FIRE DISTRICT 3

                  NEWS 

IN THE PRESS

Aldrich Rd MVA sends one to Hospital

MARCH 23 09:55 hours - Jackson Fire District 3, Sta. 55 firefighters responded this morning to a one car motor vehicle accident on Aldrich Rd near the Howell-Jackson Twp. bridge. The women driver lost control of the vehicle striking and snapping a utility pole in two finally coming to rest on the bridges guardrail. Jackson firefighter-EMT's performed first aid and stabilized the victim until Howell Twp EMS arrived to transport the patient to the Hospital. Aldrich Rd was closed and traffic was diverted until the scene was clear and utility repairs made. There were no other injuries reported..

Fire Safety Bureau Awards Fire Safety Poster Contest Winners

MARCH 12 2010 -Fire Inspector Mim Stacy of the Jackson Bureau of Fire Safety District 1 & 3 unveiled the winning local entries of the annual NJ State Fire Safety Poster Contest co- sponsored by the N.J. Division of Fire Safety and N.J. Fire Prevention and Protection Association. Students who participated were from Alpha School, Christa McAuliffe Middle School, Rosenaurer, Holman and Johnson elementary schools. This year’s fire safety theme was “STAY FIRE SMART! DON’T GET BURNED”. 

Fire Inspector Stacy said they had many great and creative posters to judge from before deciding on the winners. Fire Official Frank McDonnell said the annual fire safety contest enables students to learn about fire safety and express there artistic talents. When the student participates in this contest it raises awareness of fire safety and helps protect the community from fire. The Fire Bureau awarded each student with a prize ranging from a $15.00 gift cards for 3^rd place winners, $25.00 gift cards for 2^nd place winners and $40.00 gift cards for first place winners.

Some of the winners were:

Johnson Elementary School - 1st place Jarrett Minor, 2nd place Chris Sichenze, 3rd place Mackenzie Ackerman

Holman Elementary School- 1st place Brett Zrebiec, 2nd place Elizabeth Young, 3rd place Abigail Vallaster

Christa McAuliffe Middle School- 1st place Robert Zinsman, 2nd place Jakob Morales, 3rd place Shannon Duffy

The next step of the contest is to find a first place winner from all the schools who participated and submit it to the Ocean County Fire Prevention & Protection Association for judging on the county level. The winner on the County level wills the go on to State level. The winner on the state level will receive a personal computer system to be awarded on May 15, 2010. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who participated!

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Brush Fire Behind Woodlane Park

MARCH 8, 2010- Fire District 3, Sta 55 firefighters responded to a brush fire reported to 9-1-1 at 1:46pm today behind Woodlane park off Forest Dr in the Brookwood 4 development. Firefighters had a hard time getting to the site with brush trucks because it was a wet area between Jackson and Howell borders under the JCP&L power lines. Chief Ken Byrnes was the Incident Commander and was assisted by Freewood Acres, Southard Fire Departments and NJ State Forest Fire to contain the blaze. No houses were in danger and no reported injuries.

HVAC Sends Two Alarms To Cablevision

MARCH 5, 2010- At 09:31 hours Jackson Fire District 3, Sta. 55 firefighters was dispatched to a fire alarm at Cablevision’s Jackson offices located at 800 Brewers Bridge Rd. The alarm was quickly upgraded to a second alarm after firefighters were told there was a smoke inside the building that houses computer and technical equipment for the Company. Firefighters quickly discovered the building’s fire suppression activated but found no visible fire. Due to the exposure of the building extinguishing agent and it’s unknown health effects, the Berkeley Twp. Hazardous Material Company was called as a precaution to assist. After the building was checked and cleared by the Haz Mat crews it was discovered that a refrigeration line broke on one of the HVAC units creating a fog inside the building that activated the fire detection system that set of the facilities fire extinguishing system. Firefighters and employees were checked out at the scene by Quality EMS and no one was taken to the hospital. Acting Chief John Schoch was the incident commanders who was assisted by fire departments from Whitesville, Sta. 57, Jackson Mills Sta 54, and New Egypt, Sta 39 as the RIT team. Fire Official Frank McDonnell from the Jackson Bureau of Fire Safety 1 & 3 conducted the investigation. Jackson Police assisted with traffic until fire units cleared the scene at 11:27 am. 

HVAC Malfunction Leads to Evacuation at Jackson Liberty HS

JANUARY 22- Firefighters from Jackson Sta. 55 and Whitesville Sta. 57 Fire Departments responded to a fire alarm at Jackson Liberty High Schools at approximately 8:17 am today. Within four minutes of dispatch, first due fire crews found the building evacuated and was informed by the school Resource Officer of a smoke condition and possible fire on the second floor hallway near the greenhouse. Incident Commander Chief Ken Byrnes upgraded the fire department response requesting Jackson Mills Sta 54, Cassville Sta 56 Fire Companies and additional EMS crews from Quality Ambulance. The school transportation department was also notified to respond with school buses for shelter of the students from the cold weather and possible school closure.

Firefighters who encountered a light smoke condition on the second floor stretched hose lines into the building and laddered the roof in search of the fire. Firefighters found a HVAC pump motor burned out above the ceiling near the greenhouse and was assisted with school maintence personnel in isolating the power to the unit. Once the HVAC unit was identified and contained, students were directed out of the cold weather into the Gym to standby as fire crews ventilated the second floor from smoke and check for carbon monoxide levels. There were no injuries reported and the school evacuation was orderly. Fire crews cleared the scene about one hour later.

JANUARY 14-District Fire Chief Ken Byrnes and Fire Official Frank McDonnell met with the Mens Club at Westlake Golf & Country Club to talk about the Fire Safety Bureau, Fire District and the upcoming Fire District elections in February. The community was able to ask questions, pick-up fire prevention material and look at some of the Fire Districts equipment and apparatus. After the presentation the Men's Club presented the Fire District a Certificate of Appreciation for service and dedication to the community.

Fire Sprinkler Douses Fire at Senior Apartments

JANUARY 13- Jackson Fire Station 55 responded to a first floor outside porch fire at the Westlake Mews Apartments, Murfield Rd, that was extinguished by the buildings fire sprinkler system before it extended to the entire building. Firefighters were called to the apartment early this afternoon by a fire alarm and were quickly alerted upon arrival by staff members of the fire outside apartment #126. The first due ladder company arriving within 4 minutes of the alarm, discovered the fire sprinkler activated and was extinguishing and containing the fire to the vinyl siding and combustible materials on the porch. Firefighters helped staff evacuate some of the elderly residents from apartments due to the light to moderate smoke condition inside. Firefighter checked for fire extension and ventilated the building before letting residents return.

Fire Official Frank McDonnell of the Jackson Bureau of Fire Safety 1 & 3 investigated the fire and determined the fire was accidental. McDonnell determined the most probable cause of the fire was the improper discard of smoking materials by a friend of the resident who was smoking on the porch prior to the fire. McDonnell stated the fire could have been alot worse if the apartment complex did not have fire sprinklers. The fire sprinklers prevented the fire from extending inside the apartment in which we could have had a major fire. Chief Ken Byrnes was the Incident Commander and automatic aid was received from  Sta. 57 Whitesville and Sta.54 Jackson Mills fire companies. There were no reported injuries.          

Fire Destroys Detached Garage Shop

Monday October 19, 2009 - A residential structural fire destroyed a 2 bay detached garage and workshop on Brewers Bridge Rd Monday night. The fire was reported at approximately 10:15pm dispatching Jackson Fire Stations 55 & Whitesville Station 57 to the fire. The Companies just finished a drill and were en-route back to quarters when the call came in. The first arriving units found heavy fire and smoke through the roof and second floor storage area collapsing into the bays and shop area. Incident Commander Chief Mike Fatovic requested mutual aid form Cassville Station 56 as firefighters stretched handlines and master streams to knock down the fire within 20 minutes. The fire also damaged the home approximately fifty feet away melting the vinyl siding from the intense heat. The fire investigation was conducted by Jackson Fire Safety Bureau Fire Official Frank McDonnell, Ocean County Assistant Fire Marshal Ed Hazelton and Deputy Fire Marshal Brian Mount, Jackson Police Detective Scott Conover, Ocean County Prosecutor Sgt Robert Abrams and Ocean County Sheriffs Dept C.I.U. Division. An electrical malfunction could not be ruled out as the cause of the fire. There were no reported injuries.

Jackson Firefighters Rescue Unconscious Women From Burning Home

October 14, 2009 - Jackson firefighters rescued a homeowner after she reported a 911 emergency call of a fire in her kitchen. Firefighters from Whitesville and Jackson Fire Companies stations 55 & 57 arrived at 45 Whitlock Road at approximately 3:18 am to discover a working fire with smoke showing from the residence. Additional assistance from Cassville and Jackson Mills Station 54 & 56 was requested for manpower and water supply.

Firefighters made their way into the home to suppress the fire and conduct a search and rescue of occupants of the residence. The fire was knocked down relatively quickly and the search and rescue conducted by firefighters discovered the unconscious homeowner on the stairwell landing. Firefighters quickly removed the women from the smoke filled home and into the hands of firefighters on the outside. The woman was treated and transported to Kimball Medical Center by Jackson First Aid and Mon-Oc paramedics. The women was stabilized at the hospital and airlifted to the University of Pennsylvania Hospital for further treatment due to severe smoke inhalation, her condition is unknown. Two dogs were also discovered by firefighters and removed from the home into the hands of the animal control officer. The home suffered moderate fire and heat damage in the kitchen and smoke damage throughout the home, it was declared unsafe by the construction official.  

