NEWS

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Firefighters Battle Large Brush Fire

April 25, 2008
Berkeley Heights and neighboring mutual aid fire dept's battled a
large brush fire in the wooded area behind Killarney Dr. Heavy smoke
was reported coming from the woods at aprox. 7:45pm, Chief of
Department Padovano arrived 1st on scene and reported a large brush
fire about 300 yards into the wood's. Two engine companies from
Berkeley Heights arrived and attempted to stop the forward progress
of the fire which was advancing towards homes in the area.
Due to the size of the fire and wind condition's, fire mutual aid was
requested from Mountainside F.D. to send a brush assignment. Difficult terrain in the
wood's also hampered firefighters attempts to reach the scene.
Additional Mutual Aid was provided on scene by New Providence F.D.,
Chatham Township F.D., Scotch Plains F.D., Fanwood F.D., Roselle Park
F.D., Clark F.D., and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
Station coverage was provided by Summit F.D., Westfield F.D., Watchung
F.D., and Chatham Township F.D. Firefighter rehab was provide by
the Berkeley Heights Rescue Squad, Long Hill First Aid Squad and
Chatham Township Emergency Squad. The Colonial Crossroads Chapter
of the American Red Cross also provided assistance. The fire, declared
under control at 10:00pm, affected approximately 4 acres and was
stopped before it reached any homes. No injuries where reported.

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Mutual Aid to Clark

On April 18, 2008, The Berkeley Heights Fire Dept was requested by Union
County Mutual Aid to respond to provide cover for Clark FDwhile they
where battling a stubborn fire at the U.S. Gypsum plant on Raritan
rd. Large bales of paper where burning. Soon after Berkeley Heights
Engine-1 arrived at Clark Fire Headquarters they where summoned to the
scene as part of the 4th alarm assignment with a Mountanside Ladder
and Linden Engine. After arriving member's where tasked to the
roof to open scuttle covers to ventilate the building in order to clear
the interior of smoke. Berkeley Heights FD was on scene for several
hours. In all, 18 Union County communities battled this blaze
and it is a true testament to the commitment and dedication that the
volunteer County Mutual Aid coordinator's provide to this County
to make sure all communities get help when needed in
addition to there duties on there respective Department's.

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Urgent Mutual Aid Response to Chatham Twp

On March 31, 2008 Berkeley Heights Engine One was finally able to
assist the Chatham Township Fire Department, after nearly two years of
assisting Berkeley Heights at structure fires and station coverage
assignments Chief Padovano gladly returned the favor. At 2:50 PM
Chatham Township was dispatched for the possible deck fire at 12
Sentinel Ct in the condominium complex off Mt Vernon Dr. First
arriving units faced heavy fire on the exterior and a fully involved
attic space. Chatham Twp Deputy Chief Condus made an urgent mutual aid
request for Berkeley Heights Engine, Summit Engine and Ladder, New
Providence Ladder and Chatham Borough Engine. Additional resources
also included companies from Green Village and the UASI Air Unit from
Morris Plains. Upon arrival Chief Padovano reported to the Command
Post to assist in command and control and receive an assignment for
his crew. After the repositioning of apparatus, Berkeley Heights
Engine One set up to supply Summit Truck One with water for master
stream operations. Berkeley Heights not only assisted Chatham Township
in dousing the flames by pumping the hydrant but also supplied
manpower needed to operating the Summit tower ladder. After master
stream operations, crews re-entered for salvage and overhaul
operations.  Berkeley Heights in cooperation with Chatham Township and
Borough firefighters worked in a top floor apartment. After an
extended operation and rehab Berkeley Heights cleared the scene after
three hours at 6:30 PM.

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Multiple Calls during wind storm of March 8-9, 2008

Berkeley Heights experienced a wide range of emergencies on the
evening of March 8th 2008. The storm which passed through Union County
claimed downed wires, fallen trees and isolated flooding. The night
began at approximately 6:30 PM when the department was dispatched to a
reported tree down on a vehicle with  entrapment on Diamond Hill Rd.
Engine One and Rescue One responded only to discover a fallen tree
blocking their route up Snyder Ave. Firefighters cleared the
obstruction and proceeded to the scene, where a large tree had fallen
taking out all utility wires then finally striking a motorist, who
suffered minor injuries and was treated by New Providence EMS, also
assisting at the scene was New Providence Fire Dept. Engine One and
Rescue One would remain on the scene for the rest of the night. Engine
2  responded to a variety of calls, including wires down, trees on
wires, and a tree on a house. With much of the township in the dark
from downed power lines the department secured and cleared all the
reported emergencies in town. All units were clear
and available by 11:30 PM. However several more calls would be
reported during the overnight including several trees down on a new
home on  Southgate and a water condition on Valley Rd.

