Today at 11 43 am Fire District #3 was dispatched to 22 Lebed Dr for a report of smoke coming from a exhaust fan in the bathroom.  Franklin Twp PD ESU Officer Wilson was in the area and arrived on location within minutes and reported heavy smoke coming from the building.  Chief 27A requested a re-tone of District #3 while still enroute to the scene.  Car 25B arrived 1st, established command, reported a working fire and requested a 2nd alarm Box 25.  Engine 253 was the 1st due Engine and with the assistance of 908 units pulled a 2 inch line to attack the fire in the 1st floor bathroom.  Chief 27A was the operations officer and had the crew from Squad 27 check for extension and open up the ceiling in the bathroom with the crew from E-253.  Ladder 25 was set up and stoodby in case the roof needed to be opened up for ventalation. The main body of fire was quickly knocked down, but units had to spend some time opening up and checking for extension due to the fact the exhaust hose for the fan traveled thru the ceilings and walls to the outside. The crews from E-278,  Air-27 and Van 257 assisted on the fire ground with various tasks and Rescue 56 stood by as the FASTeam.  Crews cleared up at 13:15 hrs and mutual aid company's were released from stand by.  Thanks to Station 44, 31 and North Brunswick Co #3 for providing coverage for District#3.

On Thursday, January 21, 2010, the Thursday night duty attended the firefighter graduation at the Somerset County Fire Academy.  Those who graduated from the academy's firefighter 1 class are John Redpath, Yunior Cruz and Matt Versoloff.  These three new firefighters will be assigned to the engine company.  Derrek "Elvis" Presley also was at the graduation, as he has just completed and graduated from the academies Firefighter 2 program.  Also pictured is Ryan Jolly from North Brunswick Co #1, who attended the classes with the guys from station 27.  Congratulations to everyone for their hard work and dedication throughout fire school.

At 0551 hours this morning, while personnel were at the firehouse for an over night duty crew, Fire District 3 was dispatched to Patton Drive for a wood burning stove fire. Approximately three minutes later Franklin Township PD updated responding companies that police officers on the scene were reporting a fire through the roof. A second alarm was struck by first arriving Chief 25B who reported heavy fire in the front of the house. Chief 27A was right behind 25B and assumed operations, while Chief 25A established command. East Franklin's Squad 27 was the first due suppression apparatus and picked up their own water supply on arrival. Due to the heavy fire conditions it was determined that the fire attack would initially be an exterior attack. The seasoned crew on Squad 27 quickly hooked up their supply line, pulled a 2-1/2" attack line and 3" Blitzfire line, and had water on the fire all within two minutes of arrival on scene. Other crews from 27 and 25 arrived behind Squad 27 and helped deploy another Blitzfire line and two 1-3/4"  lines for exposure protection. Ladder 25 was put into operation for an aerial attack and a supply line was dropped to it from East Franklin Engine 272.  Crews worked for over an hour to get the blaze under control, and spent another two hours hitting hot spots and cleaning up.   Crews cleared from the scene at 1008 hours.

We would like to thank all of the mutual aid companies who came to assist in operations, the East Franklin Ladies Auxiliary for assisting rehab on scene, Fire District 3 for their support vehicle and everyone else who made sure everyone came home safely.

Units on Scene:

East Franklin: Car 27a, Car 27c, Squad 27, Engine 2, Engine 8, Air 27, Van 27
Community: Car 25a, Car25b, Car 25c, Ladder 25, Engine 251, Van 25
Mutual Aid: Somerset Fire Rescue, Middlebush, Elizabeth Avenue, Franklin Park, Highland Park, North Brunswick

     The members of the East Franklin Fire Department, would like to congratulate Dominic Sidotti for dedicating 70 years of service, to the Fire Company.

    The Fire Company has always played a big part of Dominic's life and in the lives of  many of his family members. As a kid growing up on Ambrose Street, The Sidotti's always felt the East Franklin Fire Company and it's Ladies Auxiliary were extended members of their family.
    

     I don't think a day went by that Dominic, wasn't doing something for the company. From working on the trucks, fixing up the Hamilton Street location, working or selling tickets for the Friday "Fish Fries", or the "Spaghetti Dinners" , the Sunday "Pancake Breakfasts", and so many other events. All this was done, to raise money to keep the company going and to  help relocate the firehouse, to it's current location on Pinegrove Avenue.