A preliminary investigation may have revealed that smoke detectors may have alerted the homeowner to the fire but that has yet to be confirmed by her because of her condition. The fire investigation was conducted by the Jackson Bureau of Fire Safety 1 & 3, Jackson Police Detective Division, Ocean County Fire Marshals, Ocean County Prosecutors, Ocean County Sheriff Dept.  C.I.U. and K-9 units. The fire cause is still under investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s office.      

Fire Official Frank McDonnell of the Jackson Bureau of Fire Safety 1 & 3 would like to remind residents of the importance of having working smoke detectors within the home. Smoke detectors should be checked monthly, batteries changed every time you change your clock and smoke detectors replaced every 10 years. The Fire Bureau is giving away free battery operated smoke detectors to residents in need by calling his office at (732) 928-1666x14. 

September 21, 2009 - A man badly burned when his house caught fire Tuesday morning has died, authorities said today. George Cohen, 23, of Jackson, was pronounced dead at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia at 4:15 p.m. Sunday, said Deputy Chief Michael Mohel of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office. Cohen was rescued from his house trailer at 604 Sixth Street, which he shared with his mother, Eileen and brother Leo. Authorities said the fire likely began in the home's kitchen and was accidental.

September 16, 2009 - A man rescued from his burning home by his older brother will remain on a ventilator until doctors at a Philadelphia burn center are certain his condition is improving, said a friend close to the family. George Cohen, 23, was in critical condition at Temple University Medical Center in Philadelphia where he was taken after a fire Tuesday morning, police said.  Jackson Police Lt. John Siedler investigated the fire and said it was determined accidental. The 6:10 a.m. fire started in the kitchen. Only a charred frame of the trailer shared by Eileen Cohen, 50, and her two sons George, 23, and Leo, 24, remained on the lot at 604 Sixth St.

Carol Palmer, 44, owner of Cee Gee's Bar and Grill where George Cohen worked, said many people who know George through the bar have said they wanted to help the family.  The bar is briefly collecting clothing for the Cohens, Palmer said.  Palmer visited with George Cohen in the burn unit. Visitors need special permission and she had to wear a protective gown and mask to enter the room, she said. Palmer is in constant communication with Eileen Cohen and both women were disappointed to learn that he was not going to be taken off the ventilator Wednesday.

"George is like family to me," Palmer said. The staff at Cee Gee's is very close and even the patrons have all expressed concern for George.  Leo Cohen rescued his younger brother from the burning trailer while their mother escaped out the bedroom window, police said. Palmer spoke with the physician treating George and learned that George's disciplined and athletic lifestyle will be an asset in his recovery, she said. Siedler is also a volunteer firefighter with Jackson Fire Company Number 1 and said, "There is a lot of interest in pitching in to help the family. For the short term though, clothes will be great."

"A lot of the police and firemen know George as well," Siedler said.  George had been working extra hard since his mother lost her job, Palmer said. George was training to be a bartender at Cee Gee's where he had worked as a cook.  "It is heart breaking to see this whole thing," she said. Palmer helped Eileen Cohen secure a post office box the family to receive mail.  The Red Cross has also assisted the family. An account will be set up Thursday at the Wachovia Bank for George Cohen, Siedler said.

Structure Fire Leaves One Seriously Injured

September 15- Station’s 57, 56 and 55 was dispatched to a structure fire with possible entrapment in the Southwind Mobile Home Park at approximately 06:10 am at 604 Sixth St. Firefighters upon arrival found a working fire consuming most of the home with the occupants on the front lawn. The mobile home was occupied by the homeowner and her two sons at the time of the fire. The homeowners 24 year old son was alerted to the fire when he smelt smoke and discovered a fire in the kitchen stove area. He immediately alerted his mother and brother of the fire who were asleep at the time and helped his mother escape the burning home through the rear bedroom window along with there dog. The older son had escaped and realized his younger brother was still inside and he went back inside to rescue his brother finding him on the kitchen floor. He dragged his seriously burned brother outside the home and called 911. Quality Ambulance stabilized the victim and transported him to a medivac landing zone. Station 54 set up a landing zone for a medivac helicopter to airlift the victim to Temple University Medical Center in Philadelphia. Three homes and four vehicles sustained heat damage as the result of the fire. Firefighters had the fire knocked down within 20 – 30 minutes of the initial call without any further injuries. Chief Scott Rauch was the Incident Commander of fire operations.

The preliminary fire investigation determined to be an accidental fire cause by unattended cooking. The fire investigation was conducted jointly with Jackson Fire Official Frank McDonnell, Ocean County Deputy Fire Marshal’s Mike Marks and John Pasola, Jackson Police Detective Scott Conover & Lt. Jack Siedler, Ocean County Prosecutors Sgt Robert Abrams & Craig Ally and Ocean County Sheriffs Dept CIU.

Smoke Detectors Awakens Resident Discovering Fire 

August 30, 2009 - Station 55 was dispatched to a fire in the Sixty Acres Reserve condominium community at approximately 01:20 am on Larkspur Lane. Firefighters upon arrival found a smoldering fire at the doorway of the residence with the homeowner safely outside. The homeowner stated she was awakened by the sound of smoke detectors ringing and discovered the fire at her front door. She opened the doorway to extinguish the fire with water and escaped from the residence through the rear porch door. A limousine driver in the area phoned 9-1-1 alerting police and firefighters. Firefighters ventilated the residence of smoke and checked for fire extension that was mainly confined to the exterior doorway and vinyl siding. Firefighters discovered a possible odor of gasoline alerting Fire Chief Mike Fatovic who ordered the scene secured until fire investigators arrived.  The fire investigation was conducted jointly with Jackson Fire Official Frank McDonnell and Ocean County Deputy Fire Marshal Mike Marks. Due to suspicious nature of the fire, the investigation was turned over for further investigation to the Ocean County Prosecutors Office. Assisting in the investigation was the Jackson Police Detective Division, Ocean County Sheriffs C.I.U. and Arson K-9 dog. Fire Official McDonnell commended the homeowner for having a working smoke detector that may have saved her life and the residents of the building. 

Structure Fire Quickly Knocked Down

August 25, 2009 - Stations 55 and 57 were dispatched to a grease fire at 17 North Hope Chapel Road. 5701 arrived on scene immediately upon dispatch and found smoke and flames showing from the C/D corner of the house. Lt Ed Moore established command and requested Station 56 Cassville. Driver Operator Jason Zimmerman stretched a 1 ¾” hoseline as Lt. Moore performed a size up. Crews found fire in the kitchen and fire going up the vinyl siding on the rear exterior portion of the home. The fire had started as a grease fire on the stove, vented out the kitchen exhaust vent, and ignited the vinyl siding and traveled up and into the soffit. No injuries were reported and the fire was quickly extinguished by the 5701 crew with assistance from 5505, 5709, and 5611. The first and second floors of the home received smoke damage. Operational smoke detectors led to a safe evacuation of the residents who were on the second floor of the home at the time of the fire. Whitesville, Jackson No 1 and Cassville Fire Companies responded. Whitesville Assistant Chief Dan Bradley was the incident commander relieving Lt Moore for fire attack duties. Jackson No 1 Chief Mike Fatovic was operations. The Ocean County Fire Marshal conducted the fire investigation. Quality EMS provided on scene EMS support.

Fully Involved Detached Garage Fire

August 17, 2009 - A fire Monday afternoon, destroying a detached garage was ruled accidental when the origin was determined to be possibly from a lawn mower that was used earlier that day. The fire located at a residential residence on North New Prospect Rd near Camp Joy Park, destroyed the garage and it's contents including a motor vehicle that was also stored inside. The homeowner reported that he mowed the lawn and put the riding mower back into the garage after he was done and discovered the fire some 20 minutes later when heard some noise outside. Jackson Firefighters from Station 55 Larsen Rd fire station arrived within 3- 4 minutes from dispatch time to discover a fully involved metal frame detached garage on fire. The fire was so hot it melted the vinyl siding on the house approximately 50 feet from the garage and a neighbors shed. As temperatures rose into the upper 90's additional fire companies assisted from Jackson Mills Station 54 and Whitesville Fire Station 57 rotating heat exhausted firefighting crews for rehabilitation. The fire investigation was conducted jointly with Ocean County Deputy Fire Marshals John Pasola, Bob Tapp and Jackson Fire Official Frank McDonnell. There was one minor injury reported to a firefighter. Chief Mike Fatovic was Incident Command                

West Long Branch man killed in Jackson crash

APP By MARGARET F. BONAFIDE STAFF WRITER

July 29, 2009 - A 73-year-old West Long Branch man was killed after his pickup truck collided with two loaded dump trucks Tuesday morning, police said. Marcellin Ciaglia of Poplar Avenue, West Long Branch, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash reported at 8:31 a.m., said Capt. David Newman. Ciaglia went through a stop sign at the intersection of East Veterans Highway and Grand Boulevard, police said. Ciaglia was driving eastbound on Grand Boulevard in a 2005 Chevrolet pickup truck and sideswiped a northbound 2005 Mack dump truck carrying asphalt, police said. His truck was then struck in the southbound lane by a 2008 Kenworth dump truck, said Patrolman Patrick Mackin of the Traffic Safety Unit. The two dump truck drivers sustained minor injuries and were treated and released, Newman said.

The Kenworth dump truck overturned spilling its contents. The truck was carrying Class B contaminated soil that was en route to be treated and recycled, Mackin said. Police didn't know if Ciaglia was crossing the highway to Butterfly Road or if he intended to turn on East Veterans Highway, Mackin said. He may have been in the area doing an estimate for his company, Angelo's Paving, of West Long Branch, and was likely unfamiliar with the intersection, Mackin said. Ciaglia's pickup truck was also loaded with supplies, Mackin said. There was a lot of debris in the road, which was closed for an extended period after the collisions, police said. The Berkeley Hazardous Materials Team and the state Department of Environmental Protection assisted in the cleanup of the diesel fuel and materials spilled.

