With the large amounts of snow we are expected to receive this weekend, Evesham Fire-Rescue is asking residents to shovel out around any hydrants located in your neighborhood.  Shoveling a 2 to 3 foot circle around the area of the hydrant will allow us to see the hydrant in an emergency and also hook our hoses up more quickly. Thanks in advance for helping your local responders!

The Evesham Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners finalized the 2010 proposed operating budget of 8,408,120 dollars at their meeting on January 14th. The budget is subject to voter approval at the annual fire district election set for Saturday, February 20 between the hours of 2 and 9 pm. The budget is used for the support of emergency responders and the day to day operations of the township’s three fire stations (Main Street Station, Kings Grant Station, and Kettle Run Station) and the Bureau of Fire Prevention.

If approved by the public, the average homeowner will see an increase in the fire district tax of 92¢ a month--or $11.12 a year. Evesham Fire Chief Ted Lowden points out that this increase is minimal and was necessary to cover increased operating costs, including state mandated pension assessments, contractual obligations, increased in health care costs as well as debt service for fire apparatus. The debt service is associated with new apparatus and fire station improvements that were approved by the public in a referendum election back in 2007. Chief Lowden explained that "wherever possible, Evesham Fire-Rescue seeks opportunities for alternate funding. In each of the last three years we have been successful in receiving federal grant funding to support operations that have transferred the cost of several expenses from the local tax base to federal grant programs."

Evesham Fire-Rescue is one of the few in the state which provides both fire suppression services as well as emergency medical services. This mission is accomplished using a mix of 36 career firefighters and 123 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians who staff three stations covering thirty square miles and protecting 47,000 residents. Out of 698 fire departments in the state, Evesham Fire-Rescue is proud to be 1 of 52 with an Insurance Services Office (ISO) Class 3 rating--only 13 departments in the state rate higher than Evesham. The ISO rating is used to set homeowner and business insurance rates.

In 2009, Evesham Fire-Rescue responded to 5,472 calls for service. 2009 marked the 10th year in a row with an increase in call volume. In addition to calls for service, the Fire Prevention Division of the Department also performed 4,000 life safety inspections in 2009. Those inspections are designed to proactively identify fire hazards prior to them becoming actual fires. The Fire Prevention Division also performs inspections associated with all new construction and reviews all construction plans for all new and remodeled buildings within the Township.

Chief Lowden states that the "The fire district has worked very hard to keep operating costs as low as absolutely possible while providing the same outstanding level of service the community has come to expect." The Chief added that in addition to responding to emergencies and conducting inspections, the department also provides three Kids Safety Camps each summer, visits each first through fifth grade classroom annually, operates an Explorer Post (affiliated with Boy Scouts) and maintains a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

Evesham Fire-Rescue is proud to announce that we are on Twitter.  Become a follower of Evesham Fire-Rescue to learn about community events at the fire stations, read about important fire and safety related messages, and also stay informed on an emergency messages that may be broadcast in the event of an emergency in Evesham Township.  Go to https://twitter.com/EveshamFire to sign up and stay informed.

On Wednesday, January 13th, the Burlington County Fire Chief's Association honored Former Freeholder Director James Wujcik with the title Honorary Chief.  Wujcik was presented with a white leather helmet with a gold frontace that was emblazoned with the association's name and the title "Honorary Chief".  Wujcik has been serving on the Board of Freeholders since 1997.  Wujcik, a former firefighter, was instrumental in the redevelopment of the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center, the county's communications system and has always been a friend to the fire service.  This presentation was a small token of recognition for his years of dedicated service  to the residents and fire service community of Burlington County.

Task Force 221 was dispatched to the 2000 block of West Lincoln Drive just after 3PM for a reported building fire.  Upon arrival, Engine 2211's crew found a small fire on a desk with some extension to a cubicle and were able to contain the fire.  The Chief held the assignment with Engine 2211 and Mount Laurel Engine 3624.  The building was cleared of smoke by the fire department.  The building was evacuated and one civilian was treated at the scene by BLS unit 2292 for minor injuries.  The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Evesham Fire Marshal's Office.

The call for mutual aid from Bucks County, PA for additional resources to respond to an overturned gasoline tanker came into Burlington County Central Communications shortly after 12:30 in the afternoon. Central dispatched Burlington County Hazmat 15.  This response drew three Hazardous Materials Technicians from Evesham Fire-Rescue who responded with County Hazmat Trailer 2.  The county's hazardous materials response team is a regional team comprised of members of multiple county fire departments that responds to emergencies throughout Burlington County and beyond.

