Busy End to the Month

January 31^st - The members started the day with a reported house fire in Tabernacle Township on Patty Bowker Road.  Chief 1710 (S.Pratt), RE1712 (D'Amico) and T1716 (B.Pratt) all responded on the run.  RE1723 (Hampton Lakes) was first to arrive and reported an active chimney fire.  Chief 1710 was next to arrive and assumed incident command.  Due to there not being any extension into the structure, the incident was scaled back to RE1723 and Q4314 (Tabernacle).

The members attended a birthday party for a 4 year old resident this afternoon.  Rescue Engine 1712 made a special stop to showcase the apparatus, handout some fire souvenirs and talk to the children about what we do.  This program is available to all residents of Southampton Township. If you are interested please send an email to info@vincentfire.org or call the firehouse at (609) 859-3200.

Just as the members were leaving the party, the company was sent to Buddtown Road and RT 206 for a motor vehicle collision with reported people trapped.  Chief 1710 (S.Pratt) was first to arrive and found a two vehicle collision.  One vehicle was on its side with two people trapped.  The patient from the other vehicle was out of the vehicle.  As soon as the vehicle was stabilized E1713 (B.Pratt) arrived on scene and the extrication efforts began.  The crew cut the roof and removed both patients.  One patient was taken to Cooper Trauma via aero medical; two other patients went to a local hospital, one in cardiac arrest and one with minor injuries.  Thanks to Chief 1720 (Fenton) and RE1723 (Hampton Lakes) for handling the landing zone and to Pemberton EMS, Tabernacle Rescue Squad, Mt. Laurel EMS and Mount Holly EMS for providing BLS units.

The members finished up the day by providing a cover crew for Lumberton so their members could enjoy their annual installation and awards dinner.  Chief 1710 (S.Pratt) and six members on RE1712 were invited over to attend the dinner.  The detail was from 18:00hrs until midnight.  Even though the crew did not pick up any runs, everyone enjoyed the evening.

Kitchen Fire in Lumberton

January 19^th - At 13:09hrs companies were dispatched to the 400 block of Landing Street in Lumberton for an apartment fire.  Chief 1300 signed on responding and was advised by Central they were receiving multiple calls for a unit with fire in the kitchen area.  Upon arrival, Chief 1300 confirmed the report and placed all companies in service.  RE1712 (D'Amico) was responding minutes after being alerted. Arriving third-due, the Rescue Engine was assigned first-due truck company operations.  RE1712's crew placed ground ladders and opened up for E1311.  A quick knock was made on the fire containing it to the unit of origin.  E1713 (Friddell) was also on the assignment and checked on exposure apartments for extension.  RE1712 and E1713 cleared the scene after about an hour.  Before the day would be over, the company would answer three additional calls for service.

Fire in Tabernacle

January 6^th - Just prior to 10:00hrs, Taskforce 43 was dispatched to the number block of Summit Drive in Tabernacle Twp.  A State Trooper patrolling the area called in reporting a dwelling fire with heavy smoke in evidence from the roof.  RE1712 (D'Amico) and T1716 (E.Snow) were quick to answer up with a total of 10 volunteers.  Upon arrival, RE1712 was assigned 2^nd due truck company operations on what was found to be a chimney fire with extension.  Crews placed ground ladders on the exterior of the dwelling and proceeded to division 2 to open up and  perform overhaul, searching out hidden fire.  T1716 stood by for water supply while the crew joined up with the Rescue Engine’s.  Both crews were released and back in the township after about an hour of operating on scene.

Pajama Program a Success!

January 5^th - The members finished up the Pajama Program on Wednesday, December 31^st.  We were able to collect 164 pairs of pajamas and 1,321 books.  The program got started when Junior Member Macy Pratt was advised of the program through the Cherry Hill Mall Style Squad, where she is also a member.  The mall is a sponsor of the program and was going to be a drop off point for the holiday season.  Treasurer Julie Pratt setup a drop off point at Stepping Stones Preschool in Lumberton and Contributing Member Kim Weisman did the same at Southampton Township Schools.  A flyer was sent out to a large email list and the Moorestown Fire Department stepped up to the plate.  The Moorestown firefighters collected a substantial amount of pajamas, books and teamed up with firefighters from Lenola Fire Company to wrap gifts at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Moorestown.  Proceeds from this event reached $525 and was also donated to the Pajama Program.  After the article was published in the Burlington County Times, Nick Marino, originally from Brooklyn, now a Pemberton Township resident donated 1,056 books to the cause.  Keep an eye out in 2009 to see the members try to break our first year Pajama Program record.