The Jackson Police Traffic Safety Unit responded and was assisted by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, Sheriff's Department and Medical Examiner's Office, police said. The Whitesville and the Jackson No. 1 fire companies assisted at the scene. East Veterans Highway is a county road with a long history of serious collisions. Ocean County Engineer Frank Scarantino said department officials are "in tune with the Jackson police with regards to this stretch of East Veterans Highway." The roadway has been studied with the traffic safety unit and the county engineers to see what changes could be made to ease the problems, Mackin said. Scarantino said that the preliminary indications are that a traffic signal at Grand Boulevard would not have changed the outcome Tuesday. However, the department "will be taking counts out there to see if there is a need for a traffic signal." Police are asking anyone with information about the crash to contact the traffic safety unit at 732-833-2406.

July 28,2009  Station 55 & 57 were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of East Veteran Highway and Butterfly roads. Upon arrival on East Veterans Hwy engine 5701 company officer Lt Moore reported an overturned dump truck into a tree and a pick-up truck in the middle of the intersection smoking possibly on fire ordering his crew to stretch a handline to the truck. Ladder 5505,  arriving second due with Acting Chief Moroney, assisted with stretching additional handlines due to a leaking fuel tank from the overturned dump truck. Engine 5521 company officer Lt Schoch arrived on on scene from Butterfly Rd side of the incident and stretched another handline as a precaution. Berkeley Hazmat team was requested and arrived to secure the leaking fuel tank. Jackson OEM and NJ DEP was also notified of the hazmat leak into the ground. A second dump truck involved in the collision received minor to moderate damage to the front end and fuel tank but was not leaking fuel, the driver was not transported to the hospital. The driver of the pick-up truck suffered fatal injuries on scene and the driver of the overturned dump truck was transported to the hospital by Quality Medical Service with his condition unknown. Mutual aid was requested from Freewood Acres Fire Co. to standby the North New Prospect Rd firehouse to cover calls while crews operated the scene. Acting Chief Moroney was the Incident Commander standing by on scene with the crew of 5701 until the investigation and removal of the dump truck was completed. East Veterans Hwy & Buttery Rd was closed for most of the day.     

Jackson child dies from swine flu, health officials report

APP July 1, 2009 By Matt McGrath  Staff Writer

A six-year-old township boy died of swine flu Saturday, county and state health officials announced today. The boy's death is the first along the Jersey Shore. Throughout the state, eight other people have died from influenza caused by the H1N1 virus, according figures posted today on the state Department of Health and Senior Services Web site. The boy was a first grade student at Lucy N. Holman Elementary School, school officials confirmed. Counselors will be available for parents and student from 9 to 11 a.m. tomorrow. The township child was admitted to the Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune last Thursday.

JACKSON TIMES 5/22/09 - A fire that occurred on May 22 at 9:35 p.m. was deemed accidental by fire investigators after firefighters responded to a building fire at Building 7 Regency Club Apartments at 320 South New Prospect Road. Fire companies from Jackson No. 1 Station 55, Jackson Mills Station 54 and Whitesville Station 57 responded to the apartment complex when a kitchen fire was reported.

Fire Official Frank McDonnell reported that the tenant in apartment 7J just finished cooking on the stove when he went into another room and a short time later heard a noise and discovered the fire on the kitchen stove area.The tenant used a fire extinguisher to keep the flames from spreading until firefighters arrived. Firefighters helped evacuate other tenants from the building complex and checked for fire extension, salvaged and overhauled.

The fire was contained to the kitchen cooking area and the apartment suffered light to moderate smoke damage. Two visitors from another apartment were reportedly taken to the hospital and their conditions were unknown. The investigation was conducted by Jackson Bureau of Fire Safety 1 and 3 and the Ocean County Fire Marshal's Office

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Practice Makes Perfect in Jackson

Members of Jackson Fire District Number Three practice search and rescue techniques using the thermal imaging camera at a recent drill.  - Fire News photo by Frank Mc Donnell

Fire Demonstration And Why Sprinklers Are Necessary

Wednesday, May 13, 2009by Jason Allentoff WOBM News
Sometimes common sense becomes the main focal point of a news story. It can be something simple like "buckle up for safety" or "don't drink and drive" - yet we all sometimes need a little reminder. Maybe if there were more risk factors shown or demonstrated and we saved the statistical figures for text books, we would see less incidents out there.

By the year 2012, all new residential construction in the Garden State will be required to include fire sprinkler systems. A demonstration was held Tuesday to show what the sprinklers can do. The event took place outside the Toms River Fire Academy on Church Road. About a hundred people including fire officials and local residents came out to see what was up.

Two virtually identical mock bedrooms were set up. A bed, television, dresser and some window drapes were featured. One room had fire sprinklers installed - the other didn't. A staffer set both ablaze as members of the Toms River Fire Academy stood by with hoses in case the flames got out of hand.

Within three minutes time, the room without the sprinklers was totally engulfed in flames. By six minutes, the flames had to be put out by the fire fighters standing by leaving behind a charred blackened mess. The fire in the room had left it uninhabitable.

However, the room with the sprinklers was saved with only minor damage that can be salvaged. Toms River Fire Chief John Lightbody says during a fire, time is of the essence and having sprinklers installed is like "having your own personal fire fighter on hand 24hours a day, 7 days a week. You need this kind of equipment in your home. Also, smoke detectors. Smoke detectors and fire sprinklers are like hot dogs and mustard. They go together and will save lives." Bob Yaiser is the Public Education Officer for the Toms River Fire Academy. He says its common sense that time is a vital component and having sprinklers is "a very good idea and it is well worth the cost."

Dan Detrolio is with the State Fire Safety Commission. He says "we won't stop till sprinklers are made mandatory. It's an added tool at saving lives and homes and you can't put a price tag on that. Besides, it's not expensive when we're gonna save lives!" He says more than 4-thousand people perish in fires nationwide each year and sprinklers will "cut that number down significantly."

Posted by WOBM News at 7:44 AM

Fire Officials: Household sprinklers can save lives
APP May 12, 2009
A fire that starts in the garbage container can rip through a room in a matter of minutes, leaving only a blackened, gutted shell behind, fire officials say. In a similar room, a fire can blacken only a curtain and garbage container before a single sprinkler kicks on, drenching the room with water and lessening the potential damage. The difference in the scenarios was part of a demonstration today presented by the Uniform Fire Prevention/Protection of Ocean County, the New Jersey Fire Safety Commission, and the National Sprinkler Association, to show how sprinklers in residential buildings greatly reduce the size and severity of a fire, saving lives of residents and firefighters.

"(Having sprinklers) is the equivalent of having a fire department at your residence,'' said Bob Yaiser, the public education officer for the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention. "We don't hesitate to sprinkle our front lawn to keep our grass from burning. Why would you not want to spend the money to protect your home and save yourself?'' 
Approximately 100 members of local fire organizations and the public gathered to watch a real time demonstration of how a fire affected two identical dorm-like rooms, one with sprinklers and one without. Read more about the value of sprinkler systems in the Asbury Park Press.
-- Chelsea Michels

Car overturns on Whitesville Road in Jackson

APP BY CHELSEA MICHELS  TOMS RIVER BUREAU

May 6, 2009 - A Philadelphia woman was apparently unhurt after her vehicle overturned on Whitesville Road, police said. Shortly after noon Wednesday, May 6, a call came in regarding the single-vehicle crash, according to Capt. David Newman, public information officer for the township police. Newman said Phuong Nguyen, 20, of Washington Avenue was driving her 2003 Honda Accord on Whitesville Road near Grawtown Road when the accident occurred, and there is no indication that other vehicles were involved.

Whitesville Fire Company, Jackson Fire Company 1 and Quality First Aid responded to the scene. Nguyen, the only person in the car, refused medical attention, Newman said. Officer Brad Reider is investigating the crash, with assistance from Special Officer Charles Notare. Newman said the cause is still under investigation, and no summonses have been issued. He did not have information about whether Nguyen was wearing a seat belt when the car crashe

d

Injured Fisherman Rescued 

April 28, 2009- Station 55 firefighters rescued an injured fisherman deep in the woods while he was fishing alone along the south branch of the Metedeconk River off Brewers Bridge Rd. The injured fisherman apparently slipped on a log and was not able to walk out of the woods. Two other fisherman who were nearby heard his request for help and found the fisherman unable to walk. They called 9-1-1 and attempted to remove him from the woods but stopped in a heavily wooded area approximately 300-400 feet from the roadway. Incident Commander Chief Ken Byrnes instructed incoming officers Lt Moroney and Moore in units 5505 and 5701, to set up stoke rescue operations. The crews set up safety rope and geared up to enter the woods with the stokes basket. The fire crews found the victim alert and conscious. Fire crews  packaged the victim inside the stokes basket and walked the victim out to the street to a waiting ambulance. The victim was transported to the hospital by Quality Ambulance.( More photos )     

                 

Jackson Bureau Of Fire Safety Awards Fire Safety Poster Winners

Jackson schools in Fire District's 1 & 3, participated in the annual fire safety poster contest. The contest is sponsored by the NJ Division of Fire Safety and the Jackson Bureau of Fire Safety District 1 & 3.  

This year's theme was "Prevent Home Fires" and students from Holman, Johnson, Mc Auliffe &  Rosenaurer schools participated in the poster drawings. Fire Official Frank McDonnell said the Fire Bureau awarded a 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes to each of the participating schools. The local prizes were gift certificates from Target and Certificates of Participation.  

Each school's 1st place winners were sent to the Ocean County Fire Prevention and Protection Association for county wide judging. The results of that winner will then be sent to the NJ Division of Fire Safety for final judging and the winner receiving a home computer system.

