The Harmony Fire Company sponsored a Traditions Training LLC class at the GCFA all day Saturday. We would like to Thank all those who attended this valuable training and lessons learned class. We are sure that everyone left with a little something they didn’t have before and will try in the future. We would also like to extend our Thanks to the instructors, Chief Riley, Nick Martin, & Doug Mitchell for this great information that we can pass on down to our departments and put to good use. Remember your training in the time of battle will prove to be the end result of a good or bad outcome. As Chief Riley taught us today " Everyone needs to be combat ready no matter if you are career or volunteer it makes no difference". Today and everyday for years to come when people don’t know what to do who do they call? That’s right they call the Fire Dept. Lets make sure we don’t let them down in their time of need what ever it may be. Thanks again and be safe.

At approximately 1930 hrs. the station was dispatched to Rt 45 in SH TWP for a reported dwelling fire. Duty Officer Cardile responded along with Ladder 2316 & Engine 2313. While en-route the county advised units that the call may be in Salem county and they were sending units from their side. Upon Deputy Chief Cardile’s arrival he reported a small rancher with heavy fire on the A side. 3618 was first due along with Engine 12 out of Woodstown and they made a good knock on the fire. Our rigs arrived minutes later as second due and went into service with truck work and supplying water to the scene. A quick knock down of the fire was made and overhaul was started. Photos to follow when available.
In the early morning hours the District was sent to Mullica West Apts. for a report of an apartment fire. It turned out to be a faulty refrigerator.
Three hours later we were sent to the Richwood section of the Twp. for another dwelling which turned out to be a heater backfire. All units returned with out incident.

Station 36-1 and station 23-1 were dispatched to 54 Vestry Rd for an activated fire alarm in the basement. While responding the dispatch center advised 36-101 police were on location with smoke showing and they were adding 25-1 and 39-2. Upon arrival 2316 crew was advised to lead off with the TIC. Crews found a chimney fire and went to the roof. 2512 crews was ordered to remove the fire from the fireplace and put PPV in service. Crews removed the smoke and secured the fireplace and returned with out incident.

Harmony Fire Company and the Gloucester County Fire Academy join together to host Traditions Training for Fighting Fires in Residential Buildings - A Street Smart Approach. The class will be held on April 26th at the Gloucester County Fire Academy. The cost is $60 per student. For more information and registration click the link for Traditions Training.

At 1730 hours District 23 and Station 36-1 was dispatched to the Cherry Lawn development for a CO Detector activation. While 23-16 was responding, GC Communications advised 23-103 (Cardile) of a reported house fire at 227 North Main St. The ladder redirected for the house fire and 2321 (Ewan) handled the CO assignment.

2316 arrived and reported a 2 story wood frame multi-family with smoke showing 1st floor A-divison. The assignment was upgraded bringing Ladder 2516(Woolwich), District 19 (East Greenwich) and RIT 12 (Salem Cty. Relience). 25-101 (Slusar) was given Main St. Command.

Interior crew reported a kitchen fire held to the stove and upper cabinets. Fire was knocked down with a PW. Negative extension and PPV was put into service. The assignment was held to Ladders 2316 and 2516, 2327 and 1921. Investigation was being handled by CFM-2(GC Deputy Fire Marshal) All units returned 30 minutes later without incident.

At 1233 hours District 23 along with LS-2(Underwood Paramedics) were dispatched to Cedar Rd. and Strawbridge Lane for a MVC with entrapment. Duty Officer Powell reported a 2 car MVC with 1 entrapped. Rescue 23-18, under the command of Asst. Chief Cardile arrived and made quick work of freeing the occupant. 23-27 (Ewan) and 36-18 (Harrisonville) assited. Pt. was transported to Cooper Trauma.

The Harmony Fire Company would like to Thank everyone who has been so grateful in helping the Marple Family in this trying time. The family is doing good and hopefully going to find a new permit residence soon in Harrison Twp..They are currently still looking to find permanent housing but things are looking up. The proceeds from our comedy night exceeded $2,000.00 dollars and we thank everyone who was able to attend.The turnout has been terrific and for all those who have made donations to the Commerce Bank fund we truly appreciate your donation. Thanks again from the members of The Harmony Fire Company. Be safe.

Rescue 23-18 was special called to Rt 538 to assist Harrisonville Fire Co. for a man stuck under a tree. Rescue 23-18 under the command of Captain Marple arrvied and went to work. The crew of 4 used air bags and cribbing to lift the tree off the patient. In less than 20 minutes th epatient was free and on his way to Cooper Trauma via Southstar Medivac.

At 2050 hours District 23 was dispatched to 174 Swedesboro Rd. for a reported dwelling fire. Duty Officer Powell signed en-route and was advised by GC Communications that they have received numerous calls. Lt. Powell arrived on location reporting a 1 story rancher with heavy fire in the A division and struck the all hands. Quint 23-16 responded with 4 under the command of Asst. Chief Cardile. Upon arrival the crew went into service with 2 1.75 lines. The Engine Crew from 2324(Ewan) established a water supply to 23-16 and Quint 25-16’s(Woolwich) crew supported the fire attack and search of the dwelling for the family’s pets. A crew from District 19 and Station 36-1 performed ventilation on the dwelling. The fire was under control with 12 minutes.

The house belong to our Captain Tom Marple. Captain Marple just began renting this house two months ago with the intention of buying it. He spent a lot of time and money fixing it up. His wife, 3 kids and 2 grandchildren were all home at the time of the fire. All got out safe with no injuries. However all their clothing and family possessions are gone.

In the past two months Captain Marple and his family have gone through some rough times. His mother was diagnosis with terminal cancer and his wife lost her sister. While going through the house the following day with his landlord, Captain Marple’s cell phone rang. It was the bank calling to advise him he was approved to buy the house. This would have been their first house they ever owned.

On Saturday Night October 20th we are having our Comedy Night. All proceeds will now go to the Marple Family in their time of need. The information is listed on a previous post. Also a fund has been sent up at the Commerce Bank under the Marple Family Fund for anyone to make a monetary donation.

Please keep the Marple Family in your prayers.

At approximately 1520 hrs. Rescue 2318 was dispatched to assist Harrsionville Fire Company (36-1) on a MVC at Rt 45 & Monroeville Rd. Upon arrival there was one SUV overturned and one SUV into a utility pole. Rescue crews supported EMS with packaging of the Pts. All occupants were out of the vehicles upon arrival. Two occupants were flown to Cooper while the other two were transported by ground to Cooper Trauma for evaluation. Station 25-1 units handled the LZ assignments. Rescue returned w/o incident.