At approximately 0530hours, TF16, Engine 27, Quint 36, BLS, and RIT 312 were dispatched to the Garfield section of Willingboro for a dwelling fire with reported fire through the roof. RE1613 arrived and reported a two story SFD with a fully involved attached garage with heavy extension into the dwelling and established command. Engine 1613 blitzed the garage area with a monitor nozzle from a 2 1/2" attack line, Engine 1632 handled water supply, Tower Ladder 1615 performed truck functions, and Engine 27's crew made entry into the dwelling with an attack line with the crews from E1632 and Quint 3614. Faced with heavy fire conditions and a well advanced fire, the crews from all the units quickly extinguished the bulk of the fire and began overhauling the scene. RIT 31, RIT 90, E2311, and 3 BLS units were also on scene. Chief 1600 had the command. Burlington County FM151 is investigating the cause of the fire.

At approximately 0600 hours, Squad 2723 (Eckart) was disptched to a reported basement fire in Mount Holly on Ashurst Lane. SQ2723 was first due with smoke showing and an active fire in the basement. Crews advanced a 2 inch handline to the basement where they quickly extinguished the fire. Crews from Eastampton, Lumberton, Hainesport and Mount Holly assisted in ventilation, and overhaul.

Crews were on scene for approximately 2 hours before returning to the station.

During shift change briefing Sunday morning the Station along with Medic 31 were dispatched to the Spring Meadows development for a Pedestrian struck by a vehicle. BLS 2781, Medic 31, and SQ2723 were quickly en route and arrived to confirm the report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. The crew packaged the patient and transported the patient to a trauma center.

At 0700 hours Monday morning, the station along with Tower Ladder 161, Quint 361, and Engine 301 were dispatched to the Rolling Hills East development for a reported dwelling fire on Winstead Drive. A retired Westampton Police officer traveling on Springside Road noticed the smoke from the dwelling and pulled in and reported it, then alerted the adjoining neighbors. Upon arrival, SQ2723 reported smoke showing from the garage and roof area of a two story middle of the row and went into service with attack lines. L1615 and their crew assisted SQ2723 with forcing the garage door and locating the source of the fire. Quint 3614's crew arrived and performed the vertical ventilation to get the smoke and heat out of the garage. The fire was quickly extinguished and Burlington County FM151 was notified to respond for the investigation. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The crews were on scene for approximately one and half hours. The station also kept a crew in service to answer alarms while SQ2723 handled the cleanup.

Steve "Puffy" Morton a Virtua Paramedic died suddenly last Friday. All of us at Westampton Township Emergency Services would like to extend our deepest sympathy to his wife and family. Steve touched many of us here at WTES. He was always willing to teach, listen, and was always there to help when needed. He will be greatly missed.

The hot weather has not stopped the calls for service from coming in. At 115 pm the station was dispatched for a reported motor vehicle accident in the area of Burrs and and Hill Rd. Ambulance 2782 (Farnsworth) arrived to find a head on collision involving a school bus. Squad 2723 (Johnson) arrived and began to assist 2782 in determining if there were any injuries as five people total were involved in the accident. Fortunately no one was injured in this accident. At 6 pm the station was again dispatched to Willingboro for a reported building fire. Engine 2721 (Bowman) arrived second due and assisted Engine 1613 (Willingboro) with extinguishing the fire and supplied the scene with water. The crew remained on scene for about two hours.

On July 6th at approximately 3 pm the station was dispatched to the Spring Meadows section of town for a brush fire. Engine 2721 (Hykelma) and Ambulance 2781 (Capt. Augustino) responded to find a brush fire burning in the back of two yards. The crew quickly extinguished the fire with a forestry line. Just an hour later Engine 2721 responded to Willingboro for a reported house fire. Engine 1613 (Willingboro) and Quint 3614 (Mount Laurel) quickly extinguished the fire. Engine 2721 stood by at the hydrant and sent their crew forward to set up positive pressure ventilation and perform overhaul operations. While clearing up from the Willingboro call Engine 2721 was dispatched to another house fire in Willingboro. The crew arrived with Engine 1224 (Beverly) and found two fires on the siding of the house. Engine 2721s crew pulled the siding off of the house to assist in extinguishing the fire and also placed ladders to the second floor of the house. While operating in Willingboro the station was staffed with an ambulance and an additional engine if any other calls came in. The crew ended with over ten calls for the day.

At approximately 1330 hours,  Rescue 272 was dispatched to route 295 in the area of MM 51 for a motor vehicle accident with a reported entrapment. SQ27, as the opposite direction unit, responded and initially staged at exit 47 as per the current construction responses. Chief 1900 was in the area and advised central communications of the entrapment. AC4002 arrived and requested SQ27 to enter the highway to assist R4018 with the extrication. SQ2723 arrived with R4018 and together the crews removed the roof, two doors, and lifted the dash to extricate the driver for transport to a trauma center. Another victim was removed prior to arrival and was taken to a trauma center as well.
 