 Holman 1st Place:Alicia Bartolini

 HC Johnson 1st Place:Tara Durante

2nd Place:Nathasha Porrus

3rd Place: Darby Murnane

 McAuliffe 1st Place:Savannah Jarmolowich

2nd Place:Anthony Nalasco

3rd Place: Troy Demurs

 Rosenauer 1st Place : Lisa Marie Blauer

2nd Place : Ashley Eckett

3rd Place : Tyler Whalen  

Car versus pole in Jackson

By DAVE WEISKOPF Senior Correspondent 1st Responder Network

By Dave Weiskopf Sta. 55 firefighters check on the patient.   By Dave Weiskopf   By Dave Weiskopf   JACKSON, NJ - At 1:45 p.m. on March 9, 2009, 5511 responded to a MVA accident on South New Prospect Road. The call was for a single car into a pole.  The patient had minor injuries and was transported to Kimball Medical Center by Quality Medical Transport.

Firefighters honor an ailing child

4/9/09 APP MARGARET F. BONAFIDE STAFF WRITER

Mason Morgan, 6, of Savannah, Ga., is the youngest honorary member to be named in the 58-year history of the Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company 1. Mason is battling life threatening illnesses. The honor came as a surprise to his grandfather, Ivon LaBoy, a Jackson firefighter who joined company three years ago. Ivon LaBoy said his grandson always loved firetrucks and that inspired him to join.  "With him being sick, I knew he would never be a fireman," Ivon LaBoy said. "So, I am walking in his shoes for him."  The LaBoy family is dedicated to helping out at the fire company.  Fire company officials decided to honor LaBoy's family in a special ceremony and benefit held March 22 at the firehouse.  Mason was born with a congenital disorder called short bowel syndrome, said Brandy LaBoy, 35, Mason's step grandmother. He lives in Savannah, Ga., with his mother Jessica (LaBoy) Morgan, 26.

Mason has had a six-organ transplant: a liver, spleen, colon, pancreas, stomach and bowel, Brandy LaBoy said. Three years later he was diagnosed with cancer.  Mason faces more surgery and a second round of chemotherapy before he turns 7 in July, Brandy LaBoy said. Ivon LaBoy, 49, and Brandy were married 12 years ago and lived in Jackson for eight years. They have two daughter, ages 11 and 6. Brandy LaBoy has been equally active volunteering at the fire company. Last year, she organized a craft fair that turned out to be the biggest money making event in the company's history, said Tim Carson, assistant fire chief. This year, the fire company donated the proceeds to Mason. The LaBoys are dedicated members, Carson said.  Mason was anointed the youngest honorary member, and presented with a fire company T-shirt with his name and a firefighter's hat. As an added special touch the boy was given a St. Florian medal from past Chief Chip Smith. The medal has a significant history, Carson said. When Smith turned the reins over to new Chief Mike Fatovic in December, Ivon LaBoy gave that medal to Smith. St. Florian is the patron saint of firefighters. Smith had the medal fitted on a small chain and presented it to Mason at the event.

"In my 17 years as a firefighter, it is the thing that affected me the most," Carson said. "Seeing the boy's face made all those 3 a.m. nuisance calls worth it." Mason thanked Carson and Fatovic for all the fuss. "It put me over the edge," Carson said. The generosity of the fire company is overwhelming, Ivon LaBoy said. "These are all my brothers," he said. "They are the heroes in my firehouse." At the firehouse, Ivon LaBoy is always a busy man and a hard worker, Carson said. "All I want is for people to know" that life is not about money, Ivon LaBoy said. "It is about holding the door open for someone and just paying it forward. "Maybe there is hope for my grandson," Ivon LaBoy said. The fire company "gave me a day with my grandson that nobody could take away." "The fire company is truly a brotherhood, when one guy is down, we are all down," Carson said.Mason got a ride on a firetruck and he "was grinning from ear to ear," Carson said. "He steals your heart in a minute and doesn't complain about anything," said Brandy LaBoy. Brandy LaBoy marvels at Jessica Morgan's attitude. "She won't complain because he does not complain," Brandy LaBoy said. "With her being so young and having a child so sick, her spirits are amazing. "We really wanted to thank the fire department for what they had done for Mason," Brandy LaBoy said.

Additional Facts

A CLOSER LOOK: 

Six-year-old Mason Morgan of Georgia was appointed the fifth honorary member of Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company 1 and the company is working to help him as the grandson of firefighter Ivon LaBoy. Mason was born with a congenital disorder called short bowel syndrome and has since developed cancer. Anyone who would like to make a contribution to help the child can make a check payable to the Mason Morgan Medical Fund, c/o LaBoy Family, 10 Princeton Drive, Jackson, NJ 08527.

Fire Capt. Mike Waters places a fire helmet on Mason Morgan, 6, who is held by his grandfather, firefighter Ivon LaBoy, as he is made the youngest honorary member of the Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company 1 last month. (PHOTO COURTESY OF JACKSON TWP. VOLUNTEER FIRE COM

Governor Corzine Signs Firefighters Legislation

Jackson Times - 2/5/09-  Braving frigid, blustery temperatures this  week, first aid units and firefighters from three                  of the township’s  fire companies respond to an emergency call at a residence on  Pointe Circle. Thankfully, the                     call turned out to be a false  with no action required. Photo By Keith Hagarty

Condo Fire 

On the evening of January 2nd, 2009 Stations 55 and 54 of Jackson Township were dispatched to a working structure fire in a townhouse complex.  Chief Michael Fatovic arrived on location first and found a fire in a second floor bathroom.  Engine 5411 was first due and stretched an 1 3/4 attack line to the fire floor and began a quick attack.  Engine 5521 was second due and dropped a 5 inch supply line and sent its crew along with Engine 5511 to vent the structure.  Crews had the fire under control in minutes.  The Ocean County Fire Marshall office responded and is investigating the fire. 

Fire damages facility at Jackson construction company

APP-12/20/08 17:02 - A fire damaged a repair facility on Bennetts Mills Road this afternoon, though police reported no serious injuries. The fire at Bil-Jim Construction Company Incorporated, located at 467 Bennetts Mills Road, was first reported by a motorist at about 12:39 p.m. today, said Sgt. Anthony Amalfitano of the township police force. Police said a motorist reported seeing smoke and flames coming from the warehouse repair facility. It took about one hour for fire departments to bring the flames under control, police said. Responding to the scene was Jackson's Fire Marshall, firefighters from Cassville, Jackson Mills, Jackson Fire Company 1 and Millstone Fire Company responded to the scene.- Sarah Webster 

UPDATE: Fire in Jackson caused by heating unit

SARAH WEBSTER
TOMS RIVER BUREAU

APP-12/20/08 20:09- An investigation into a fire Saturday afternoon at a construction company on Bennetts Mills Road shows the possible cause could be a failed heating unit within a maintenance garage, according to Frank McDonnell, a fire official for the township. The building sustained moderate fire and smoke damage, including fire damage to an office below the heating unit and damage to two trucks parked inside the garage, McDonnell reported. There were no reported injuries. The fire at Bil-Jim Construction Company Inc., located at 467 Bennetts Mills Rd., was first reported by a motorist at about 12:39 p.m., said Sgt. Anthony Amalfitano of the township police department. Police said the motorist reported seeing smoke and flames coming from the warehouse repair facility. It took about one hour for fire departments to bring the flames under control, police said. Responding to the scene were Jackson's fire marshal, and firefighters from Cassville, Jackson Mills, Jackson Fire Company 1 and Millstone Fire Company. The fire investigation was conducted by Ocean County Fire Marshals Ed Hazelton and Mike Marks, Jackson Fire Official Frank McDonnell and Jackson Police Det. Scott Conover.

Whitesville Rd Van Extrication

11/26/08- Firefighters of Stations 55 & 57 were dispatched to a mva with injuries and extrication. Firefighters arrived on scene finding the driver of the van pinned behind the steering wheel and crushed dashboard. Firefighters from 5701 immediately began to crib the vehicle and extricate the victim. Crews from 5705 and 5505 arrived and stretched a handline as a precaution and set up a tool staging area to assist the firefighters extricating the victim. 18300 and 5511 were sent to McAulliffe school for a medvac landing but the location was changed to an open space near the scene. Pleasant Plain Fire Co arrived on scene and also assistedm Jackson firefighters. Quality, Dover EMS and Monoc paramedics were on scene treating the victim during the extrication. The victim was transported by Mon-OC medicvac to Jersey Shore Medical Center. His condition is unknown.  FM    

Trolley bus falls off lift onto man in Jackson

APP.com 11/12/08 (Update)-A 54-year-old township man was pinned under the axle of a 30-passenger trolley which fell off a lift while he was doing maintenance work underneath it, police said. Hal Hvidsten, 54, owner of Stretch One Limousine and Trolley Co., was pinned at the chest while working on the trolley at the business at 647 N. County line Road, said Sgt. Brian Geoghegan.  Hvidsten was moved from beneath the trolley after firefighters used high-pressure air bags to raise the vehicle, said Jackson Mills Fire Company Capt. Ray Tremer Jr., the scene commander. Hvidsten was flown to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he was listed in stable condition. Tremer said the air bags are able to lift 40,000 pounds.Jackson Fire Company No. 1 assisted with the air bags. Members of the Quality Medical First Aid and MONOC paramedics removed the man with the help of firefighters.

