On September 5th 2010 at around 9am, members of the East Franklin Fire Department participated in the 6th Annual Jimmy D 5K Run, held in the City of New Brunswick.

     During this time, the men ran a challenging 3.1 mile course which travels down Joyce Kilmer Avenue from 12th Street to Handy Street, by Fire Headquarters and loops back.

     Lt. Desmond, Lt. Daughton, Firefighter Borquist and Dr. Apuzzio (Not Pictured) finished as the 3rd place team and each received a medal for their great effort.

    Each and every year since 2005, this benefit takes place in order to honor Deputy Chief James D'heron, who was killed in the line of duty in September of 2004. He sacrificed his own life, to save more than 10 lives at a house fire on Lee Avenue. We will never forget his courage and dedication to duty, as he truly had a heart of gold.

     On August 28th 2010, members of the East Franklin Fire Department and their families attended the Somerset Patriots Baseball Game held in Bridgewater, NJ.

     The Somerset Patriots hosted the Maryland Blue Crabs. During this time, Patriots Stadium achieved a record crowd with an approximate 8,100 fans in attendance. Both teams played a great game, unfortunately the home team came up just short in a 5-3 loss.

     Proceeds from today's ticket sales, went to the St. Barnabas Burn Foundation. A check for $1000.00 in memory of Kevin Apuzzio was presented by the Apuzzio Family, Chief Krushinski and Deputy Chief Panchery of Station 56, to Lori Manning of the St. Barnabas Burn Foundation.

    A great day was enjoyed by all who attended, pictures posted.

    

2 WEEKS HAVE PASSED, SINCE WE LOST A BROTHER AND A DEAR FRIEND JOE “PAPA JOE” PUCHALSKI

 

WHO WAS JOE PUCHALSKI TO THE MEMBERS OF EAST FRANKLIN FIRE DEPARTMENT? JOE JOINED THE EAST FRANKLIN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT IN 1965 AND PUT IN 45 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE, TO THE DEPARTMENT. DURING THOSE YEARS, HE GOT THE CHANCE TO RISE THRU THE RANKS AND SERVE IN MANY POSITIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT. HE SERVED AS ASSISTANT CHIEF, CHAPLAIN, EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER, AND MOST RECENTLY CHAIRMAN OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD, A POSITION IN WHICH HE HELD MANY TIMES IN HIS CAREER.

 

JOE ALSO SERVED ON MANY OF THE FIREHOUSE COMMITTEES. IN RECENT YEARS, HE SERVED ON THE BY-LAWS COMMITTEE, HE ALSO PUT MANY HOURS INTO THE INSTALLATION DINNERS AND WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN BRINGING IT BACK TO THE FIREHOUSE HALL JOE ALSO JUST HELPED THE FIRE COMPANY, CELEBRATE ITS 75 TH BIRTHDAY AND WAS PART OF THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER DANCE COMMITTEE. PAPA JOE WAS A KEY PART OF THE KEVIN APUZZIO MEMORIAL COMMITTEE. HE WENT THROUGHOUT THE TOWN, KNOCKING DOOR TO DOOR AT BUSINESSES ALL OVER TO RAISE MONEY, WHICH HELPED TO BUILD THE KEVIN APUZZIO MEMORIAL MONUMENT.

 

TO MOST OF THE NEWER MEMBERS, JOE WAS NICK NAMED “PAPA JOE.”    HE WAS ALWAYS THERE TO LISTEN TO YOU AND YOUR PROBLEMS, HELPED TO GIVE YOU THE BEST ADVICE A FATHER COULD GIVE TO HIS SON.    JOE WOULD TELL YOU THAT HE WAS A STRAIGHT SHOOTER AND YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE WHAT HE WAS GOING TO SAY TO YOU, BUT YOU WOULD LISTEN AND LEARN FROM IT. HE WOULD ALWAYS SAY WERE GOING TO KICK ASS AND TAKE NAMES IF WE HAVE TO, AND NEVER TO GIVE UP.