At approximately 1700hours SQ2723 (As part of Burlington County HAZMAT team) responded to a chemical plant in Fieldsboro for a burning drum of sulfur. The incident was initially detailed to the local fire departments that were alerted by an employee that pulled a fire alarm. Upon arrival the crews realized that it was a HAZMAT type incident and called for HAMMER-15. The crew worked as part of the HAZMAT response and assisted the local fire departments with mitigation of the incident. The crew was on scene for about an hour.

At approximately 1520 hrs, Mount Holly Fire, America EMS, and PD along with Medic 31 and Rescue 272 were dispatched to the area of 79 Washington St. for a subject in the water.  The juvenile in the water was having trouble keeping his head above water in the swift moving water.  Units arrived to find the patient up against the wall trying to cling to the concrete side.  Mount Holly police arrived and threw the patient a small rope to keep him to the side and in place. Squad 2723 arrived and split the crew.  Several members made their way to the victim and the Police Officers with a bag of rope and life vests to complete the rescue.  The driver and officer repositioned SQ2723 to gain access through a fence for fast removal of the victim if necessary.  The pt. was assisted by two Mount Holly PD officers that entered the water with him to assist the juvenile with staying above water.  Mount Holly PD, EMS, and Squad 2723 assisted the patient and two officers up the side wall and to safety.

Engineer William Heil from FM Global awarded the WTES a grant check in the amount of $2,000. The money assisted in the purchase of a new automated Sparky mascot which will be used to teach fire prevention throughout our communities.

Westampton Township Emergency Services is proud to announce the Township Committee has approved a resolution to enter into a shared services agreement with the Eastampton Fire District #1 to provide Eastampton Township with Emergency Medical Services. The agreement takes effect July 1, 2010 and continues through April 1, 2012. This agreement is definitely a mutual gain for both Townships. The residents of Eastampton will be provided with consistent Emergency Medical Services from our organization and the Township of Westampton will gain revenue from the Emergency Medical Services billing for transports to hospitals. In the economic climate that the Federal, State, County and Local governments are experiencing it is evident that "Shared" services is the most fiscally responsible way to improve services. Our organization is grateful to the Eastampton Fire District #1 and the Westampton Township Committee for the opening this opportunity to provide the residents of the two Townships service and look forward to the future the Westampton Township Emergency Services and Eastampton Fire Rescue will have together.

(attached to this article is the link to the Press release from the Eastampton Fire District #1)

A couple hours after midnight the crews were dispatched for their second dwelling fire of the shift. The incident occurred in the Rolling Hills development. Squad 2723 (Fyler) responded to the dwelling fire. The resident was using oil to cook on the stove. Walking away for only a moment, the fire quickly spread from the pan to the wall, cabinets, and ceiling. The residents had a fire extinguisher, but it was not out of the plastic wrapping yet. Quick thinking by one of the residents who ran outside and got the garden hose. Crews arrived checking for any extension and assisting in the ventilating the home. Fire Prevention Tip: While cooking on the stove always have a proper size lid next to the pot. In case of flare up, you are able to cover the pot and turn off the gas. Driver: Eckart, Officer: Fyler, Water: Nusspickel, Tools: Shaw

WTES crews respond to a dwelling fire in District 34 Eastampton Township early Saturday night. Chief 3400 had command of the incident. Engine 3413 and Engine 2723 (Fyler) arrived on location with a heavy smoke condition coming from the residence. 

Crews made entry to the home. The homeowner stated it was in the front bedroom. Crews discovered a partially burnt mattres that was extinguished. Ventilation was performed to assist in removing the smoke from the house.

Crews then assisted in clean up of the apparatus and equipment. Engine 2723 was back in service within an hour and a half.

Driver: Eckart, Officer: Fyler, Water: Nusspickel, Tools: Baalman and Shaw

In the midst of the numerous calls being dispatched, Assistant Chief 3902 added Squad 2723 and Engine 5012 to Broad Street where a house was struck by lightning with a smoke condition inside the residents. Squad 2723 arrived on location and investigated the house along with Engine 3912 and Engine 5012. While on location, a second house was struck by lightning in the Hainesport Chase development. Chief 3900 detailed Squad 2723 and Engine 5012 to that incident. Upon arrival at the house Squad 2723 (DC Farnsworth) had fire in the "B" side of the house up in the attic area. Crews took a 1-3/4" handline to the attic where the fire was quickly extinguished. Crews from Engine 3912, Engine 3412, and Engine 5012 assisted with pulling siding and ventilating the home. The fire was held to the attic with a little water and smoke damage to the 2nd floor of the house. A great job by all on location.

Crews began the storm with a transformer being struck by lightning on Route 541. Soon after the rush of calls began. Crews had two alarm system calls, two homes in Hainesport that were struck by lightning, two EMS calls, and two MVA on the New Jersey Turnpike. A special thanks to America Emergency Squad, Mount Holly Fire Department, and Burlington Township Fire Department for assisting us during the storm.