Tiller Ladder 3 Totalled in MVA 10/11/15
On October 11, at 11:34 AM, Brick Borough and St.Sprenklesburg were toned out for a basic rescue. Tiller Ladder 3 was one of the responders. As they headed out of the parking lot behind Station 2, it turned and went up Maple Ave. Then, as it began to turn left at the intersection to follow the other trucks, it hydroplaned on the street, which was wet after a recent rain shower, and jackknifed across both lanes of Main Street. As they tried to correct themselves, by beginning to turn the cab back the way they wanted to go, a camper approached at a high rate of speed from behind them. As they tried to stop, they slid right on through the intersection and impacted the rig right between the front and rear sections. The the cab separated from the rest and slid down the road aways before stopping in front of the Grand Emporium. One crew member was ejected and the driver was sprawled on the rear seats of the cab. The rear portion of the truck had flown into the front of the Bike Shop and taken out two signs along the way. The tiller man was okay and got out to help tend to the other crew members.
Since most of the rescue units were headed to the basic rescue call, Squad 3, Pumper Tanker 3, and Engine 3-2 responded to the call out. The crew of the Pumper Tanker worked with the Squad to free the people inside the camper. The Engine crew as well as EMS workers extracted the two injured members of the Tiller crew and got them to the hospital. The driver of the camper was extricated and sent to the hospital as well. The passenger refused medical attention, but was treated on scene for minor injuries. The tow trucks arrived and tried to clear the massive amount of debris out of the way so there was one lane of traffic, but that took over an hour because the impact had massively damaged the truck. It was unsalvageable. The Brick Borough Fire Department put their emergency protocol into order and put the production of a new unit into overtime. The new unit is a Seagrave tower which was ordered earlier this month. The police ruled out DUI but investigated the scene for over three hours to find a cause with solid evidence. It seems it was just a tragic accident. Luckily, no one was killed in this crash but two firefighters are in critical and so is the driver of the camper. Updates on their condition will come out with my next creation. A Brick Borough fire truck hasn't been involved in an accident since about three years ago, when an older Truck 3 and an older Rescue 3 were involved in a serious crash with a garbage truck. During this incident, Tower 3-1 stood in on the basic rescue call for Tiller Ladder 3.
Since most of the rescue units were headed to the basic rescue call, Squad 3, Pumper Tanker 3, and Engine 3-2 responded to the call out. The crew of the Pumper Tanker worked with the Squad to free the people inside the camper. The Engine crew as well as EMS workers extracted the two injured members of the Tiller crew and got them to the hospital. The driver of the camper was extricated and sent to the hospital as well. The passenger refused medical attention, but was treated on scene for minor injuries. The tow trucks arrived and tried to clear the massive amount of debris out of the way so there was one lane of traffic, but that took over an hour because the impact had massively damaged the truck. It was unsalvageable. The Brick Borough Fire Department put their emergency protocol into order and put the production of a new unit into overtime. The new unit is a Seagrave tower which was ordered earlier this month. The police ruled out DUI but investigated the scene for over three hours to find a cause with solid evidence. It seems it was just a tragic accident. Luckily, no one was killed in this crash but two firefighters are in critical and so is the driver of the camper. Updates on their condition will come out with my next creation. A Brick Borough fire truck hasn't been involved in an accident since about three years ago, when an older Truck 3 and an older Rescue 3 were involved in a serious crash with a garbage truck. During this incident, Tower 3-1 stood in on the basic rescue call for Tiller Ladder 3.
Massive Five-Alarm Structure Fire 8/14/15
On August 11th at 10:40 AM, all was normal in the city of Brick Borough. The town was quiet and a number of people were at the Brick Borough Grand Emporium searching for back-to-school merchandise. All of a sudden, the mall shuddered under a tremendous explosion. People in the mall looked up and saw that where the chandelier once was, there now was a ball of fire dangling from the ceiling. The ball swung back and forth, showering embers and sparks down upon the three floors below it. It was the third floor however that lit up. The fire shot through the roof, blowing out the sky light and it exploded onto the roof and raced down onto a neighboring building. Brick Borough Dispatch received the first calls at 10:44 and quickly sent Engine 3-1, Engine 3-2, Rescue 3-1, Tower 3-2, and Battalion 3-1 to the scene. The units assembled on West Street and Maple Avenue. The tower ladder used its water cannons to douse the flames and keep them from spreading any further, before it was instructed to use its bucket to get men inside the buildings beside the emporium.
At 11:07, a second alarm was issued, as it was made clear that this fire was not going to go out easily. Even with Engine 3-2's deck gun and hand line and Rescue 3-1's hand line in action, the fire was still going. Engine 3-3, Tower 3-1, Pumper Tanker 3, Rescue 3-2, Battalion 3-2, and St. Sprenklesburg Company 17 responded. The tower extended its ladder the whole way, and soon it was the tallest object in the area. Engine 3-3 and Engine 17 also raised their aerial devices and began to put water through the windows and into the fire building while Tower 3-1 doused the fire from above. The pumper tankers set up a pair of Porta-Ponds to supply the aerials once more units arrived. The Chief parked in front of the Super Market with the two battalion chiefs, which is where their headquarters was then made. Brush 17 parked across the street and sent its manpower and Rescue 17 set up its light-towers to light up the scene some more. Even then, the blaze was still roaring and the wind and dry atmosphere did not help.
