"On The Job" With I.A.F.F. Local 3786

CAR FIRE ON ROUTE 130

ROBBINSVILLE – June 10, 2008 - Career firefighters form the Robbinsville Division of Fire responded to a car fire at the intersection of Route 130 and Hankins Road.  Engine 40, FM 40 (Captain Symons) and Ambulance 140 arrived on scene to find a mini-van with fire in the engine compartment.  Firefighters from Robbinsville arrived within minutes and quickly extinguished the blaze.  The fast response meant the vehicle’s contents were saved despite the damage to the car motor.  A volunteer fire engine from East Windsor also responded but the fire was already out by the time they arrived.

WORKING HOUSE FIRE ON ROUTE 33

Hamilton Township - June 6, 2008 - Career firefighters from the Robbinsville Division of Fire responded on an automatic aid to Hamilton Township.  Fire department personnel from Hamilton Township District 7, District 2 and Robbinsville Engine 40 arrived to find heavy smoke showing from a second floor bedroom.  The fire at 1442 Route 33 was quickly contained to the bedroom of origin.

This fire is another example of how fully staffed career fire companies once again were able to save a home from the ravages of fire with a quick response and aggressive interior fire attack.

Photos were supplied courtesy of njfirefighters.com. 

CAREER FIREFIGHTERS SAVE LOCAL BUSINESS

Robbinsville (Mercer County) – May 25, 2008 - The on-duty staff of the Robbinsville Division of Fire received a dispatch reporting an activated commercial alarm system at Harris Surveying on Main Street in Robbinsville.  Career personnel responded to the incident with one engine and one ambulance.   Engine Co. 40 arrived and found a working fire in the second floor bathroom of the historic converted residence. 

The on-duty Captain requested a full first alarm assignment which summoned an additional career engine and ladder from Hamilton Township District 9 and 7 respectively as well as Robbinsville Volunteers.  Engine 40 stretched a 1 ¾ inch line and extinguished the one room fire while ambulance personnel laddered the building and assisted the engine driver with establishing a water supply. 

The fire was extinguished prior to the arrival of mutual aid companies.  Local investigators credited the fully functional alarm and rapid response of career personnel with minimizing the damage to the business.  The cause of the fire was determined to be an unattended candle.

ROBBINSVILLE FIREFIGHTERS ASSIST WEST WINDSOR

West Windsor (Mercer County) – May 19, 2008 - Firefighters from Robbinsville Township IAFF Local 3786 assisted their brother and sister firefighters from IAFF Local 3610 at a second alarm house fire this evening.

Robbinsville Township Engine 40 responded on the initial dispatch at 5:01 PM for a reported house fire at 51 Remington Circle.  Engine 40 and EMS Captain 40 (Towner) responded and arrived third due moments behind an Engine from East Windsor and an Engine from Princeton Junction.  Personnel were faced with a wind whipped fire that had already consumed most of the single family dwelling’s attached garage.

Engine 40 firefighters (assisted by firefighters from Station 45 [West Windsor Emergency Services]) took an attack line to the second floor where they pulled ceilings and hit heavy fire that had extended into the attic.  Engine 40 and Station 45 personnel were credited with preventing the fire from gaining control of the attic and second floor.  Their actions likely prevented the fire from becoming a defensive operation.  Though some exterior lines were mistakenly placed in service while firefighters were still operating on the interior, IAFF members held fast until the fire was knocked down.  Personnel remained on scene for over an hour until the fire was placed under control.

Engine 40 firefighters had just exited the fire building when a ceiling collapsed on a firefighter from another company.  Engine 40 Captain Palmer called a “Mayday” and  Robbinsville IAFF members then assisted the Rapid Intervention Team  removing the victim and securing him into a stokes basket.  The firefighter suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Click here for photos of the incident visit:

Click here for a video of the incident

TRACTOR TRAILER VS. CAR

The occupants of a car amazingly escaped without injury after a tractor-trailer overturned and landed on top of the smaller vehicle on the New Jersey Turnpike Wednesday afternoon May 14, 2008.

The accident along the southbound side of the Turnpike, just south of Exit 7A, occurred about 12:30 p.m.

Officials said firefighters and emergency medical crews from Robbinsville Township and Allentown responded and arrived to find the car's occupants already out of the vehicle and uninjured.

Firefighters helped free the tractor-trailer's driver from his wrecked cab. Officials said the man was checked out as a precaution but did not require medical treatment.

The accident, which closed one southbound lane to traffic, remains under investigation by the state police.

