Evesham Fire-Rescue started a project to replace our aging fleet of engines in 2006. This is essentially a routine replacement of this equipment that had been scheduled some 20 years earlier. The units we are replacing represented vintage years of 1988 (1), 1990 (2), 1991 (2) and 1993 (1) for an average life of 20.5 years. One of our engines actually saw a service life of 23 years!

 The first three of the six new units arrived on Monday, August 16th. The new units are all NFPA standard compliant, and due to changes in industry standards, have a service life of 15 years down from the old standard of 20 years. Each new engine will also have new portable equipment and fire hose, replacing old hose, some of which was manufactured in 1980!

 Evesham Fire-Rescue is certain that some of our residents might have questions in how we were able to make such a purchase in these difficult times. It is important that they know these units were essentially purchased in 2007, with a bond referendum approved by a public vote in December of that year. Through careful and responsible financial planning, we were able to bring these units in with NO TAX INCREASE to the public.

 Further, with regard to tax impact, we have held three fire district budget elections since the bond referendum with VERY MINOR tax impacts and we are working hard for a zero tax increase budget for 2011. Evesham Fire-Rescue did everything in our power to keep our promise to the taxpayers when we requested public endorsement for this project--the project came in under budget and maintained a stable tax supported budget.

 The members of Evesham Fire-Rescue thank the public for their support of this project. The new engines will provide years of service to the residents of Evesham Township while also protecting the responders at Evesham Fire-Rescue as we respond to your calls for service.

At approximately 8:00PM, task force 221 was dispatched to the intersection of Greenbrook Drive and Route 70 for a report of a motor vehicle accident with subjects trapped in an overturned vehicle.  E2212 arrived and found one patient conscious inside the overturned vehicle with minor injuries.  Crews were able to perform extrication of the patient with hand tools.  A2291transported the patient to an area hospital with minor injuries.

On Friday, July 30th A2291 and E2212 were dispatched to the intersection of Route 70 and Plymouth Drive.  FM22 arrived and advised Central Communications of the 2 vehicle MVA.  He additionally advised of two victims trapped and needing rescue.  Central upgraded the assignment which brought L2235, E3621, A2292/2293/2271, and Medic 35.  L2235 and E3621 arrived and went in service with extrication.  Victims were treated and transported to area hospitals with minor injuries.

EFD congratulates participants in the Kids Safety Camp.  Participants attend a week long daytime program at the Kings Grant Fire Station.  During the program the kids are given instruction on general fire prevention, pool safety, internet safety, bike safety, and stranger danger.  Participants are also given the opportunity to observe displays put on by Evesham Police Department's and the Camden County Fire Marshal's K9 Units.  The Burlington County Central Dispatch Center also spoke to campers about the county's 9-1-1 system and its role in the county's public safety system.

In the early morning hours of Monday July 19th, Evesham Fire-Rescue was alerted to a vehicle into a dwelling in the unit block of Radnor Boulevard.  Units arrived and found a vehicle through the front of the home.  The house was unoccupied at the time of the crash and the driver of the vehicle was out of the vehicle.  The driver of the vehicle sustained minor injuries and was subsequently taken into custody by EPD.  The vehicle caused significant damage to the front door area of the home along with a portion of the front wall.  Entry to the home was made and the electrical service was secured at the main panel.  The township construction official arrived and requested the home be secured.  Crews achieved this by constructing some supports in place of the one's damaged in the collision.  The home was secured by a board-up company and units returned to service.

EFD would like to take this opportunity to remind township residents of a few fire safety tips for this year’s wildfire season. First, it is important to create a “defensible space” around your home. By removing dead plant material, ground cover, debris, and other fuel sources within a 100 foot radius, you significantly enhance the fire department’s ability to effectively combat a forest fire threatening your home. Clean out dead fall from your gutters and insure that your roof is clear as well. Be sure to have your house number clearly visible from the street and keep your driveway clear of to aid responders in finding their way your home. Additionally, make sure your lawn remains manicured and watered. Tall brown grass is one of the fastest burning fuels that can be found in our area. And lastly, please be sure to utilize a screen or spark arrestor on any chimnea or outdoor fireplace. Sparks and embers from these can travel great distances and land on sources of fuel which could result in large forest fires under ideal conditions.
 
