OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SUPPORTS EMERGENCY REGISTRY Tuesday, August 19, 2008 - The Evesham Township Office of Emergency Management, directed by Fire Chief Ted Lowden, is in full support of a new state program which would create a confidential registry of those who would need special help during a natural or man-made disaster. In preparation for 2008 Hurricane season, as well as any potential emergency event, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, have created New Jersey's Special Needs Registry for Disasters, a free, voluntary and confidential program designed to assist people with special needs who may find it difficult to get to safety in the event of an emergency. Make an evacuation plan for yourself, your family, and your pets. Prepare a readiness kit of things you'll need to have with you if you must evacuate or shelter in place for an extended period of time. Talk now to friends and family who can help you get to safety when a crisis hits. New Jersey's Special Needs Registry for Disasters is designed to help those who may have difficulty during an evacuation because of physical or other limitations, or lack of transportation," New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, Richard Canas explained. "Signing up with the New Jersey's Special Needs Registry for Disasters program will help first responders make the best use of limited time and resources by planning to help those with limited options for evacuation during an emergency." People with special needs (or caregivers on their behalf) are encouraged to register electronically, if possible, by accessing www.registerready.nj.gov

EVESHAM ASSISTS MEDFORD ON 2 ALARM BUILDING FIRE Monday, August 18, 2008 - During the early morning hours of Monday August 18th, Ladder 223 was hit on the initial box alarm for a building fire in the area of Main and Union streets in Medford. Shortly thereafter, Chief 25 arrived and placed all companies in service which added RIT 2218 to the scene and Engine 225 to the alarm for the cover.  Within a few minutes, heavy fire was showing from the 2nd floor and command requested a 2nd alarm. Engine 225 was diverted to the scene for manpower. RIT 2218 stoody by and Ladder 2235 along with Engine 2232 operated a handline and opened up. All companies were released after about 3 hours of service. Pictures courtesy of phillyfirenews.com

EFD RESPONDS TO A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITH RESCUE NECESSARY Sunday, August 17, 2008 - On Sunday, August 17th, EFD responded to a three vehicle motor vehicle accident at North Elmwood Road and State Highway Route 70 Eastbound. Rescuers found 3 injured people with one trapped. Evesham firefighters and EMTs along with Mount Laurel EMS worked to free all patients and transport them to local area hospitals.

EVESHAM TECHNICAL RESCUE TEAM RESPONDS TO SOUTHAMPTON Friday, August 8, 2008 - On Friday August 8th, Evesham Fire's Technical Rescue team was activated for a possible rope rescue in the quarry off of Burrs Mill Road and State Route 70 in Southampton.  Rescue 2218 responded with 6 team members and arrived in staging. Upon arrival, patient access was made via the floor of the quarry and a rescue was not necessary. The patient was extricated by Southampton and Tabernacle fire units and transported by NJ State Police helicopter to Cooper Trauma. 2218 was released.

KIDS SAFETY CAMPS A SUCCESS Wednesday, August 6, 2008 - Each summer, Evesham Fire-Rescue holds three Kids Safety Camps.  Each camp is held over three days at our Kings Grant Fire Station and township children entering the 5th grade apply for the camp.  The camp teaches fire and emergency services operations, emergency communications, police operations, stranger danger and drug abuse awareness as well as bicycle safety and water safety.  Each child receives a new bike helmet courtesy of the department and numerous educational pieces to take home and share with their families. Each camper and their families attend a graduation ceremony during which a slide show is shown of the camp. All music is picked by the campers and the slide shows are set to their music. The KSC has been ongoing for the past 8 years and is only possible due to voter support.  Each February on the second Saturday of the month, the fire district budget must be passed by public vote.  Without the support of the voters, funding for the KSC would not be available. Click on the picture to the right to view the Kids Safety Camp videos.

