Mission Statement:

        The mission of the Mantua Township Fire District No. 1 is to serve our citizens when an emergency occurs. We will respond safely and quickly with trained, skilled, and compassionate members, and using the best available equipment, neutralize or reverse any situation of those in need. We will continue aggressive planning and response preparation, and will strive to prevent the need for our emergency services through education and community interaction. Our services shall be delivered by a dedicated family of members committed to exceeding the needs and expectations of those we serve anytime, any place, any need.  

     On Monday, August 30, 2010 at 1434 hours, Members from the Mantua Township Fire District along with Career Quint 9-46 and Career Rescue 9-38 were dispatched to Route 55 at Mile Marker 56 Northbound for a reported Motor Vehicle Crash with Entraptment.  While enroute companies were advised by Gloucester County Communications that State Police was on location reporting three injuries and confirming two patients still trapped in the vehicle. 

     Squad Company 22-18 arrived first due and immediately went to work extricating the front seat passenger.  A quick door displacement was accomplished and the patient was turned over to EMS on scene.  Once the front seat passenger was extricated, District 9 Career firefighters had arrived on scene and began assisting with patient packaging and removal as well as extricating the driver's side rear passenger.  Once the rear door was displaced company assisted EMS with removing the rear passenger and clean-up was initiated.  Once the assignment was wrapped up, companies were cleared from the highway and available within thirty minutes.  All three patients were transported by Gloucester County EMS and Deptford Township ESU to Cooper Trauma Center for evaluation.

Units on scene:  Squad Company 22-18, Rescue Company 9-38, Quint 9-46, FM-22 and FM-9.

On Saturday, August 28, 2010 Tender 22-14 was dispatched to the Township of Woolwich for a Second Alarm Dwelling Fire. Tender 22-14 arrived and dumped a single load of water into the drafting pond while the remainder of the crew was sent to the Manpower pool and deployed to overhaul the second floor. Once the fire was 22-14 returned to the district without incident.

     On Sunday, August 22, 2010 at 1606 hours members of the Woodbury Fire Department were dispatched to 401 S. Evergreen Avenue, the Colonial Park Apartments for a reported All Hands Dwelling Fire.  While en route Chief 501 was advised by Gloucester County Communications  that they were receiving reports of numerous people trapped on the third and fourth floors.  Squad Company 22-18 responded immediately with a crew of nine, and arrived as the third due piece of apparatus.

     Upon the arrival of 22-18, the crew from Quint 5-16 was making an interior attack, where they had rescued numerous victims from the fourth floor of the building.  The crew from 22-18 was advised by Command to immediately go to work and bypass their rapid intervention assignment.  The Squad Company gained access to the fourth floor where the crew was split to assist with search and rescue and assist with fire suppression.  Crews deployed both high rise packs from 22-18 and assisted members of 5-16's crew with finding the seat of the fire. 

     Once a water supply was established to the standpipe and the high rise packs were deployed, Quint 5-16's crew had found the fire in room 441 and a line was stretched into the fire room.  Squad Company 22-18's crew assisted 5-16's crew with making a quick knock on the fire and removing the remainder of the victim's from the fourth floor.  Once the fire was brought under control and ventilated, crews began overhaul of the fire room and salvaging the remainder of the unaffected rooms. 

     After a quick rehab, Squad Company 22-18's crew was placed back into service assisting with the evacuation of the remainder of the residents.  Once all of the residents were safely evacuated crews were released from the scene by command with no firefighter injuries to report.

     Members of the Mantua Township Fire District would like to acknowledge the members of the Woodbury Fire Department for their Heroic and Efficient rescue efforts while operating on such a major incident.

On Friday, August 20, 2010 MEMBERS OF THE mantua Township Fire District were dispatched to Route 55 Nothbound at the 53 Milemarker for a reported MVC with entraptment and fire. Squad Company 22-18 responded immediately with a crew of six and arrived to find a two car MVC with one vehicle overturned and on fire. Squad Company 22-18's crew was split for fire suppression and providing medical assistance. Crews assisted with packaging and removing two patients and the balance of the assignment was handled by Squad Company 22-18. Crews remained on location for approximately a half hour assisting NJSP with investigation and highway maintenance. Pictures by Gloucester County EMS

     On Thursday, August 12, 2010 Members of the Mantua Township Fire District were dispatched into Salem County to assist with a 3 alarm structure fire.  Engine Company 22-11 responded with a crew of four, and were assigned to water supply upon their arrival.  The company remained on location for approximately 4 hours until they were released by command.