In the third alarm, issued at 11:28, Utility and Trailer 3, Car and Chief 3, Squad and Tanker 3, and Satellite Unit 3 responded out of Brick Borough and Company 18 responded out of St. Sprenklesburg. The tankers and brush went to the Porta-Ponds and the chiefs went to the headquarters. Squad 3 set up in front of the tankers and used its boom to douse the flames. The Utility and Trailer parked on West Street and the lone crew member went to the door with a massive fan to clear the smoke out of the lobby. Satellite Unit 3 set up in front of the headquarters and used its water cannon to put a dent in the fire. At long last, the fire began to falter, but it was far from over. At 11:56, a fourth alarm was issued and Tender 15 responded out of St. Sprenklesburg and Engine 54-2 and 54-3 along with Command 54 and Tower 54 responded out of Stewartstown. The tower went up to a building adjacent to the Grand Emporium and put up its ladder so firemen could access the roof. But, command made it clear that no one was to set foot on the roof of the fire building. It was likely to collapse. The engines and tender assembled at the Porta-Pond area and the engines began to set up lines to run from the tankers to the aerials up front. Command believed that the fire was beginning to die out, but so was the efforts of some firemen on the ground.
To help eliminate this problem, a fifth alarm was rung at 12:02 PM, bringing Engine 3-4 and Brush Engine 3 to relieve some crews and BrickMed EMS Medic, Supervisor, and Rehab 9 to provide aid and rest to the weary firemen. The BrickMed units positioned themselves in the school parking lot and soon, they were giving first aid and water to the firemen coming off the fire line. After about two more hours on the scene, the fire was finally extinguished. The mall roof was destroyed and so was the third floor. The adjacent buildings roof was also destroyed. Through the days of this coming week, construction crews will be busy tearing off the roofs and replacing them so the buildings could be usable once again. The fire is being investigated but is being deemed accidental in cause. Three firefighters suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation but no civilians were hurt. All crews were back in their stations by 4:10 PM. Thank you to all the crews of the GLCAAUFR who covered the stations while we fought the fire.
At 11:07, a second alarm was issued, as it was made clear that this fire was not going to go out easily. Even with Engine 3-2's deck gun and hand line and Rescue 3-1's hand line in action, the fire was still going. Engine 3-3, Tower 3-1, Pumper Tanker 3, Rescue 3-2, Battalion 3-2, and St. Sprenklesburg Company 17 responded. The tower extended its ladder the whole way, and soon it was the tallest object in the area. Engine 3-3 and Engine 17 also raised their aerial devices and began to put water through the windows and into the fire building while Tower 3-1 doused the fire from above. The pumper tankers set up a pair of Porta-Ponds to supply the aerials once more units arrived. The Chief parked in front of the Super Market with the two battalion chiefs, which is where their headquarters was then made. Brush 17 parked across the street and sent its manpower and Rescue 17 set up its light-towers to light up the scene some more. Even then, the blaze was still roaring and the wind and dry atmosphere did not help.
In the third alarm, issued at 11:28, Utility and Trailer 3, Car and Chief 3, Squad and Tanker 3, and Satellite Unit 3 responded out of Brick Borough and Company 18 responded out of St. Sprenklesburg. The tankers and brush went to the Porta-Ponds and the chiefs went to the headquarters. Squad 3 set up in front of the tankers and used its boom to douse the flames. The Utility and Trailer parked on West Street and the lone crew member went to the door with a massive fan to clear the smoke out of the lobby. Satellite Unit 3 set up in front of the headquarters and used its water cannon to put a dent in the fire. At long last, the fire began to falter, but it was far from over. At 11:56, a fourth alarm was issued and Tender 15 responded out of St. Sprenklesburg and Engine 54-2 and 54-3 along with Command 54 and Tower 54 responded out of Stewartstown. The tower went up to a building adjacent to the Grand Emporium and put up its ladder so firemen could access the roof. But, command made it clear that no one was to set foot on the roof of the fire building. It was likely to collapse. The engines and tender assembled at the Porta-Pond area and the engines began to set up lines to run from the tankers to the aerials up front. Command believed that the fire was beginning to die out, but so was the efforts of some firemen on the ground.
To help eliminate this problem, a fifth alarm was rung at 12:02 PM, bringing Engine 3-4 and Brush Engine 3 to relieve some crews and BrickMed EMS Medic, Supervisor, and Rehab 9 to provide aid and rest to the weary firemen. The BrickMed units positioned themselves in the school parking lot and soon, they were giving first aid and water to the firemen coming off the fire line. After about two more hours on the scene, the fire was finally extinguished. The mall roof was destroyed and so was the third floor. The adjacent buildings roof was also destroyed. Through the days of this coming week, construction crews will be busy tearing off the roofs and replacing them so the buildings could be usable once again. The fire is being investigated but is being deemed accidental in cause. Three firefighters suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation but no civilians were hurt. All crews were back in their stations by 4:10 PM. Thank you to all the crews of the GLCAAUFR who covered the stations while we fought the fire.