 

PAPA JOE WAS THE FIREHOUSE MAIL MAN AND WOULD BE AT THE FIREHOUSE EVERYDAY, LIKE CLOCK WORK TO BRING IN THE MAIL FROM THE MAIL BOX AND PUT IT IN THE MEMBERS MAIL SLOTS. YOU WOULD ALWAYS HAVE TO LOOK OUT, IF YOU BROUGHT THE MAIL IN BEFORE HE CAME TO THE FIREHOUSE IN THE AFTERNOON.  PAPA JOE SPENT MANY HOURS COOKING FOR THE MEN, AFTER A DRILL OR A MEETING AND IT ALWAYS SEEMED LIKE HE WAS BAKING SOMETHING NEW, EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS.  THE MEN WOULD ALWAYS TRY AND FIGHT OVER HIS DELICIOUS FOOD, DURING A DUTY CREW    HIS BROWNIES WERE THE BEST AND HIS COOKIES JUST THE SAME. SOMETIMES WE HAD TO TELL HIM HIS SPLIT PEA SOUP OR BEAN SOUP WAS THE BEST AND THEN RUN TO THE MENS ROOM, AS SOON AS HE LEFT. PAPA JOE LOVED MANY TYPES OF SPICES AND CHILI PEEPER WHEN HE BROUGHT DOWN THE POT OF STEW, YOU COULD NEVER HAVE ENOUGH OF IT, THAT’S FOR SURE.

 

 

IT WAS THREE YEARS PRIOR, PAPA JOE AND I HAD  ONE OF OUR MEETINGS ON THE PARK BENCH. JOE ASKED WHETHER OR NOT I WAS CHIEF, WHEN HE PASSED AWAY TO HANDLE THE SERVICES HE WANTED TO GO OUT IN STYLE. PAPA JOE WANTED THE BAGPIPERS TO PLAY SO LOUD, IT COULD BE HEARD FROM HEAVEN. I KNOW THE DAY OF YOUR FUNERAL, YOU WERE WATCHING OVER US AND SAW YOU HAD THE FULL FIREMANS FUNERAL. WE HAD THE 1952 CHEVROLET WHICH WAS THE FIRST TRUCK YOU RODE ON, 50 OR MORE VEHICLES AND FIRE APPARATUS IN THE PROCESSION. THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY PIPES AND DRUMS WERE THERE PLAYING IN YOUR HONOR, LIFTING THE ROOF OFF THE MAUSOLEUM. GOD BLESS YOU PAPA JOE, I MISS OUR CHATS ALREADY.

 

PAPA JOE, THANK YOU FOR LETTING US TO BE PART OF YOUR LIFE. WE WILL MISS YOU FOREVER AND ALWAYS.

 

 

SINCERELY,

CHIEF DAN KRUSHINSKI

EAST FRANKLIN FIRE DEPARTMENT

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of East Franklin Life Member, and 45 Year veteran, Joe “Papa Joe” Puchalski. Papa Joe joined the department in 1965 and at 80 years old was just as active as our younger members. During his time in the department Papa Joe served in many capacities. On the operational side he held many ranks including that of Assistant Chief.  Administratively he was the chairman of the executive board, department Chaplin, and served as President in 1989 and 1990.   Papa Joe was more than a familiar face around the fire house he was a mentor to all and a brother firefighter that will truly be missed.

More details and funeral information will follow very soon.

    East Franklin's 1952 Chevy is Restored

    Each and every Fire Department, no matter where established and created has a very historical background. Today, we share with you a piece of ours which has been recently restored.

     Our 1952 Chevrolet Fire Apparatus, was restored and added to this great project recently, was a few more historical items. When the Engine was brought up by Ed for Dominic Siddoti's Funeral, life members Joe Puchalski, Butch VanDeursen, Chris Fischer and John Braido gave Ed their own personal Helmets and Turnout Coats that were garage kept, to use on the Engine for show. Ed also added to the apparatus, an old windshield which has been kept in the firehouse attic for over 30 years.

     Ed and his son, also built a model firefighter by hand which would ride the rear of the apparatus, like the old days. This firefighter was dressed completely in East Franklin Fire Gear.

     It's nice to know members and friends of this fire company, will never let history be forgotten. Thank You to Ed and the people who help put this project together, allowing East Franklin's History to live on for years and years to come.

     On August 1st, 2010 Chief Krushinski, his wife Lisa and Lt. Daughton, went up to visit fallen brother firefighter Kevin Apuzzio at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Elizabeth, NJ.

     During this time, the above listed members and the Apuzzio Family placed flowers and a wreath on Kevin's Gravestone, in celebration of his 26th Birthday, which is on Aug. 2nd, 2010.