A tractor trailer tanker had overturned with a payload of 8700 gallons of gasoline which was leaking.  Once on location, members from the county's HAZMAT response team coordinated with Bucks County resources and emergency responders from Rohm & Haas to mitigate the hazard.  Evesham's members straddled the gasoline tanker in their protective gear and performed a precise operation called a "hot tap".  Crews utilized a pneumatic drill and a hole saw to drill into the side of the gasoline tanker so that it's payload could be off loaded.  The lengthy operation took several hours and crews were finally released once the truck was righted.  The driver was severely injured in the crash and was transported to a local hospital by Bucks County responders.

At approximately 0700 hours, Rescue 2218 was called to assist Mount Laurel on an "all hands" fire at Summerfield Suites off of Crawford Place.  The crew assisted with ventilation of the structure and were also assigned RIT duties. They cleared in about an hour.

While clearing from Mount Laurel, Task Force 223 was dispatched to a reported dwelling fire in the Barton Run section of the Township. Police were reporting a fire in the laundry room. Engine 2232 arrived and found a smoke condition in the dwelling and a small fire in the laundry room. The same was extinguished and Chief 2203 held the assignment with two engines for ventilation and overhaul.

Later the same day, at approximately 1000 hours, Engine 223 was dispatched to Mount Laurel to cover Station 363 (who was on their second working fire of the day).  While in station on the cover assignment, E2232 was dispatched to neighboring Moorestown for a reported house fire on the 400 block of South Church Street.  E2232 arrived first due and reported heavy fire showing.  Crews immediately went into service with a 2 1/2 inch handline through the front door.  The IC arrived and quickly called for the 2nd alarm companies due to a prior working fire in Mount Laurel that had committed resources from Moorestown and Mount Laurel.  Crews were able to bring the blaze under control in 45 mintues.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.  No injuries were reported.

Congratulations are in order for FF/I Ronald Snyder. He was awarded the 2009 Fire Prevention Officer of the Year Award on December 8, 2009 by the Burlington County Fire Marshal’s Association. Ron has been a member of the Evesham Fire Department since 1986.

Evesham Fire-Rescue would like to remind residents to stay safe during the winter months.  Holiday decoration fires, home heating appliance malfunctions and fires and sledding mishaps are a common occurence in our Township which we would all like to avoid.

Festive lights, ornamented trees, candles and other in-home decorations are not the only indicators that the holidays are upon us.  According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), December and January are the peak months for the overall number of home fires, deaths and injuries. Families looking to spread holiday cheer should also be aware that each year an average of 240 home fires start with Christmas trees and an additional 1,300 begin with various other seasonal decorations.  Candles  in particular are responsible for 71 percent of December home fires that begin as a result of improper decorating practices.

Ensure that space heaters are not left on when no one is home and also maintain proper clearances to carpets, drapery and other combustible objects.  Make sure that your heater has been serviced, the flue is clear, and you have a functioning Carbon Monoxide Detector installed in your home on each floor, or at a minimum, in the main family room and outside the bedrooms.

Sledding and winter sports mishaps also occur frequently.  Make sure children do not engage in these activities during heavy snow or at night when it is hard to see.  Have children use hills that do not exit/end on a street for risk of being struck.  Lastly, make sure adults and teenagers alike are using sound judgement and resist the urge to pull sledders behind  a car.  Let's all avoid a wintertime tragedy.

If you ever have concerns about your home heating appliance, call a qualified repair person.  If your CO detector is sounding, immediately call 911 for a fire department response and exit the house.  When the weather is cold and you exit the house, do not forget to grab your car keys and place your fanily in the car---It's OK to turn the heat on and wait for the fire department.

At 2234hrs, TF2521 was dispatched to the unit block of Lakewood Drive for a reported heater fire.  B/C 25202 arrived and reported heavy fire showing from division 'A' of a 2 story single-family dwelling and requested the assignment upgraded.  E2232 arrived shortly thereafter and went into service with handlines.  R2218 was requested as the rapid intervention crew.  L2215 and L2235 both responded in for the assist.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

At 1156hrs, TF221 was dispatched to an MVA at the intersection of North Locust Avenue and North Maple Avenue.  Central Communications had advised on dispatch there was one vehicle overturned and there was a report of a victim trapped inside one of the vehicles.  Units arrived and found a small compact vs. a full sized van, with  the van on its side and the occupant still inside.  The patient was able to self extricate with minor injuries from the vehicle with some assitance from responders on scene who removed the windshield of the van.