Fatal MVA 7/31/15
On the same day of the MVA in St. Sprenklesburg, another incident occurred on Route 50. At around 2:19 PM, a plow driver was traveling at a high rate of speed going down the highway when he crossed lanes and plowed into the side of a cherry picked truck, crushing it beneath the plow. During this incident, St. Sprenklesburg Truck 17 was responding to the scene of the incident on Main Street when the plow ricocheted off its bumper, causing major frontal damage. Since all the other St. Sprenklesburg units were tied up with the incident on Main Street, Brick Borough responded with Pumper Tanker 3, Tower 3-2, Engine 3-2, and the last remaining Company 17 unit, Engine 17. They arrived and found the driver of the truck was hanging from the smoke stack. He was visibly under the influence. The police that arrived on scene took him in. The driver of the cherry picked truck was unfortunately pronounced dead on the scene. None of the Company 17 crewmen were hurt. The firefighters secured the vehicles and the coroner arrived to deal with the deceased man. The driver of the plow is being charged with DUI, reckless driving, and man slaughter. Crews cleared the scene at around 2:55.
Car Into Building in St. Sprenklesburg 7/31/15
On July 31, 2015, at 2:01 PM, a car was parked on the side of the road because it had broken down. Then, another car was driving along down Main St. when it spun out, hit the car, and crashed into the building. Upon impact, the car burst into flames. The building collapsed and the flames spread to the police station. First on scene were Command 3 from the Brick Borough/St. Sprenklesburg substation and Chief 17. Then, Quick Attack 3 and Brush 17 responded and began to contain the fire with two hand lines. Shortly after, more help was required and Pumper Tanker 17 responded. Even then, the fire was still going strong. The Pumper Tanker brought its hand line into action and Tower 3-3 responded to the scene. The tower raised its ladder and brought a relentless stream of water down onto the blaze. Reserve Tanker 3 arrived soon after to provide extra water and Rescue 17 arrived to provide man power for search and rescue efforts. Within half an hour, the fire was extinguished and the firefighters began to return to their stations. No one was hurt in the accident. However, several minutes after the fire began, another incident occurred nearby...
Heat Stroke 7/19/15
Today in Brick Borough, it is extremely hot. We are under a heat advisory and besides it being hot, its sticky and humid too. At around 2:20 PM, a call came in from a motorist who said a woman carrying two shopping bags appeared exhausted and then collapsed onto the sidewalk. Immediately, dispatch sent BrickMed EMS Medic 9 to the scene. The paramedic hopped out of the ambulance and scrambled to see the woman's condition. She had had a heat stroke. Then, the medic called for help. The two paramedic units in the BBFD fleet were Tower 3-1 and Rescue 3-1. They responded to the scene. With the help of the firemen, they moved the woman under overhang at the Grand Emporium and then they fanned her with a back board and reduced her body temperature closer to normal by also putting some icepacks on her. Then, the firefighters provided help to the paramedic and lifted her onto a stretcher. She was loaded into Medic 9 and rushed to the ER. Shortly, a police car arrived and they helped to take care of her dropped bags. Then, the firemen cleaned up and the cleared the scene. This all happened in a matter of ten minutes. The patient is in stable condition at this time. We remind folks who are outside to put on sunscreen frequently, stay in the shade, hydrate often, and swim in a pool if possible. Stay safe everyone.
Kitchen Fire 7/18/15
On July 18th, it was raining in the city of Brick Borough. The sky was grey with only a few peeks of sunshine. But at 10:24, the city was lit up by the lights of fire trucks as they responded to the scene of a kitchen fire on Aldrin Court. Engine 3-1, 3-2, and Rescue 3-1 responded to the scene. The family was outside, and they told the firefighters that everyone was okay. Even so, BrickMed EMS Medic 9 was put on stand-by. The crew of Engine 3-2 entered through the front door with a hand line and they blasted with a wall of smoke. They fell back to recover a moment before pushing into the residence. The crew of Rescue 3-1 pushed around behind the residence to attack the fire close to the source. Flames were shooting out of the back window and the firefighter quickly extinguished them. The crew of Engine 3-1 connected a feeder from Engine 3-2 to a hydrant and they pulled a hand line off the rig and stood by to help if need be. However, their help was not needed. After ten minutes, the fire was out. Utility 3 responded to get the smoke out of the house. After an hour, all crews returned to station. Mutual aide was requested to cover the station, and Pumper Tanker 17 covered it until the BBFD crews returned. There were no injuries in this blaze.
School Lights Up in Arson Blaze 7/9/15
On July 9, 2015, all was normal in the city. Then, disaster struck. Two rebellious teens decided to loiter around the school, and then they set it on fire. There was a teacher in the school, who did not know about what was happening just outside. The two teens lit up the school and the fire quickly began to spread over the roof and entrance of the school building. Soon, the roof collapsed and the teacher was trapped. Police arrived and soon, the two teens were being told their rights and being carted off to jail. Then, Brick Borough Dispatch received the confirmation call from police came in at 3:25 PM. The first alarm sent Engine 3-1, Engine 3-2, Rescue 3-1, Tower 3-1, and Battalion 3 to the scene. Engine 3-1 and Rescue 3-1 arrived and parked on Lexington Avenue, stretched hand lines, and attacked the blaze from the ground. Tower 3-1 raised its ladder and began to spray water down upon the fire. Battalion 3 parked and the battalion chief began to talk to the volunteer fireman who arrived on-scene before them. However, it was obvious that more help would be required.
