Friday, October 12, 2012

Busy September for CHFD C-Platoon


HAZMAT at Supermarket
On September 4th just after 0900 hrs. , S31, E22 & L44 were dispatched to the address listed for a “Fire Alarm Activation” in a Supermarket. S31 arrived and reported a smoke condition in the rear from the basement area. Upon further investigation it was determined that it was not smoke but a vapor cloud from a large Freon leak. Hazmat 13 was requested to respond along with the County Health Department. Hazmat Specialists entered the basement and were able to secure the leak. A special call for MVU-1 was placed to assist in venting the vapor cloud from the basement.  

Lighting Strike Causes Office Building Fire
On September 4th just after 1400 hrs TL-24 was dispatched to 1114 Wynwood Ave for the fire alarm. On arrival it was reported by building occupants, that the building was struck by lighting and they had a smoke condition. While isolating the issue in this building, an adjacent building owner reported he also had smoke in his unit. TL24’s crew investigated this building and found an electrical issue due to the lighting strike. While completing the investigation in these two building TL-24’s crew heard the “Waterflow Alarm” sounding in a vacant building at 1200 Haddonfield Rd. When they investigated this alarm they found a smoke condition in the 2 story building with the sprinkler system activated. TL-24’s crew requested a Box Assignment be transmitted and they attempted to find the source of the smoke. They found a fire in the Electrical Room being contained by the sprinkler system. The assignment was handled with 2 engines and 1 ladder. The area could not be completely overhauled until PSEG arrived due to the fire involving the electrical service for the building.



Serious Motor Vehicle Accident with Ejection
On September 13th R13, Sq13, 1393 & 96, Medic 44 & 35, and B13 were dispatched to Rt 295 @ 33.6 mm for a MVA/Rescue Assignment. On arrival R13’s officer found a 2 car MVA with 1 ejected and 1 unconscious. They were not trapped, so crews assisted EMS with packaging the patients. Both patients were transported by CHFD EMS and Medics to Cooper Trauma Center.

Barn Fire
On September 15th a Structural Box Assignment was dispatched for the area of “Kresson Rd & Heartwood Dr.” for a reported barn fire. SQ13 arrived at 1001 Kresson Rd with a detached garage 20’ x 40’ with fire showing from Division A. Crews placed 2 handlines and a Blitzfire line in operation to extinguish the fire. The garage had a large amount of contents and debris in it which caused an extended overhaul operation. While crews were fighting the fire other members were busy trying to secure a horse and dogs that were running loose in the area of the fire. We used 3 engines and 2 ladders to extinguish the fire. It was placed under control at the 25 minute mark.
 

3-Alarm Dwelling Fire
Lastly, on September 17th at 1721 hrs. crews were dispatched to a reported “Dwelling Fire” in the area of Garden Park Blvd and Preakness Dr. The Cherry Hill Fire Department was dispatched to the area of Garden Park Blvd and Preakness Ct. for a report of a dwelling fire. CHFD responded with three engines, one ladder, one battalion chief and an ambulance. While crews were en route County fire radio reported that they were receiving numerous calls for a dwelling "fully Involved" and the possibility of people trapped. Ladder 1324 was the first to arrive and reported a middle of the row condo unit fully involved and requested a second alarm be dispatched. Battalion 13 arrived two minutes later and had heavy fire conditions from the first and second floors as well as the attic of the primary dwelling. Fire was extending left and right into the exposure dwellings. Battalion 13 requested the third alarm.  S51 set-up on  the A/D corner and placed their Blitzfire monitor and Squirt in-service. Squirt 51's officer operated as the Division D sector officer. L24 was given Sector B exposures to check for fire extension and occupants. E22 & E32 established additional supply lines from separate hydrants. E22 & 32 deployed two Blitzfire monitors in Division A and a hand line to support operations in Division B. E32 also supplied L24 with water for their ladder pipe in Division B/C. Capt. Callan was assigned as the Division C sector officer. SQ13 establish a water supply in Division C and deployed a Blitzfire monitor, they also supplied L44's ladder pipe in Division A/B. E1191 & Ladder 16 worked in Division D exposure ensuring no fire spread. E3621 was assigned the RIC function on the fireground.  Battalion 13 assumed Division A sector officer. DC Giorgio assumed command. FM Shemeley was assigned as the Water Supply Officer. We continued this operation until all visible fire was knocked down. After the majority of the fire was darkened, we switched to working hand lines from Division A and C. Ladder 44 was repositioned to the front of the dwelling (1518) and the ladder pipe was used to overhaul 1516 & 1518 due to poor structural conditions. The origin of the fire is the mulch to the rear of unit 1518 per Chief Fire Marshal Shemeley.
Photos courtesy of John Axford