Victim Rescued Under Bus 

11/12/08- Firefighters from Station 55 were called to assist Jackson Mills Fire Co. Station 54 on a North County Line address for a trolley bus that fell off a lift trapping a victim under the bus. Crew members of 5505 staffed by Lt Moroney, FF Howles, FF Grossman, and FF Pat Hilger assisted with cribbing the vehicle and using high presure air bags to lift the bus off the victim. Engine 5701 staffed by Lt. Moore and FF's  Zimmerman & Schwartz set up a Medicvac landing zone at Jackson Mills Fire Co. located on N County Line Rd along with Assistant Chief Fatovic who was landing zone Incident Command. The victim was removed by fire crews stabilized and transported to the landing zone by Quality EMS and Mon-Oc Paramedics. The victim was medivaced to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he was listed in stable condition. Station 54 Capt. Ray Tremer was Incident Command  FM

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MVA CRASH INJURES ONE

11/12/08- Fire District firefighters from station 55 responded to a motor vehicle crash this morning involving a vacant school bus. The crash involved one injury who was treated by crew members of 5511 staffed by Lt  Schoch, FF Stacy, FF McLaughlin and FF Perrotto. The victim was  transported to the hospital by Quality EMS. The crash snapped a power line pole in half and traffic was diverted until JCP&L shut power down and repairs were made. Crew members of 5505 staffed by Lt Moroney, FF Howles, FF Grossman, and FF Pat Hilger assisted with traffic control while the crew of 5511 secured the vehicle batteries and contained fluid leaks.  A handline was stretched as a precaution when a small fire broke out in the tree limbs from the power line. District Chief Byrnes was the Incident Commander.

CHIMNEY FIRE EXTINGUISHED

11/3/08 - Jackson firefighters responder to a working structure fire on New Central Avenue Monday night. Whitesville Engine 5701 staffed by Lt. Edward Moore and FF Jason Zimmerman arrived on scene of a working fire around the chimney of a one story ranch. Firefighters quickly evacuated the home as the homeowners did not realize that their house was on fire. Firefighters then proceeded to the roof to extinguish the fire. Members from 5501 staffed by Lt Moroney, FF Howles, FF Grossman, and FF McLaughlin arrived on scene and assisted with overhaul of the chimney and salvage operations in the attic of the house. 5701 stretched one 1 3/4 handline and used multiple hand tools, salvage cover, and thermal imaging camera. Additional firefighters from Whitesville Station 57 and Jackson No 1 Station 55 arrived on scene shortly after and provided a manpower pool. Chief Mike Fatovic from Station 55 was incident commander. The fire cause was determined accidental by the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office. 

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7 vehicles involved in chain-reaction crash near Jackson Liberty HS
APP 10/28/08- Seven vehicles coming from Jackson Liberty High School were involved in a chain- reaction pile-up which was started when a car struck the rear of a school bus with students on board, resulting in minor injuries, police said. The collisions occurred at the corner of Cooks Bridge and Pitney roads about 2 p.m., said Lt. Richard Wagner. Two high school students on the bus were treated for minor injuries, Wagner said.  The vehicles were mostly small compact cars with the exception of one Jeep Cherokee, Wagner said. Four of the cars had to be towed from the scene. Two had minor damage and were able to be driven from the scene. In addition to police, Quality EMS, Jackson Fire Company No. 1 and the Whitesville Fire Company responded. Traffic Safety Officer Christopher Kelly is investigating.

Missing Jackson boy found in Brick this morning
October 15, 2008
BY MICHELLE SAHN  
STAFF WRITER

Police in Brick this morning found the 13-year-old boy who suffers from diabetes and had been missing since he left his Jackson home Tuesday morning. Eric D. McGrath was brought to Kimball Medical Center in Lakewood because he was in a somewhat weakened condition when he was found around 8:40 a.m., police said. The boy's parents are with him at the hospital. A crossing guard on her way to work in Point Pleasant spotted the teen walking on Route 88 this morning, said Jackson Police Capt. David Newman. Because she believed the boy was probably the missing teen, she called Point Pleasant police, who then notified Brick officers. On Tuesday, police launched a massive search for McGrath, who went missing around 8 a.m. They used off-road vehicles, a helicopter and foot patrols to look for the boy, who was at least ten miles away from his Buckingham Drive home when he was found this morning.

Jackson cops search for missing boy, 13

By MATT PAIS APP STAFF WRITER 

October 14, 2008

As dusk turned to darkness Tuesday, teams of volunteers and law enforcement officials hoisted large lighting rigs at Flair Ridge Park, still hopeful that an ongoing search for a 13-year-old township boy would bear fruit. By that time, the exhaustive search for Eric D. McGrath was nearly 12 hours old, and had involved the use of off-road vehicles, door-to-door canvassing and a helicopter. It began just after 8 a.m., when police were called to his home on Buckingham Drive after receiving a 911 call reporting an altercation between the boy and his father. "We've tapped every available resource we have at this point," Capt. David Newman said. "So far, we have not located the juvenile." McGrath's disappearance drew such a large response, in part, because of his medical history. He is a diabetic who needs to take insulin and other medications, and also has a history of emotional problems, according to a flier circulated among volunteers helping in the search. Newman said the boy's father told officers he had not taken his insulin dose Tuesday morning.

The flier stated that McGrath did not report for classes at the Regional Day School, and that he often spends time in the wooded areas surrounding the quiet Timber Ridge development, especially near large power lines that flank a portion of Buckingham Drive.It was in the shadow of those power lines that law enforcement officials established a command center at the park, from which they directed the various agencies that turned out to help search. Streets were lined well into the night with police cars from departments as far away as Harvey Cedars, as well as township fire trucks, school buses and Ocean County K-9 units. Members of the Jackson Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, joined the search, and the local Salvation Army chapter helped staff the command post to feed the search party. Officers conducted door-to-door searches in the immediate area, and blanketed neighboring subdivisions with hopes of finding someone who had seen McGrath. Police also put the Jackson School District's emergency notification system to use and called every home with school-age children with a description of the boy, who was last seen wearing blue jeans and a blue hooded sweat shirt. During the early stages of the search, while officers were still gathering information at McGrath's home, his father — who Newman said is also a diabetic — began to have health problems of his own. He was transported to Kimball Medical Center in Lakewood. There was no word on his condition late Tuesday night.

Fire damages apartments
By Dave Benjamin


JACKSON — A fire that engulfed at least three apartments in Building No. 12 of the Regency Club on South New Prospect Road may have been caused by a faulty stovetop. "The original 911 call at 1:37 p.m. Oct. 13 was for a fire that had originated at a stovetop," Jackson Police Uniform Service Commander Capt. David Newman said. "The cause of the fire has yet to be determined and is being investigated by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Arson Unit, the Ocean County Fire Marshal's Office and the Jackson Police Department Detective Bureau," he said. Newman said it took more than an hour to bring the fire under control. One resident was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation but refused further medical attention. "It appears that at least three apartments of the 12 are fire damaged," Newman said. "The other apartments will have smoke damage; some will have damage consistent with water damage as well. It remains to be seen if any of the units will be habitable."

Residents who were displaced from their homes as a result of the fire were provided with temporary shelter by the American Red Cross, Newman said. "It's terrible to see people's whole lives being affected by this," he said. "They left their homes to go to work or to go to a Columbus Day celebration and they come back and their homes are gone." All of the residents who were in the building were evacuated prior to the arrival of the police and fire departments. Whether or not the smoke alarms were operating will be determined during an investigation. Firefighters from all four Jackson fire companies — Whitesville Volunteer Fire Company, Cassville Fire Company No. 1, Jackson Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 and Jackson Mills Volunteer Fire Company — responded to the scene. Firefighters from the Freewood Acres Fire Company No. 5, Howell, and the Lakewood Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, Lakewood, also responded to the scene of the fire in Jackson, Newman said. "We're here for the extra manpower," fireman Ed Moore of Freewood Acres said as the firefighters got ready to go to work battling the blaze. "We brought an aerial truck and a pumper. All I know is that it's [at least] two apartments at this time. We're just trying to get everything set up so we can fight the fire the way it's supposed to be done."

Also on the scene were Quality First Aid Squad, the Jackson Office of Emergency Management, and representatives of Jersey Central Power & Light and the New Jersey Natural Gas Co. "I saw the flames upstairs and we called the fire department," said Nick Shestakow, who lives in the building next door to where the burning apartments were located. "We had to get out of the apartment." Jackson No. 1 Station 55 Chief Charles "Chip" Smith, the fire department incident commander at the scene, spoke with the Tri- Town News on Oct. 14 and recounted the events of the previous afternoon. "When I pulled up, one apartment was heavily involved in fire," Smith said. "Flames did burn through the roof. The fire was coming out of the windows on the side [of Building No. 12] which faced Building No. 13." Smith said the firefighters who were working inside did a good job to stop the blaze from spreading any further. He said he thought there was going to be more extensive damage.

"The first crews in did an excellent job," he said. "I didn't have to use any aerials because of that and we didn't have to go to a defensive mode." Smith said there were smoke alarms going off when he arrived at the scene, but he was not certain what apartments the alarms were sounding from. "They are all independent smoke alarms, just like the battery-operated ones that are used," he said.  The chief said some people reported that their smoke alarms did not work, but he said whether the alarm sounds depends on how much smoke is in the apartment. "Downstairs apartments have minimal smoke, because smoke rises, so their [downstairs residents'] alarms won't go off as fast," he explained. "If your apartment doesn't have smoke in it, the alarm is not going to go off."  Smith reported that no firefighters were injured while battling the blaze.

"The guys did a great job and everybody worked very well together," he said. "When you have that many different departments and you have a Monmouth County fire department that comes, or equipment from Lakewood that is not          on your radio frequency, everybody worked very well and they did a fantastic stop on that building." Smith thanked   everyone who came out to help at the scene of the Oct. 13 blaze.

 U.S. Fire Administration

Fairfax, Va., Sept. 25, 2008... Yesterday, Congress passed the U.S. Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008. The legislation was sponsored by Senators Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME), Joseph Biden (D-DE) and John McCain (R-AZ) and Representatives Harry Mitchell (D-AZ) and Phil Gingrey (R-GA).