At 3:41 PM, a second alarm was called and Tower 3-2, Tower 3-3, Squad 3, Quick Attack 3, Tanker 3, Reserve Tanker 3, and Chief 3 responded. The towers put up their ladders and began to put massive amounts of water down onto the fire. The tankers set up two Porta-Ponds on Aldrin Court. The Squad pulled on Lexington Avenue and deployed its platform to add to the aerial bombardment. Quick Attack 3 pulled into the front parking lot, put was nearly crushed by a piece of the roof. The hand line was used to put out the fire. The Chief went with Battalion 3. But, still the fire burned strong. So, St. Sprenklesburg Truck 17, Engine 17, Rescue 17, Pumper Tanker 17, Chief 17, Pumper Tanker 3, Command 3, Tanker 18, and Tanker 182 responded as well. Command 3 and Chief 17 joined the other officers at a designated location on Aldrin Court. The tankers and pumper tankers went to the Porta-Ponds to dump their loads with the other tanker units and the Truck and Rescue pulled into the Supermarket parking lot and sent their manpower to the scene. Engine 3-1's crew set up a ground ladder and Squad 3's crew climbed it to investigate the integrity o the building.
Even now, the fire was still shooting out of all entrances and windows. So, a fourth alarm was dispatched. Eureka Engines 54-2 and 54-3 and Chief 54 and Tower 54 responded with Tanker 42. The Chief met with the other chiefs, and Tower 54 put up its ladder on the Big Blue Inn and its crew used its water cannons to put water onto the fire fro that angle. Engine 54-3 stretched a feeder to Tower 3-2 and Engine 54-2 sent its manpower to the fire ground. Tanker 42 joined the tankers. The engines, Rescue, and Quick Attack use hand lines to douse the flames from the ground, the tower ladders, Squad, and Engine attack the fire from above, and the tankers supplied them all. After a five hour battle between the firefighters and the fire, the fire was finally extinguished. The teachers unfortunately did not make it through the fire and his body was found during the investigation. The school was totaled. At this point in time, there are no plans to rebuild or even demolish the structure. Children will not have a place to go next year, at least for the beginning of the year. This was arson, so not much further investigation was required. This fire is one of the few major fires in Brick Borough history that affected a public education building.
At 3:41 PM, a second alarm was called and Tower 3-2, Tower 3-3, Squad 3, Quick Attack 3, Tanker 3, Reserve Tanker 3, and Chief 3 responded. The towers put up their ladders and began to put massive amounts of water down onto the fire. The tankers set up two Porta-Ponds on Aldrin Court. The Squad pulled on Lexington Avenue and deployed its platform to add to the aerial bombardment. Quick Attack 3 pulled into the front parking lot, put was nearly crushed by a piece of the roof. The hand line was used to put out the fire. The Chief went with Battalion 3. But, still the fire burned strong. So, St. Sprenklesburg Truck 17, Engine 17, Rescue 17, Pumper Tanker 17, Chief 17, Pumper Tanker 3, Command 3, Tanker 18, and Tanker 182 responded as well. Command 3 and Chief 17 joined the other officers at a designated location on Aldrin Court. The tankers and pumper tankers went to the Porta-Ponds to dump their loads with the other tanker units and the Truck and Rescue pulled into the Supermarket parking lot and sent their manpower to the scene. Engine 3-1's crew set up a ground ladder and Squad 3's crew climbed it to investigate the integrity o the building.
Even now, the fire was still shooting out of all entrances and windows. So, a fourth alarm was dispatched. Eureka Engines 54-2 and 54-3 and Chief 54 and Tower 54 responded with Tanker 42. The Chief met with the other chiefs, and Tower 54 put up its ladder on the Big Blue Inn and its crew used its water cannons to put water onto the fire fro that angle. Engine 54-3 stretched a feeder to Tower 3-2 and Engine 54-2 sent its manpower to the fire ground. Tanker 42 joined the tankers. The engines, Rescue, and Quick Attack use hand lines to douse the flames from the ground, the tower ladders, Squad, and Engine attack the fire from above, and the tankers supplied them all. After a five hour battle between the firefighters and the fire, the fire was finally extinguished. The teachers unfortunately did not make it through the fire and his body was found during the investigation. The school was totaled. At this point in time, there are no plans to rebuild or even demolish the structure. Children will not have a place to go next year, at least for the beginning of the year. This was arson, so not much further investigation was required. This fire is one of the few major fires in Brick Borough history that affected a public education building.
Vehicle Fire Endangers Structure 7/5/15
On July the 5th, the day after Independence Day, Brick Borough was cleaning up from all of the celebration parties and picnics that had occurred the previous day. The service workers in the city were also hard at work. On one particular occasion, a worker was changing a street light, in front of the Big Blue Inn, in his bucket truck. Suddenly, the boom mechanism overheated and a fire broke out. The worker safely got down and he called the fire department. Station 2 was right across the street so they sent two rigs immediately. Engine 3-1 and Engine 3-3 responded. Engine 3-1 arrived first and stretched a feeder to a nearby hydrant before deploying its hand-line to attack the blaze. Engine 3-3 arrived next and used its snozzle to knock down the majority of the flames. After about fifteen minutes, the fire had been knocked down. The truck was totaled and there was some smoke damage to the inn. The fire had come dangerously close to the inn, as it can be seen in the images. Also, the images were taken by the Brick Borough Main Street SkyCam on top of Station 2. There were no injuries with this fire and all crews returned to the station by 3:30 PM.
