Station 25 Community Volunteer Fire Company, Franklin Township, NJ

January 2006

9 CVFC FIREFIGHTERS ATTEND EXTRICATION COURSE

January 30th - At 8:15am, Rescue 25 arrived at the extrication training site for the 3rd class in the 6 part extrication course taught by Roadway Rescue. This course was offered by Fire District #3, in order to allow both Community VFC and our sister company to learn new techniques and to practice using the tools off Rescue 25 in order to better serve the residents of Fire District #3. Today's class was dedicated to vehicle stabilization for a vehicles on its tires, on its side, and on its roof, glass removal, and the use of airbags. For more pictures, click here

Firefighter Brothers using a Glassmaster saw to remove the windshield from a car Firefighter Diaz using a strut system to stabilize a car on its side

LADDER 25 2ND DUE TRUCKFOR 3 ALARM STRUCTURE FIRE

January 26th - At 2003, CVFC was dispatched to standby New Brunswick Fire Headquarters for a 2nd alarm structure fire at 224 Handy Street. While enroute to Fire Headquarters, Ladder 25 was redirected by New Brunswick Deputy Chief Rawls (Car 21) to respond directly to the scene. When we arrived, we found two 2 1/2 story homes fully involved in fire. Command made the announcement that exterior operations only would be conducted, and that Ladder 25 should put the ladder in the air and flow water from its master streams. A third alarm was sounded by the Deputy Chief Rawls, due to the combination of freezing temperatures and the fact the even with all the lines in operation, the stubborn fire would not go out. After some initial supply problems, the water started flowing from the tower, and we (along with New Brunswick Ladder 1 and the handlines off the New Brunswick engines) were able to place the fire under control. After the fire was out, we and Miltown Fire Department did the brotherly thing, and helped pack the 5 inch hose back onto the our sister company's engine. Crew consisted of Engine Lt. Natal, Driver/Engineer Pinnella, FF/Engineer Amos, FF Dumbuya, and FF/EMT Greenhaus. Ladder 25 was released at 2320 by NBFD.

Pictured above is Ladder 25's aerial, with the crew in the bucket using the two master streams to knock down the bulk of the fire by dumping hundreds of gallons of water per minute on the two burning homes.

The picture to the left was the scene when Ladder 25 was arriving on Handy St. Both homes were fully involved, and the New Brunswick Fire Department had began fighting the fire using several handlines off their engines.

Photographs by Dick Costello for the Home News Tribune, used with permission.

CVFC STAFFS TWO FULL CREWS
AS BLIZZARD OF 2005 DUMPS OVER

A FOOT OF SNOW ON FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP

January 22nd - With over a foot of snow expected, members of CVFC began making their way to the firehouse in preparation of a snow standby as early as 8am. As the snow started to come down, Chief Ries made the decision to house a full crew in quarters, to ensure a rapid response to any emergency. By the evening and into the early morning, with additional members making their way to the station, CVFC had enough manpower in quarters to staff Rescue 25 and a crew cross trained for either either Engine 251 or Ladder 25, depending on what type of call was received. Both crews stayed overnight, ensuring a prompt response was available in the event of an emergency on a night where the roadways were especially hazardous. We also had additional manpower ready to respond from home in the event of a major disaster. Fortunately, it was a quiet night, which CVFC only having one call for a carbon monoxide alarm.

SEVERAL AWARDS GIVEN
TO STATION 25 FIREFIGHTERS
BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF FIRE DISTRICT #3

January 21, 2005, Franklin Fire District #3 held their annual awards presentation to all the fire companies in the district. The Top Responder (Station 25) award was given to Community Volunteer Fire Company member Keith Burton. Due to Keith's vast involvement and contributions to CVFC, he was also presented with the award for Firefighter of the Year for Station 25. Mike Toth was also recognized by District #3, for his work as a commissioner from 1997-2003. Community FF Robert Amos received an Exceptional Service award for injuries sustained in the line of duty.

CVFC FFs recognized for 25+ years of service to District 3:
Assistant Chief Michael Toth joined 6/3/1958
Firefighter George Caspers joined 2/8/19963
Firefighter Stanley Bell joined 2/18/1963
Deputy Chief Herman Calvo joined 1/4/1965
Captain Frank Inzano joined 5/6/1970
Firefighter Alfred Pinnella Jr. joined 11/08/1971
Board of Commisioners Chairman Vincent Inzano joined 7/26/1972
Firefighter Vincent Leppert joined 7/26/1972
Firefighter Bernard Greene joined 11/13/1972
Board of Trustees Chairman Roy Mondi joined 2/15/1973
Fire Chief Richard Reis joined 5/14/1973
Firefighter Palcido Salamone joined 6/2/1975
Engineer Robert Amos joined 9/7/1978
Firefighter Michael Baskow joined 5/21/1979

STRUCTURE FIRE ON HEMPSTEAD DRIVE

January 21st - at 0646, Station 25 was requested by District #2 to respond mutual aid to a working structure fire at 63 Hempstead Dr. Ladder 25, under the command of Truck Lt. Wilson, and Assistant Chief Toth (Car 25B) responded to the scene, and immediately went to work. Upon their arrival, they were directed to the rear of the structure, where they encountered heavy fire between the first and second floor. Ladder 25 proceeded to perform a primary search for the structure, and help with the extinguishment of the fire. Ladder 25's crew then assisted with the searching for extension and overhauling the structure. With fire damaging a total of 4 apartments, Units remained on scene for approx 3 hours.

BATHROOM VENT FIRE ON HILLCREST AVE

January 17th - at 0842, Stations 25 was dispatched for an electrical fire in the bathroom of a residence. Chief Ries (Car 25A) arrived first, established command with Ladder 25 (crew of Capt. Inzano, Lt. Wilson and Engineer Pinnella) arriving right behind him. Ladder 25's crew entered the structure and found a smoke condition in the residence. The crew made their way to the bathroom, to find a small fire burning around the vent fan, with the fan itself on fire. Lt. Wilson then extinguished the fire with an extinguisher and then he and Capt. Inzano proceeded to check for extension and overhauled the are around the fan. After finding no extension, a fire inspector was requested to respond to the scene, and Station 25 crews cleared in 30 minutes.