Archives 2009

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Santa Came to Town!

December 20, 2009 - In spite of the "Blizzard of Ought Nine", the second worst snow in Delaware Valley history, Santa Claus found time in his busy schedule to visit Eastampton.

Santa was escorted around town by a dozen volunteer members of Eastampton Fire-Rescue. While the severe conditions required modifications to Santa's route, he was able to visit most sections of the town.

Santa would like to thank the residents for their hospitality during his visit, and for the various goodies provided to him and his elves!

Santa and the EFD want to remind residents to move their vehicles off of township streets before a snow storm, to make street plowing safer and more effective.

Blizzard Duty

Besides the Santa detail, department members were kept busy from 0700 hours Saturday morning through 1900 hours Sunday evening. In addition to numerous wires and hazards calls and several medical emergencies answered by the fire company and emergency squad, the fire company responded to a working dwelling fire in Pemberton Township, provided a cover assignment to Pemberton Borough Station 191, and answered two other dwelling fire calls, and the fire company and squad responded to a motor vehicle crash.

Department members spent more than sixty personnel-hours on storm standby when not answering calls or escorting Santa.

New Chief Appointment
October 7, 2009 - Acting Chief Wayne Dillon has been named Department Chief by the Board of Fire Commissioners, to finish the current term.

Response Time Record Tied!
September 29, 2009 - The Eastampton Fire-Rescue Department tied its all-time fastest response time record when it arrived at a dwelling fire before it was reported! Shortly after 1800 hours on Monday, September 29, 2009 EFD Station 341 was dispatched for an electrical hazard in front of 25 Stonegate Drive. Engines 3413 and 3412 responded with nine firefighters under the direction of Assistant Chief Matt Geiger. Crews determined that the hazard was a telephone wire. The utility was notified and the wires were removed from the street. As the crews were preparing to leave, the occupant of 27 Stonegate ran out of the dwelling and yelled that his house was on fire. Smoke could be seen.

Central Communications was notified. A dwelling assignment was requested and the Mount Holly and Westampton fire departments were dispatched as automatic aid. Engine 3413's crew donned breathing apparatus and investigated while Engine 3412's crew stretched a 1.75 hand line to the front door. Firefighters found a dryer fire in the laundry room and extinguished it with a dry chemical extinguisher. After checking for extension, crews used positive pressure ventilation to remove the smoke. The fire was placed under control and Eastampton Utility 341, Mount Holly Ladder 501, Westampton Engine 272, and Mount Holly Ambulance 509 were recalled before their arrival.

The dryer fire was unrelated to the electrical hazard call. As unusual as this seems, it was the second time in the last seven years where a fire was reported at a house next to a house at which the EFD had arrived for another unrelated call.

The Eastampton Fire-Rescue Department reminds all residents to clean dryer lint traps after every use, and periodically vacuum out the dryer ventilation duct.

6 Toll House Road - Dwelling Fire

July 21, 2009 - Shortly after 1600 hours on Tuesday 21 July 2009, Burlington County Central Communications received a call from a passerbye reporting a house fire at 6 Toll House Road.

The first alarm structure assignment was dispatched at 1610 hours. Deputy Chief 3410 arrived shortly thereafter and observed heavy fire in the living room (Division A). He placed all companies into service. The fire was placed under control at 1629 hours after a quick knockdown.

Fire under control at 1629

Eastampton Engine 341
Westampton Engine 272
Mount Holly Ladder 501
Hainesport Engine 391
Lumberton RIT 131
Mount Holly BLS 509

6 Toll House Road - Dwelling Fire Photos

Engine 3412's Crew on the way to Rehab

First Arriving Squad 2723

Ladder 5015

Additional photos can be found at:
http://www.phillyfirenews.com/content/firewire/detail/3081.php

Burlington County
Fire and Emergency Services
Memorial Service

Westampton 20 May 2009

Remembering Eastampton Line-of-Duty Deaths...
Dale Odell - Station 349 - 1981
Jack Rose - Station 341 - 1986
Jack Oatman - Station 342 - 1997
...Lest We Forget

RV Chiefs Extrication Drill - Stabilization

Westampton 19 May 2009

New Emergency Vehicle Safety Law

March 25, 2009 - Drivers approaching stationary emergency vehicles, tow trucks and other highway safety vehicles displaying red, blue and/or amber flashing lights must now move over one lane or, if not safe to move over, then slow down below the posted speed limit.

Slow Down, Move Over, It's the Law

Copy of the Law
State of New Jersey Move Over Law Web Site

Annual Fire District Election

Thank you for passing the 2009 budget and tax appropriation. The tax rate remains the same. Budget information is in the 2009 "The Siren" newsletter. Congratulations to new Commissioners Anthony Khan and Mark Searfoss and to re-elected Commissioner Philip Polios. They will join returning Commissioners Adam Cowperthwait and Laura Fish

Truck Fire with Wires Down - February 4, 2009
Three-phase power lines jolt driver, delay extinguishment

Click on a photo to see a larger image - [Back] to return.

Initial view from west - note wires contacting truck.

View from east after north utility pole down.

View from north.

View from west.

View from south before power was cut.

Photos courtesy of Westampton Fire Department

On February 4, 2009 at 0700 hours Eastampton Fire Station 341 and EMS Station 349, and Mount Holly EMS Station 509 were dispatched to Woodlane road in the area of Beneficial bank for a Roadway Hazard call of wires down.

The initial report was that a truck had struck the wires and its driver had felt a shock. Upon indicating that the truck was on fire, Westampton Fire Station 272 was added to the assignment.

Rescue Engine 3411, Engine 3412, EMS Chief 349, Ambulance 5091, Engine 2721, and Fire Police 2729 responded with a total of fifteen firefighters and three EMTs.

First arriving Ambulance 5091's crew reported a large dump truck against primary wires with the truck on fire and two utility poles pulled over. They verified that the driver was out of the vehicle and safe.

Rescue Engine 3411 arrived, and its crew established command and stretched a hand line from the south side of the truck. Engine 2721 took a position on the west side of the fire and stretched a hand line. Engine 3412 arrived and provided water to 3411. Fire Police 2729 assisted with traffic on Woodlane Road

Because the wires were still energized, fire crews stood by for about an hour waiting for a utility crew to cut power. While waiting, the utility pole on the north side of the vehicle completely collapsed, further energizing the dump body.

Once power was cut, the fire was extinguished quickly with two 1.75 inch hand lines. The cab and tires of the truck were destroyed. The Health Department was contacted due to diesel fuel runoff.

The incident created traffic problems on Woodlane Road until about 0900. Many drivers, unaware of the three-phase power lines on the truck, were concerned because the fire department was not extinguishing the fire.

Santa Claus Came to Town!

The Department had the honor of escorting Santa Claus on his pre-Christmas visit throughout Eastampton on Sunday December 21. Santa was accompanied by fifteen fire and EMS members of our volunteer department. The Eastampton Fire Department would like to thank the Russ Berrie Corporation and Wal-Mart of Lumberton for their generous donations, helping us to bring some joy to our township children.

The EFD extends to everyone best wishes for
a Merry Christmas, a Happy Holiday Season,
and a Safe and Prosperous New Year.

We thank you for your continued support!