Double Fatal MVA w/Ejection 6/25/15
On June the 25th, 2015 a yellow sedan was driving down Main Street in Brick Borough. It was going at a reasonable speed of 50 mph. Then as they were driving, a animal of unknown type ran out in front of them. They swerved to avoid the animal and ended up hitting some debris on the road. The tire popped and the vehicle kept going; it tore through a light pole, ejecting the passenger and trapping the driver. The call came in to Brick Borough Dispatch at 2:50 PM. They sent Pumper Tanker 3, Rescue 3-1, Rescue 3-2, and Tower 3-2. Ambulance 1 and 3 also responded to the scene from Brick Borough Memorial Hospital. When they arrived, the police were already on-scene. The situation was a grim one. The police were standing over the body of a young man, no older than thirty, who was laying face-up on the other side of the road. He was dead. The fire fighters covered the body with a blanket and the police began to examine the situation. Meanwhile, the crew of Pumper Tanker 3 deployed the Jaws of Life, but they were helpless once they saw what was inside the car. Inside the car was a woman of about the same age as the man; impaled by the side of the light pole in which they had struck. The police did an investigation on the scene with the coroner before turning the bodies over to the borough coroner. The utility workers came out and put in a new light within the next six hours. A flat bed tow truck had to be called in so the pieces of the car could be loaded onto it. A monument will remain at the site of this tragic incident as a reminder of these two great people who we have lost.
Vehicle Fire 6/13/15
On June the 13th at around 11:30 AM, Brick Borough Dispatch received multiple reports of a vehicle fire on South Ranch Boulevard. The reports also said that it was a garbage truck that was on fire. Brick Borough quickly sent Engine 3-1, Rescue 3-1, and Tower 3-2 to the scene. Engine 3-1 parked next to a bike shop with a hand line on stand-by, and it passed off its supply line to Rescue 3-1 so the rescue could supply its hand-line. Rescue 3-1 and Tower 3-2 each stretched hand-lines to the exposure in the rear of the vehicle. They directed the streams of water right into the fire, which began to slowly put out the fire. They moved around a little, adding water to different places that may have needed it. After about ten minutes, all of the fire had been extinguished. The two workers who had been in and riding on the truck at the time had not been injured. The fire marshal is currently investigating the ordeal.
Highly Volatile Situation - 8 Block Nuclear Power Plant 5/8/15
In the evening on May 8, 2015, sirens rang out over Brick Borough. Not fire truck sirens; warning sirens. There was an emergency at the 8 Block Nuclear Power Plant. The BBPD sprung into action, going from house to house, building to building to evacuate residents from their homes. The school evacuated and soon, the radio was chattering with dispatch and other unit feeds. The plant was emptied of personnel and the area was closed off for around a mile. The first alarm brought Engine 3-2, Rescue 3-1, Rescue 3-2, Battalion 3, Car 3, Tower 3, Utility 3, Trailer 3, and Special Ops Trailer 3 out of Brick Borough and HazMat Rescue 16 out of St. Sprenklesburg. Several ambulances were also dispatched out of Brick Borough Memorial Hospital. The first units sent crew members to the group of workers outside the plant. St. Sprenklesburg HazMat Rescue 16 arrived and the crew began to suit up, with a worker from the plant. The three men entered the plant while over two dozen firefighters and emergency personnel stood outside.
The three men weaved between watch towers, observation posts, monitors, containers, steam stacks, and steam vents. They finally reached the reactors. The worker had a scanner, which he used to scan the reactors. Levels were normal, nothing unusual. Now they were confused, workers had reported a hissing sound which had alarmed everyone in the facility. The three men went off on a walk through the facility when they found the source of the distress. An oxygen pipe had been cracked by something, and air was shooting out of it. That was the cause of the hissing noise. The three men radioed back that everything was "okay" and that workers could reenter the facility. Ambulance crews stayed on scene to see if anyone felt sick before leaving. The fire crews remained on-scene to go over procedures with the managers of the plant. There were no injuries in this incident. All crews were back at stain by 7:15 PM and all residents returned to their homes at 7:00 PM. This incident showed the importance of emergency procedures and what they can do to help the community when a disaster like that happens again.
The three men weaved between watch towers, observation posts, monitors, containers, steam stacks, and steam vents. They finally reached the reactors. The worker had a scanner, which he used to scan the reactors. Levels were normal, nothing unusual. Now they were confused, workers had reported a hissing sound which had alarmed everyone in the facility. The three men went off on a walk through the facility when they found the source of the distress. An oxygen pipe had been cracked by something, and air was shooting out of it. That was the cause of the hissing noise. The three men radioed back that everything was "okay" and that workers could reenter the facility. Ambulance crews stayed on scene to see if anyone felt sick before leaving. The fire crews remained on-scene to go over procedures with the managers of the plant. There were no injuries in this incident. All crews were back at stain by 7:15 PM and all residents returned to their homes at 7:00 PM. This incident showed the importance of emergency procedures and what they can do to help the community when a disaster like that happens again.