EVESHAM RESPONDERS DEAL WITH PARKING MISHAP Tuesday, August 5, 2008 - On Wednesday August 5th, Engine 221 and EMS 229 were dispatched to the parking lot of the Promenade Shopping Center at 500 Route 73 South for a Motor Vehicle Collision. Units arrived to find a parking mishap whereby one vehicle jumped a curb and sidewalk, knocked down a light standard, and drove on top of another vehicle. EMS 229 checked the occupants of the vehicles for injuries while Engine 221 ensured that no ruptures of the oil pan or fuel cell occurred.  Both units stood by while the tow company carefully removed the vehicles, so as to prevent further damages and environmental hazards.

TWO WEEK WEATHER STREAK KEEPS EVESHAM BUSY Monday, July 21, 2008 - From the 7th of July until the 21st, a 14 day period, EFD has remained very busy.  Some of the call volume can be attributed to the recent hot weather coupled with a lack of rain and cool air.  Calls for brush fires and nuisance alarms have seen an increase, given the hot, dry temperatures.  Additionally, calls for Emergency Medical Services have been on the rise, as the heat exacerbates certain medical conditions as well as the elderly.  In the past 14 days, Evesham Fire has responded to more than 150 EMS calls and 100 fire calls--a 35% increase in calls for the same time period last year.  In the picture you can see one of the calls handled--a motor vehicle accident with injuries at Cropwell Road and Old Marlton Pike.

JULY 4TH WEEKEND KEEPS CREWS BUSY, EVESHAM SAFE Monday, July 7, 2008 - The holiday weekend of July 4th proved a busy one for EFD. On the 4th, crews participated in the 5K run, parade and then provided standby coverage for 50,000 attendees at the Township fireworks display. Evehsam Fire-Rescue's Fire Marshal's office ensured that food vendors and the fireworks display was in accordance with NJ State Code so that all remained safe. The 5th and 6th arrived with a bang, providing many fire and EMS calls in town and out of town. One notable call was to assist Mount Laurel on a working building fire on Church Road. Crews were committed for about 30 minutes. All told, crews responded to 23 fire calls and 29 EMS calls from the 4th to the 6th, with no serious injuries reported of any Township resident.

HOLIDAY EVE KEEPS EVESHAM BUSY Thursday, July 3, 2008 - On Thursday, July 3rd, Evesham Firefighters were kept busy not only preparing for the upcoming holiday celebration, but also responding to a few small building fires in Evesham and surrounding communities. In the early afternoon, firefighters responded to Baker Blvd. for a building fire and found smoke coming from the eaves of the building. Firefighters found fire in a support column extending into the attic. Quick work was made of the fire. After returning from Baker Blvd., companies were dispatched to assist Moorestown on a 2-alarm building fire and spent about an hour on location. Upon returning, and after cleaning up, firefighters were dispatched to Barton Run Blvd. for an apartment fire. Firefighters found fire on a second floor deck which had extended into the attic. Quick work was made of this fire as well, preventing further damage. Evesham firefighters also handled 5 other fire calls in town and 9 EMS calls, making the day a busy one. Evesham Fire-Rescue's Fire Marshal's office is investiagting the cause of the fires.

EVESHAM FIRE MOURNS FOR LOSS OF OUR OWN Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - On Tuesday, June 24th, Evesham Fire-Rescue lost one of our own. FF/EMT Scott Brown, a 19 year veteran of the Department, was taken from us suddenly. Scott was a very active member of the Department, especially in the EMS division. Over the years Scott has responded to thousands of calls for service in the Evesham community and surrounding communities. He has touched the lives of not only his family, close friends, and the fire department family, but the lives of those for whom he bravely served. When not responding to emergencies, Scott enjoyed his free time on his motorcycle as an active member of Chapter 14 of the Red Knights, a group of public safety professionals who enjoy riding together. In almost any weather condition and on any weekend, Scott and the Red Knights could be found on the road where Scott continued his mission of serving others riding with the group on charity rides. Evesham Fire-Rescue and the Brown Family encourage donations in Scott's name to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (Juvenile Diabetes Foundation 1450 Rt. 70 E. Cherry Hill, NJ 08034). Now that you are in a better place, ride on, Scott, ride on....We will all miss you.

