George W. Merryfield, of Audubon, WW II Army Verteran

On January 8, 2009, George W. Merryfield, age 78 years of Audubon, NJ passed away. Born in Camden, George was Veteran of the US Army from 1946 to 1949 and of the US Air Force from 1950 to 1952. George is lovingly survived by his wife, Jane B. Merryfield; his son, George Merryfield; his daughters, Anna Champion, Rublyn Merryfield, Jane (Tina) Scaffidi, Debbie Sheehan and Mary Merryfield; 16 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; his brother, Thomas Merryfield; his sisters, Elizabeth Tayoune, Patricia Rasato and Lynn Chila. He was predeceased by his brother, Joseph Merryfield. Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing Sunday, January 11th from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM at the HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, 9 White Horse Pike, Haddon Heights, NJ where His Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM. Interment Locustwood Memorial Park, Cherry Hill, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made In Memory of George W. Merryfield to the Fox Chase Cancer Center, Office of Advancement, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111.

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Gloucester City: Fire Leaves 2 families homeless

$\"IMG_7595\"$ 1-08-2009

313 Jersey Ave Gloucester City NJ

Gloucester City firefighters found flames from the 1st floor of an occupied home with wind driven flames spreading to the home next door.

Firefighters made a quick knockdown of the fire no civilian injuries reported, 1 firefighter was transported to the hospital by Camden EMS with a minor injury.

Red Cross was called for 2 families left homeless.

$\"IMG_7606\"$ The Camden County Fire Marshal is investigating

PHOTOGRAPHY

Steve Skipton
NJ Editor /Apparatus

New Jersey Coordinator for IFPA
Member NJ and Philadelphia Press www.PhillyFireNews.com

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Gloucester City Fire & EMT Services Evaluation

Recently a 41 page document on the evaluation of the Gloucester City Fire Dept. came across my desk. Following the tragic July 4, 2002 fire former Gloucester City Fire Chief $\"6a00d8341bf7d953ef010536c24cd3970c\"$ William Glassman asked four area fire chiefs to review the everyday operations of the department. The exact date it was prepared is not known. One of the recommendations included building a fire station at Route 130 and Market Street, a site that was recommended before the new fire station was built at King and Monmouth Streets.

~Bill Cleary

The title, \”A PATH FORWARD FOR GLOUCESTER CITY. Take note the graphs included in the document did not reproduce as was originally published. The review panel included:

William Dukes

William Dukes serves as the Fire Chief for Mount Laurel, New Jersey a combination Fire Department in Burlington County New Jersey. Chief Dukes has been active in the fire service for over 38 years.

Robert Giorgio

Robert Giorgio serves as the Fire Chief for Cherry Hill, New Jersey a combination Fire Department in Camden County New Jersey. Chief Giorgio has been active in the fire service for over 23 years.

Michael Hall

Michael Hall serves as the Fire Chief for Collingswood, New Jersey a combination Fire Department in Camden County New Jersey. Chief Hall has been active in the fire service for over 30 years.

Joseph Riggs

Joseph Riggs serves as the Fire Chief for Haddonfield, New Jersey a combination Fire Department in Camden County New Jersey. Chief Riggs has been active in the fire service for over 23 years.

Introduction

The death of a firefighter is a formidable event for the families, fire department, and the community they serve. In the United States, we experience an average of 100 firefighter deaths annually. It is the tradition of the Fire Service to honor those who have sacrificed before us by learning from their experience, and to use those lessons as we forge ahead in public safety. The purpose of this report is to create a path forward for the Gloucester City Fire Department, and others, as they continue to serve their communities.

The presented report is complete and provides an accurate evaluation of the current challenges facing the Gloucester City Fire Department the city, and the people they serve. The recommendations presented are the independent judgments of the review panel from information developed during their review. The information used in the report came from analysis of call demand, demographics of the community served, and interviews with elected officials, city leaders, fire officer’s, career and volunteer firefighters of the Gloucester City Fire Departments.

