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At approximately 0230 hrs this morning we were alerted by the sounds of a transformer fire in the 200 block of Rabbit Run Road. A call to 9-1-1 was made and Squrt 1331 was dispatched to investigate.

Upon arrival the Squrts crew found a downed primary line in front of 13 Black Latch Lane which is about 3/4 block from the transformer. The fire on Rabbit Run Road was well in progress and involved the pole and other utilities lines as well as the primary lines at this pole.

The crew from 1331 stood-by as a precaution until fire police units arrived and did extinguish a small fire that started on the tinder dry lawn of the affected residence. Power to that residence was out, and a 45 second power failure did occur in the general area.

Crews from PSEG and Verizon responded to make an assesment and start repairs. However three days later Station 13-8 has no FIOS Internet service and have had two calls and two crews respond for restoration of service.

All private home service was restored the same day except for one residence.

Hopefully Station 13-8 will get back its internet service soon.....

After release from the Mount Ephraim house fire at 2100 hrs, Rehab 13 units were requested by police agencies to respond to their emergency at the Route 73 overpass above Route 130 Southbound. Pennsauken Police along with NJSP units had a male individual threatening to jump from the bridge onto the Route 130 southbound lanes.

U1388 and U 1386 arrived first and started to supply cold liquids and chairs to the Fire, EMS, Medics, and Police personnel on scene. All fire units were under the overpass out of the view of the individual,

Upon rehab 13's arrival we positioned our unit ahead of a Pennsauken Police department cruiser in the NB high speed lane. Route 130 and Route 73 were shut down at the overpass ramps. Rehab members began preparing hot foods and cold liquids as this incident began at 1715 hrs when the individual left the scene of a motor vehicle crash and fled his car. He climbed onto the overpass bridge and stood on the supports of a roadway sign attached to the overpass. Police negotiators attempted to talk the individual down from the time they arrived until well into the night.

At about 2325 hrs the individual came out from behind the sign and worked his way across the concrete bridge edge - and let go and fell to the roadway. Medics immediately starting treating the individual and Pennsauken EMS transported the male to Cooper Trauma. Rehab 13 provided lighting on the north side of the scene.

At that time a heavy rain started and we were able to back under the overpass. Rehab 13 was  released shortly thereafter. Rehab units returned to station to re-supply for the next assignment. We were told Thursday morning that the outcome was not a good one for the individual that jumped. We were re-stocked and fueled and ready for service by 0130 hrs.

Due to the nature of this incident this unit took NO photos.

At approximately 1550 hrs Task Force 45 (Mount Ephraim) was dispatched to the report of a dwelling fire located in the 200 block of Hartka Avenue. Numerous calls were received for the incident. First arriving companies had a 2 1/2 story balloon wood frame single family dwelling with heavy fire showing on side D floor 1 - extending to floor 2 and the floor 3 level.

Companies stretched hand-lines to the front door and began an aggressive interior attack. Crews were down to floor level and were not able to advance due to the heavy fire, fuel load and deteriorating interior conditions. The fire went from an all hands to a second alarm almost immediately. Companies had to abandon the interior attack and went totally defensive.

Master streams from Quint 1-1, Squrt 2-1, and Ladder 7-3 (Westville) as well as multiple hand lines went in service to knock down the fire. Several collapse occurred during the fire fighting activities and the defensive mode had to continue until knock down.

Rehab 13 was dispatched on the 2nd alarm at 1611 hrs and responded to the scene with all apparatus and eight personnel. Once Rehab 13 was able to make fire-ground access we were set up next door to the fire building. We proceeded to assist MEPRI and Barrington EMS across the street from the fire and deployed the following equipment: 4 Kore Kooler Chairs,  10 folding chairs, (1) cool air mister, cold liquids, cooling towels and water/buckets/ gallons, light snack foods, and the rest room. Due to the extended nature of the operation the rest and recovery area was active well into the night.

During the Mount Ephraim assignment we received two additional calls for service, both involving police agencies. The first came from Gloucester Twp for a police emergency. As we could not leave the Mt. Ephraim job, this call was handled by Rehab 1 and Rehab 2 from Camden County.

A third request for service came in from Pennsauken PD and the NJSP and we were able to free up U1388 and U1386 to respond to this incident under the command of 13802 (Captain Beringer). Both units responded and upon arrival Rehab Command made an assessment and it was determined that Rehab 13 would be needed. At this time Mount Ephraim command released us to respond to the Pennsauken assignment.

Photos @ Mt Ephraim by Lt. J. Cundiff, Rehab 13 - and Curt Hudson as noted

At 0230 hrs on Thursday morning Station 29-1 Magnolia FD was dispatched along with EMS and Medics to the intersection of the White Horse Pike and Evesham Road for a motor vehicle crash. 2900 arrived on scene and had a dump truck with a full load of sand vs. a Ford mini-van. After impact the dump truck hit a PSE & G pole bringing down wires and with the truck's saddle tanks torn open, became fully involved. Also one driver was extricated during the incident.

