It is with great sadness that the Deer Park Fire Company/Rehab 13 announces the untimely passing of former member and fire fighter/engineer Mark A. Smith. "Smitty" as he was known to most was a member of Station 13-8 from 1975 through 1982. He was a fixture at the "Cropwell Station" and was one of the first of the over night duty crew members when Deer Park Fire Company Stations 13-3 and 13-8 started its sleep-in program in 1974 to ease the burden on the rest of the members from responding in the middle of the night for alarm systems, vehicle fires, and other non-structure type fires.

Mark took the time to qualify on all fire company apparatus and he attained the rank of "Engineer" when completed. He left Deer Park Fire to return to college and got his R.N. from Jefferson Nursing School and later became a nursing instructor for Lincoln Educational Services of Mount Laurel, NJ.

Mark was an excellent fire fighter and competent apparatus driver and operator. Mark was a good friend and we had spoken recently about his possible return to the Deer Park Fire Company Rehab unit. None of us at Deer Park had any idea he was ill. The news of his death was quite a shock and was not expected.

Mark "Smitty" Smith, go easy brother, knowing that you will be missed and knowing that there are other DPFC brothers waiting for you in heaven. 

Someday we'll all be together again waiting for the next alarm.

Services for Mark will be held Tuesday evening September 7th, 2010 at the Constantino Funeral Home, 231 W. White Horse Pike, Berlin, NJ - 08009.

Viewing at 7 PM, with a service to follow at the funeral home at 8 pm. In lieu of flowers please make contributions in Mark's name to the Myelodys Plastic Syndromes Foundation c/o the Funeral Home. 

Photos of Mark Smith by members of the Deer Park Fire Company and are not to be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the Deer Park Company for any use other than this website.

At 1040 hrs the Task Force Box was dispatched for the dwelling located on the 100 block of Woodland Avenue, Barrington. Command arrived with a 1 1/2 story wood frame with heavy fire showing from Side A and extending. Companies made an aggressive interior attack and place multiple hand-lines in serivice to achieve knockdown while both primary and secondary searched proved negative. The (2) occupants of the house were found safe.

At 2338 hrs Rehab 13 was sent to provide rehab support on the fire-ground and responded with 8 personnel and two apparatus directly adjacent to the fire building. Upon arrival cold liquids and a cooling station were set up and hot liquids and light snack foods were provided for those members in need.

Rehab was released at 0121 hrs to return and re-supply for the next assignment. Units were ready at 0215 hrs.

Fire-ground photos courtesy Lt. Jeff Cundiff, Rehab 13.

At 0311 hrs a vacant dwelling fire in Paulsboro, Gloucester County required support from Rehab 13. This 2 1/2 story wood frame balloon constructed SFD was heavily involved upon arrival of  Command  1700.

Due to the nature of the structure an exposure line was stretched first as a vacant dwelling to the B side of the original fire building became an exposure from the heavy fire showing in the original fire building. First due Engine was 1721, Billingsport FD.

Additional hand lines were stretched, two LDH water supplies were established, and a Ladder stream were also placed in service to achieve knockdown of the large amount of fire.

Rehab 13 and U 1386 arrived with (4) personnel and proceeded up Buck Street to within 50' of the fire building. As is protocol for Level I rehab support, cold liquids and cooling towels were provided, rest room was opened, and hot beverages and light snack foods were served.

Rehab 13 was released at 0540 hrs and returned to station to re-supply and regroup. This was the busiest 24 hr period in our 7 year history as a Rehab Company. Could it have been the full moon?

Photos by Lt. J. Cundiff of Rehab 13 and Constantine Sypsomos, GCEMS

Around 2130 hrs this evening while returning from a mid rise fire in Woodbury, Rehab 13 was dispatched to the 1000 block of E. Kings Highway, West Deptford to assist on a SFD fire. Rehab 13 made it to within 3 blocks of quarters and drove through the station to grab supplies and responded to the 2nd job of the day. I believe this AM there was a full moon.

Rehab 13 and U1386 responded with 7 personnel and arrived next door to the fire building and went in service with cold and hot liquids, a cooling station, as well as the rest room; and set up folding chairs along with Gloucester County EMS. Light snack foods were also provided.

