Tuesday, May 21, 2013  This month, members of Station 37 headed to the Somerset County Training Academy for our monthly drill.  The topic was focused on forcible entry and tool use.  Members participated in 3 different stations consisting of roof ventialtion using roof ladders and off the bucket on the ladder truck, raising a lowering equipment using ropes and forcible entry.  Approximately 20 members were in attendance.

Thank you to Chief Vatter, Asst. Chief Bartolucci, Lieutenant Crater and Firefighter Buckley for conducting the instruction.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013  At 1855 hours, Station 37 was alerted with Station 79 EMS and MICU 682 to the Somerset County Emergency Services Training Academy for the reported unconscious person.  Station 37 was dispatched to establish a landing zone in the complex grounds.  Upon arrival of Car 37, C1 had command to coordinate the LZ with NorthSTAR.  Crew from 37-145 assisted academy EMS staff with patient care until EMS arrived on scene.  Patient was flown to RWJ in the care of the NorthSTAR crew.  Units on scene included Car 37, 37-145, 37-102, 37-151 and 37-116.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013  It is with deep regret and sorrow that we announce the passing of Life Member, Charter Member and Ex-Chief John Stanczak. 


Chief Stanczak passed away early this morning.  He dedicated his life and over 65 years of service to the fire company and the community of Hillsborough.  Chief Stanczak was always a fixture at our membership meetings and company events, always showing up with a smile, sitting in the back and enjoying the company and comradrie of the brotherhood.  Chief always lent a helping hand with certain projects especially when it came to woodwork which was his profession and his passion.  The younger members always enjoyed talking to the Chief and picking his brain of fire tactics and listening to the stories he would tell about the early days of Hillsborough and our company. 


We want to extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to the Stanczak family and we wish to thank you for allowing John to be such a tremendous part of Hillsborough Fire Company #2. 


Information regarding services will be sent out in email.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013  Chief Mark Bashoor from the Prince George's County, MD Fire and EMS department took a few minutes to speak at a local church in front of the congregation about fire safety.  The department recently experienced a fatal fire in which a father and 3 daughters lost their lives during a house fire.  The words Chief Bashoor share are inspiring and true. 


We encourage all of our residents to please check your smoke detectors at least twice a year, make sure your family has an escape plan as well as a back up escape plan along with a meeting place outside your home. 


If you have any questions or need any help, please contact our station (908-359-5530) or contact the Hillsborough Bureau of Fire Safety at 908-369-4313, x178.


The link to Chief Bashoor's speech is attached.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1F5A6XqlfE

Tuesday, April 30, 2013  This weekend was very busy for the members of Station 37.  Multiple assignments were dispatched for fires which proved to be many outside fires.  Saturday started the streak with a working dumpster fire on Robin Road with no exposure issues.  Sunday sent the crews all over the township with reports of smoke and fires throughout which ended up be a few open burns and bonfires with no hazards. 


Yesterday the rainy conditions sent crews to the usual hazardous roadways for a couple overturned vehicles.  Both accidents had no injuries and luckily the drivers and passengers were able the extricate themselves from the vehicles. 


With the nice weather approaching, we would like to remind our residents to please be cautious when having bonfires and campfires at your homes.  Also, please be careful when driving on wet roads and roads with sharp turns. 


Here is more information on campfires and bonfires- http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/fire/permits.html

Wednesday, April 24, 2013   On Wednesday 4/24 at 0715 hrs, Stations 37 and 36 were dispatched to the intersection of Auten Rd. & Triangle Rd. in 37's primary for the motor vehicle accident with reported rollover and entrapment. 37-C2 (AC Bartolucci) established command with one vehicle overturned, another into a pole and one trapped/confined. EMS personnel from Station 79 (Hillsborough EMS) removed the victim while crews from Engines 36-101 and 37-102 stood by on-scene for assistance. All units cleared the scene by 0800 hrs. Fire units on-scene: 37-C2 (DC Paterno), 37-C3 (AC Bartolucci), 36-C1 (Chief Decicco), 36-C2 (AC Foelsch), Engine 37-102, Engine 36-101.

Sunday, April 21, 2013  On Sunday April 21st at 1822 hours, Station 37 was alerted to the Central Jersey Nurseries for a mulch fire.  Arrival of Car 37/37-C1 showed a large pile of wood mulch that was smoldering on the side.  Workers had already put a lawn sprinkler in the areas to contain the burning mulch.  Further investigation showed that the burning mulch was much deeper then suspected with other areas that were smoldering on the top of the pile.  Station 38 was special called for the tanker and brush truck for additional manpower and water.  2 lines were stretched and the foam system was utilized to put a foam coating on the top of the mulch pile.  Units on scene included 37-145, 37-141, 37-102, 38-145, 38-132, Car 37 and 37-C2. 

Friday, April 19, 2013  This week has been very stressful and emotional amongst the emergency services with many different incidents that have tragic results with members losing their lives. 


The search for the suspects in Boston was followed very closely with the media providing up to the minute information as well as fellow responders listening to the online scanner feeds.  It is with pride and honor, we sit and watch the law enforcement officials of Boston, Watertown, Cambridge, Mass. State Police, FBI and ATF apprehend and place in custody the second suspect involved in the Boston bombings. 


While the investigation was ongoing, we learned that a young police officer at MIT lost his life from the suspects in an ambush while he was keeping watch from his patrol car. 


We absolutely can not forget to send thoughts and prayers to the community of West, Texas as they still work to search for their friends and family following a massive explosion at a fertilizer plant.  We are receiving reports that many firefighters, paramedics, police officers and civilians have either lost their lives or are injured from the explosion. 


On behalf of the members of Station 37, we have never been more proud of our brothers and sisters in Boston for their diligence to bring this suspect to justice.  We keep the family and friends of MIT officer Sean Collier in our thoughts and prayers, as well as the victims of the bombings. 


We are proud to be working side by side with courageous and brave individuals every day.  We are also proud of the law enforcement that have spent countless hours over the past 4 days to bring a chapter of this investigation to a close. 

Thursday, April 18, 2013  In West, Texas, multiple fire companies in the area are battling a large fire in a fertilizer plant.  At 2000 hours last night, a large explosion had occurred with personnel operating on scene that was felt approximately 45 miles away.  The blast caused catastrophic damage to nearby homes and also a nearby elementary school and a nursing home. 

Multiple rescue operations are currently in progress with also reports of many personnel deaths from the scene ranging from firefighters, police officer, paramedics and civilians. 

The members of Station 37 extend our thoughts and prayers to the members in West, Texas as well as family and friends to those affected.