Click here for more information, including photos.

ROBBINSVILLE FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO MULTI VEHICLE CRASH 

On May 9, 2008, firefighters from the Robbinsville Township Division of Fire responded to a mutli-vehicle accident on the NJ Turnpike at milepost 60.4 Northbound with numerous injuries.

Click here for more information, including photos.

ROBBINSVILLE FIREFIGHTERS PROVIDE MUTUAL AID

Robbinsville (Mercer County) - April 25, 2008 - At 18:45 hours companies were dispatched to 695 Abbington Drive in East Windsor Township for a reported building fire. Numerous calls were received and a full first alarm was assigned.

The fire building was a large strip mall with apartments on the second floor.

The fire originated in a second floor rear apartment.

An air conditioning unit malfunctioned and caught fire.

The fire spread to a nearby bed and other items.

A sprinkler head activated and held the fire in check until the first line was stretched.

Engine 40 was dispatched as the FAST Engine, but upon arrival was put to work and assisted with overhaul.

The company operated for approximately one hour before being released.

ROBBINSVILLE FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE SHED FIRE

Robbinsville (Mercer County) - March 29, 2008 - Career firefighters from the Robbinsville Division of Fire responded to a fire in the Mercer Mobile Home Park.

Robbinsville Township dispatchers received numerous 911 calls reporting a fire in a shed possibly extending to the home.  Fire personnel were dispatched to the home on Beech Street at approximately 8:00 AM.  Since several members of the off-going platoon of career firefighters were still in the station, IAFF members were able to immediately respond with two engines (Engine 40 and Engine 401) and one ambulance instead of the usual one engine and one ambulance.  Engine 40 arrived to find an 8 x 10 shed well involved less than two feet from the house.

Engine 40 stretched an attack line and started knocking down the fire.  They were backed up by the crew from the rescue.  Engine 401 arrived less than a minute behind Engine 40 and while the driver(s) established a water supply the crew from E401 went into the home to check for fire extension.  There was no extension to the house and only minor damage to the exterior window casings from radiant heat.

The bulk of the fire was knocked down prior to the arrival of mutual aid companies.  Firefighters from Hamilton Township FMBA Local 84 (Engine 19 and Ladder 17) assisted with overhaul and were released shortly after they arrived.

Several neighbors praised Robbinsville’s firefighters for their rapid response and quick knockdown.  The homeowner was especially thankful to IAFF members for preventing the fire from spreading to her home.  The cause of the fire is unknown and is being investigated by IAFF Local 3786 inspector/investigator Captain Dennis Symons.

Photos courtesy of Hamilton Township Fire District #9

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ – February 14, 2008 - The Robbinsville Division of Fire was dispatched to a Motor Vehicle Accident with a reported victim trapped.  Upon arrival, the crew of Engine 40 used a hydraulic rescue tool to extricate the driver from the vehicle.

The driver was transported to a local hospital with neck and back injuries.

The accident remains under investigation

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ – January 13, 2008 - The Robbinsville Division of Fire was dispatched to 1089 Washington Boulevard for a reported fire in the Rite Aid store.  As Engine 40 and Rescue 140 were responding, Mercer Dispatch upgraded the assignment adding Engine 19, Engine 12 and Truck 17 all from Hamilton Township.

On arrival, Engine 40 had light smoke issuing from the rear of the building.  Reports from police and occupants of the building indicated that there was a fire above the ceiling in the bathroom located in the rear storage area of the store.  A dry chemical extinguisher had been used by an employee knocking down most of the fire.

Engine 40 extinguished the remaining fire with a water can and completed overhaul of the fire area.  Engine 19 and Truck 17 ventilated the building of smoke. 

Damage to the building was minor and contained to some stored paperwork above the bathroom, and minor damage to the bathroom itself.  The cause of the fire is under investigation but appears to be accidental in nature.

Units operated at the scene for approximately 1 hour.

TRUCK FIRE

ROBBINSVILLE - January 8, 2008 - Robbinsville Division of Fire responded to a truck fire on Interstate 95 in Robbinsville Township on the afternoon of January 8, 2008.   Engine 40, Engine 402, and Rescue 140 responded to the early afternoon call for service and arrived at mile post 62.5 southbound to find a well engulfed Ford “F” Series mason dump truck on the shoulder of the roadway.  Firefighters extinguished and overhauled the blaze and returned to service.  New Jersey State Police assisted with traffic control at the scene.