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MOUNT EPHRAIM\’S CHRISTMAS PARADE A HUGE SUCCESS

By Bill Bates

Mount Ephraim News Correspondent

On Saturday, December 13 the 14th Annual Christmas Parade of Lights was held in Mount Ephraim . \”It was one of our best parades ever with over 54 decorated emergency vehicles, town floats and musical floats that participated this year\” said Parade Co-Chair & Mount Ephraim Fire Department’s (MEFD) Deputy Fire Chief Brian Gilmore.

The parade that drove large crowds along Kings Highway lasted a good hour and a half. Special appearances were made by the Haddonfield School of Dance, Nancy Mulford School of Dance and the R. W Kershaw School Band. Floats were entered by the Mount Ephraim Celebration Committee, Mount Ephraim Little League, Mount Ephraim Police Department D.A.R.E. and Town Watch Programs.

Photo by John Lafferty III

$\"2008%2012%20-%20Christmas%20Parade%20025\"$ ACCEPTING AWARD – Mr. Andy Gilmore Sr. (far right) proudly accepts the D.A.R.E. Sgt. Denny Kerper Memorial Award from the Kerper Family and the Mount Ephraim Fire Department after the 14th Annual Christmas Parade. Mr. Gilmore has assisted the MEFD year after year as the event emcee to one of the largest crowds along the parade route in front of the Mary Bray School . From left are Mr. & Mrs. Claus, the Kerper Family; Michelle & baby Haley, Ryan, Pat, Chris & Kevin, Parade Co-Chairman Brian Gilmore, Mrs. Linda Kerper, Parade Chairman Bill Bates, Tim Kerper, and Mr. Andy Gilmore Sr.

The theme for the fire department’s float this year was \”Supporting Our Troops\”. Project Supporting Our Troops Chairperson Linda Hill and a firefighter with the MEFD said \”We wanted to do something different this year and something that would help others\”.

The unique float traveled to neighboring towns parades this holiday season and won 300 dollars in prize money for the patriotic theme that got cheers from spectators at every parade it went to. Like Mount Ephraim , most towns now give out checks for parade prizes instead of trophies, which helps offset the cost of creating the float. MEFD members collected over 200 items to donate to the troops in addition to the prize money that was won from neighboring towns parades. The money will go to Troop Support 08059 to use in upcoming projects for the troops.

MEFD President Rich Holmes said \”When our members wanted to not only create a float for Santa & Mrs. Claus for our parade, but a float to honor those serving our country and to collect items to send to them for the holidays, we went all out on the idea\”. \”It was the perfect way to say thank you to all of those who protect us on the front lines\” Holmes further added.

$\"2008%2012%20-%20Christmas%20Float%20004\"$ Photo By Jeff Vilardo

GIVING DONATION – Members of the Mount Ephraim Fire Department (MEFD) pose in front of their Supporting Our Troops float to present over 200 donated items and a check for $300.00 to Troop Support 08059. From left are MEFD members Ryan Holmes, Tara Iannce, Linda Hill, Troops Support Treasurer Lisa Stressman, Chairperson Karen Popelak, MEFD member Bill Bates and President Richard Holmes.

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Gloucester City Traffic Accident

$\"IMG_7566\"$ 17:15 hrs Wed 1-7-2009

A tractor trailer struck an SUV pushing the SUV into a passenger car tonight on N Broadway at Bergen St injuring 7 people, Gloucester City Squad 51 and BLS 5 along with Battalion 504 (Glassman) operated on scene.

Mt Ephraim EMS and Westville FD EMS were called to the scene due to the number of injuries. $\"IMG_7568\"$

The Gloucester City Police are investigating.

PHOTOS BY STEVE SKIPTON PHOTOGRAPY

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\”Believe in Angels, then return the favor\”

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X\’s and then putting a big \”F\” at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child\’s past records and she put Teddy\’s off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy\’s first grade teacher wrote, \”Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners…. he is a joy to be around..\”

His second grade teacher wrote, \”Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.\”

His third grade teacher wrote, \”His mother\’s death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn\’t show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren\’t taken.\”

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