If you would be interested in learning what YOU can do to help protect your home, contact our Fire Administration Office at (856) 983-2750 or one of our three fire stations and a representative from our department will come to your home to perform an evaluation and give you tips specific to your home in order to identify potential fire spread dangers on the exterior of your property

On Friday, July 9th, James J. Dahl, 20, of Stafford Court in the Kings Grant section of the township was charged by Evesham Township Police for aggravated arson in his connection with the June 21st fire on Dorchester Court and the July 6th fire behind the Rice Elementary School. The arrest comes on the heels of nearly a month long cooperative investigation of 13 fires ruled “suspicious” in Kings Grant by Evesham Fire-Rescue, Evesham Township Police Department, and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

Most of the fires in question were small in size and quickly brought under control. Damage from them was kept to the wooded areas of the Kings Grant’s trail system. Dahl was also charged with criminal mischief for slashing a vehicle’s tires in an unrelated incident during the same time period and is now being held on $220,500 bail at the Burlington County Jail. 

With current wildfire conditions remaining in the “Very High” potential, EFD continues to urge residents to be vigilant in their prevention efforts around their homes. See the story below for safety and prevention tips to help protect your home in the event of a serious forest fire. Please contact your local fire station with any questions or contact our Fire Administration Office at (856) 983-2750.

The Evesham Police Department, the Evesham Fire Department and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service are investigating a series of arson fires in the Kings Grant Development and we are seeking the public's assistance in identifying those responsible for these crimes.

To date, there have been a total of ten arson fires set in the wooded area surrounding the Kings Grant Development. The fires have occurred between June 11th and July 6th. Five of the fires occurred over the 4th of July weekend.

These fires have caused no damage to the surrounding occupied developments; they have consumed a portion of the wooded area.

The Evesham Police Department, the Evesham Fire Department and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service are very concerned that these fires could spread to the occupied develops and cause property damage and/or injury/death. These concerns are elevated due to the hot/dry weather which would aid in the magnitude of the fire.

If anyone has information regarding the identity of those responsible for these crimes you are asked to call the Evesham Police Department at 856-983-1111. The confidential tip line at 856-983-4699 or email Facebook@eveshampd.org.

Just before noon on Sunday EFD was dispatched to the area behind Coventry Circle in an area by the lake in the Kings Grant section of the township.  Brush Unit 2237 and Engine 2232 responded along with Deputy Chief 2230.  Units arrived and found an area of approximately 75’ x 75’ actively burning.  Units quickly contained the fire with the assistance of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.  Once the fire was placed under control it was turned over to the NJFFS for a continued containment effort as they are allowing all the underbrush to be consumed.  Underbrush is the fuel that larger forest fires need to develop.  As of this writing the fire is still burning in a 3 acre area.  However, it is contained and is being attended to by firefighters from the NJFFS.  This will result in periods of heavier smoke concentration traveling into the residential neighborhoods of Kings Grant.  The Forest Fire Service is actively involved in this beneficial effort.  Residents with asthma or other breathing ailments are urged to avoid this area of the trail system.  The cause of the fire has not been determined and is under investigation.