     The Fire Company, would like to thank Dominic Sidotti for allowing us to have such a wonderful and caring man, as part of our family for the last 70 years. May all of our members current and future, follow in your footsteps.

     On January 9th, 2010 The East Franklin Fire Department hosted the 2010 Annual Installation of Officers Dinner.

     This event included the swearing in of our Fire Line and Administrative Officers of 2010, by special guest Dr. Apuzzio. The membership wishes these men a safe and successful year. During the evening, awards were given out, the first of which are our top 10 responders of 2009.  East Franklin Fire Department responded to 503 calls in the year of 2009, here are your top ten responders:

1. Chief Dan Krushinski: 426

2. FF Derrick Presley: 411

3. Lieutenant Ryan Daughton: 270

4. Lieutenant Brandon Shannon: 229

5. Engineer Chris Banks: 228

6. Acct. Officer Matt Desmond: 228

7. FF Mike Reinbeck: 225

8. Captain Tom Cicerale: 224

9. Asst. Chief Chris Fischer: 206

10. Deputy Chief George Wade: 185

     The following individuals also received awards of outstanding achievement:

Lou Agg Spirit of Volunteerism Award: Chris Banks

Vincent J. Sidotti Award for Outstanding Service: Tom Cicerale and Joe Inzirillo

Firefighter of the Year: Brandon Shannon

Kevin Apuzzio Award (Fire Officer who best exemplifies Leadership and Performance): Ryan Daughton

     Special Guests in attendance were Dr. and Mrs. Apuzzio, Ricky Agin and companies from Somerset, Millstone Valley, Elizabeth Avenue, Middlebush, New Brunswick, North Brunswick, Highland Park, Piscataway and many others

     The evening was accompanied with great food, good laughs and memories that will last forever. We would like to give special thanks to the men and women, who gave their time and effort in making this wonderful night possible. Thank you for making 2010, "A Drama Free I.O.D."

     Pictures Posted

On Saturday Morning @ 1: 59 am Station 27 was requested to New Brunswick to cover Eng 5 Qt rs will they operated at a house fire on Delevan St. When SQ-27 called in service they were requested by Command to respond to the Scene to help the City companies working the fire. On arrival SQ-27 was the FASTeam until units from Edison arrived and took over that task. The Crew from SQ-27 hit the hydrant out on French Street and dropped a 5" inch feeder into the fire and fed East Brunswick Ladder 809 and pulled off a 2'1/2 line and got water on the exposure building on the "D" side of the fire building. The crew helped Knock down heavy fire conditions in the :"C" side of the fire building when Ladder 1 was able to cover the exposure building. Crews were on scene until 05:45 hours assisting with overhaul  and cleaning up the equipment.   To see pictures go to youtube and type in    pwaystons     Thanks Keith and Chris for pictures

Fire Fighter Greg Benz has just completed his Fire Fighter #1  class at the Morris County Fire School. Greg who is a Rutgers student full time and Volunteers with us while attending Rutgers. When Greg is home he is a Fire Fighter at Station 21 in Hunterdon C0. with Ex Chief Lattanzio. Effective today he will be assigned to the Engine Company and good luck in the future.

At 11:13 am Christmas Day Fire District #3 was dispatched to the corner of Berger Ave and Girard Ave for a 2 car mva with pin.Car 25 was 1st to arrive on location and confirm the pin job to incoming units. Rescue 25 & Car 27 arrived and Rescue went to work on the entrapped victim Car 27 took Command and (Car 25) Chief Ries was the operations Chief. He  worked with the crew from Rescue 25 and Eng 251 to free the victim. The crew from Squad 27 cut the batteries on the vehicle and then proceeded with the crew from the Air 27 to hook up a chain to the front of the air truck and help pull the striking Vehicle away from the impacted vehicle. This to make it easier for the door removal for Rescue 25 crew with the striking car out of the way. All companies worked hand in hand to help free the victim and for her to be transported by RWJH units.

Firefighters   Yunior Cruz & John Redpath have received Black Helmet Fronts this week after completing Firefighter 1 and passing the written exam at the Somerset County Fire Academy. Both men have been assigned to the Engine Company of the Department and we wish them good luck.

At 8:30 AM East Franklin was requested back into the city shortly after being released from the first 2nd alarm for a working fire with entrapment, at 139 Suydam Street. Units covered Engine 5 until being moved up to the scene to assist New Brunswick units.