DECK COLLAPSE SENDS TWO TO EMERGENCY ROOM Sunday, June 22, 2008 - On Sunday June 22nd at 1337 hours, Evesham Fire-Rescue was dispatched to the unit block of Duchess Avenue in the Marlton Hills section of the township for a building collapse with a reported 30 injuries. Further information from the 911 center stated that a rear second story deck had collapsed with 30 to 35 people on the deck, but an unknown number of injuries. Engine 221, Rescue 221, Chiefs 2210 and 2290 and BLS units 2291 and 2271 arrived to find a deck collapse after it sheared from the ledger board on the house. There were two injuries which were not life threatening. The patients were transported by BLS 2291 and 2271 while Engine 221 and Rescue 2218 secured the area. A private firm was contacted to collapse the deck the remainder of the way so that it would be rendered less hazardous and available for removal.

Evesham Fire's Explorer Post 226 Fairs Well in Competition Saturday, June 21, 2008 - Explorers from Evesham Fire-Rescue, Explorer Post 226 recently attend the First Annual Burlington County Explorer/Jr. Firefighter Competition held at the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center in Westampton, N.J.   The event was held on Saturday, June 21, 2008 from 0800-1300 hrs and was modeled after a similar event that our Explorers had previously attended in Brick Twp, NJ.    The Burl Co Competition included five events which were a mini FF combat challenge course, a bucket brigade, a MVA scenario with injured patient, a Know Your Engine Company Tools event and a House Fire scenario.   Explorer Post 226 was represented by two teams – Evesham 1 placed 4th overall and Evesham 2 placed 3rd overall.  The competition was largely attended by family members and supporters from each team represented.  Other departments participating in the competition were Florence Fire Department, Delran Fire Department and Hampton Lakes Fire-Rescue.

FIREFIGHTERS CUT ONE TRAPPED FROM VAN IN ACCIDENT Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - On Wednesday, June 16th at 1610 hours, Task Force 223 was dispatched for a motor vehicle accident with a person trapped. Engine 223 and BLS 227 arrived to find a single vehicle accident versus an electrical pole with heavy damage and two people injured. Due to the nature of the accident, the pole was severed and live power lines were compromising the safety of the rescuers. The driver was able to free himself from the wreckage prior to the arrival of crews and was treated by EMS and transported to the hospital. However, the passenger was trapped and severely injured and was unable to be cut from the wreckage until the electric company confirmed that power to overhead lines was disconnected. Once confirmed, rescuers cut the man from the wreckage in about 15 minutes. He was transported by EMS to the medical helicopter landing zone and was flowen to Cooper Trauma. Rescue 221 and BLS 229 along with Chiefs 2201 and 2203 operated on scene as well.

EVESHAM TOWNSHIP ANNOUNCES JULY 4TH CELEBRATION Wednesday, June 4, 2008 - The Evesham Township Department of Recreation and Senior Services has announced the following festivities for the July 4th celebration. + 5k run beginning at 0830am + Main Street Kid's Bike Parade at 1030am + Full parade to start on historic Main Street at 1100am + Family fun, games and food at 500pm at Cherokee High School + Fireworks at Cherokee at dusk Any questions can be directed to the Evesham Township Department of Recreation and Senior Services at 856-985-9792.

EVESHAM FIREFIGHTERS AND EMTS RESCUE ONE TRAPPED Tuesday, June 3, 2008 - On Tuesday June 3rd at 1415 hours, Task Force 221 was alerted for a motor vehicle accident with a person trapped and a tractor trailer overturned on Route 70 Westbound at Plymouth Drive. Units arrived to find a multi-vehicle accident and one person trapped in the cab of the tractor. Fire and EMS units worked to extricate the patient who was then transported to the medevac helicopter landing zone where the patient was flown to Cooper Trauma by SouthStar. Additional EMS units treated patients in other vehicles who were struck by the tractor trailer during the collision. Evesham Police and the State DOT worked to control traffic while the vehicle was uprighted and the scene was cleared. Special thanks to Mount Laurel Fire Department for handling a few other fire calls while Evesham units were tied up.