ROUTE 33 MVA

ROBBINSVILLE TOWNSHIP - January 5, 2008 - Firefighters from the Robbinsville Division of Fire responded to a multi-vehicle accident on Route 33 in front of the Lofts at Town Center on the afternoon of January 5, 2008.

Firefighters from Engine 40 and Rescue 140 arrived on scene to find a chain reaction accident that heavily damaged several cars.  There were three injuries at the scene.  Firefighters quickly stabilized two injured drivers.  Both drivers were transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton.  One person refused EMS treatment.  Robbinsville Firefighters were assisted at the scene by Robert Wood Johnson EMS from Hamilton.

ENGINE 40 RESPONDS ON FIRST ALARM IN HAMILTON TOWNSHIP
Clothes dryer blamed for house fire

WZBN TV - HAMILTON - January 4, 2008 - A blaze that began in the basement destroyed a house on Pintinalli Drive last night, leaving a longtime newspaper reporter and his family homeless, fire and police officials said.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation last night, but officials said it is not suspicious and appeared to have originated in the area of a clothes dryer.

Officials said the house belongs to George O'Gorman -- a former Times staff writer and current sports writer for The Trentonian -- and his wife, Eileen.

Officials said a member of the O'Gorman family, going into the basement to do laundry, spotted flames coming from the dryer and called 911 about 5:50 p.m.

Thick smoke was billowing from the one-story home and flames were leaping from the basement windows when the first firefighters arrived, officials said.

Firefighters attempted to attack the blaze from the interior but officials said they efforts to advance a hose through the house were hampered by the large amount of collectibles and other items stored in the house.

With fire and heat conditions inside the house getting worse and all residents already outside and safe, fire commanders ordered all firefighters to evacuate the house and battle the flames from the safety of the exterior, officials said.

Smoke blanketed the neighborhood as firefighters poured water and firefighting foam into the basement. A crew from PSE&G used a backhoe to dig up the front lawn to find the valve needed to turn off the natural gas supply to the home.

The blaze was battled by the Nottingham, Mercerville, Colonial, Enterprise and Robbinsville fire companies, under the direction of Nottingham Chief Gary Dempster.

Although the fire was declared under control about 7:10 p.m., smoke continued to billow from the home until nearly 8 p.m. Several ambulance crews were standing by, but there no immediate reports of any injuries.

Officials said the fire and smoke damage sustained to the home had rendered it uninhabitable, and noted that the local chapter of the American Red Cross was responding to the scene to assist the O'Gorman family.

Click here for a video report regarding the incident.

Photos Courtesy of Michael Ratcliff

Serious MVA on Christmas Eve

ROBBINSVILLE TOWNSHIP - December 24, 2007 - Engine 40 and Rescue 140 responded to an overturned vehicle with entrapment in the late evening hours of Christmas Eve.  Firefighters were dispatched to Interstate 195 Eastbound near the NJ Turnpike entrance ramp and arrived to find an SUV on its roof blocking all lanes of Eastbound I-195.  An elderly man was still inside the vehicle, semi-conscious with a serious head injury.  Fire Division personnel quickly stabilized the vehicle and extricated the man.  He was rushed to the Trauma Center at Capital Health System (CHS) – Fuld Campus in Trenton by Robbinsville firefighters and CHS paramedics.

Robbinsville Division of Fire was assisted at the scene by the Allentown First Aid Squad and Robert Wood Johnson EMS (Hamilton Township) who transported other occupants of the vehicle that experienced minor injuries.   NJ State Police closed the Eastbound lanes of I-195 for several hours for the accident investigation and diverted all traffic onto Route 130.

Firefighters Receive Personal Escape Training

ROBBINSVILLE TOWNSHIP - December 20-22, 2007 - Firefighters from the Robbinsville Division of Fire received training in the newly acquired PETZL EXO Personal Escape System over the course of three days in December.

All Robbinsville Firefighters have been issued an NFPA compliant harnesses and an accompanying EXO personal escape rope.  This system was designed by PETZL in conjunction with the New York City Fire Department after two firefighters were killed and four were injured when they were forced to jump 50 feet from a window after becoming trapped in a fire in the Bronx in 2005.  That incident drove home the need for a personal escape system that firefighters could use when they were in danger and no ladder was immediately available for firefighters to escape from height. 

The EXO escape system consists of a heavy duty hook, 50 feet of rope and a descent control device packed into a carry bag.  The carry bag is attached to the harness on the firefighter’s turnout gear and, in an emergency, can be deployed in about 10 seconds.  This allows firefighters to “bail out” of a window as high as five stories and safely lower themselves to the ground.

