On August 23rd the Millstone Township Fire Department was dispatched to Fawn Way for a reported structure fire.  Upon arrival the homeowner directed Chief 3266 (Fiore) to a detached garage approximately 40 yards from the home.  Heavy smoke was coming from the eaves on all sides.  Multiple departments were dispatched along with the Suburban Chief’s Tanker Task Force as initial reports indicated the primary residence was the source of fire.  A quick knock down was completed by Millstone 3290 (Deputy Chief Wagner) with overhaul conducted by multiple departments including Jackson Mills (Sta 54), Freehold Independent (16-2), Englishtown (12-1) and Manalapan (26-2).  Coverage provided by Hope Fire (82-1), East Windsor (46) and Monroe (Sta 57). 

The Millstone Township Fire Company joined with a number of other township groups and agencies to remember those who gave all defending our great nation.  While Memorial Day represents the unofficial start to the summer it signifies the great sacrifice our men and women have given to all of us.  Please keep them in your thoughts as they are true heroes.

On April 11th at 2047, the Millstone Township Fire Department was dispatched for a vehicle fire in the garage at 14 Arrowhead Way.  Automatic mutual aid was also dispatched from Monroe Township Fire District #2 (Tower and Tanker 57), Englishtown Fire Department (Engine) and Manalapan Township (Engine and Tanker).  While units were beginning to respond addtional information was received reporting heavy fire showing.

Chief’s 26-2-67 and 12-67 arrived to find a two story single family residence with heavy fire showing from all floors.  Chief Fiore (3266) arrived and assumed command.  Tower 57 and Engine 12-74 arrived simultaneously.  Tower 57 was placed in the driveway for the use of the aerial master stream.  Engine 12-74 stretched a 2.5″ attack line for initial fire attack.  Tower 57 placed the aerial master stream into service.  Telesqurt 3290 and Engine 26-2-78 arrived and assisted with fire attack.  Due to heavy fire conditions crews worked from the exterior to darken the fire down.  Once completed, the crew of 1274 and 3290 made an interior attack on the first and second floor of the residence, to knock the remaining fire down.

Due to Millstone not having a municipal water system the Western Monmouth Tanker Task Force was initially requested by command.  Tanker 3296 acted as initial water supply and supplied from tankers from various departments.

Crews were worked on the interior and from Tower 57’s platform to perform a significant amount of overhaul The fire was placed under control at 22:14.

The Millstone Township Fire Department responded with a total of 8 pieces of apparatus and 24 total members.

Mutual aid assistance was also received from the Hightstown Fire Department (RIT- Rescue 41), Monroe Township Fire District #1 (RIT- Ladder 51), Monroe Township Fire District #3 (Tanker), Freehold Township Independent (Tanker and Fill Site Engine), Hope Fire Company of Upper Freehold (Tanker and Fill Site Engine), Marlboro Township (2 Tankers), the Monmouth County Fire Marshals Office Fire Coordinator Unit and Millstone Township Department of Public Works.

Firefighter rehabilitation was provided by Millstone EMS, Englishtown Manalapan EMS and a Monmouth County Medical Aid Bus from Neptune EMS.

The fire is currently under investigation by the Millstone Township Fire Prevention Bureau, the Monmouth County Fire Marshals Office, the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office and the New Jersey State Police.

During this incident the Millstone Firehouse was covered by an engine from New Egypt and tankers from Adelphia (Howell Township) and Cassville (Jackson Township).

On January 29th at 12:09, the Millstone Township Fire Department was dispatched to 314 Monmouth Road for a motor vehicle accident.   Engine 3275 (M.Wagner) and Rescue 3285 arrived to find a box truck that struck a utility pole and became partially submerged in an adjacent lake.  The occupants of the truck were still in the cab unable to exit.  The crew placed a ladder allowing the occupants to self extricate. Notifications were made to JCP&L,  Monmouth County Hazmat and Marine 82 (Upper Freehold). 

Lt. Maloney arrived at the scene and assumed command.  The engine and rescue crew deployed absorbent booms to contain an initial fluid spill in the water.  Once Marine 82 and the Hazmat Team arrived, a second layer of booms was placed via boat.

Firefighters operated at the scene for a total of 3.5 hours until the utility pole could be secured, the truck removed by a heavy duty wrecker and the remainder of the fluid spill could be mitigated.

Additional assistance was received at the scene from the New Jersey State Police, Millstone EMS and the Monmouth County Highway Department.  

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.