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Dryer Fire Reheis Chemical Co. February 25, 2008

On Monday February 25, 2008 Berkeley Heights firefighters were called
into service at Reheis Chemical Facility. The Department was
dispatched in the early afternoon hours to 235 Snyder Ave. for a
reported dryer fire at the facility. Chief Padovano arrived on scene
within minutes and established command. First arriving unit Engine One
was instructed to "mask up" and investigate the situation. Captains
Schulze and Hopkins with Firefighter Esposito inspected the unit in
question and discovered burning filters to be cause of the heat. Two
workers were also found to have been exposed to the smoke and were
treated by Berkeley Heights Rescue Squad and a Paramedic unit which
transported them to Overlook Hospital. On the arrival of Battalion
Chief Imbimbo with Tower One operations began to cool the unit with
pressurized water fire extinguishers. A full inspection was made
around the unit for damage from exposure to the high heat. After
cooling the unit and overhauling the filters the scene was deemed safe
and all units cleared within approximately one and a half hours.
Mutual Aid coverage for the town consisted of engine companies from
New Providence and Watchung as well as a ladder company from Chatham
Township.

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Watchung

Mutual Aid agreements, the hallmark of Chief Padovano's first year in
office, were put into effect on February 3, 2008 with Watchung
Borough. Super Bowl Sunday proved to be a memorable one with the
urgent request for Tower One to Johnston Drive in Watchung. Chief
Padovano responded directly to the scene to assist in command and
control of the fire. A basement fire had extended to the living space
with extension to the attic. Interior operations were halted after a
partial floor collapse in the kitchen area. Tower One's crew reported
to the command post where they were assigned to assist in opening up
the exterior siding to facilitate fire suppression. Chain saws and
Rotary saws were used in cooperation with firefighters from Warren to
remove the wooden clapboard. Holes were cut on the side and rear of
the structure to allow hose teams to attack the fire. After
approximately one and half hours of truck work the fire was placed
under control and units were released. Berkeley Heights Tower One was
returned with the thanks of WFD for a job well done.

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Mva with Ejection

The late afternoon of Friday February 8, 2008 found the Berkeley
Heights firefighters operating on Route 78 west. Units were dispatched
for the report of a multi-vehicle collision with possible ejection.
Chief Padovano arrived on scene and established command reporting one
overturned mini-van and a SUV with ejection. Patient care began
immediately upon the arrival of Engine One. Berkeley Heights Rescue
Squad called on location within minutes and determined the victim's
trauma were severe enough for a flight. The request for New Jersey
State Police NorthStar unit went out and Summit Fire Department units
were tasked with securing the landing zone on Rt 78. The victim was
packaged and stabilized and ready for transport when the helicopter
touched down. Firefighters and EMT's escorted the patient to the
waiting NorthStar flight medics who rapidly transported the patient
from the scene. Long Hill First Aid Squad also responded to handle two
other victims who reported minor injuries. Berkeley Heights units on
scene included Engine 1, Acting Rescue 1, Engine 2 and assistance from
Summit Fire's Battalion Chief Wurtzbacher who responded with SFD
Engine 1 and Rescue 1.

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Mva w/Extrication

On Thursday February 7, 2008 the Berkeley Heights Fire Department was
dispatched along with Berkeley Heights Rescue Squad &  Muhlenberg
Paramedics (Mercy-6)  to a reported multi-vehicle accident on Route 78
Westbound in the area of mile marker 43. Chief Padovano was among the
first arriving units and advised incoming units of the need for
extrication with fire developing in the vehicle. Firefighters were
forced to improvise when Rescue 1 proved to be out of service. Quick
thinking allowed Chief Padovano to begin operations with the Hurst
power unit and extrication tools Engine One is equipped with. Other
equipment was loaded onto Engines Two and Three. Due to the
department's commitment to the highway mutual aid coverage was
requested from Watchung, New Providence, and Chatham Township. Mutual
Aid Coordinator Tom Murray also provided assistance at Fire
Headquarters. The victim was freed by Berkeley Heights firefighters
with assistance from Summit Fire units. The victim was extricated and
transported, since there where multiple patients mutual aid was
provided by New Providence EMS for an additional ambulance. Command
was transferred to NJ State Police for vehicle removal. Little did the
firefighters know they would be back on the highway within
twenty-hours. With Rescue One out of service the Support Unit, a 1971
Ford Stahl, the former Rescue prior to 1991 was equipped with
extrication and rescue equipment and pressed back into front line
service.

