Thursday, February 05 2009 @ 01:34 pm EST
Contributed by: CBrining
Views: 1,715
By THOMAS BARLAS Staff Writer, 609-272-7201
Published: Thursday, February 05, 2009
Atlantic County will receive $750,000 in federal funds to help bolster its emergency operations.
The funds from the federal Department of Homeland Security will help improve emergency management and preparedness capabilities.
"A coordinated effort from our first responders is the most effective and efficient way to protect our residents," said U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J. "These funds will help create a base of operations to help our police, firefighters and other emergency personnel to identify potential threats, communicate effectively and coordinate a response. These funds will improve public safety and save lives."
"We all know that we have to maintain a high level of preparedness in New Jersey, and establishing an operations nerve center is an important component of that," said U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J. "It's essential that our first responders are working together and are able to easily coordinate with each other when responding to any emergency. That's the purpose of these funds, which will help increase security in our state."
Also receiving money is Hudson County, which will get $1 million.
The federal funds stem from the fiscal year 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations bill that passed Sept. 30.
Lautenberg, a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee's Homeland Security Subcommittee, and Menendez joined U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd, and U.S. Rep. Albio Sires, D-13th, in requesting the funding.
Tuesday, February 03 2009 @ 06:13 pm EST
Contributed by: CBrining
Views: 1,313
Published: Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Atlantic City - A firefighter has sued the city, claiming racial discrimination in the Fire Department.
Capt. Roderick B. Knox was unfairly harassed, disciplined and transferred over several years because he is black, the lawsuit alleges. It names the city, Fire Chief Dennis Brooks and Battalion Chief Robert Palamaro.
Knox, a firefighter since 1992, is seeking financial compensation, the removal of "racist individuals who have obtained positions of power in the administration" and the adoption of a race-neutral promotion system. His attorney is Clifford Van Syoc.
Battalion Chief Michael Mooney said the department has no comment on the lawsuit.
Knox also sued Trump Taj Mahal Hotel Casino in 1998, claiming his job there had been eliminated when less valuable white employees with similar responsibilities remained.
Compiled by staff writers Emily Previti, Michelle Lee and Eric Scott Campbell.
ANTWERP TOWNSHIP., Mich. -- A firefighter was injured on Sunday morning when the fire tanker he was riding in rolled over.
Police say the accident happened at 8:30 Sunday morning near the intersection of CR657 and 66th Avenue in Antwerp Township.
The tanker was driving north on CR 657 when the truck's 26-year-old driver, from Lawton, lost control of the vehicle on the icy roadway. The tanker veered to the left, hit an embankment and rolled over.
The driver, who was wearing his seatbelt, was taken to Bronson Hospital where he was treated and released.
The 21-year-old passenger in the truck was not wearing his seat belt, and sustained several injuries in the crash, including a broken jaw, a possible broken nose, a punctured left leg and other injuries to his legs, lungs, and neck along with numerous cuts and bruises.
He was ejected from the vehicle when it rolled over.
The passenger bas been admitted to the trauma unit and is listed in serious condition.
The driver of the truck was cited for driving too fast for conditions.
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP - A fire at a Mattix Run apartment complex here left about a dozen residents homeless early Sunday, public safety officials said. Bayview Volunteer Fire Company Chief Joe Blazo said the fire was called in at 5:22 a.m.....read full article
Call Recording
This is a VOX recording.
It is condensed and not in real time.
"It was really rolling by the time we got there." Nesco Fire Chief Carmen Merlino. "There were a lot of memories in that building, it hits you in the pit of your stomach and deep in your heart."
Germania Assistant Fire Chief Chip Stockton
Atlantic County Tanker Task Force Coordinator
It was a passerby that spotted smoke coming out of the Nesco Volunteer Fire Department building at 2 a.m. Sunday Morning. By the time firefighters arrived, half of the building was engulfed in flames. An investigation into the cause of the blaze is still underway.
Nesco Fire Chief Carmen Merlino said the loss is total and he is thankful that nobody was burned in the fire. Two firefighter that rescued two fire engines from the burning building were overcome with smoke inhalation, according to Nesco. They were treated and released from Kessler Memorial Hospital.
"Thank heaven nobody got burned," said Merlino. "It's a tragedy and a terrible loss. Now that everything is gone I get tears in my eyes."
A loss of electricity kept the large bay doors from opening, according to the chief making fighting the fire more difficult.
Sunday, February 01 2009 @ 03:09 am EST
Contributed by: CBrining
Views: 1,526
Published: Monday, Jan 31st, 2009
A woman was displaced when her Venice Park home caught fire Friday morning, and firefighters had to leave 35 youngsters in the station house while they went out to battle the flames, Chief Dennis Brooks said.
Capt. Craig Johnson was in the station explaining firefighting procedures to the Firefighters Explorers group when the alarm went off at 11:53 a.m. for a house fire in the 1800 block of North Ohio Avenue, Brooks said.
Johnson and his crew arrived on the scene three minutes later to see flames and smoke coming from the side and rear of the split-level, wood-frame house, Brooks said.
The fire, which started in the bedroom, was venting out some broken windows, Brooks said. Firefighters entered in the front and pushed the flames out.
The occupant was home at the time but was not injured, Brooks said. The entire house sustained smoke damage and the lower level suffered some water damage. The loss was estimated at $75,000 to $100,000. There were 23 firefighters on the scene, and no one was hurt, Brooks said. It took about 20 minutes to bring the flames under control.
Johnson later returned to the station, smelling of smoke, and continued talking with the Explorers, Brooks said.
"When they got back to the firehouse, it made his presentation more realistic," Brooks said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, Brooks said.
E-MAIL THIS STORY
PRINT THIS STORY