Residential Structure Fire 5/2/15
On May 2, at around 7:00 PM, Brick Borough Fire Department received multiple calls that described a structure fire on Aldrin Court. Police were on-scene shortly and blocked off the area. Battalion 3 was the first unit dispatched and it arrived shortly after the first alarm was rung. The battalion chief talked to the owners of the home, who said the fire was in the first floor. According to the homeowners, there was no extension to the second floor or garage. Engine 3-2, Tower 3, and Rescue 3-1 were dispatched to the scene as well. Tower 3 was the first to arrive. It positioned itself in front of the building and put up its ladder. Two firemen ran towards the open garage door, to enter through that way. A firefighter climbed the ladder and began to break out second floor windows. Next, Engine 3-2 pulled up. Firefighter Amberman grabbed a hand line and went towards the front porch. He used the hose to knock back some of the flames that were erupting out of the first floor windows. The other fireman attached a black 5 inch line from the engine to a hydrant. Then, he attached another 5 inch hose line from the engine to the tower. Finally, Rescue 3-1 arrived. The crew stretched a large diameter hand line around the rear of the building to attack the flames on the porch. As the evening rolled on, the firefighters advanced into the house and knocked down the flames. The crews had been on scene for approximately forty minutes. The fire was not suspicious and it was deemed accidental. All crews returned to station at around 7:45 PM.
Train Sparks Brush Fire 4/21/15
Tuesday, April the 22nd was a windy day. It was evening, and it had been a chilly day compared to days previous. But, things were about to get a lot hotter. A cargo train carrying electrical wire, cattle, and some other equipment was traveling along its normal route. Then, a group of deer sprinted across the track not one hundred feet in front of the train. The conductor hit the brakes and the train came to a halt. Sparks flew into the air, and were blown by the wind into the brush along the track, which was relatively dry. It sparked a blaze. A foreman at a loading yard nearby called in the fire. Two police cars from BBPD cruised down to the train tracks. They couldn't cross too many tracks, so they stayed away from the fire. The officers came running. They helped the conductor get out of harms way and they began to help unload the cattle. Brush 3-1, 3-2, Brush Engine 3, Grass 3, ATV 3, and Service 3 all responded. The brush trucks, grass truck, and ATV all had four-wheel drive, so they could cross the tracks to get to the fire. Service 3 didn't, so they parked with the police cars. ATV 3 did the same, to make room for the others at the fire site. Grass 3, Brush 3-2, and Brush Engine 3 all stretched lines to attack the fire, mainly aiming at the train tracks to keep the fire from hurting the tracks. Service 3's crewman was on-hand to provide any repairs to the track, and help the construction company when they arrived. After about twenty minutes, the fire was knocked down. The fire department cleaned up and Service 3's crewman and the construction crew came to inspect the damage. Damage was minor, but due to safety precautions, a portion of track would have to be removed. No person, nor deer, was hurt in this incident.
Two-Car MVA 4/18/15
Around noon on April 18th, a tan van was cruising along Main Street at a reasonable speed. It approached the four-way intersection and went straight towards West Street. Approaching the intersection from Maple Avenue was a blue sedan. The light turned as the van was approaching the intersection. The van tried to stop, but the brakes failed and it slid into the intersection. The blue car, who hadn't slowed, found itself heading towards the van. It plowed into the side of the van. The side of the van was caved in, trapping the driver. The sedan driver was wedged against the steering wheel. Police arrived shortly and stopped traffic. Pumper Tanker 3 out of the main station, right next to the crash, was dispatched. It was one of the units reequipped with the Jaws of Life. The crew utilized its tool to free the driver of the sedan. The other crew members tried to clear the debris in the van, but the sedan was pinning it. The need of a second extrication tool brought Rescue 3-2 to the scene. The cutter was used to free the driver of the van. Two ambulances from Brick Borough Memorial Hospital arrived to carry the drivers to the hospital, with minor injuries. The van driver was first to go to the hospital, and the sedan driver was freed shortly afterwards. Two tow trucks arrived to recover the cars and clear the area. Crews left the scene by 12:25. The accident caused minor rubbernecking delays in downtown.
Brush Fire 4/7/15
It was evening on Tuesday, April the 7th. While Brick Borough crews continued to battle a 2-alarm blaze on Main Street, a call came in that there was a brush fire on Lexington Avenue. Brush 3-1, 3-2, Wildland Rescue 3, Grass 3, ATV 3, and Brush Engine 3 responded to the scene. The blaze was being blown by the wind towards the tree farm nearby. Brush 3-2 and Grass 3 deployed hand lines to keep the fire from spreading one way while Brush Engine 3 used a hand line and Wildland Rescue 3 used its deck gun to keep the fire from spreading to the tree farm. The immediate vicinity was evacuated in case the fire got out of hand. Within half an hour, the fire was contained and extinguished. The cause is most likely a cigarette or spark from the lumber truck parked nearby. All crews returned to station by 5:30 PM.