The training on the personal escape system was provided by instructors from First Due Training (http://www.firstduetraining.com/).  All course instructors are current or retired members of FDNY who have personal experience using the system.  The class consisted of two hours in the classroom followed by six hours of practical.  Firefighters were required to pass a written exam and then perform nine separate “bail out” scenarios.  The final three scenarios were conducted in full turnout gear including SCBA and firefighters’ masks were covered to simulate zero visibility conditions. 

Practical sessions took place in an abandoned house on Route 33 next to the old Robbinsville Inn.  The house and the old Robbinsville Inn were donated to the fire department by the property owner.  The fire department has been using the buildings for training for several months and they will eventually be demolished to make the way for new development.

Pickup Truck Fire

ROBBINSVILLE TOWNSHIP - December 16, 2007 - Firefighters from the Robbinsville Division of Fire responded to a report of vehicle fire on the New Jersey Turnpike just after shift change on the morning of December 16th.  Firefighters from Engine 40 and Rescue 140 arrived at mile post 64.5 Northbound to find a well involved pickup truck on the shoulder of the roadway.  Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze and turned the scene back over to the New Jersey State Police.

Dumpster Fire

ROBBINSVILLE TOWNSHIP - December 12, 2007 - Firefighters from the Robbinsville Division of Fire responded to a report of a dumpster fire on Walden Circle in the late evening hours of their shift.  Engine 40 arrived to find a dumpster on fire and quickly extinguished the blaze.  The Division of Fire has responded to several suspicious dumpster fires on Walden Circle over the past several weeks and Township Police are investigating.

Building Fire at McGraw Hill

East Windsor - November 30, 2007 - Firefighters from the Robbinsville Division of Fire responded to a building fire at McGraw Hill on Princeton-Hightstown Road in neighboring East Windsor Township.

Responding on the first alarm were East Windsor Fire Stations 42 and 46, Robbsinville Engine 40, Hightstown Ladder 41, Cranbury Engine 48 and Plainsboro Rescue 49 as the RIT (Rapid Intervention Team).

Robbinsville Engine 40 and Robbinsville Fire Chief Kevin Brink were the first units to respond and were advised that police on scene had confirmed a fire on the roof of a building under construction on the south side of the facility.  Hightstown’s fire chief arrived first reporting fire and heavy smoke on the roof and advised responding companies that he was receiving reports of “four people trapped on the roof.”

An engine from East Windsor responded with a “light” crew (driver and officer only) and laid a supply line from a yard hydrant.  Engine 40 arrived moments later and picked up the hydrant.  While the driver of Engine 40 hooked up to the hydrant for water supply, the crew of engine 40 carried a ground ladder to the building to attempt a rescue of the trapped workers on the roof.  Once it was confirmed that the roofers had escaped prior to Fire Department arrival, the crew of engine 40 returned to the rig for a high rise pack and additional tools and went to the roof to extinguish the fire.

The fire involved burning roofing materials that had been accidently ignited by construction crews.  Crews on the roof also had to contend with fire burning in close proximity to several propane tanks.  Once the fire was extinguished, Engine 40 assisted with overhaul and was released from the scene after about an hour.

From Left to Right: Captain Palmer, Firefighter Kadir,
Firefighter Eitel, Firefighter Schnaudt and Firefighter Iglesias.

Brush Fire Rt. 526

Washington Township (Mercer) - September 20, 2007 - Fire Fighters were dispatched at 1638 hrs for an investigation of smoke in the area of Corporate Blvd. on Robbinsville-Allentown Rd (Rt. 526). Police arrived on scene and reported an active brush fire behind the residence just past Corporate Blvd. Engine 402 arrived on scene moments later and reported a large area of brush (approx. 15x25 ft) on fire. 402 went into service with a 1 3/4 inch trash line. Crews from 402 and Brush 40 remained on scene for approximately 30 minutes extinguishing the fire and checking for hot spots. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.

Driver Suffers Minor Injuries in Serious Turnpike Crash

Washington Township (Mercer) – September 16, 2007 – Firefighters from the Washington Township Fire Department responded to a motor vehicle accident on the New Jersey Turnpike at mile post 60.0 Southbound.  Washington Township Police Communications had received numerous 911 cell phone calls reporting a serious accident and arriving firefighters found a vehicle in the ditch that appeared to have rolled over before coming to rest on its wheels.  Witnesses at the scene reported to firefighters that the vehicle left the roadway and rolled over numerous times after striking a light post and several signs.  Miraculously, the driver exited the vehicle under his own power prior to Fire and Police arrival.  The driver suffered only minor injuries and was immobilized by fire department EMTs before being taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton for evaluation.

