Station 25 Community Volunteer Fire Company, Franklin Township, NJ

October 2005

Flashover training at SCESTA

Oct 29th - A flashover occurs when all the objects in a room ignite simultaneously. Usually the room is over 1000 degrees when the room flashes, and if there are any firefighters inside the room, even with all the gear, there is a very good chance they will be seriously injured or killed. The Somerset County Emergency Services Training Academy has a Swedish Flashover Simulator, which is used to train firefighters in what to expect and see the signs of what happens in a flashover. Crews from Engine 251, Ladder 25, and Car 25 experienced 5 evolutions in the simulator. Additional videos and pictures can be found on the Flashover Simulator page.

Below is a 30 second video of what happens inside the simulator. With the smoke all banked down to the floor, you see the fire actually "flashing" toward the firefighters. This is similar to what happens in an actual flashover.

Inside the simulator, a few wood pallets and a chair are set ablaze. As the fire grew, it flashed across the ceiling, in this picture, looking like a phoenix rising

As the room's heat increased, the size of the flash grew dramaticly A group shot of the Station 25 guys and guest from Station 27

Station 25's Open House

Oct 15th - After several days of heavy rain, Saturday morning arrived with a clear sky and bright sun, perfect of our open house. With all the Station 25 front line apparatus on display, the public got to see the tools we used to keep our residents safe. Our thanks go out to both the Somerset County SWAT team, Rutgers Emergency Services, and the Crew of Northstar for demonstrating their equipment at our event. For more pictures, click here.

An aerial shot of the open house A photo of NORTHSTAR landing, taken from the bucket of Ladder 25

Eng. Pinnella and one of the flight medics discussing operations FF Raisch using the O-cutters during the extrication demonstration

Fire Prevention Week

Oct 11th - Engine Co. Captain Middleton, FF Raisch, Truck Co. Lt. Wilson and Truck Co. FF Reed were in attendance at the Somerset County Action Program to teach the pre-schoolers about fire prevention. The children learned about some of the tools that we use, how we put on fire gear as well as how we breathe on a SCBA. The children even had a chance to put on turnout gear. Afterwards, the class was taken on a tour of both Ladder 25 and Engine 253.

The class photo along with Lt. Wilson & FF Reed Engine Captain Middleton after demonstrating how to put on fire gear

Ladder 25 Engine 253

One Trapped in MVA on Easton Ave

Oct 4th - At 1809, District 3 was requested by BLS units on scene to respond to the intersection of Easton Ave and Bloomfield Ave for a person trapped following a motor vehicle crash. Car 25 was first on scene, established command, and confirmed 1 patient trapped inside the vehicle. Car 27 arrived later, and Car 25 transferred incident command to him, while Car 25 assumed the role of operations officer. Rescue 25 responded with 4 firefighters, and upon their arrival, went to work freeing the patient. R25's crew stabilized the vehicle, removed the windshield, removed the drivers side door, and freed the driver. Station 56 was requested by Car 25 to respond for additional tools to aid in the extrication. The patient was freed in under 20 minutes. R25 stood by at the request of PD to illuminate the scene during the police investigation.