The bill includes a number of recommendations supported by the IAFC, which are intended to ensure the U.S. Fire Administration is able to provide strong support to the fire service community as it fulfills its many critical missions and responds to emerging challenges. The legislation will:

• Authorize appropriations for the USFA for four years, starting with $70 million in FY 2009 and ending with $76.49 million in FY 2012 to promote long-term funding stability for the agency
• Authorize $5 million from FY 2009 to FY 2011 to update the National Fire Incident Reporting System to make it a more effective real-time, Internet-based reporting tool
• Authorize the National Fire Academy (NFA) to teach classes relating to fires in the wildland-urban interface, hazardous-materials incidents and advanced EMS training
• Require a triennial report on curricula changes at NFA, including how these changes reflected lessons learned from significant emergency events and emergency preparedness exercises
• Direct the U.S. fire administrator to use the Internet to publicize information on its fire-related research
• Encourage the USFA to promote the adoption of national voluntary consensus standards, including the standards related to firefighter operations, training, staffing and fitness
• Authorize the U.S. fire administrator to coordinate EMS-related activities with federal, state and local government agencies
• Support the adoption of fire sprinklers in commercial buildings and the USFA’s educational programs to raise public awareness about the importance of residential fire sprinklers
• Ensure state and local fire service representation at the DHS National Operations Center to better facilitate information sharing, a provision the IAFC has strongly supported

“I am very pleased Congress has enacted this important legislation, which will strengthen the USFA and enhance federal support to the fire service,” said Chief Larry Grorud, IAFC president. “I look forward to the president signing the bill into law.”

Victory! Residential Fire Sprinklers Proposal Approved Today at ICC Hearing

Fairfax, Va., Sept. 21, 2008... A committed and united fire service accomplished a significant feat today in the fight to save lives and property. At the International Code Council (ICC) final action hearings in Minneapolis, the proposal to change the International Residential Code to require residential fire sprinklers in all new one- and two-family dwellings passed with a strong majority—73 percent—of the governmental members of the ICC present and voting. The vote was 1,282 for the code to 470 against.

Fire service personnel showed up in force as part of a unified effort with others from more than 100 public safety organizations, including the IAFC and IAFF. They came prepared with incontrovertible evidence that residential fire sprinklers save much more than property; they save the lives of the public and the lives of fire service personnel who protect them. 

Director Alan Perdue, the International Director of the IAFC’s Fire and Life Safety Section, expressed the tremendous sense of accomplishment felt by all after the long and arduous process to get this requirement into the codes. “For more than 30 years, the fire service community has worked toward the goal of saving lives and reducing fire loss by installing residential fire sprinklers,” he said. “By bringing all aspects of the fire service together for a common cause, today we have concluded the first monumental step of requiring residential fire sprinklers in the model codes. It is imperative, however, that we continue our collaborative efforts to protect both the public and our firefighters on the front line by working to make certain that these requirements are also adopted into state and local codes. I want to personally thank every individual and organization that was involved in making this a reality and know that your continued commitment to this initiative will save thousands of lives in the future.”

Recreational Trailer Fire Extinguished

August 26, 2008 - Stations 55, 56 & 57 were dispatched to a structure fire at a trailer being renovated at at Maple Lake Campground. First arriving unit 5705 with crew members Jason Zimmerman and Vincent Schwartz reported the fire knocked down and a smoke condition inside the trailer. Chief Ken Byrnes arrived shortly after and assumed Fire Command. Crews from 5511 arrived and assisted 5705 with salvage and overhaul of the trailer and checked for fire extension.  Fire Official  Frank McDonnell investigated and determined the fire was accidental in nature and the point of origin was the hot water heater pilot light assembly in contact with combustibles.

Night Out joins Jackson residents, service groups
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer Tri  Town News 8/14/08

PHOTOS BY DAVE BENJAMIN Jackson Police Officer Kevin Chesney shows a guest at the Aug. 5 America's Night Out Against Crime the correct way to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The annual event took place in the ShopRite plaza, County Line Road, Jackson, and included community organizations presenting information and demonstrations, as well as entertainment and activities for children.

A youngster learns the proper way to extinguish a grill fire during the Aug. 5 America's Night Out Against Crime. The community event took place at the ShopRite plaza, County Line Road, Jackson.

"This year we expanded the carnival atmosphere a little," the sergeant said. "We put in more rides for the kids." Jackson Councilwoman Ann Updegrave said, "I like to see all the emergency vehicles out here showing the residents of Jackson what they have to offer." Jackson Councilman Scott Martin said, "It was a great turnout. My compliments go out to the organizers of the event. They did a great job. I think it's by far the largest turnout we've ever had. There was a real sense of community. Once again my compliments go to Sgt. Convery, who did a wonderful job organizing the event."

Convery said the Policemen's Benevolent Association donated bicycles for a bicycle raffle for children.  Area companies made donations of various equipment and rides. ShopRite supplied hamburgers and hot dogs. Convery estimated that several thousand people would visit the event for at least part of the evening. The Jackson Police Department's DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) car was on hand for inspection.  A rappelling demonstration by law enforcement personnel was a highlight of the evening. The demonstration was dedicated to all air assault troopers and to the paratroopers who have been in the 82nd or the 101st Airborne division. Representatives of Jackson's fire companies were on hand to demonstrate their equipment.

The Jackson Mills Fire Company was a hit with the crowd. Youngsters — and some dads — were allowed to climb into the driver's seat of a vehicle and pretend they were on their way to save a family from a burning building.  Children had a chance to see how a fire extinguisher works and they were allowed to put out an activated live fire. The Jackson Volunteer First Aid Squad and Quality Medical Transport had ambulances on exhibit and demonstrated cardiopulmonary resuscitation and a variety of first aid techniques. Representatives of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) were on hand to explain the mission of the group. During specialized training, civilians learn how to respond to emergencies with first aid, trauma and rescue skills. CERT would supplement police and fire responses during a large-scale emergency. This year the New Jersey State Police joined the event, sending officers and equipment dealing with homeland security issues. "We are part of a chemical, biological, radiological vehicular unit," said Sgt. Mike Macintyre of the New Jersey State Police Hazmat response unit. "We go out and look for samples for evidence collection and testing in order to provide that kind of information." Macintyre pointed to an assortment of equipment that is used by the Hazmat response unit, including one piece that tests chemical agents.  "These are Level-A fully encapsulated [protective] suits that are worn [in potentially dangerous areas]," he said. "This is an air purifying respirator, which gives the wearer more time in [the suits] and these are chemical agent 256 kits to detect nerve agents."

New Jersey State Police Trooper Jeff Gauthier showed equipment that is used when dogs are trained as canine officers. A police dog was present for the event. Also on hand were members of the New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad, Technical Emergency and Mission Specialists, the New Jersey National Guard and the auxiliary police.  Prime Time Showband, a Rockland County, N.Y., band led by Billy Keenan, played dance music that kept people moving.  Information was also presented to guests by representatives of the Jackson Optimist Club, the Kiwanis Club, the Jackson-Plumsted Domestic Violence Response Team, the Jackson Academy of Taekwondo, the Jackson Fitness Center, Fancy Limos.com, and the Intrinsic Chiropractic Center.  Children's identification cards were being handled by Jackson police officers Joseph Oleksy and Burt Salisbury.

Dump Truck Overturns

Tuesday July 15, 2008- At approximately 15:40 hours Fire District firefighters located at the S Hope Chapel Firehouse (Sta.57) were dispatched to an overturned dump tuck at Jackson Asphalt located on South Hope Chapel Rd. Ladder 5705 lead by Company Officer Lt. Ed Moore with firefighters Jay Zimmerman and Vincent Schwartz responded. Upon arrival they found a dump truck on it's side leaking hydraulic fluid. The leaked was contained and haz- mat agencies were notified for clean-up. The driver was transported to the hospital by Quality EMS. Crews stood by while the truck was up righted. NJ DEP, Berkely Haz -Mat unit, OC Prosecutors office, Jackson OEM & Fire Safety Bureau were notified or responded.

Vehicle Extrication after Head-On Crash

Wednesday July 9, 2008- At approximately 09:24 Fire District 3 (Sta.55) firefighters were dispatched  head-on collision between two vehicles on Cooks Bridge Road, just south of Manhattan Street that sent three people including a toddler to the hospital after being extricated by District 3 (Sta.55) firefighters. Fire District 4 (Sta 54) firefighters stood by at Johnson Park on Kierych Memorial Dr., as they waited for medical helicopter to transport one person to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune. Medics on scene canceled the medivac helicopter and  drove the victim instead. The initial investigation shows that one car crossed over the center line and struck the oncoming car head on. The injuries do not immediately appear life-threatening according to police officials. Jackson Police Traffic Safety is investigating and Quality EMS transported the victims to the Hospitals. 

Apartment Fire Sends One To Hospital Evacuates Tenants

Tuesday July 8,2008- At approximately 13:45 hours Stations 54, 55 & 57 were dispatched to a structure fire at the C-Building of Pineview Apartments on West County Line Rd. First arriving Chief Ken Byrnes reported a working fire in apartment C-13 with a victim with burn injuries to his face and hands. First arriving unit 5511 commanded by Co. Officer Lt. Gerard Moroney and his crew firefighters Howles, Hilger and Grossman stretched a handline to the apartment. Second due units 5505 with Co. Officer Lt. Schoch and his crew firefighters Stacy, Granado, Perotto & McLaughlin assisted with ventilation and fast team. Unit 5705 with acting Co Officer FF Zimmerman and his crew member firefighter Schwartz assisted with a water supply and back up fire lines. Fire Official McDonnell assisted with personnel accountability and fire investigation. 