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Car vs Building

On January 30, 2008 Berkeley Heights Fire units were dispatched to the
Park Edge development for the reported vehicle into the building.
Chief Padovano, first on scene, advised responding units he had an SUV
into a dwelling with all occupants accounted for and uninjured.
Members from Engine One and Rescue One secured gas, water, and
electric utilities. Firefighters assisted building inspectors and the
Fire Official in performing a structural examination of the building.
They determined the structure to be sound for salvage operations. The
occupant was assisted in gathering personal items while vehicle recovery
operations were planned. After the vehicle was removed firefighters
cleared debris from the point of entry and recovered several items for
the occupant. With the bedroom free of debris, the home was turned over to
the association's contractors for final repair. All units cleared the
scene within one hour.

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New Providece Gas Station Fire

At approximately 0730 hours December 9, 2007 New Providence Fire
Department, a recent partner in Berkeley Heights' local mutual aid
plan, requested urgent mutual aid. New Providence firefighters were on
scene with a fully involved service station on Springfield Ave at the
border of Berkeley Heights. Engine 2 responded within minutes and was
put to work forcing entry to the rear of the structure. Firefighters
also stretched a 2 ½" attack line to the rear to prevent any
additional fire spread. Chief of Department Padovano, as well as
Battalion Chiefs Giacco and McLuskey also responded on the initial
assignment. The mutual aid response also included a Summit tower
ladder, Westfield engine, and Springfield engine. Shortly after the
fire was knocked down a special request for a third tower ladder was
made to protect the West side of the structure. A Berkeley Heights
crew standing by in quarters offered their assistance and Tower 1
responded to the scene, making BHFD the only department to assign both
an engine and ladder to the scene. The fire under control, all
Berkeley Heights units, were cleared by 0930 hours.

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Members of the Berkeley Heights Fire Department were once again the
center of attention. On December 1, 2007 the department was tasked
with making a unique transport to the center of town for the annual
Christmas tree lighting. Santa Claus himself, along with a number of
his elves, was transported on Tower 1 and Engine 1 for the yearly
event. Firefighters and children alike got to meet Old St. Nick and
enjoyed the small fireworks show which followed the tree lighting
ceremony. BHFD members and residents both look forward to next year's
ceremony and tree lighting.

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On November 29th, 2007 the Berkeley Heights Fire Department hosted
one of the first sessions of a new Highway Safety training initiative.
The event was sponsored by the Union County Fire Chief's Association.
Chief Atchison and Captain DeRosa of Madison, New Jersey Fire
Department presented the class to much of the leadership from central
New Jersey's Fire Service. Representation from Union country fire
departments included officers from Plainfield, Scotch Plains,
Mountainside, Roselle Park, Union, Roselle, and Westfield. Other
officers and chiefs came from as far away as Irvington, Belleville,
Bayonne, and Merck Industrial Brigade. Many coordinators of the Union
County Mutual Aid system also attended the informative class. Topics
included proper blocking procedures, preventative measures to ensure
firefighter safety, and sample SOG's. Berkeley Heights Fire wishes to
thank Chief Atchison for presenting and all those who attended this
informative course.

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In November  2007 members of the Berkeley Heights Fire Department
celebrated Matthew Circello's birthday. Matt, known to most as
"Chipper," is the longest serving honorary member of the company. With
some help from Junior Firefighter Frank Mea, the department was able
to provide a cake to celebrate Chipper's 52nd birthday. His dedication
to the department over the past thirty years is unrivaled.

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Over the past month of October and November 2007 the Berkeley Heights
Fire Department hosted Union County Fire Academy instructor Captain
Mike Brennan of Westfield Fire Department for Pump Operations I and
II. Students spent three nights learning the basics of friction loss,
hydrant estimations, and pump operations theory. The practical session
on November 4, 2007 gave firefighters a chance for hands on training
with the same equipment and apparatus that would be used at an
incident in the township. Firefighters and officers alike gained a
wealth of information. The department's pump operators are now better
trained and educated on the uses and capabilities of their equipment
thanks to Capt. Brennan.

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On October 6, 2007 the Berkeley Heights Fire Department hosted its 6th
Annual Pig Roast and Family BBQ Fundraiser. The goal of this year's
event was the replacement of several gas detection meters. The game
trailer, a recent addition last year, once again proved to be a big
draw for children of all ages. Pumpkin painting and the Dalmatian
moon-walk were also among the favorites. Food included four pigs,
catering from the European Deli in Manville, fresh corn on the cob,
and an array of hamburgers and hot dogs. The event marked another
successful pig roast for the department.