HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL AND BEST WISHES FOR 2010!

Back to Back Structure Fires Plague Valley Fire Fighters

Dec 11 - The first call came into HTPD's communication center about 17:22 hours reporting a large 40' X 80' barn on fire. The arriving HTPD units confirmed fire thru the roof of the 2nd story barn which was packed full with 900 bails of hay. Chief 53 struck the full first alarm along with the 2nd alarm tanker box. As trucks started arriving Chief 51 and 52 setup a tanker shuttle and laid a 5" line to the stand pipe at Janseen Pharmaceutical's stand pipe. Fire fighters battled high winds and below freezing temperatures while fighting the blaze.  All units cleared the scene about 2300 hours.

A little after midnight Station 52's siren roared to life waking up volunteers who had just gone to sleep from the previous fire. Battalion Chief Dan Galatro was first to arrive to the house in East Amwell, where he reported the second story was charged with smoke and there was fire rolling across the ceiling. Deputy 51 immediately struck the 1st alarm and 2nd alarm tanker assignment. As Engine 51 pulled into the driveway followed by Quint 52, they led off with an 1 3/4" handline to battle the blaze. Crews worked into the night, pulling ceilings, floors, and exterior siding. The fire was placed under control by command, and units cleared the scene by 0500.

 

OLD #1 TAKES 1st PLACE IN WILDWOOD AND PROSPECT HEIGHTS 100th ANNIVERSARY PARADES!

 

 

Valley Wide Drill at Pennytown

All Valley fire companies participated in a wonderful training exercise Sunday Sept 13 at the old Pennytown Shopping Center which is slated for demolition.  

FF1 Graduation

Captain Rob Myers congratulates Mike Bender on his graduation from his Fire Fighter 1 class at Somerset County Fire Academy. 

Hopewell Valley Fire Companies Battle Afternoon Rancher

Pennington Fire Company requested mutual aid from HFD with a ranch fire this afternoon, as fire gutted the garage area of the residence. First arriving Chief Matt Martin of Station 50, advised smoke showing from the structure, established command and requested the first alarm. Quint 52 was already on the way, arriving with Engine 51 they immediately established a water supply and began to fight the fire with Engine 50 which was already on scene. A ventilation  hole was cut in the garage's roof to attempt to keep the fire from spreading into the residence, but it seemed to have already rolled across the attic. Water and smoke damage was significant. The fire is under investigation by the Pennington Boro Police Dept, Hopewell Valley Division of Fire Safety, and Mercer County Fire Marshalls office.

More Pictures

Several Fires Keep Hopewell Valley Fire Companies Busy Over Weekend

 

Early Friday morning the members of the Valley fire companies were stirred from their beds as sirens rang out through the midnight air. It was 00:05 and there was a reported dwelling fire with entrapment on Seminary Ave. Turns out both apartments were unoccupied but there were flames showing when patrol arrived. Chief Bill Springer of the Hopewell Fire Dept, called for the first alarm as he arrived and was updated by police. The bathroom fan had malfunctioned and caught fire as the cleaning personnel were on scene. The fire was contained to the fixture with some minor damage while checking for extension.

Friday evening around 20:00 the sirens roared to life again, as a heavy thunderstorm had passed thru the Valley and lightning reportedly struck  a detached garage on Fabrow Dr. As crews from Station 51 and 33 arrived there was moderate smoke showing from the small garage, after being knocked down and held at bay with a garden hose by arriving patrol. The fire was extinguished, as the Tanker and the RIT arrived on scene. Overhaul was completed and the Station was recalled by the incident commander.

Sunday afternoon brought a swift response from not only the Valley fire companies but also stations from Mercer, Somerset, Hunterdon and Bucks Counties. A residential house fire was reported by the homeowner who had thought his house was damaged from Friday night's storm. As patrol arrived the fire was thru the roof, as seen in the picture above. (Also posted on Youtube)  Crews worked for hours while not only battling the house fire but also the summer heat. Over 200,000 gallons of water was used to quell the raging flames as the fire was brought under control about 1630 hours by incident commander Pennington Fire Chief Dave Pinelli. All occupants of the house and pets were safe, and the investigation is ongoing by the Hopewell Twp Police, Fire Safety, Mercer County Prosecutors Office and the County Fire Marshall.

 

2009 Memorial Day Parade

 

HFD marches at Pennington's Memorial Day Parade, click here for more pictures.

3 Generations of the Toth Family 

Back row: Joe Toth  II, Joe Toth Sr, Mike Toth

Front row: Catlyn, Joseph III, Joshua, Mary Eileen Toth

HFD Battles Structure and Ambulance Fire

April 27 - The call came into the HTPD radio room at 18:55 hours reporting a tree branch had fallen on top of a wire. No smoke or fire was reported at the time. HTPD Officer Grey was dispatched, and then updated as the second call from the residence reported smoke coming from the rear apartment. Upon arrival Officer Grey found heavy fire conditions. Mercer County Central Communications had already struck a full first alarm under the direction of responding HFD Chief Bill Springer. Chief Springer established command and immediately summoned a 2nd alarm for tanker box 50. As Quint 52 arrived with Deputy Chief Joe Novak, they pulled a 2 1/2" CAFS line and stretched it to the side D of the structure and were presented with heavy fire. A quick knock down ensued, as the other crew from the Quint pulled the 1 3/4" CAFS line and took position on side B, to protect the exposure of the three 100 gallon propane tanks. Engine and Tanker 52 arrived and helped with interior suppression, as the other units began to arrive from Station 51, 53, 23, 26 (HC), 32, 45 (SC), 35 (SC) and many others involved with mutual aid tankers.

The fire was placed under control a short time later. As overhaul and extinguishment continued, a radio call went out about a fire in the staging line. Some units were redirected to the neighboring property where the Hopewell Ambulance 152-4 was staged in the resident’s driveway. The ambulance driver was alerted to the fire by several tanker drivers who were in staging. All occupants were determined to be out of the vehicle. Assistant Chief Will Mullen arrived on-scene to take command. Ast. Chief Mullen reported the vehicle to be fully involved in heavy fire emanating from under the vehicle, as crews started knocking down the fire, several trees and shrubbery burst into flames, and the gas tanks let loose sending a burning river of gasoline down the residents driveway. The fire was brought under control rapidly as several hand lines were deployed by nearby engines. The busy night ended with an accident between two trucks in staging, and another truck getting stuck in the mud requiring a tow truck.

More Structure pictures.

More Ambulance pictures.

The Hopewell Fire Department located on 4 Columbia Ave in Hopewell Borough will be conducting Red Cross Certification for the public in April and May. There is no charge for the certification but pre-registration is required. Please e-mail your class request to training@hopewellfire.com or call and leave a message including the class, contact number and/or e-mail address at (609) 466-0060 ext 20.

 

• May 21, 2009 (Thursday 6:00 PM) - Professional CPR Refresher