The fire was located in the back bedroom and quickly knocked down. Fire crews checked for extension and ventilated the apartment. Firefighters also evacuated first and second floor apartments around the fire apartment as a precaution. The fire did not extend into the structural members of the building and was contained to the bedroom contents. The burn victim was a tenant of the apartment and was transported to Kimball Medical Center by Quality EMS for burns. Fire Investigation was conducted by Jackson Bureau of Fire Safety District 1 & 3 Fire Official McDonnell and Jackson Police Detective Scott Conover. The cause and origin is still under investigation.          

Plumbers Torch Ignites Condominium Fire 

Monday July 7, 2006- Stations 55 and 57 were dispatched to a reported structure fire at 103C Pleasant Drive in the Whitesville Section of town. 5705 arrived on scene and was informed by the maintenance manager that the fire had been extinguished. The maintenance manager was utilizing a plumbers torch to work on plumbing in the bathroom when the torch ignited exposed insulation and spread up behind the sheet rock wall. Firefighters verified that the fire was out and checked the pipe chase in the basement and attic of the building for any fire extension. The crew from 5705 also began providing EMS assistance to the resident of the apartment who was found experiencing respiratory distress. The maintenance manager, who was operating the torch, had burns to his lower legs. The resident of the apartment was treated on scene by MONOC Paramedics and transported to the hospital by Quality EMS. Crews operated in high temperatures both in the attic of the house and the outside air on this hot and humid day. The fire was found to have been extinguished by the maintenance manager utilizing an ABC fire extinguisher and a bucket of water.  Firefighters verified no extension into other parts of the building. The Ocean County Fire Marshal and Jackson Police also responded. This was the second fire related to a plumbers torch to start a fire at a condominium in the same district within a month.

Man Trapped Under Vehicle Rescued

Tue. 7/1/08 3pm- Firefighters from Fire Districts 1 & 3 (Sta. 55 & 57) responded to a Whitesville Road residence and extricated a 69-year-old township man who was trapped underneath his elevated pickup truck when it fell off its ramp onto him while he was working underneath. First due unit 5705 commanded by Lt Ed Moore and his crew FF Jay Zimmerman & Vinnie Schwartz hand lifted the vehicle off of the victim and pulled him out. They were assisted at the scene by the victims grandson who called 9-1-1 and Jackson Police Captain Newman and Sgt Geoghegan. Firefighter-EMT's, Quality EMS and Mon-OC Paramedics treated the victim and as a result of his serious injury to his chest, firefighters set up a landing zone at Christa McAulliffe Middle School as Mon-Oc One Medivac helicopter flew the man to Jersey Shore Regional Trauma Center for treatment of his injuries.

Plumbers Torch Ignites Fire at Condominiums

6/6/08- Stations 55 & 57 (District 1 and 3) were dispatched to a structure fire at a condominium residence at Primrose Lane at approximately 15:45 hours. Ladder 5705 commanded by Lt Moore was first due to arrive within 3 minutes of dispatch reporting a working fire in the crawlspace of the building. He immediately initiated a second alarm for Stations 54 and 56 (District 4 and 2) to assist. The crew of of 5705 Firefighters Zimmerman and Schwartz assisted Lt Moore in stretching a hand line to the crawlspace. The crew entered the the crawlspace and suppressed the remaining fire. Additional crews 5708 and 5505 arrived shortly on scene and assisted with mop up and ventilation of the crawlspace. Fire Official Frank McDonnell (18307) of Jackson Bureau of Fire Safety District 1 & 3 ruled the fire accidental when the Plumber used a torch to burn away spider webs under the crawlspace to service the HVAC unit  igniting the insulation. The fire was contained to the crawlspace insulation and no fire extension was found to the structure. The plumber assisted in knocking down the fire prior to fire units arriving on scene, sustaining minor injuries and smoke inhalation. He was treated at the scene and refused transportation to the hospital.  

Chimney Fire Extinguished

5/12/08  A reported chimney fire dispatched Stations 54, 55 and 57 to a Farmingdale Rd residence. First due Chief Lubertowski  (5400)  established command and reported a working chimney fire extending possibly into the the attic. Telesquirt 5505 with Co. Officer Lt Moroney (18340) arrived on scene shortly after command was established stretched a handline into the second floor in search of the attic access. 5705 with Co. Officer Lt Moore (18350) assisted 5505 with interior operations. 5405 arrived on scene and laddered the roof with its crew cutting access around the chimney to gain access to the fire. A handline was stretched to the roof and extinguished the fire that was confined to the chimney. Firefighters applied a salvage cover on the roof hole to keep the rain out and the interior to protect the contents from water damage during suppression operations. The attic area around the chimney and a 2nd floor bedroom suffered moderate damage as firefighters attempted to find the origin of the fire by cutting into the attic wall around the chimney and removing the bedroom ceiling into the attic. One volunteer firefighter was injured in a motor vehicle crash enroute to the firehouse, was transported to the hospital and released with a minor injury. Mutual aid for a tanker and R.I.T. team was requested from Freewood Acres Fire Co. Fire Official Frank McDonnell (18307) of Jackson Bureau of Fire Safety District 1 & 3 ruled the fire accidental with the origin starting in the chimney stack.   

Fire Extinguished by Homeowner

5/1/08  A quick thinking homeowner was able to knock down a fire that was confined to a bedroom entertainment unit and clothes cabinet. The homeowner located on Sunningdale Ct in Westlake Riviera called 911 when she saw fire coming from the cabinet storing her clothes. She was able to evacuate her husband from the house who was napping in the bedroom when the fire started called 911 and knocked down the fire with a fire extinguisher. Fire District firefighters arriving within 4 minutes of dispatch overhauled the unit and removed it from the residence. Fire Official Frank McDonnell of Jackson Bureau of Fire Safety District 1 & 3 ruled the fire accidental.    

Study will examine uniting fire districts
Jackson solicits firm to conduct first phase
BY MARK ROSMAN Staff Writer Tri Town News
Jackson officials have taken the first step toward determining whether sharing services with or consolidating Jackson's fire districtsmight serve the community better than the present system of four separate fire districts. A legal notice published in a local daily newspaper last week is soliciting firms to bid on a job "to prepare a SHARE grant application and conduct a feasibility study to determine whether shared services and/or the consolidation of Jackson Township fire districts into one unified fire district will best serve the township." Proposals for the job will be submitted to the township, opened and read at 11 a.m.April 16.At present, Jackson is divided into four fire districts. Each district is served by a board of commissioners and a fire company. The operation of a fire district is supported by an assessment that appears on a property owner's property tax bill.

The 2007 tax rate in each fire district follows:

• Fire District 1 - 16 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The owner of a home assessed at the township average of $150,000 in Fire District 1 paid about $240 in fire district taxes in 2007. The owner of a home assessed at $250,000 in Fire District 1 paid about $400 in fire district taxes. The owner of a home assessed at $350,000 in Fire District 1 paid about $560 in fire district taxes.

• Fire District 2 - 10.1 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The owner of a home assessed at the township average of $150,000 in Fire District 2 paid about $151 in fire district taxes in 2007. The owner of a home assessed at $250,000 in Fire District 2 paid about $252 in fire district taxes. The owner of a home assessed at $350,000 in Fire District 2 paid about $353 in fire district taxes.

• Fire District 3 - 17.9 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The owner of a home assessed at the township average of $150,000 in Fire District 3 paid about $268 in fire district taxes in 2007. The owner of a home assessed at $250,000 in Fire District 3 paid about $447 in fire district taxes. The owner of a home assessed at $350,000 paid about $626.

• Fire District 4 - 14.1 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The owner of a home assessed at the average of $150,000 in District 4 paid about $211 in taxes in 2007. The owner of a home assessed at $250,000 paid about $352. The owner of a home assessed at $350,000 in District 4 paid about $493.

Township Administrator Phil Del Turco said Jackson is taking advantage of an opportunity provided by the state Department of Community Affairs to examine shared services and programs. The township is looking into shared services and programs with the school district. Del Turco said the process would be twofold: in the initial step, a feasibility study would be conducted to develop information about shared services or programs between two entities (i.e., the township and the fire districts). Pending those findings, shared services and/or programs could be implemented. Del Turco noted that in the present case involving the planned study of Jackson's fire districts, the township is not at the implementation stage. He said that during this process, "we will want to coordinate and communicate with the fire districts. That is critical."

District 3 Election Results

February 18th 2008- The budget for District 3 passed by a margin of 88 to 48.  Mr Jordan was elected to the position of Commissioner with 88 votes.  The incumbant Mr Logan had 32 votes and Mr Kalapos had 27 votes.The ballot question for the LOSAP program passed by a margin of 96 to 28.

House Fire

February 17, 2008

Early this morning stations 57 and 55 from Jackson Township were dispatched to the a residence on May Blvd for a reported structure with entrapment   Dispatch immediately notified Asst Chief Raush 5710 that there were numerous phone calls.  Lt K Fleming 5730 also advised the Chief he passed the house and it was a confirmed working fire.  On arrival of 5710 command was established and he requested Station 56 from Jackson, Station 63 Lakehurst Naval Base for a RIT team and Station 34 from Manchester .

Engine/Tanker 5708 arrived first due and immediately stretched two 1 ¾ attack line to the fire under the direction Operations Chief Smith 5500.  Asst Chief Fatovic assumed interior operations and assisted the first team in with knocking down the fire.  Engine 5521 laid a 5 inch attack line into 5708.  5521’s crew ventilated the roof of the structure and conducted a primary and secondary search of the resident which turned up only 4 cats which succumbed to the smoke.  It was determined that no one was in the structure and all residents were accounted for.   An aggressive interior attack was performed by the firefighters and the fire was extinguished.  Extensive overhaul had to be performed by the crews on scene.