     On Sunday, August 8, 2010 at 1624 hours District 22 was dispatched into East Greenwich Township to assist with a Working House fire at 1101 Royal Crescent Court.  Squad Company 22-18 responded in less than one minute, with a crew of three.  The Squad Company arrived Second Due and the crew was immediately put to work.  Engine Company 22-13 arrived third due and also assisted with extinguishment an overhaul.

     Crews remained on location for approximately one half hour, assisting crews with salvage and overhaul.  The fire was quickly brought under control by the crew from Engine Company 19-12, and the remainder of the assignment was released with no fire fighter injuries reported.

The following list of members are scheduled for their two year NFPA Physical.  Each member must complete their physical with Dr. Wax by December 31, 2010.  Any questions please contact Chief Schmidt regarding this matter.

Members:

• Robert Adler
• William Beckett
• John Boyle
• George Crew
• Brian Hauss
• Daniel Hauss
• Matt Heston
• Kevin Howarth
• Chuck Jones Jr.
• Chuck Jones Sr.
• John Kustner
• John Norris
• Pat Robinson
• Joseph Schmidt
• Nick Vacarino
• Rod Warner

     On Friday July 16, 2010 at approximately 1738 hours members of the Mantua Township Fire District along with Quint 28-16 and Engine 28-32 were dispatched to 47 Cape May Ave for a reported dwelling fire.  Chief 2201 arrived on location to find a 2 1/2 story single family dwelling with light smoke showing from division C.  Engine Company 22-12 staffed with Casual Help Crew members arrived within two minutes, and a single 1 3/4" handline was stretched by Probationary Firefighter Shawn Layton, and the Engine was supplied by Squad Company 22-18.  The Engine company made entry thru division C and found an active fire in the Kitchen. 

     Interior Crew made a quick knock on the fire containing the fire to the cabinets and stove area of the kitchen.  Once the fire was brought under control crews began checking the remainder of the dwelling with thermal imaging, which revealed negative results.  Crews then performed Salvage and overhaul of the residence, remaining on location for approximately one hour with no firefighter injuries reported. 

Units on location: Chief 2201, Engine Companies 22-12, 22-13, 28-32, Squad Company 22-18 and Quint 28-16.

Photos Courtesy of our friend Constatine Sypsomos.

     On Sunday, July 11, 2010 at 2100 hours, Members of the Mantua Township Fire District were dispatched to 429 Woodbury Glassboro Road for a reported Alarm System.  While enroute Captain 2203 and FM 22 were advised by Gloucester County Communications that the alarm company was reporting numerous activations.  Engine Company 22-12 responded quickly with a crew of four, followed closely by Squad Company 22-18 with a crew of three.

     Captain 2203 and Engine Company 22-12 arrived simultaneously and reported nothing showing.  Command was established and crews began a systematic investigation of the exterior of the building.  During the investigation crews detected the strong odor of an electrical fire coming from a door on the Delta Division.  Crews then stretched a single 1 3/4" handline and forced the door, where they were met with a light smoke condition.  A further investigaiton found black smoke on the Bravo Division of the interior of the structure.  Command then requested Quint 28-16 to the scene as well as R.I.C. 10-3 due to interior's report.  During a further investigation crews found an active fire in the ladies room, and made a quick knock on the blaze.  Once the fire was brought under control, crews performed salvage and overhaul of the building and a further investigation revealed negative results.

     Investigation was performed by Fire Marshal Lamana, and the cause is currently under investigation. 

Units on location: Captain 2203, FM 22, Engine Companies 22-12, 22-13, Squad Company 22-18, and Quint 28-16.

     On Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at 0917 hours Crew from Mantua Township Fire District were dispatched to the City of Woodbury for a reported Dwelling fire.  Squad Company 22-18 responded quickly with a crew of four acting as the Rapid Intervention Crew.  Upon arrival, crews took a position on Division D, where they established a safe working area.  Once the fire was brought under control the company was utilized to perform overhaul due to extreme heat conditions. 

     On Friday, June 25, 2010 at 1152 hours Squad Company 22-18 was dispatched once again to the City of Woodbury to the Sunnoco Gas Station for a reported building fire.  The company responded quickly with a crew of six.  Upon arrival companies established a safe working area on Divison A.  Once the fire was brought under control the company was released with no fire fighter injuries to report.