     Happy Birthday to our brother, hero and friend Kevin Apuzzio.

     The newly acquired  Car 27-C was placed in service this week.  

     On July 20th, 2010 the East Franklin Fire Department placed a bid of $2001.63 on the old Holmes Marshall Fire Chief's Vehicle, from Piscataway Fire District #2. It was last Tuesday, that we were informed to have been the high bidder for the 1999 Chevy Tahoe. The car with only 76,000 miles, equipped with a full command box,  will replace the 1985 Ford Crown Victoria which had over 245,000 miles.

  The new Car 27-C, was lettered at Agin Signs in South Brunswick and the equipment switch over was done in the station. The money to purchase the car, came from the fire companies hall rental account.

     On Friday July 23rd 2010, at 10:50 PM The City of New Brunswick requested 1 Engine to respond to cover Engine 5, while they operated on a Structure Fire at 204 Sanford Street .

     Engine 278 responded with a crew of 4 in minutes, due to crews covering the Station while members attended training in Baltimore. While en route to Engine 5 on Bartlett Street, Eng-278 was redirected to the fire scene at 204 Sanford Street (a now 3rd alarm assignment), due to rapid fire spread to both the B and D exposure buildings (202 and 206 Sanford Street).

      The crew of E-278, was directed to drop a 5 inch supply line to New Brunswick's Ladder, that was in front of the fire building. Upon the supply line being charged to the ladder, the crew of E-278 assisted in the exposure building with hand lines. 1 member of the crew, was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, for heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation. He was later released.

     Engine 278 was back in Fire District #3 at approximately 2:30 am.

At 2:23 PM, Car 27 and Engine 272 were requested to respond Mutual Aid into Highland Park, to provide coverage for the town while HPFD operated on a Structure Fire at 316 S. Third Avenue.

Within minutes of arriving at Fire Headquarters, E-272 and Car 27 were moved up to the scene of a now 2nd Alarm House Fire. Upon  arrival of our units at the fire scene, they were quickly put to work inside the fire building and assisted Highland Park Firefighters who were making good progress on the labor intensive, stubborn fire that was inside the walls.

Air 27 was also requested to the scene, by Fire Command (D/C McMahon) and was assigned as the F.A.S.Team. Units were on scene approximately 1.5 hours and later released.  

Updated: Dispatch & Fireground Audio added @ bottom of the article...

At  0121 hours Fire District #3 was dispatched to S. Dover Avenue, for a reported structure fire.

Chief Ries in Car 25 arrived on scene, confirming a working house fire on the 2nd floor of 2 1/2 story wood frame structure and established command. Chief Krushinski in Car 27 arrived shortly after, and assumed the role of operations. Engine 251 arrived 1st Due, and stretched a 2 inch line to the fire floor, to begin attacking the fire. 27 B (D/C Wade) led the interior crews with the assistance of Lt. Burton. 

Engine 272 was 2nd due, their crew established a supply line by dropping a 500 foot feeder to E-251. After completing this task, the crew then pulled a backup line, to assist the first line and protect the stairwell. Ladder 25 arrived and began to work on venting the roof above fire room.The fire was inside the walls and extending from the 2nd floor, into the attic and began to vent out of the vent holes once they were opened .

Squad 27's crew arrived and assisted with interior operations  along with the crew from Engine 253 and Air 27. They began to open up the walls, in an attempt to stop the fire travel on both floors. 27 C (A/C Fischer) set up scene lighting at the rear of the building while crews worked on pulling the siding. 

A 3rd line was pulled, and placed at the exterior of the B side of the building, due to burning debris being pulled and falling near the car in the driveway. 28 firefighters from District #3 operated on the fire ground throughout the incident. Great Teamwork and Professionalism, allowed for a great knock down on the fire with minimal damage to the structure.

Units on scene from District #3: Car 27, Car 25,  Car 27 B and C,  Squad 27,  E-272,  Air 27, Van 276, E-251, E-253,  Ladder 25  and Van 257.

Mutual Aid Units on Scene: Rescue 56 stood by as the F.A.S.Team and Truck 31 assisted in salvage and overhaul. Companies on stand by were 44, 26 & 56 from Fire District #1 .  

Great Job by all on scene. Pictures courtesy of Tom Canales.