Second and Third Due with Heavy Fire

February 19^th - Just before 04:30hrs members were on their way to the number block of Birmingham Road in Pemberton Twp. for a reported house fire. GWFD Chief 1900 (Bozoski) arrived on location and reported heavy fire conditions from a single story S/F/D. RE1911 was first due and stretched a 2½" and 1¾" for a defensive attack. Chief 1710 (S. Pratt) arrived and was assigned Operations. RE1712 (B. Pratt) and T1716 (D'Amico) were second and third due. RE1712 started a 5" lay from S. Pemberton Road to the scene. T1716 made it by the line and proceeded up to the scene to pick up the water supply for RE1911. Once that was established the crew hooked a 3" supply to L6825. The crew from T1716 went to Div C to assist with the fire attack and opening up. The crew from RE1712 stretched another line and worked the Div D side. The bulk of the fire was knocked down. Both companies made entry for overhaul operations. The crews returned to quarters around 09:30hrs.

Double Fatal House Fire

February 17^th - At approximately 04:30hrs Taskforce 172 (172, 171, 178, 179) 431, and E292 was dispatched to the intersection of S. Westminster and Huntington Drives for a dwelling. Chief 1710 (S.Pratt) was advised that a neighbor heard an explosion and now saw fire coming from a house. Chief 1710 arrived to report a working attached garage fire. Units from the Vincent Fire Company were first to arrive. Members entered the structure and removed one of the victims and handed that victim over to awaiting EMS units. The second victim was found later in the incident. Units were on location for many hours to assist the NJSP and County investigators. Unfortunately both victims were pronounced. The members extend their sympathy to the family and friends of the victim.

Media Link(s): NBC 10, CBS 3, Action News 6, PhillyFireNews

Door Pop on Big Hill Road

February 14^th - Just after 07:30hrs units were dispatched to RT 70 and Big Hill Road for a motor vehicle accident. Chief 4300 (Welling) arrived to find one vehicle into a tree that required a door pop. E1723 was first due and stretched a handline to standby for the rescue. RE1712 (D'Amico) arrived and went in service with the spreaders to remove the door. A tree also had to be removed to free the victim. R4399 was also on scene to assist with the recue operations. A4391 transported the patient to a local hospital with minor injuries. (PHOTOS COURTESY OF GEORGE GERBER, JR)

A New Era

February 12^th - For many years now the Vincent Fire Company has always met on every Tuesday night for training or meetings. This always meant we had staffing for at least two pieces of apparatus. We also held mandatory training on these nights which is not always convenient for volunteers who have family functions, travel for business, or work shift-work. In today's times where things are more scheduled then ever, it becomes harder and harder to drop whatever a member is doing to respond to an emergency incident.

With the help of some surrounding companies, Chief Pratt presented a duty crew program that would expedite responses, expand the training, and combine apparatus and equipment inspections into a structured plan.

Starting February 4^th the members are now providing in house staffing, Monday thru Thursday from 18:00 – 22:00hrs. During this time members are required to follow a guideline that includes inspections of different items each night, a set drill topic for the week, dinner and personal time for physical training or special projects. The inspections are now done by all members instead of the line officers. The officers are still responsible for repairs and to maintain the records. The same drill topic allows members to complete the training any night that is convenient to their schedule.

The program has been very successful the first week and we are progressing forward. There are future plans to include incident pre-planning of commercial buildings within Southampton Twp. If anyone has any questions about the program feel free to send us an email or call the station.

Working Trailer Fire

February 12^th - Task Force 172 (172, 171, 178, 179) and 431 (Medford Farms) were dispatched to the number block of New Road for a trailer on fire in the rear of the residence at 01:36hrs. Chief 1710 (S.Pratt), RE1712 (D'Amico) and E1723 all arrived at 01:44hrs to find a 5^th wheel camper converted to a single family dwelling with heavy fire showing from the front door and windows. Deputy Chief D'Amico found a door on the rear of the residence and this is where the crew entered for an interior attack. Captain Pratt and Lieutenant Allen advanced the line while D/C D'Amico split for primary search. E1723 picked up the water supply and setup horizontal ventilation. Q4314 was assigned search and to open up. T1716 (Heffernan) arrived 4^th due and assisted with overhaul operations. The incident was scaled back to 172 units at 02:43hrs to standby for the investigation.

All Companies in Lumberton

February 6^th - At 09:35hrs members were alerted to the number block of Adler Court in Lumberton Twp. E1311 arrived first due and stretched an 1¾" waterline to extinguish a laundry room fire. RE1712 (McElroy) arrived second due with 4 and layed out to a hydrant from E1311. The crew was then assigned to the interior for truck company operations. T1716 (D'Amico) was also on scene and assisted with overhaul operations.

Public Statement

February 5^th - The decision to not serve as a polling location was made in November due to the following factor. The main concern was the subjection of our fire suppression and rescue apparatus to the seasonal cold temperatures that are usually about us at this time of year. Unforeseeable damage to the water tanks and pumps caused by the freezing temperatures could have had catastrophic affects on the services we provide to the citizens of Southampton Township. Again, with the decision being made several months prior to today’s date, there was no way of foreseeing the unseasonably warm temperatures. We regret to have been the cause for any confusion as you attempted to vote in the primary.