Station 25 firefighters Presented With Award During Franklin Day Ceremony

July 31st - Station 25 firefighters attended a dedication to Franklin Day at Somerset Baptist Church on Ceder Grove Lane.  Crews on Engine 253, Ladder 25 and Car 25 were all in attendance.  Also in attendance were the Mayor of Franklin Township, the Deputy Mayor, as well as representatives from the Franklin Twp. Police Department.  While at there, we were presented with an award for our dedication to the Township of Franklin for services rendered.  As an added bonus, our Eng. Lt. Angel Natal was saved by the church's Decon, and has since found a new life. 

2 Alarm Structure Fire in District 2

July 27th - At 2300 Ladder 25 was requested to respond to a working structure fire on Rt. 27 at Fama Nursery and Landscaping In Fire District #2. Ladder 25 responded to the scene, and while en-route, the fire was escalated to a second alarm fire. Upon their arrival, L25 was assigned to ventilate the roof. After the fire was knocked down, the crew assisted with the overhaul of the structure. Chief Ries served as the Operations Officer for this fire. All Station 25 units cleared in under 2 hours. To read a news article about this fire in The Home News Tribune, click here

Mutual Aid Into District 2 for a Commercial Structure Fire

July 25th - At 2355, Station 25 was dispatched to respond mutual aid into Fire District #2 for the reported structure fire at Jiffy Lube. Ladder 25 responded with 4 firefighters, followed immediately by Engine 253.  Ladder 25's crew was directed to assist in ventilation, while Engine 253's crew reported to the manpower pool. E253 was then directed to keep the propane tanks cool during the fire investigation. Station 25 units were released in under an hour.

Station 44 firefighters extinguishing hotspots	Firefighters checking the structure for signs of fire extension

Extrication Training for New Members

July 21st - This evening, Station 25 held an extrication class for our new members. Both FF Sudo and FF Handzo were qualifying to ride the heavy rescue, while new members Kwityn and Merhi were given their first taste of motor vehicle extrication. Since we had three  vehicles, some of the experienced firefighters were also able to practice their skills. Three vehicles later, all who participated agreed that it was a very worthwhile drill. For more pictures, click here.

FF Handzo using the spreaders to open the rear door	FF Merhi using a Glassmaster to remove the front windshield
FF Sudo using the jaws to get inside the passenger compartment	FF Kwityn cutting the B post

Working Structure Fire on Phillips St

July 19th - At 1803, District 3 was dispatched for a working bedroom fire in Philips Street. Asst. Chief Toth (Car 25B) and E-253 responded with a crew of 4, and arrived to find heavy fire showing from the second floor windows on the A/D corner.  Asst. Chief Toth requested Station 56 respond as the FAST team.  Capt. Middleton and Engine Company FF Baker pulled a 2 inch pre-connected line though the front door and began to attack the fire.  Engine Company FF Sudo secured a water supply and then rejoined the fire attack team. Ladder 25 was second due and was instructed to vertically ventilate the structure.  Truck Captain Inzano and Engine Company Firefighter Greenhaus were assigned to  open up the roof.  The fire was declared under control at 1820 and knocked down at 1845.  Squad 25 and Unit 25 responded to the scene with additional manpower.  After extinguishment, the scene was turned over to Franklin Township Fire Prevention.  Asst. Chief Toth was the incident commander, all units cleared in 1 hour 45 minutes. For more pictures, click here

The structure as Engine 253's crew is putting water on the fire	Ladder 25's crew making their way to the roof to ventilate
After the fire has been extinguished	Ladder 25 and Engine 253 in front of the structure

Station 25's New Chief's Vehicle

July 15th - At 2pm, Station 25 placed in service their new chief's vehicle, a 2005 Chevy Suburban. The vehicle, purchased by Fire District #3, will be used by Chief Richard Ries, for his day to day operations and to respond to calls. Chief Ries's current vehicle will now be used by Assistant Chief Toth. Chief Toth vehicle will be retired and used during and upcoming training class. The suburban sports a full lighting and siren package, complete to Chief Ries's specifications. For more pictures, click here.