Car Vs. House

Washington Twp (Mercer) - August 27, 2007 - Fire fighters were dispatched to a house on Old York Road for a reported vehicle striking the house at 10:25 PM. Fire fighters arrived on scene and determined that there was no structural damage to the residence and that the vehicle only struck the front corner of the porch. The driver of the vehicle sustained injuries and was transported to RWJ Hamilton. Washington Twp. Police are investigating the cause of the accident.

Car Loses Control Due to Slick Roads

Washington Twp (Mercer) – August 22, 2007 - Fire Fighters and EMS responded to the NJTP Ramp to East Bound I-195 for a report of a Motor Vehicle Accident at 11:43 AM. Upon arrival, fire fighters found a car down in the embankment with damages after striking a tree on the driver side. EMS treated one patient and transported to RWJ Hamilton.

Log Cabin Fire

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP – August 4, 2007 – Firefighters from Washington Township IAFF Local 3786 responded to a working garage fire in a log cabin style home this morning.  Responding personnel were faced with heavy fire conditions in a semi-detached two car garage.  A quick response and aggressive fire attack by Washington Township’s career firefighters along with Hamilton Township’s career firefighters held the fire to a first alarm and prevented the fire from spreading to the house.  Pictured here is firefighter Chuck Savocca of Washington Township Fire Department Engine 40, 3rd Platoon.  Also pictured are firefighters from Hamilton Township’s Station 12 and Station 17.

Local 3786 Assists West Windsor at House Fire

WEST WINDSOR – August 2, 2007 – Firefighters from Washington Township IAFF Local 3786 responded to assist firefighters from West Windsor IAFF Local 3610 at a house fire this afternoon.

Firefighters from West Windsor received a call reporting a house on fire at 117 Rabbit Hill Road.  Firefighters arrived to find fire and heavy smoke showing from a two story duplex.  Residents of the home confirmed that everyone had gotten out of the house safely prior to the arrival of the fire department. 

Local 3610 members made an aggressive interior attack knocking down much of the fire in a second floor bedroom and attic.  Firefighters from Washington Township Engine 40 arrived ahead of West Windsor’s volunteer ladder and were ordered to the roof to ventilate the building.  Once ventilation had been performed conditions on the second floor became more tenable for the interior crews.

While ventilation was progressing, additional personnel from Engine 40 assisted with knocking down fire that had extended to the exterior of the house.  Once all work was complete firefighters took a breather.  West Windsor Township’s Emergency Services Chief Jim Yates had requested a second alarm due to the extreme heat (96 degrees) and humidity.  Even though the fire was extinguished prior to arrival of second alarm units, all companies were held for extensive salvage and overhaul.  The cause of the fire is under investigation by Local 3610 fire investigator Brian Magnin.

Special thanks to Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad for bringing their rehab unit to the scene and providing cold drinks and wet towels to the men.  Also responding to the incident were Princeton Junction, Plainsboro, East Windsor, Mercerville and Lawrenceville Fire Companies as well as East Windsor Rescue Squad.

Firefighters Respond to Fall at Construction Site

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – August 2, 2007 – Firefighters from the Washington Township Fire Department responded to an early morning trauma call at a construction site located off of Allens Road.  A contractor working in a new housing development fell off of a ladder suffering serious injuries.  He was immobilized at the scene by firefighters and transported to the Trauma Center at Capital Health System Fuld Campus in Trenton.

Driver Avoids Rabbit and Strikes Utility Pole

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP (Mercer County) - July 28, 2007 - Firefighters from Washington Township Fire Department, 1st Platoon, were dispatched to an early morning 1 vehicle MVA on West Manor Way.

Upon arrival, Fire Department personnel were met by the driver who indicated that she had swerved to avoid striking a rabbit with her vehicle as the rabbit crossed the road. The driver's vehicle then reportedly struck a utility pole, causing extensive damage to the vehicle and the pole.

The driver received minor injuries, and the accident remains under investigation.

1 Injured in Tractor Trailer vs. Car

Washington Township (Mercer County) - July 26, 2007 - One person was injured on Interstate 195 West Bound in the area of Exit 6 when a tractor trailer collided with a vehicle in the left hand lane. Fire fighters were dispatched at 12:00 PM and transported one to RWJ Hamilton. The New Jersey State Police are investigating the accident.