We were released from this assignment at 0050 hrs and while enroute from West Deptford we were contacted by Camden County Communications and due to the distance that we had to travel to get back to our county, Rehab 1 and 2 were sent to Pennsauken this third  request for service during this time period.

Photos by Lt. J. Cundiff - Rehab 13, and Constatine Sypsomos, GCEMS

The fire Department of the City of Wood bury (Gloucester County Seat) requested the response of Rehab 13 today at 1727 hrs at the Colonial Park Apts. This is a large mid-rise building for senior citizens. Heavy fire and smoke were showing from the top floor of the mid rise structure upon arrival of fire department units, A second alarm was requested upon arrival due to of multiple occupants having difficulty getting out of the fire building.

Rehab 13 was dispatched and responded with a total of 6 personnel and two units to the scene. Upon rehab's arrival we assisted with a rest and recovery area along side EMS units with a cooling station, cold and hot liquids, and rest room. Many of the buildings residents were taken by bus to a nearby vacant store. Rehab 13 also responded to the remote site and along with the Red Cross provided liquids and a safe area while food and beverages were served.

Rehab was released from the scene at 2047 hours and before reaching quarters were toned out for another assignment in Gloucester County.

Photos taken by J. Cundiff, Rehab 13 and Constantine Sypsomos, GCEMS.

On Saturday morning August 21, 2010 Rehab 13 was honored to provide assistance to Chief Richard Wright and the Pine Hill Fire Department Station 62 for the funeral for past Chief James O'Neil of the former Eagle Fire Company Station 625.

Many of you old timers may still remember that at one time Pine Hill had three independent volunteer fire companies that provided fire protection for their town. Besides the current Station 62 (former Station 626) Pine Hill's third company was the Amber Terrace Company (former Station 624) that merged several years ago to form the Pine Hill Fire District.

Rehab 13 provided hot and cold beverages and 12 dozen donuts (special request) from the L & M Bakery in Delran, NJ.

Photos by T. Kraft, Acting Lt. Rehab 13.

At 1412 hrs this date 1100 requested the response of Rehab 13 to the unit block of Frosthoffer Avenue near Rt. 130 for a twin wood frame dwelling fire. Companies had a basement fire that was declared an all hands by command shortly after arrival.

Companies made forcible entry in the rear and made a quick knock down of the fire while primary and secondary searches were conducted and it was confirmed that the house was not occupied.

Rehab 13 and U1386 approached from the Highland Avenue side and set up 2 houses down from the fire building. A hydration station and cooling area were set up directly in front of the fire building to the side of Ladder 1194. Rehab 13's rest room was utilized and some light snack foods were set out.

Command released Rehab 13 @ 1539 hrs and members left MVP and bottled water for the remainder of the overhaul crew and the Camden County FM's office that are investigating the fire.

Photos by D. Casey of Rehab 13.

Story and photos will follow soon.

At 2003 hrs this evening Command 850 requested Rehab 13 for support service on the unit block of Del Sol Place off of Sicklerville Road for a townhouse fire.

First arrving units had fire and smoke showing from the laundry room of this twin home. Companies on scene 1st due had a laundry room involved and make a quick knockdown with searches negative for occupants.

Rehab personnel responded with Rehab 13 and U1386 with 5 members and arrived on scene right next door to the fire building and provided a cooling station, cold liquids, and light foods to the members operating.

Rehab 13 was released at 2127 hrs and returned to station to restore the apparatus.

Photos by J, Cundiff, Lt. Rehab 13.

At 1825 hrs this evening Rehab 13 was alerted to respond to the "all hands" fire located in Station 11-1's local for a SFD fire. Companies had a fire in the kitchen of a bi-level wood frame.

Rehab 13 and U1386 responded with 6 personnel and set-up a cooling and hydration station to the A side of the fire building. Cold drinks, towels, and light snack foods were provided.

Rehab 13 was released at 1939 hours as the job was placed under control quickly by Pennsauken Fire Fighters.

Photos by B. Meany and Lt. J. Cundiff of Rehab 13.