At approximately 9:12 PM last evening the Millstone Township Fire Company and First Aid squad was dispatched for a possible home struck by lightning.  3290 (Lt. Maloney) and 3266 (Fiore) arrived to find a 2.5 story residential home with light smoke coming from the rear of the structure.  Lt. Alan South took operations and directed crews to the rear and interior where the fire was found in the chimney with some extension to the interior ceiling.  3275 (Wehmann) arrived with Deputy Chief Wagner who assumed operations.  A 2nd alarm was sounded for additional manpower and to ensure adequate water was available.  The fire was knocked down and placed under control at 9:50.  Crews remained on scene to complete overhaul and salvage operations.  The Monmouth County Fire Marshall’s Office handled the investigation.  Thank you to our outstanding mutual aid companies 82-1 Allentown, Station 56 Jackson, Station 41 Hightstown, Station 57 Monroe and Applegarth and 26-2 Manalapan Millhurst.

Friday night May 19th the Millstone Township Fire Company was dispatched mutual aid into Jackson on Rt. 537 by Great Adventure for a reported multiple vehicle accident with possible entrapment.  Engine 3275 (Bice), Rescue 3285 (Wehmann) and 3266 (Chief Fiore) responded.  While enroute reports confirmed heavy entrapment in multiple vehicles.  Jackson Station 56 and New Egypt 39 were also dispatched.  Upon arrival all hands went to work with extrication tools on each vehicle.  Jackson EMS coordinated multiple BLS/ALS units and also requested medivacs for each patient.  The LZ was set up at Great Adventure.  NJSP closed a portion of 537 for several hours while they completed an investigation.

At approximately 5:30 AM on Saturday, April 29^th the Millstone Township Fire Company was dispatched as mutual aid into Manalapan Township for a reported structure fire.  Shortly after dispatch the call was upgraded to a confirmed structure fire with fire showing through the roof.  Millstone’s ladder (32-90) led by Deputy Chief Wagner, Tanker (32-96) driven by FF Jim Carbin and Chief Fiore (32-66) responded along with fire companies from Englishtown (12-1), Freehold Independent (16-1), Monroe Station 57 and RIT Adelphia (19-2).

Crews from all companies were met with heavy fire conditions.  An interior attack was initially made but due to the large size of the home and roof collapse all crews were ordered out of the structure.  Command switched to a defensive attack placing Millstone’s Ladder 32-90 into service with additional blitz lines.  Once the bulk of the fire was knocked down crews re-entered the structure knocking down hot spots and began overhaul operations.

The fire is believed to have been started by a lightning strike and is under investigation by the Monmouth County Fire Marshall’s office.  No injuries were reported.

At 11:54 the Millstone Township Fire Department was dispatched to Interstate 195 at MM 14.8 Eastbound for a motor vehicle accident, car into the woods.  Engine 3275 (Maloney) arrived to find a vehicle in the woods with driver entrapped.  The Engine crew began patient care, cut access to the vehicle with a chain saw, stabilized the vehicle with cribbing and stretched a protection hand line.  Once completed the Holmatro tools were utilized to remove both drivers side doors and the B post.  Rescue 3285 (Mains) assisted with completing the extrication.  The driver was removed and transported by Millstone EMS and MONOC to Jersey Shore Medical Center.  A passenger was transported by Allentown EMS to Robert Wood Johnson.  The accident was investigated by the New Jersey State Police. 

Millstone Township resident James Wiater is the author of The Adventures of Solo, The Big Dog book.  This is not your ordinary children’s book but a book of hope as all proceeds go towards purchasing K-9 Body Armor.  The Millstone Township Fire Company is a proud supporter of the Adventures of Solo.  Check it out, I bet your children will love the book, the pictures and know you will be helping to purchase K-9 Body Armor for a future dog.

Additionally, Jim has donated to the department the first Pet Oxygen Kit on March 4th.  We all know a pet becomes part of the family and is equally important during emergencies.  Check out the links below for a great book and a great cause.

Jim@bigdogbooks.net; www.BigDogBooks.net

Facebook.com/FriendsofSolo; Instagram.com/FriendsofSolo

Several times a year the department sharpens their extrication skills utilizing donated vehicles and under differing scenarios.  Drills encompass a wide variety of possibilities including school bus accidents, “big rig” challenges with 195 running through a portion of Millstone and motorcycle accidents.  Pictured below is one team assembled in one of firefighters donated vehicle.  Hard work and a little fun.  

On Tuesday November 22nd, the Millstone Township Fire Company conducted another extrication drill to further their skills with handling the many different tools that can be used while going through different scenarios.

 

Last night Millstone FF’s used Englishtown FD’s (12-1) door training prop to sharpen our skills in forcible entry techniques.  Many times we need to gain entry to commercial buildings on fire after hours or weekends. So specialized training props like this are especially helpful. Thanks to Englistown Chief Lou Sarti and his department for hosting us!