Tuesday, July 27, 2010-A warm summer evening was perfect for members to work on some parts of their Annual Performance Tests. Crews headed out to Nehaunsey Middle School to practice ladder and tool lifting skills. Ground ladders were raised on the “D “ side of the school, while 2116’s ladder was placed on the “C/D” corner. Members had to raise a ladder, foot it and climb to the first roof. Once on the roof, rope bags were sent down to awaiting crews. The crews tied a 20 foot ladder, a saw, pike poles and an ax to the ropes. The roof crew slowly pulled the tools up. Then the crews had to raise the ladder ladder and repeat the task using the remaining tools. Ladder 2116 was used as a tool lifting station.   Thank you to Lieutenants Rob Cella and Greg Speakman for supervising the drill.

Station 21-1 & District 17 held a joint drill to review the new State Highway Safety Operations that are now mandated by the State. Mike Gallagher from the State Division of Fire & Safety gave the presentation and answered all questions on the new protocols that will help State Police and Fire Departments as well as EMS work more efficiently and safely while working on all state highways, Proper placement of apparatus on the and staging was discussed. These protocols will ensure that throughout the state of NJ that all First Responders will work as one and cause less injuries while working on the highway. Thank you to District 17 for hosting the drill and refreshments that were served after the drill. Also a special thanks goes to Mike Gallager for taking the time to educate both departments on these procurers.

Station 21-1 as well as units from Station 6-1, District 18 and 19, and GCEMS responded shortly before 5pm to a reported Dwelling fire on the 400 block of Thompson Ave in Paulsboro, (Dist 17). Upon the Arrival of 17-02, hereported Working Fire on the 2nd floor of the home and everybody was out safely. He also ordered the fast team from Station 25-1. Engine 1721 was first apparatus on location and was ordered to pull an 1¾  line and advance to the second floor.  Ladder 2116 was next on location and crew of was split into 2 teams. Team 1 assisted with fire suppression with the crew from 1721 and the 2nd team went into service with 2116 and laddered the home in case ventilation through the roof was needed.  The fire was knocked down quickly by crews and Hydraulic ventilation was used to clear most of the smoke and heat from the residents, Crews also worked quickly to use salvage covers to cover furniture on the first floor to prevent damage.  The County Fire Marshal was called into investigate the cause of the fire. The fire is still under investigation. Thank  you to Gary Stevenson for pictures.

Erik Bendl, better known as “World Guy”, passed through Gibbstown during the early afternoon hours of Friday. Attached to him was a huge ball which was decorated as the earth and his dog Nice who was walking by his side. Erik was on a mission to travel from Kentucky to Maine. Once he passed by the firehouse he told us he was completing this walk to raise awareness for diabetes. Once Erik made us aware of this we knew we had to spread his message. While posing for a few quick pictures and letting Nice (the dog) relax on the engine bay floor, Erik told us about his many journeys and advised us of his website. We would like to encourage everyone to check out his website and to wish Erik and Nice the best of luck. Visit www.worldguy.org to view his blogs and his heroic journeys.

The Gibbstown Fire Department would like to congratulate firefighter Mitchell for this achievment. Shane will be working for the North Wildwood Police Department as a class II officer. We would like to wish him the best of luck.

Several homes in the township are now equipped with a fire extinguisher. If you have one in your home and would like to learn the proper techniques on how to operate it, feel free to contact us or stop by any Tuesday night after 6:30PM.

Station 21-1 was dispatched for a reported dwelling fire on Ashton Dr. Chief Chew arrived on scene first and confirmed a working kitchen fire. Ladder 2116 arrived only minutes later. Crews placed a hand line in service and quickly knocked the fire out. Tender 2111 was second on location and fed 2116 water. One of the occupants was treated by GCEMS for smoke inhalation. After speaking to the residents Chief Chew was informed that the family just practiced a fire drill the day prior to the fire. Due to the drill all of the children evacuated the house quickly and met at their meeting point. Anyone interested in learning how to plan a fire drill please contact the fire department and someone will help you as soon as possible.  Other companies on location included Paulsboro FD, Life Support and GC EMS.

The famous Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile was visited by some of the members of the department while in town. Members posed for pictures, ate hotdogs, and allowed the town residents to check out the ladder truck.

Station 21-1 was dispatched into Paulsboro for a structure fire extending into a house. Paulsboro Chief Giampola struck the second alarm prior to arrival. Paulsboro Engine 1721 and Ladder 2116 arrived simultaneously and crews stretched the line through the front door to extinguish the fire in the rear room of the dwelling.

Special Thanks to Josh Smith for providing the pictures.

Station 21-1 was dispatched into Paulsboro for a reported warehouse fire at the Railroad Construction complex. On arrival, 2116 assumed command and stretched a hand line for precaution. Crews from 2116 and Paulsboro’s engine 1721 made access to the warehouse which was charged with smoke and found a small fire which was contained to a couple boxes on a pallet. The fire was contained by employees prior to the arrival of the fire department. One worker at the facility was treated by GCEMS for burns.  The cause of the fire is under investigation by the GC Fire Marshal’s Office.