NJTP Exit 7A MVA

Washington Township (Mercer County) - July 18, 2007 - One person was injured when the car he was driving spun out on the NJTP Exit 7A exit ramp to 195 West, just after 8 a.m. The Washington Township Fire Department responded and transported the person to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton with non-life threatening injuries. NJ State Police are investigating the crash.

Firefighters Respond to Car vs. Utility Pole

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP (Mercer County) - July 17, 2007 - Firefighters from the Washington Township Fire Department responded to a serious motor vehicle accident involving a car that struck a utility pole on Route 130 across from the old USA Diner.  Firefighters were on scene within minutes of the dispatch to find a vehicle that had struck a utility pole breaking it into three pieces.  After the car struck the pole, the vehicle rolled over and landed back on its wheels and the utility pole guide wire was lying across all north bound lanes of traffic.

Firefighters quickly assessed the injured occupants of the vehicle.  One victim with a serious head injury was immediately secured to a backboard, loaded into a Washington Township Fire Department ambulance and transported to the trauma center at Capital Health System Fuld Campus in Trenton. Firefighters from Engine 40 remained on the scene and awaited Washington Township’s per diem ambulance to respond from Hightstown.  The two additional injured persons were being prepared for transport to the hospital when the Hightstown ambulance overheated and broke down at the scene.  An ambulance crew from West Windsor Emergency Services (IAFF Local 3610) responded to the scene and after a moderate delay, the injured victims were transported to the hospital without further incident.

Multi-Vehicle Accident on I-195 in Hamilton

Washington Township (Mercer County) - June 27, 2007 - The Washington Township Fire Department responded to a mutual aid call for a multi-vehicle accident involving a dump truck and a car on I-195 East bound at Exit 5 just after 7 a.m.  The Groveville Fire Department, Washington Township Fire Department, Hamilton Twp. EMS, Mercer County Paramedics, NJ DOT and NJ State Police responded to this accident.

Washington Twp. Firefighters Save Building in Andover

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP (Mercer County) - June 27, 2007 - Firefighters from the Washington Township Fire Department and several surrounding agencies battled an attic fire in an occupied condominium complex during the evening hours of .

A severe thunderstorm began pounding Mercer County, New Jersey just after 10:00 PM and as the storm rumbled across the region, local firefighters began responding to the usual assortment of storm related calls.  Mercer County’s Central Communications Center was quickly overwhelmed by “wires” calls, automatic alarms, flooding and lightning strikes.

Just after 10:30 PM, the Washington Township Fire Department (WTFD) was detailed to an automatic alarm on Patricia Lane.  Moments later the Washington Township Police 911 operators began receiving calls about a lightning strike in the “Andover Glen” condominium complex with reports of “smoke coming from the roof” of building #14.  Rescue 140 from WTFD diverted from Patricia Lane and responded to the assignment along with automatic aid companies from Hamilton Township (Engine 19 and Ladder 17) and Upper Freehold (Monmouth County Engine 82).  Washington Township Engine 40 also responded having just cleared up from a previous RIT assignment in Hamilton Township.

Police arrived on scene and confirmed a working fire and began evacuating residents from the building.  Engine 40, Ladder 17, and Rescue 140 arrived on scene to find a three story condominium building with fire showing from a gable attic vent.   County Communications dispatched the balance of the first alarm and also detailed an additional Ladder and BLS unit per request of first arriving units. Ladder 17 extended their tower ladder to the gable as Engine 40 stretched a 1 ¾ inch attack line to the loft of the second floor condo.  Rescue 140 entered the second floor condominium and began pulling ceilings to expose the fire.  Once the ceiling had been opened, Engine 40 made quick work of extinguishing the blaze.

Firefighters on the scene worked in torrential rain to swiftly control the fire.  The assignment was held to the first alarm.  Units not committed were cleared from the scene as needed to answer additional alarms in Washington Township.  Two second floor condominiums suffered minor to moderate water and smoke damage.  Once overhaul was completed, the building was secured by the fire department.  The Township Building Official determined that, since the fire damage was limited by the quick actions of the WTFD, the residents could return to their condos that night.

Additional responding companies (not already mentioned) were WTFD Department Chief (Kevin Brink), Fire Prevention Bureau Captain (Dennis Symons), West Windsor Rescue 43, East Windsor Ladder 42 and Hightstown EMS ambulance 41-12.