On Thursday evening October 1, Task Force 221 was dispatched to the unit block of Euston Road in the Willow Ridge section for a dwelling fire. Engine 2212 responded and 911 advised that there may be subjects trapped and added Medic 35 to the assignment.  2212 and Chief 2203 arrived to find a two-story single-family dwelling with fire showing from two windows on the second floor rear. 2212 stretched a line for interior attack while Rescue 2218 performed a search and ventilation.  The search for trapped occupants proved negative. Engine 2211 stretched a second line for backup. Ladder 223 and Engine 2232 provided manpower for overhaul, salvage and ventilation while Engine 2252 provided RIT coverage. Mutual Aid from Quint 3624 provided manpower and secured the utilities. Medford Lakes, Berlin and Voorhees provided coverage for Evesham while units were committed. During this time, there were two other EMS calls and one other fire call within Evesham Township.  The EFD Fire Marshal's office and Evesham Police are investigating the cause and origin of the fire.

Evesham Fire-Rescue is mourning the loss of one of our own.  EMT Cyndi Cota passed away suddenly on Monday evening.  Cyndi joined EFD in December of 2003 and was a very active member of the EMS division. Cyndi was known for her upbeat personality and always had a smile on her face. During her service with Evesham, Cyndi responded to hundreds of calls and touched hundreds of live of township residents and visitors.  In recognition of her service, Cyndi was recognized as EMS Responder of the Year in 2007.  Cyndi will be missed by all at Evesham Fire-Rescue. Please keep Cyndi's family is your thoughts and prayers.

On September 15, 2009. Age 37. Of Marlton, formerly of Brooklawn. Loving mother of William R. DePietro, Sienna M. Young and the late Jared Cota. Devoted daughter of Edwin Cooper and the late Maria (Corsoe) Cooper. Dear sister of Lee J. Cooper (Stephanie). Beloved fiancée of William J. Young. Cynthia was a nursing assistant at Cooper Hospital in Camden. She also served as an EMT with Evesham Fire and Rescue. Relatives and friends are invited to the viewing 6-9pm Friday and 10-11am Saturday at the BRADLEY FUNERAL HOME, Rt 73 & Evesham Rd., Marlton, and to the Funeral Service 11am Saturday at the Funeral Home. Interment Colestown Cemetery, Cherry Hill. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Scleraderma Foundation, 300 Rosewood Dr, Suite 105, Danvers, MA 01923

Evesham Fire-Rescue now offers residents the ability to schedule and pay for a home inspection (which is required for a home sale) online via our secure website.  Residents simply fill in their name and contact information along with their settlement date and address and select a home inspection time from the availability list.  The website accepts Visa, Mastercard and Discover.  This extra level of convenience will save Evesham residents a trip to our Fire Administration Office, although if residents wish to do so, they can still schedule in person and pay with cash or check.  Please click on the Fire Prevention link on the left side of this page and select 'Selling your home' to reach the scheduling website.

On Thursday August 27th, at approximately 1315 hours, Rescue 2218 and the Technical Rescue team were dispatched to assist Southampton District 17 on a trench rescue. Evesham Fire maintains technical rescue disciplines in rope rescue, confined space rescue and collapse rescue and also has some members trained in trench rescue. Rescue 2218 also carries a compliment of equipment to assist in such a rescue effort.  Rescue 2218 responded with five firefighters and arrived along with Cherry Hill Rescue 3 who was also dispatched on the technical rescue box.  2218 and Rescue 3 began initial operations at the rescue scene which included placing ground pads, spoil pile removal, air monitoring and shoring operations to prevent further collapse of dirt onto the patient.  The patient was trapped in a trench approximately 6 feet deep x 3 feet wide x 5 feet long and was buried up to his waste in dirt.  2218 and Rescue 3 were later supplemented by Waterford Township Fire's Technical Team, as well as Mercer Counties Technical Rescue team and NJ Task Force 1 with Virtua Paramedics providing patient care.  Numerous local agencies including Tabernacle, Pemberton and Shamong also assisted the rescue teams while numerous EMS agencies including Absecon EMS and Cherry Hill Fire's Canteen Unit  providing rehab and EMS for the responders on location.  Most trench operations are labor, time and equipment intensive.  This rescue proved to be just as intensive and the patient was finally freed at around 545pm, more than 5 hours after the original call to 911.