Due to the primary wires down Chief 2900 requested additional help and the Foam Task Force with other mutual aid companies were sent. Due to the heavy weather in the area during the previous day PSE & G was delayed in getting to the scene due to the amount of calls they had to cover.

An 1 3/4" foam line was used to extinguish the fire in and around the dump truck. Due to the high temps and humidity Rehab 13 was requested for support at 0409 hrs and responded to the Walgreen's Parking Lot and set up a cooling station and provided cold liquids, coffee, rest room, and a cooling station.

Rehab was released at 0628 hrs and returned to quarters for re-supply.

Photos on scene by T. Kraft Acting Lt. Rehab 13 

Rehab 13 was requested for fire ground support at the "D" building located at 525 N. Newton Lake Drive, Collingswood at the Heights of Collingswood Hi Rise Apartment complex. The fire was located in the D Building on the 8th floor.

First arriving units led off with their apartment pack line from the standpipe and were able to access and knockdown a kitchen fire in the affected unit. A back up line was stretched as well. Removal of residents from the fire floor was given priority and the smoke conditions on the floor above was dealt with using mechanical ventilation.

Rehab 13 was requested at 2205 hrs and responded with 10 personnel and all apparatus and setup on N. Newton Lake Drive to the rear of Rescue 15-1. A liquid and cooling station was deployed at the front of Squad 16 (front of the fire building) and water, Gatorade, and cooling towels were distributed to fire fighters and occupants of the building.

A second rehab station was set up at Rehab 13 and chairs were deployed and light foods were given out as well as cold drinks and cooling towels.

This operation continued until our release at 0032 hrs by Command. U1388 was released from the fire ground at 2315 hrs. Upon return all units were replenished and placed back in service.

No civilian injuries or firefighters were injured and the fire is under investigation by the Camden County Fire Marshals Office at this time.

Photos by Lt. J. Cundiff of Rehab 13.

Rehab 13 was special called to provide support for a NJT Train vs. pick-up truck at Atlantic and Heights Avenue, Berlin Borough this afternoon in the 103 degree record heat. This request was received at 1245 hrs.

A civilian vehicle went around the gates and was hit by the locomotive and train and was carried 200 to 250 feet down the tracks until the train was able to stop and the truck rolled away and came to rest near the tracks.

Rehab 13 responded with all apparatus and set up a rest and recovery area for Fire, EMS, Police, and NJT personnel assigned to the accident investigation.

Rehab 13 was released at 1451 hrs.

Photos by J. Cundiff, Lt. Rehab 13

Rehab 13 was sent to Gloucester County to assist the Thorofare FD with the evacuation of  the elderly residents at the Manor Care Nursing Center located on Jessup Road.

Rehab members responded with Rehab 13 and U1386 and provided cols liquids, a cooling station, and light snack foods for the fire and EMS personnel moving the residents to other facilities.

An electric transformer for the facility failed and with no power there was no A/C and no support for some of the more critical care patients.

Once all residents were transferred to other locations Rehab 13 was released at 1744 hrs.

No photos were taken due to the nature of the incident.

U1386 was requested to assist the Cherry Hill Fire Department with lighting at the annual 4th of July event located and high school this evening.

The event went off without any technical difficulties and 1386 provided its light tower and telescoping lighting equipment at the end of the fire works display to check for unexploded fire works. One was found and was safely set off by the technicians that staged the display.

U1386 went available at 2219 hrs.

Photos by D. Colacicco Rehab 13

The task force assignment was dispatched this afternoon for a reported dwelling fire in the Sturbridge II Development off of Cooper Road. The fire was reported to be at #2 Simsbury Drive but was amended to #5 Simsbury after the arrival of the first unit on scene.

Companies reported a large area Wood frame SFD heavily involved top to bottom and front to back. Companies established a water supply and went in service with master streams from Ladder 22 (West Berlin) and Ladder 1344 (Cherry Hill) as well as multiple hand lines.

Due to the advanced stage of the fire upon arrival, all companies were defensive and most of the back half of the dwelling collapsed into the burning structure and eventually a partial collapse into the lower level walkout basement area.

Rehab 13 was notified at 1431 hrs and responded to the scene with all apparatus and 8 personnel. Rehab 13 set up at #10 Simsbury and deployed coolers, buckets, and towels to the A side of the fire building. A rest and recovery area was set up at Rehab 13, and more liquids were deployed to the C side of the building as well as to the personnel across the street at the EMS staging area. Rehab served liquids and provided light snack foods as well as the rest room facilities on 1385.

District 66 Command held us on scene until after the local demolition company arrived to aid in the origin and  cause investigation and to make the scene safe due to the unstable walls of the fire building.

Rehab 13 was released at 1924 hrs and returned to restore the apparatus.

The fire remains under investigation.

Photos by w. Beringer, L. Colacicco, J. Cundiff of Rehab 13