MVA With Truck Fire

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP (Mercer County) - June 12, 2007 - Firefighters from the Washington Township Fire Department (WTFD) responded to a multi-vehicle accident on the New Jersey Turnpike during the early evening hours of June 12, 2007.

Firefighters from WTFD Group 1, Engine 40 and Rescue 140 under Tour Commander Captain Jason Palmer were dispatched to the New Jersey Turnpike Exit 7A for a motor vehicle accident with injuries.  Initial reports indicated that a tractor-trailer had struck a car resulting in some minor injuries and fluids on the roadway.   As responding units approached the toll plaza entrance ramp to the Turnpike from I-195 they noticed a column of black smoke. 

WTFD Captain Corey Towner (EMS Division Supervisor) arrived on scene first at milepost 60.1 Southbound just south of the interchange and notified Mercer County Communications that a chain reaction accident had occurred involving a car, tractor trailer, and a box truck.  The box truck had slammed into the rear of the tractor trailer when the accident occurred and the cab of the box truck was well involved.  The driver of the box truck had escaped with minor injuries prior to the truck catching fire.  The occupants of the car also suffered minor injuries.  Captain Towner requested an additional ambulance from Hightstown to the scene.

Engine 40 and Rescue 140 arrived with Captain Palmer assuming command.  The accident and fire occurred in the center lane of the highway and debris from the accident had all three lanes of the   southbound side of the Turnpike completely blocked.  Captain Palmer requested Engine 82 from Upper Freehold Township to the scene as well as a water tender to standby at the toll plaza.  WTFD personnel made quick work of knocking down the fire.  Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the cab with no extension to the box or the cargo.  Once it was determined that there was no extension, Engine 82 was released from the scene.  After the fire was placed under control State Police were able to open the left lane and left shoulder so traffic could begin moving again.

The driver of the box truck was transported to the hospital by Hightstown First Aid Squad and the two occupants of the car refused medical treatment.  Troopers from the New Jersey State Police Cranbury Station were investigating the accident.

Overturned Dump Truck on the NJTP at Exit 7A

Washington Township (Mercer County) - June 1, 2007 - Members of the Washington Township Fire Department were dispatched to an overturned dump truck carrying top soil at the Exit 7A Interchange on the NJ Turnpike to Exit 6 West Bound of I-195 at 8:04 a.m. Firefighters treated the driver of the truck for minor injuries and transported the driver to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton. Firefighters also shut valves to the fuel and hydraulic tanks to contain minor leakage from the lines. The spill was cleaned up by the NJ Turnpike Authority. The NJ Sate Police is investigating the crash.

IAFF Locals Assist Plainsboro Township at Multi-Alarm Fire

PLAINSBORO TOWNSHIP (Middlesex County) – May 25, 2007 - On May 25, 2007, IAFF members from Washington Township Firefighters Local 3786, Monroe Township Firefighters Local 3170, and Princeton Plasma Physics Firefighters Local I-74 responded to a multiple alarm fire in a shopping center on Plainsboro Road.  IAFF members were joined at the scene by numerous other career and volunteer firefighters from across Middlesex and Mercer Counties.  The heavily involved fire in the strip shopping center destroyed and/or damaged numerous stores and restaurants and required the use of exterior master streams from deck guns and ladder pipes to bring under control.  Firefighters battled through unseasonably hot temperatures in the low 90s and were on scene for several hours extinguishing and overhauling the stubborn fire.  The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.

Firefighters Respond to Serious MVA on NJ Turnpike

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP (Mercer County) – May 20, 2007 - Firefighters from the Washington Township Fire Department responded to a serious motor vehicle accident in the early morning hours of May 20, 2007.

Firefighters from Washington Township Fire Department were dispatched at 3:45 AM to the New Jersey Turnpike mile post 64.6 Northbound for a motor vehicle accident with entrapment.  Mercer County Central Communications also dispatched the Hightstown Fire Company since they were receiving numerous calls with conflicting mile markers (mm 64.8 is the border between East Windsor and Washington Township).  Firefighters were notified en route that State Police on scene were confirming one person trapped, unconscious and not breathing.

Washington Township Engine Company 40 and Rescue 140 along with Hightstown Rescue 41 and Engine 41 arrived almost simultaneously to find a Jeep Grand Cherokee off the road into the woods at mile marker 64.7.  Fire crews set up lights and went in service with rescue tools.  Reports indicated that the vehicle had been stopped in the travel lane for an unknown reason when it was struck from behind by a tractor trailer.  A total of three victims were located in the vehicle and two were immediately removed by EMS personnel at the scene.  A third victim trapped in the rear seat was determined by paramedics at the scene to be fatally injured.  