High Risk Multi-Structural Fire 4/6/15
At 1:20 PM, Brick Borough dispatch got multiple reports of a massive fire on Main Street. It was in a row of buildings that were wedged together. It included apartments, a pet store, a Parisian cafe, a fire station, and the Brick Borough Grand Emporium. The entire row was entirely evacuated for safety reasons. Police arrived on the scene within minutes and closed off the area from West Street to Lexington Avenue. The first alarm was issued at 1:25 PM, and those units also arrived quickly. Engine 3-1 and 3-3 just had to go around the corner to get to the scene. Battalion 3 and Truck 3 responded out of the main station. All first alarm units were on scene by 1:27. Engine 3-1 originally parked on Main Street to supply Truck 3 with water, once Truck 3 got set up, but due to repositioning, it eventually moved to Maple Avenue. Engine 3-3 went down to the Parisian cafe to figure out where to set up. Engine 3-1's crew took a ground ladder over to the cafe and set it up for when more manpower would arrive. Truck 3 pulled in behind Engine 3-3 and prepared to set up. But, due to command wanting a second alarm, repositioning was to take place. Truck 3 and Engine 3-3 were forced to wait until the second alarm units arrived.
Battalion 3, who had stationed himself in a nearby parking lot, said that the fire was large, but it wasn't seated in deep. It was only on the roofs of the structures. But, a second alarm was called at 1:37 PM. Pumper Tanker 3, Tower 3, Rescue 3-1, Engine 3-2, and Squad 3 responded out of the main station. Pumper Tanker 3 parked behind the garage, but repositioned to a spot in front of the main station. Like I said earlier, Engine 3-1 moved to Maple Avenue to make room for Tower 3 and Squad 3. Engine 3-2 pulled down Main Street to the school, and pulled into the parking lot. Engine 3-3 moved because Squad 3 was to position itself where Engine 3-3 had once been. Truck 3 was to pull in behind Squad 3, and Tower 3 pulled in behind Truck 3. Engine 3-1 continued to supply Truck 3 with water. Rescue 3-1 pulled into the parking lot where Battalion 3 was, and sent its manpower to help. The manpower of Engine 3-2 and 3-3 prepared to enter the structures to check for extensions from the main body of fire. Tower 3 used its bucket to put firefighters on the roof. They entered the firehouse to check for any fire there, but there was none. They crossed over to the neighboring buildings and began to vent them. Truck 3 and Squad 3 used their aerial devices to put water on the fire and keep it from spreading.
Slowly, the fire was pushed back. Firefighters stretched several hand lines into the buildings as a precaution, but they were't needed. Pumper Tanker 3 supplied some of the aerials at the scene. The next day, the fire was contained to the Parisian cafe rooftop. Traffic was opened in one lane. During that time, a brush fire was reported on Lexington Avenue and more Brick Borough units responded to that. Late in the evening, the fire was finally extinguished. But, the investigation was just beginning. Due to the size and location of the fire, officials were suspicious. They combed the area for a day until they came up with a conclusion. The fire had been started by a bird's nest. The nest was on the chimney of the cafe. When it got hot enough, it burst into flames. The windy conditions spread the fire onto the other rooftops nearby. The Parisian cafe was told to make stricter policies about cleaning in and around their chimneys, so disasters like this could be avoided. The construction crews will begin to repair the roofs over the next few weeks. No one was hurt in this incident.
Battalion 3, who had stationed himself in a nearby parking lot, said that the fire was large, but it wasn't seated in deep. It was only on the roofs of the structures. But, a second alarm was called at 1:37 PM. Pumper Tanker 3, Tower 3, Rescue 3-1, Engine 3-2, and Squad 3 responded out of the main station. Pumper Tanker 3 parked behind the garage, but repositioned to a spot in front of the main station. Like I said earlier, Engine 3-1 moved to Maple Avenue to make room for Tower 3 and Squad 3. Engine 3-2 pulled down Main Street to the school, and pulled into the parking lot. Engine 3-3 moved because Squad 3 was to position itself where Engine 3-3 had once been. Truck 3 was to pull in behind Squad 3, and Tower 3 pulled in behind Truck 3. Engine 3-1 continued to supply Truck 3 with water. Rescue 3-1 pulled into the parking lot where Battalion 3 was, and sent its manpower to help. The manpower of Engine 3-2 and 3-3 prepared to enter the structures to check for extensions from the main body of fire. Tower 3 used its bucket to put firefighters on the roof. They entered the firehouse to check for any fire there, but there was none. They crossed over to the neighboring buildings and began to vent them. Truck 3 and Squad 3 used their aerial devices to put water on the fire and keep it from spreading.
Slowly, the fire was pushed back. Firefighters stretched several hand lines into the buildings as a precaution, but they were't needed. Pumper Tanker 3 supplied some of the aerials at the scene. The next day, the fire was contained to the Parisian cafe rooftop. Traffic was opened in one lane. During that time, a brush fire was reported on Lexington Avenue and more Brick Borough units responded to that. Late in the evening, the fire was finally extinguished. But, the investigation was just beginning. Due to the size and location of the fire, officials were suspicious. They combed the area for a day until they came up with a conclusion. The fire had been started by a bird's nest. The nest was on the chimney of the cafe. When it got hot enough, it burst into flames. The windy conditions spread the fire onto the other rooftops nearby. The Parisian cafe was told to make stricter policies about cleaning in and around their chimneys, so disasters like this could be avoided. The construction crews will begin to repair the roofs over the next few weeks. No one was hurt in this incident.
