assignment, bringing Engine 83 (Blenheim), Engine 85 (Lambs Terrace) and Rescue 93 (GC Deptford) to the scene. 8401 ordered Engine 842 to lay in and pull a 300' 1 3/4" attack line to the third floor, while Ladder 84 took Division A and proceeded in for the investigation. Ladder 84's crew encountered moderate smoke in apartment F-35, but reported the fire to be contained to the balcony and extinguished it with a pressurized water can. 8401 placed the fire under control and made the company available at 8:31 pm. The fire is under investigation by FM 84.

ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY

3/6/2012 - Tuesday morning at 10:47 am, Station 84 and Station 93 (GC Deptford) were dispatched to Rt. 42 southbound in the area of mile marker 10.6 for a reported motor vehicle accident. 8401 (Chief Vannoni) and Rescue 84 arrived to find the accident on the northbound side of the highway and crews from 84 and 93 helped BLS package two patients for transport to the hospital. On the way back from the run, Rescue 84 and Engine 842 responded to an EMS assist on Cloverdale Road. The company was made available at 11:32 am.
 

84 RESPONDS TO CAR IN THE WATER

2/27/2012 - On Monday night at 9:54 pm, Rescue 84 was dispatched to 1 Main Street for a water rescue assignment. 8401 (Chief Vannoni), Rescue 84 and Engine 842 arrived to find a car in Grenloch Lake and the driver out of the car. Members from Rescue 84 donned their ice rescue suits and went into the water to secure the vehicle for the tow operators. Station 84 was made available at 11:07 pm.
 

INVESTIGATION UPGRADED TO DWELLING ON INDIANA AVE.

2/17/2012 - At 10:34 pm, Station 84 was dispatched to 172 Indiana Avenue for an investigation. Camden County Communications advised 8401 (Chief Vannoni) that the homeowner reported a fire on the exterior of the house that was extinguished by a garden hose. 8401 confirmed the report and ordered Engine 841's crew to the rear of the house to open up the walls and check for extension. While opening up, the crew observed smoke coming from the walls and at 11:08 pm, 8401 requested the dwelling box, adding Station 82 (Chews Landing) and GTEMS to the assignment. Fire was located in the walls and extinguished with one 1 3/4" hose line from Engine 841. The fire was placed under control shortly after at 11:21 pm. After overhauling, Engine 841, Engine 842 and Rescue 84 were made available at 12:52 am. The incident is under investigation by FM 84.
 
 

ANNUAL INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS BANQUET

2/4/2012 - Each February, the Blackwood Fire Company holds its installation of officers banquet in order to recognize achievements from the previous year and formally install the current year's line officers. While the station was covered by Chews Landing Fire Department, members enjoyed a fun night of dancing and a dinner provided by Auletto's. Congratulations to Brittany Swan, who won the 2011 "Sound the Alarm" award in honor of late life member Kenny Ward. The award is presented to the firefighter of the year and is chosen by his/her peers for showing outstanding dedication to the Blackwood Fire Company. Congratulations to Brittany Swan, who won the award based on her dedication and loyalty to the fire company.
 

ICE RESCUE REFRESHER

1/24/2012 - Each winter, the members of Blackwood Fire Company train on the ice rescue equipment located on Rescue 84. Even during an unseasonably warm winter, Blackwood firefighters continue to hone their ice rescue skills. On Tuesday, Blackwood's weekly drill consisted of a refresher course on its ice rescue equipment and the rescue practices associated with it.
 
 

SHED FIRE ON THE BLACK HORSE PIKE

1/18/2012 - At 10:05 am, Station 84 was dispatched to 310 N. Black Horse Pike for a reported shed fire. Camden County Communications advised incoming units that they were receiving numerous calls for a shed on fire in the back yard of a residence on the 300 block of N. Black Horse Pike. FM 84 (Fire Marshal Reiss) arrived to find a shed well involved. Engine 821 (Chews Landing) was the first apparatus to arrive and quickly controlled the fire with one 1 3/4" attack line. The fire is being investigated by FM 84.
 

PARTIALLY SUBMERGED CAR FOUND IN LAKELAND

1/15/2012 - Station 85 (Lambs Terrace) was dispatched this morning to Salina Road in the area of the Camden County Animal Shelter for a reported vehicle in a nearby waterway.  Upon arrival, Station 85 firefighters confirmed the report of a vehicle partially submerged with no occupants inside and requested Hazmat 8 because of the presence of fuel in the water.  8401 (Chief Vannoni) and Rescue 84 responded as a part of Hazmat 8 and assisted Station 85 and Station 82 (Chews Landing) firefighters in placing absorbent boom around the car and assisting the tow company in securing the vehicle so it could be towed out of the waterway.  Station 84 was placed back in service at 12:45 pm.
*For more pictures please visit newjerseyfireground.com.
 
   

STATION 84 RESPONDS TO FUEL SPILL

1/12/2012 - Early this morning, a Lakeland Road. resident living in the area of the Big Timber Creek stream alerted local fire departments to a strong smell of fuel coming from the waterway.  After investigating, a large diesel fuel spill originating from the NJ Transit depot located in Washington Township (Gloucester County) was discovered contaminating the waters of both Gloucester County and Camden County.  At 8:10 am, Rescue 84 responded to Grenloch Lake as part of Hazmat 8 and assisted in initiating mitigation activities.  An hour later, Engine 842 was special called for manpower and assisted agencies from Gloucester Township and Washington Township in deploying booms to absorb the spill.  With a unified command system being established to manage crews, the companies remained in staging throughout the day and were released at 4:11 pm. 
 
 
 

CRASH ON THE BLACK HORSE PIKE

1/7/2012 - At 5:41 pm, Rescue 84 and GTEMS were dispatched to the area of Lake Avenue and the Black Horse Pike for a reported motor vehicle accident.  8401 (Chief Vannoni) arrived to find a two car accident with injuries.  Rescue 84, Engine 841, Engine 842 and Utility 845 safed the batteries of the two vehicles involved and assisted EMS in caring for the injured persons.  While the rest of the company was released, Rescue 84 stayed on location until 6:30 pm to provide lighting for the tow company and GTPD.
 
  

VEHICLE FIRE IN THE ESTATES

1/4/2012 - At 9:21 pm, Station 84 was dispatched to the area of Drexel and Lehigh Avenues for a reported vehicle fire.  8401 (Chief Vannoni) arrived to find an engine compartment fire.  Engine 841 arrived shortly after, stretched the 150' front bumper line and quickly extinguished the fire.  The company was made available at 10:19 pm and the cause of the fire is under investigation by FM84.
 

84 RUNS FIRST CALL OF 2012

1/4/2012 - After a slow start to 2012, Blackwood ran its first call of the new year.  At 8:23 am, Station 84 was dispatched to the intersection of Blackwood-Clementon Road. and College Drive for a reported highway hazard.  Battalion 84 (Captain Vannoni) arrived to find a two car accident with fluids on the roadway.  Rescue 84 and Engine 842 safed the batteries of the vehicles and spread oil-dry on the roadway to clean up fluids from the accident.  The company was made available at 9:00 am.