Mutual Aid to Watchung Rt 78

July 24th, 2008 Watchung Chief Jim DePoalo requested Berkeley Heights Squad One to provide assistance on Rt 78 Westbound, west of Drift Rd at the scene of a single vehicle rollover with multiple patients. Squad One responded to the highway and assisted with patient care while Berkeley Heights Rescue Squad and Atlantic Ambulance provided transport for the multiple patients. Operations complete, Watchung command released Squad One from the scene.

Mutual Aid to Fanwood

July 19th 2008,, Union County Mutual Aid requested 1 Engine to respond to Fanwood while that department and department's from several neighboring communities battled a stubborn house fire. The extreme heat also added to the difficulties at this fire. Berkeley Heights Squad-1 covered Fanwood along with an engine from New Providence.

Trench  Rescue class

On July 13th 2008 several members from the Berkeley Heights Fire Dept along with members from Chatham Township Fire and New Providence Emergency Medical Services  participated in the practical portion of  a Trench Rescue Course conducted by the New Providence Fire Dept. Although trench rescues may seem to be a rare event they occur more often than most would assume. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has figures that show over one hundred deaths result each year from more than ten thousand incidents nationwide. Not only do workers run the risk of becoming injured but also many rescuers end up as victims. Training on how to approach, set up, and effect a trench rescue requires advanced training as well as hands on experience with the necessary tools.

Mutual Aid to Elizabeth

On the late night of July 2nd, 2008 Berkeley Heights Fire was requested by Union County Mutual Aid to provide one engine to cover the City of Elizabeth during a large multi-alarm fire. Engine One, newly re-designated Squad One, responded to the city along with several other companies including a New Providence Engine and Linden Tower Ladder. Engine One provided coverage for the city for several hours while Elizabeth returned their units back to service. All mutual aid was released from the city just before sunrise.

Mutual Aid to New Providence

Once again the recent local mutual aid agreement between Berkeley Heights and New Providence was put into action. On the afternoon of June 27th 2008 New Providence Fire Department made an urgent request for a Berkeley Heights Engine to respond to the scene of a working structure fire on Woodbine Cir. Engine One and Battalion Two responded to the scene and were immediately put to work to assist in containing the exterior fire and providing manpower for New Providence crews. Chatham Township, Summit, Scotch Plains and Westfield Fire Departments also responded to the scene. Engine One's crew also assisted in venting the roof and overhauling. The fire was placed under control aprox. 2hrs in and all units were released.

Father's Day Dodge Viper Extrication

On the afternoon of June 15th, 2008, Father's Day, Berkeley Heights Fire was dispatched to the scene of a single vehicle collision on Route 78 Eastbound just east of the Diamond Hill entrance ramp. Chief Padovano, first on scene, advised dispatch he had a heavily entrapped driver and requested a med-evac helicopter for the patient. Rescue One and Engine Two arrived and were put to work on the Dodge Viper which had collided with the sound barrier wall. Chief Padovano requested assistance from several neighboring communities including Watchung and New Providence, who responded to the highway. The extrication required the use of nearly every hydraulic tool in the department. The patient was in critical condition throughout the extrication with massive trauma from the impact of the crash. The driver was extricated within forty-five minutes, however he succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. Atlantic Air One landed on Route 78 to stand by for transport however the patient was transported via gorund by the Berkeley Heights Rescue Squad. Berkeley Heights Rescue Squad and Long Hill First Aid Squad provided patient care and rehab for firefighters on the scene. Firefighters remained on the scene during the ensuing investigation and awaited vehicle recovery. All units were clear after approximately three hours.

Multiple Calls/Severe Weather Response

On the evening of June 10th, 2008 a severe thunder storm passed through the region causing Berkeley Heights a variety of emergency incidents. In addition to the storm stand by and several routine utility emergencies BHFD responded to La Secla Pl. for the reported lighting strike with smoke condition inside the residence. Engine One and Tower One responded to investigate the situation. Chief Padovano established command on arrival and advised incoming units there was damage to the home including a compromised chimney. Engine One's crew was assigned to check for fire while Tower One set up it's 100 foot platform to check  the roof and clear chunks of brick and mortar that had exploded from the chimney. Firefighters cleared the roof  and found no fire damage inside the structure, however the home's electrical system was damaged and had to be secured. Soon after the incident was declared under control Union County Mutual Aid requested a Berkeley Heights Engine to respond into Kenilworth for a cover assignment while they handled a structure fire. Engine One was released from the scene and responded. Eventually moving up to the scene to assist in packing hose and picking up the other mutual aid companies. After several hours of coverage Engine One was released and returned to the township.

Route 78 MVA

June 10th 2008, Route 78 was the scene of another serious motor vehicle accident. A White Ford Pick Up truck collided with a heavy duty tow truck on Route 78 East near the border of Watchung. Responding units Engine Two and Rescue One were advised of heavily damaged vehicle and a injured occupant. Chief Padovano arrived on scene and advised incoming units to prepare to provide patient care to the driver. The patient was stabilized and prepared for transport by the Berkeley Heights Rescue Squad. Rescue One was released from the scene while Engine Two stood by for vehicle recovery operations.

Mutual Aid to New Providence

On May 29th, 2008, Berkeley Heights Fire responded on an urgent request for one engine into New Providence. A fire in the furnace room of the house spread throughout the home's ventilation and duct work causing a smoke condition and the need to check for fire spread. Crews from Berkeley Heights Engine One and Chatham Township Ladder were assigned to check the second floor. Crews went to work opening up walls and checking void spaces for fire spread. The fire was placed under control by New Providence command and units were released within the hour.

Fire Contained by Sprinklers in Apartment

On the evening of May 12th, 2008 Berkeley Heights Fire was dispatched for a carbon monoxide alarm sounding in a residence. During the investigation a second alarm was received for a water flow activation from the residential apartments located above the UPS Store on Sherman Ave. The manpower at Fire Headquarters responded with Engine 3 and Tower One while Engine One and Two picked up from the CO Alarm with negative findings. Arriving units discovered an activated head in a rear bedroom, which was shut down to prevent further water damage. During the salvage process firefighters discovered the heat from a halogen lamp had ignited clothing which began to spread rapidly. However the sprinkler head activated and extinguished the fire. The incident is noteworthy in that every piece of apparatus (Engine One, Engine Two, Engine Three, Tower One, and Rescue One) responded in some capacity. The resident was relocated by the Red Cross for the night and the building's sprinkler system placed back in service.

Mutual Aid to Stirling

In the early morning hours of April 28th, 2008 the Stirling Fire Company requested a Berkeley Heights Engine to provide assistance at the scene of a fire on Long Hill Rd. Engine One and Battalion Three responded to the scene where the fire was contained within the home's walls but proved difficult to gain access to. Crews went to work on the first floor and basement to assist Long Hill units in locating and extinguishing the fire. Saws were used to open the main level's floor and the basement ceiling. After extensive overhaul the fire was placed under control by Deputy Chief Remington and Berkeley Heights was released.

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.