The truck carries extinguishers, tools, and basic EMS equipment	The new Car 25

Firefighter I Graduation

July 14th -  With many of their fellow firefighters in the audience, both firefighters Robert Handzo and Brian Sudo received their Firefighter I certifications. After several months of hard work, testing, and training they completed the course that all firefighters must complete in order to become interior firefighters. A job well done to both Rob and Brian

FF Sudo shaking hands with several fellow firefighters	FF Handzo accepting congratulations from Chief Ries

Dedication of New Gear Room

July 13th - After much hard work, Station 25 dedicated a new gear room to the Burn Center at St. Barnabas hospital. Named the "Wear Your Gear! room," this dedication serves as a reminder to all firefighters to always wear all their gear when on the job. In addition to the consolidating of the Engine Company and Truck company gear racks into one centralized area, the floor was decorated by our extremely talented artist and company president Lew Pinnella.

Our new sign over the entrance to the gear room	The completely freehand drawn artwork was done by Lew Pinnella

Dinner and Drinks at a Transformer Fire on Appleman Rd

July 11th - At 2105, District 3 was dispatched for a transformer fire on Appleman Rd. E251 responded with a crew of 5, followed 30 seconds later by Ladder 25 with a crew of 4. Both units arrived and Engine Lt. Natal established Appleman command. PSE&G was requested to respond. Crews stood by for over an hour until PSE&G arrived and shut down the power to the transformer. Special thanks from Station 25 goes out to the Morris family who provided both crews with food and ice cold water (a perfect drink for the hot July night while we stood by in front of their house. Again, thank you to the Morris family for a very tasty meal.

Structure Fire on Franklin Blvd

July 10th - At 1704, District 3 was dispatched for a reported structure fire at 359 Franklin Blvd. Chief Ries (Car 25) arrived first and established command. Ladder 25 and Engine 253 responded to the scene. Chief Ries advised all units that it was a room and contents fire, which had been knocked down by the occupant. Ladder 25's crew opened windows and ventilated the structure using a positive pressure fan. All Station 25 units cleared in less than 1 hours.

New Basketball Hoops Installed at Station 25

July 6th - In an effort to promote both physical fitness and camaraderie at the firehouse, Community VFC purchased 2 portable adjustable height basketball hoops. The Wednesday night duty crew spent the early portion of our shift assembling the new hoops.  After we finished assembling it, of course we needed to try to out, so we held a few games of 2 on 2 and 3 on 3.  The Friday night duty crew assembled the 2nd hoop, so now we can play full court games in the parking lot next to the firehouse.

The crew assembling the hoop	The crew practicing shooting and rebounding

Early morning rollover in Dist 3

July 3rd - At 0642, Stations 25 and 27 were dispatched for a rollover at the intersection of Martin St. and Norma Ave. Chief Ries was first on scene, and found one car that that rolled several times, with the driver already out of the vehicle. Chief Ries cancelled all responding units except for the first due engine. Engine 253 responded with Driver/Engineer Pinnella, Officer Engine Lt. Natal, crew of Truck Lt. Wilson and FF/EMT Greenhaus. Upon the arrival of the crew, Chief Ries directed FF/EMT Greenhaus and Lt. Wilson to begin treating the injured driver of the vehicle, since no ambulance was on scene yet. FF/EMT Greenhaus bandaged the patient's wounds, and then Lt. Wilson and FF/EMT Greenhaus assisted the Rural/Metro ambulance crew with putting the patient into the ambulance. After the tow truck operator flipped the car back onto its wheels, it started leaking oil, and E-253's crew was directed to mitigate the fluid hazards. Car 25A was the incident commander, units cleared in less than 40 minutes.

CVFC firefighters setting up a fan for positive pressure ventilation	R/M EMTs continuing treatment on the driver of the vehicle.