1ST RESPONDER NEWS
By BILL BATES Senior Correspondent

MOUNT EPHRAIM, CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ – Shortly before lunch time on Wednesday afternoon, March 21, 2007, the Mount Ephraim Police Department and the MEPRI EMS, BLS 4 duty-crew were summonsed to respond to 710 North Black Horse Pike for a fall victim.

County Fire Marshall (CFM-7) arrived on scene moments after dispatch and updated incoming EMS on the nature of the fall victim. Crews arrived to find a patient who fell approximately 15 feet to the ground after he lost his balance as he was standing on a 2 foot by 12 foot board at the top assembling the scaffolding. The MEPRI EMS duty-crew felt the half assembled scaffolding was un-stable and contacted the Camden County Communications Center (alarm room) to dispatch the fire department to assist at the scene.

The Mount Ephraim Fire Department, Station 45 arrived and raised a ladder to an adjacent light post and secured the section of scaffolding that was un-stable by tying it off to the existing unit and adjacent light post.

Virtua Paramedics, ALS (Advanced Life Support) 43 out of Camden City was dispatched shortly after the fire department arrived as the patient was complaining of difficulty breathing. Both units transported the patient to a local hospital without further injury. Barrington EMS (BLS-9) also assisted at the scene.

1st Responder NEWS

Deptford, NJ – In The New Sharon section, early at around 01:45hrs in the mourning, Deptford Station 9-4 and 9-3 were dispatched to the intersection of Delsea Dr. and Cattell road for a dwelling fire. Following the initial dispatch, a full district response was then toned. Prior to Deptford\’s first due engine company\’s arrival, it was stated through the radio that there was in fact a working fire at this address. Command had arrived and confirmed that transmission. After the arrival of the 1st due engine, firefighters went to work immediately and started making an attack on the fire. Supply lines were quickly established and multiple hand lines were put into service.

Stations 5-1 (Woodbury), and 15-1(Woodbury Heights) were also added to the job for the FAST team assignment as well. Crews on location worked quickly, and made excellent progress placing the job under control at around the 20 minute mark and completely extinguishing the fire about 40 minutes later. Recently Deptford has responded to several \”suspicious fires\” and this incident is no different. Currently this fire is under investigation by the Gloucester County Fire Marshall\’s Office as well as the County Prosecutors Office.

reprinted with the permission of Blue Jersey

by: jay lassiter