     On Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 1656 hours Members of the Mantua Township Fire District and Station 28-1 were dispatched to 568 Lambs Road, The Struthers and Dunn Building, for a reported building fire.  Engine Company 22-12 responded quickly with a crew of 6 and was advised by Gloucester County Communications that EMS Supervisor 8200 was on locaton reporting the structure to be well involved, with fire throughout the front building.  With this report Deputy Chief 2202 (Beckett) struck the second alarm.

     Crew from 22-12 arrived first due and laid a supply line going into a defesnive operation immediately upon arrival.  The crew from Quint 28-16 set up master stream operations on the A-B corner of the structure, while Second Due Ladder Tower 22-16 set up on the A-D corner of the structure.  Command then requested an additional Ladder Tower into the scene as well as the third alarm, brininging in Ladder Tower 26-16, Rescue Company 7-38 and Quint  23-16 into the Job. 

     Due to the fact that the building was a vacant structure and structurally unsound, it was determined to surround all four corners of the structure with ladder pipes to contain the fire to the building of origin and keep from auto exposing to its exposures to the rear. Shortly after it was determined that Four Aerial Units were needed to keep the fire from auto exposing to the rear buildings as well as attempting to extinguish the blaze.  Command set up Ladder Tower 26-16 on the A-B corner, Quint 28-16 on the B-C corner, Quint 23-16 on the C-D corner and Ladder Tower 22-16 on the A-D corner.  Once all Aerial Units were in place, a command decision was made to allow the roof to fall in allowing for a more efficient extinguishing technique.

     Crews operated on scene for approximately five hours extinguishing the blaze until the incident was brought under control.  Once the fire was brought under control crews remained on scene for approximately two more hours mopping up the scene.  The fire is currently under investigation by members of the Gloucester County Fire Marshal's office, Gloucester County Prosecutor's office, and Mantua Township Detective Bureau.

Units on location: Chiefs 2202, 28-302, 701, Engine Companies 22-12, 22-13, 28-32, 28-31, 28-11, 28-22, Ladder Towers 22-16, 26-16, Quints 28-16, 23-16, Squad Company 22-18, Rescue Company 7-38, R.I.C. 10-38, 10-34, 5-16, Cascade 23-28, as well as Canteen 9.  The surrounding areas were covered by Taskforce 3604. 

Photos by: Rich Moulder (PFN) and New Jersey Fire

     On Friday, May 21, 2010 members of the Pitman Fire Department and the Mantua Township Fire District were dispatched to 521 Highland Terrace for a reported dwelling fire.  Command officers from District 28 arrived and confirmed a working fire.  Squad Company 22-18 responded quickly with a crew of four.

     The Squad company arrived fourth due, and were assigned to establish a rapid intervention crew on the Division D side of the dwelling.  The Crew from Quint 28-16 had arrived and made quick work of the fire with a single 1 3/4" line.  Squad Company 22-18 remained on location for approximately 45 minutes establishing a safe working area with no firefighter injuries were reported.

Personnel Announcement

Effective May 21, 2010 Dan Hauss and Matt Heston are promoted to Lieutenant assigned to Union Ave Station. Dan and Matt will report to Captain Norris, all members should benefit from Dan and Matt dedication in making Mantua Township Fire District a premier department in the state.

Chief Schmidt

MTFD

     On Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 1912 hours members of the Mantua Township Fire District along with Pitman Fire Company Number One were dispatched to 649 Pierre Ave for a reported Dwelling Fire.  Engine Company 22-13 arrived first due and reported smoke showing from division a.  Crew from Engine 22-13 stretched a single 1 3/4" hand line to the front door, while the crews from Engine Company 22-12 and Ladder Company 22-16 established a water supply and began ventilation. 

     Crew from 22-13 reported an active fire in the laundry room, and made a quick knock on the fire.  Once the fire was brought under control, Command held the assignment to Quint 28-16 and District 22.  Crews remained on location for approximately 45 minutes performing overhaul and salvage tactics of the dwelling.  The fire is under investigation by the Mantua Township Fire Marshal's office.

Units on location:  Chiefs 2201, 2202, Engine Companies 22-13, 22-12, Ladder Company 22-16, Quint 28-16, Tender 22-14, Brush Truck 22-15, Utility 22-19 as well as FM 22.