Horrific Train Crash 1/16/15
On January 16, 2015 a bus was driving to the Legoardia Airport with a bus-load full of people. It was driving along on one side of the road with a biker on the other side. The biker, for some unknown reason, swerved in front of the bus. To avoid it, the bus swerved to the right. It ended up on the train tracks. It was bad timing because the High-Speed Passenger Train was hurtling along towards it. The train hit the bus at full speed. The impact tore the bus in half and threw the train off the tracks. The bus exploded with the impact, causing debris to fly everywhere. Now, the train was through the bus, which was off the track. At 2:44 PM, the call went out for a "train through a bus". First responders did not expect what they saw. They responded with Engine 3-1, Rescue 3-1 and 3-2, and Battalion 3. They got to the scene and quickly deployed. Rescue 3-2's crew got rope and tried to find an entry point to the mangled bus. Rescue 3-1's crew parked nearby and got out their paramedic gear. They assisted the crew of the other rescue. Engine 3-1's crew did the same. Battalion 3 tried to bring order to the situation and coordinate the scene. Ambulances were responding out of Brick Borough Memorial Hospital and a heavy wrecker, newly-built rotator tow truck, and crane were responding to the scene as well.
The crane and rotator would lift the lead train car from opposite ends while the wrecker would pull the bus out from underneath. They did this and at 3:17 PM, Squad 3, Engine 54-2, and Tower 54 responded. Tower 54 and Engine 54-2 provided manpower while Squad 3 used its aerial device to gain access to the bus. As soon as the train was lifted and the bus was pulled out from underneath it, paramedic crews and firefighters jumped in to help. Some entered the train and retrieved the conductor, who was unconscious and had to be taken care of on-scene. There wasn't much freeing to do. The bodies of the bus passengers were free of the seats; they lay all over the place. The EMT's quickly got them on stretchers and attended to them. Two were only mildly injured while another three were in critical. At 3:30 PM, a third alarm was called and Tanker 182 out of St. Sprenklesburg was called to the scene. Its winch was to be utilized. As the EMT's attended the wounded and firefighters searched the rubble, tow truck crews were trying the pull the bus onto the road. The wrecker was able to pull it up.
When it pulled it up, the operator was stunned. All that was left of the bus was the chassis, some of the wall, some of the rear, and a wee-little bit of the front. The rest was lying all over the ground nearby. The crane righted the train on the track while officials searched the area for clues on what had happened. The bicyclist who had parked nearby had seen it all. He confessed to police, and they took him in for questioning, but he received no punishment or jail time. He said that "[He] had been riding [his] bike when [his] tire slid out from under [him]. [He] tried to correct [himself] but [he] couldn't. [He] went into the other lane and saw the bus. It swerved and got hit by the train," (BBPD Interview). The scene was slowly cleared over the rest of the afternoon. The bus wreckage was cleaned up by construction crews. Three people eventually died of their injuries. One of the more minorly injured ones became paralyzed and the other was blind in one eye and had several broken bones. This could have been much worse if the bus was carrying more people. It was just another unfortunate accident.
The crane and rotator would lift the lead train car from opposite ends while the wrecker would pull the bus out from underneath. They did this and at 3:17 PM, Squad 3, Engine 54-2, and Tower 54 responded. Tower 54 and Engine 54-2 provided manpower while Squad 3 used its aerial device to gain access to the bus. As soon as the train was lifted and the bus was pulled out from underneath it, paramedic crews and firefighters jumped in to help. Some entered the train and retrieved the conductor, who was unconscious and had to be taken care of on-scene. There wasn't much freeing to do. The bodies of the bus passengers were free of the seats; they lay all over the place. The EMT's quickly got them on stretchers and attended to them. Two were only mildly injured while another three were in critical. At 3:30 PM, a third alarm was called and Tanker 182 out of St. Sprenklesburg was called to the scene. Its winch was to be utilized. As the EMT's attended the wounded and firefighters searched the rubble, tow truck crews were trying the pull the bus onto the road. The wrecker was able to pull it up.
When it pulled it up, the operator was stunned. All that was left of the bus was the chassis, some of the wall, some of the rear, and a wee-little bit of the front. The rest was lying all over the ground nearby. The crane righted the train on the track while officials searched the area for clues on what had happened. The bicyclist who had parked nearby had seen it all. He confessed to police, and they took him in for questioning, but he received no punishment or jail time. He said that "[He] had been riding [his] bike when [his] tire slid out from under [him]. [He] tried to correct [himself] but [he] couldn't. [He] went into the other lane and saw the bus. It swerved and got hit by the train," (BBPD Interview). The scene was slowly cleared over the rest of the afternoon. The bus wreckage was cleaned up by construction crews. Three people eventually died of their injuries. One of the more minorly injured ones became paralyzed and the other was blind in one eye and had several broken bones. This could have been much worse if the bus was carrying more people. It was just another unfortunate accident.
Fire in the Loading Yard 1/10/15
At 11:39 AM on January 10, 2015, Brick Borough crews were dispatched for fire alarms in the loading yard just outside of downtown. Engine 3-2 and Battalion 3 responded and found heavy smoke and fire showing from a small shed on the property. Battalion 3 quickly added Pumper Tanker 3, Truck 3, and Rescue 3-1 to the box. Engine 3-2 stretched a line to the building and began to knock down the heaviest fire. Truck 3 set up its pipe and began to put water down on the structure from above. Pumper Tanker 3 helped supply water to the engine and truck, and Rescue 3-1 stood by for manpower and equipment. Crews knocked down the fire in a little under half an hour and were back in their quarters by 12:30 PM.