JCP&L responded to the scene to cut power to the home along with the New Jersey Natural Gas Company.  The homeowner was checked by the Jackson First Aid squad and checked out ok.  The fire does not appear to be suspicious in nature but is under investigation by the Ocean County Fire Marshall’s Office. 

Council awards EMS pact
Quality Medical Transport selected for daytime coverage

2/14/08  JACKSON- Township Council members have awarded an emergency medical services transport contract to Quality Medical Transport Inc., a Beachwood ambulance service. The contract was voted upon at the council's meeting on Feb. 11. Quality Medical Transport will serve the residents of Jackson during the daytime hours and the Jackson Volunteer First Aid Squad will continue to provide coverage during the evening and overnight hours. Quality Medical Transport will provide backup service for the volunteer first aid squad and will provide three ambulances instead of the two that were in town in the past.

There will be a 30-day clause in the contract which will allow Jackson officials to cancel the service if the firm cannot perform its duties. According to a proposal provided by the firm, Quality Medical Transport will collect for its services only from the insurance company of the patient and will work for free if the patient has no insurance coverage. Council members Scott Martin and Angelo Stallone and council President Ann Updegrave voted to award the contract to Quality Medical Transport.  Councilman Jason Gudaitis voted no.

Councilwoman Emily Ingram, who could not attend the Feb. 11 meeting due to a previous commitment, said her choice was to award the contract to QualityMedical Transport. Martin read a statement from Ingram in which the councilwoman said, "Emergency medical service is extremely vital to the health of Jackson residents and with proper internal control I believe QualityMedical Transport can provide efficient service. My request would be to have Quality Medical Transport submit monthly reports to the township administrator and to the selected ad-hoc committee detailing the response times as well as any issues that have occurred."

Ingram also asked that an executive from Quality Medical Transport attend a town meeting on a quarterly basis to discuss matters of concern with municipal officials and residents. During an earlier caucus meeting council members discussed the idea of naming an emergency medical services oversight committee that would consist of two or three residents and possibly an adviser from the Jackson Police Department and from the volunteer first aid squad who would oversee the provision of emergency medical services. In order to provide a permanent oversight committee the mayor would have to amend the administrative code, Updegrave said. She suggested two residents, Kenneth Bressi and Dennis Lafer, who could be on the committee with Gudaitis.

Gudaitis suggested a maximum of a five-member committee. Mayor Mark Seda recommended that the oversight committee should have access to Quality Medical Transport's response times. Township Attorney George Gilmore said he believes the committee should be permanent at this point. The oversight committee would have no real power except to observe the job being done by Quality Medical Transport and to advise municipal officials, he said. The council members did not vote on whether there will be an emergency medical services oversight committee. That decision may be made at a future meeting of the council. When comments from the public were taken resident John Walters said he was disappointed there was not more discussion about the alternatives. He recommended that the volunteer first aid squad remain in the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. slot because it strengthens the program for the squad's younger members.

"The township should support the first aid squad with more than $20,000," he said, adding that he favored having Quality Medical Transport provide the daytime coverage. Martin said he was asked by first aid squad officers to move the end time for coverage by the volunteer squad to 5 a.m. instead of 6 a.m. Martin voted to award the emergency medical services contract to QualityMedical Transport. He said he received positive recommendations about the firm. He noted that the firm has received several awards and will back up the first aid squad volunteers. Updegrave and Stallone also voted in favor of awarding the contract to Quality Medical Transport.

Gudaitis cast the only no vote and said he wanted an emergency medical services oversight committee in place.Updegrave said she visited the first aid squad and was pleased to say that Quality Medical Transport can provide Jackson with the services that are needed. The times that the first aid squad will provide coverage will have to be worked out with representatives of Quality Medical Transport and she said she believes that can be done. "I feel Quality Medical Transport deserves to be given a chance based on its background, its recommendations, its qualifications and its communication with the first aid squad," she said. No date was given for when Quality Medical Transport will take over daytime responses in the community. At the present time daytime responses in Jackson are provided by MONOC. Quality Medical Transport will provide what is referred to as Basic Life Support services when it is dispatched to a call. MONOC will continue to provide what is referred to as Advanced Life Support services when those services are required on a particular call for emergency medical services.The council declined to institute a municipal emergency services unit that would have operated under the auspices of the Jackson Police Department.

STRUCTURAL FIRE KNOCKED DOWN QUICKLY

2/7/08 -A working structure fire was knocked down quickly by Fire District No 3 firefighters. The dispatch came in around 12:05 pm Friday reporting a structure fire on N Hope Chapel Rd. District 3 Firefighters stationed at the S. Hope Chapel Firehouse (District 1) quickly responded along with the Fire Official who was also at the station. Fire Official Frank McDonnell was first due and reported fire coming from the B division of the ranch house. Firefighters Jay Zimmerman and Lt Ed Moore arriving shortly after with unit 5708 stretched 1-3/4 hand line to division B side. Neighbors reported that their maybe occupants home and entrapped. 

Fire Chief Ken Byrnes arrived and assumed Incident Command . Lt Moore prior to arrival of other incoming units, knowing there may be entrapment, by himself gained entry and  knocked down the fire in the kitchen area and did a quick search for the occupants as Firefighter Zimmerman operated the pump. Units 5511 and 5505 arrived soon after and assisted with suppression, accountability  and ventilation. The occupants were found not to be home at the time of the fire but 2 cats were missing in which a search by firefighters resulted in a negative find. There were no injuries to firefighters. The cause was investigated by Jackson Fire Official McDonnell, Ocean County Fire Marshals Office and Jackson Police Detective Scott Conover who determined the cause to be accidental and origin related to the dishwasher.   

Debate On EMS Services Ongoing
Meeting Planned January 23 To Discuss Options: Quality Medical Is Frontrunner
Jackson Times By Lauren Puglisi 1/11/08

The Jackson Township Council will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. on January 23 to discuss bringing a paid EMS service to town. The meeting will serve as a public forum for members of the community to learn about emergency medical service (EMS) options officials hope will benefit overall health and safety in Jackson. The intent, officials have stressed, is not to replace the township's volunteer first aid companies. Rather, it is to assist them by providing added emergency response service during hours when the volunteers have traditionally been understaffed. Councilman Scott Martin said the new service provider will operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Whether the township will contract with an outside agency - two are currently on the table - or create its own EMS service is still under discussion. Mayor Mark Seda has suggested plans that would call for the town's current daytime EMS provider, MONOC (Monmouth Ocean Hospital Service Corporation), to be eliminated. Instead, a new community service officer under the auspice of the township Police Department would be created to oversee a new municipal emergency medical service, funded fully by the town.

If the township opts to contract with another provider, however, that plan may never come to fruition. On December 21, an ad-hoc subcommittee created to study the issue met with representatives from MONOC and Quality Medical, the two third-party services under consideration. Ken Bressi, a member of the committee, said the meeting brought residents from of all walks of life together to discuss EMS issues. One thing most agreed on: An in-house service is not the way to go. "All people in attendance commonly decided against starting a new in-house EMS service," Bressi said. However, Business Administrator Phil Del Turco said that the question of whether the township will provide EMS services on its own is still up in the air. "The purpose for this change is to ultimately improve response times within Jackson. The mayor's open-forum presentation will detail different emergency providers to the council and to the public of Jackson Township," Del Turco said. To the end of improving response times, Bressi said discussions will be ongoing. "Since response times have been such an issue in Jackson," Bressi said, "talks of putting a committee together to calculate the reasoning behind slow response times is an ongoing possibility. I think this way no one person will be blamed and emergency calls will be monitored on a continual basis."

Although there has yet to be a final decision made within the entire council, Martin has given his endorsement to Quality Medical. He said that if Quality is chosen as the township's EMS provider, there will be no charge to the town and at least three ambulances will be provided (more if needed) during the targeted time period. In contrast, MONOC would cost taxpayers up to $150,000 for their services, Martin said.  "After doing research and speaking with stellar Quality Medical references, this EMS provider appears to be the best service with no cost to the town," Martin said. "I am still open-minded to other service providers, which will be presented during the mayor's meeting, but the reason I am so impressed with Quality Medical is because they are willing to supply back-up services to the township's first aid volunteer squad."

The vote is still pending, but other council members have started to weigh in too. Councilwoman Emily Ingram said she has done research on both MONOC and Quality Medical, and feels that Quality Medical is a service that goes above and beyond other providers. "Jackson residents have major complaints about bettering EMS response times and my research has shown me that Quality Medial has guaranteed that they take pride in the fastest times," Ingram said. Although Martin, Ingram and other members of the ad-hoc committee are leaning towards Quality Medical, a final decision has not yet been made. This in part led to Seda's decision to hold a meeting detailing the use of three separate provider options. Seda announced at last Thursday's council meeting that he would be holding a meeting to outline the pros and cons of going with MONOC, Quality Medical or a townshiprun EMS service provider. Township Clerk Ann Marie Eden said during the course of the meeting, Seda will be available for questions from the public after giving a detailed presentation on EMS service providers. Seda said the governing body will be ready to go to a vote if all council members come to a consensus. Councilman Angelo Stallone agreed. "If the council feels comfortable to move forward with a new EMS provider after the mayor's presentation, we will," said Stallone. The mayor's EMS presentation will be held in the main auditorium at Jackson Liberty High School, 7 p.m. on January 23

1/9/08  Notice is hereby given that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 10:4-12, the Township Council of Jackson Township will conduct a Special Township Council Meeting on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 as noted below:

Date: Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Time 7:00 p.m. (Public Meeting/Mayor Seda’s presentation on EMS Services

Location: Jackson Liberty High School (Main Auditorium) 125 North Chapel Road Jackson, NJ 08527

Purpose: Mayor’s presentation on EMS Services. Formal action may be taken by the Township Council upon the conclusion of the Mayor’s presentation on EMS Services.

2007 NEWS ARCHIVE