After rescue crews had removed the roof from the vehicle, State Police at the scene suspended the operation while NJSP accident investigators and detectives from the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office photographed the scene and took measurements.  Once the investigation was completed the Washington Township Fire Department completed the extrication and recovery of the deceased and assisted the medical examiner removing the victim from the car.   Fire crews finally left the scene at 6:30 AM and returned to the station in time for 0700 shift change.

Route 130 North Reopened; Crash Under Investigation

NJ.COM - Washington Township - April 10, 2007 - The northbound lanes of Route 130 have been reopened to traffic following a serious collision that occurred just before 6:50 p.m. Tuesday.

Two people were seriously injured in the crash.

Police said the accident occurred in the 1100 block of Route 130, just south of Woodside Road, when the southbound car being driven by Millie Lamberty, 50, of Trenton, veered across the highway's median and collided head-on with the northbound car being driven by Vijaytash V. Singh, 30, of East Windsor.

Investigators are looking into the possibility that Lamberty may have suffered some kind of medical emergency prior to losing control of her car, police said. They are also investigating what role, if any, alcohol or drugs played in the crash, police said.

Both vehicles sustained significant damage, trapping Lamberty and Singh in their seats. Firefighters from the Washington Township and Mercerville fire departments had to use hydraulic cutting equipment to free them. In Singh's case, firefighters had to cut away the entire roof of his car.

Once freed, both Lamberty and Singh were rushed by ambulance to the regional trauma center at Capital Health System at Fuld hospital in Trenton, where they are currently undergoing emergency treatment, police said.

The entire northbound side of Route 130 was closed to traffic until about 9:30 p.m. to allow township police and detectives from the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office to investigate the accident.

Police said that investigation remains ongoing at this time under the direction of Officer Barbara Borges.

About 8 p.m., while police were busy investigating this accident, a second crash involving three vehicles occurred a short distance away along the southbound side of Route 130. At least three people were injured in that collision, but their injuries were reportedly not serious.

Firefighters work to cut away the roof to free the trapped driver of a car involved in a head-on collision on Route 130 in Washington Township Tuesday evening.		Both cars involved in the collision sustained extensive damage.

Two Injured, Route 130 North Closed After Crash

Dan Smith A view of the accident scene along Route 130 in Washington Township Tuesday night.

NJ.COM - Washington Township - April 10, 2007 - The northbound side of Route 130 is closed and traffic is being detoured at this time as the result of a serious two-car accident that happened Tuesday night.

The accident occurred in the 1100 block of Route 130, just south of Woodside Road, when two cars collided almost head-on about 7 p.m.

Officials at the scene said police are investigating a report that one of the vehicles had been traveling southbound on Route 130 and crossed over the grass median into the northbound lanes where it crashed into the other car.

Dan Smith The wreckage of one of the cars in the crash.

Firefighters from Washington Township Fire Department and other rescue personnel had to extricate a man and a woman from the wreckage of the two cars.

Once freed, both the man and woman were rushed by ambulance to the trauma center at Capital Health System at Fuld hospital in Trenton.

Officials described their injuries as serious

1st Alarm Dwelling on Church Street in Windsor

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - February 27, 2007 - Fire Fighters were dispatched for a report of a structure fire on Church Street in Windsor during the early afternoon hours.

Chief 40 arrived on scene within seconds of dispatch to report nothing showing from side A & B.

Upon investigation, Chief 40 advised Mercer County Central of a working fire on the 2nd floor bedroom. While Chief 40 was investigating, he discovered a resident coming down the stairs, and assisted her out of the building.

Engine 40 arrived on scene along with Rescue 140-10 and crews from the engine went in service with a 1 ¾ inch pre-connect hand line and proceeded to knock the fire down.

The ambulance crew treated one patient and transported to RWJ- Hamilton and returned to the fire scene. The fire was confined to the bedroom which had begun on the bed.

No extension of the fire was found though water damage had caused the 1st floor ceiling to sustain little damage.

Crews responded from Washington Township (Station 40), Engine 19 (Hamilton Twp. Dist. 9), Tower 17 (Nottingham), Engine 41 (Hightstown), and Hightstown EMS (MONOC). Investigation of the fire is being done by Washington Township Police and Prosecutors office.