The 2010 hurricane season begins on June 1, and experts predict it will be more active than usual.  You can help save lives and property by sharing the following safety tips with your neighbor:

• Prepare an emergency kit.  Items should include water, food, flashlight, extra batteries, first aid kit, 7 day supply of medications and medical items, personal hygiene items, copies of personal documents, cell phone with chargers, family and emergency contact information and extra cash.
• Develop family emergency, evacuation and communication plans.
• Stay informed:  Keep a solar, battery or hand powered radio handy and tuned to your local radio station, and always follow the direction of local officials.
• Check the FEMA Region II Twitter account:  www.twitter.com/femaregion2.
• Check the FEMA Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/FEMA
• Utilize the FEMA Mobile site at m.fema.gov

Detailed information on how to prepare for emergencies and the 2010 hurricane season can be found at www.ready.gov and www.fema.gov

State of New Jersey Office of Emergency Management information resources include:

• www.state.nj.us/njoem  (or call 211 for assistance)
• www.njalert.gov (for emergency text messages and email alerts)
• Follow the New  Jersey Office of Emergency Management on Twitter @ njoem2009 and Facebook (www.facebook.com/njoem)

The Maytag Corporation recently announced a recall for some of their dishwashers.  The recall includes Maytag®, Amana®, Jenn-Air®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand dishwashers with plastic tubs and certain serial numbers.  For a complete list of serial numbers affected by the recall, visit http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10255.html

Evesham Fire-Rescue is proud to announce that on Saturday, May 21st, Explorer Post 226 competed in the 3rd Annual Burlington County Explorer and Junior Firefighter Competition.  The competition was held at the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center in Westampton.  Post 226 fielded two teams for the events and placed 3rd and 4th overall.  The Evesham Explorers also won the top award for the second year in a row - the Esprit de Corp Trophy; awarded for the department that showed the best sportsmanship, camaraderie, and team spirit.  Throughout the day Explorers and Junior Firefighters from around Burlington County competed in five events that showcased their training and ability to work as a team.  Each of the events is designed to test the Explorers skills both physically and mentally in both fire and EMS skills.  Evesham Fire-Rescue's sixteen Explorers who participated in the event were supported by twelve advisors.  If you are not a member and want to join Post 226 click on the following link:  http://www2.eveshamfire.org/become-a-member.php

On Saturday, May 8th, at around 3PM, EFD was summoned by the Burlington County Central Dispatch Center to respond into Pemberton to assist in a multi-jurisdictional effort to contain a brush fire that had already consumed about 250 acres. Engines 2211 and 2231 responded and crews rendered aid to fire crews already on scene from surrounding communities and the New Jersey State Forest Fire Service. EFD crews were released from the scene at approximately 9PM. The fire was brought under control and was announced to be fully contained during the daytime hours Sunday after consuming approximately 500 acres. The cause of the fire has been identified as an abandoned campfire.

 
EFD would like to take this opportunity to remind township residents of a few fire safety tips for this year’s wildfire season. First, it is important to create a “defensible space” around your home. By removing dead plant material, ground cover, debris, and other fuel sources within a 100 foot radius, you significantly enhance the fire department’s ability to effectively combat a forest fire threatening your home. Clean out dead fall from your gutters and insure that your roof is clear as well. Be sure to have your house number clearly visible from the street and keep your driveway clear of to aid responders in finding their way your home. Additionally, make sure your lawn remains manicured and watered. Tall brown grass is one of the fastest burning fuels that can be found in our area. And lastly, please be sure to utilize a screen or spark arrestor on any chimnea or outdoor fireplace. Sparks and embers from these can travel great distances and land on sources of fuel which could result in large forest fires under ideal conditions.
 
If you would be interested in learning what YOU can do to help protect your home, contact our Fire Administration Office at (856) 983-2750 or one of our three fire stations and a representative from our department will come to your home to perform an evaluation and give you tips specific to your home in order to identify potential fire spread dangers on the exterior of your property

On Sunday March 28th, Engine 221 was alerted for a vehicle fire in front of 301 West Route 70, Kohl's department store.  A crew was in station, responded and arrived in minutes to fire a small SUV fully engulfed in fire with exposures to two nearby vehicles.  The crew placed one handline in service and contained the fire, limiting damage to nearby vehicles.  A second engine from Station 221 responded in case a water supply was needed.  While the vehicle was a total loss, the crews assisted the vehicle owner in recovering some valuables from the vehicle after the fire was extinguished.  No injuries were reported.  The fire was investigated by the Evesham Fire Marshal's Office.