Friday, June 7, 2013  (4) LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS RECEIVE $546,354.00

THROUGH FEMA FY 2012 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT PROGRAM

The Runnemede Fire Department has been awarded a grant that is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This grant was hosted by the Borough of Runnemede Fire Department and was part of a regional project. This project was supported regionally by the Borough of Barrington, Bellmawr, Haddon Heights and Runnemede Fire Departments.

Through the Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program the four municipal fire departments will receive $546,354.00 in operations and safety funds. These funds will be used to purchase 109 self-contained breathing apparatus, and (4) Rapid Intervention Pack Finder Devices used to rescue a downed fire fighter if they become lost or trapped. The new self-contained breathing apparatus will replace breathing apparatus that are nearing the end of their useful life and upgrade to new breathing apparatus which meets the most recent standards. This new breathing apparatus will also assure that we are providing our firefighters with the best available safety equipment.

Through the AFG program, grants are awarded to firefighters, emergency response personnel and first responders throughout the country to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public, with respect to fire and other hazards.

This award is another step taken by the four fire departments that operate as the Beaver Brook Regional Fire Alliance. This alliance was formed through municipal resolution of the four communities to reduce duplication of equipment, standardize its equipment purchases, training, and operations guideline. This grant will directly save the taxpayers in their communities as this equipment would have been replaced within the next year via capital improvements. The alliance continues to improve the delivery of emergency services within their communities.

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Friday, March 8, 2013  Media Advisory

 Bereavement Announcement



Of

 Chief Paul E. Hartstein

Retired Camden County Fire Marshal

New Jersey State Fire Commissioner

  

On Wednesday, March 6, 2013 Chief Paul E. Hartstein lost his battle with cancer.  Paul was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing and expressed his wish for the following.

 

 Viewing 

A public viewing to held on Friday evening, March 15, 2013 at the Healy Funeral Home, # 9 White Horse Pike, Haddon Heights, New Jersey from 18:00 – 22:00 hours.  

 

Services 

A Saturday morning viewing will be held at the St. Vincent Polotti Church, 901 Hopkins Road, Haddon Township, New Jersey from 09:30AM till 10:45AM with a Christian Mass at 11:00AM.  

 

Internment will be at the New Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Browning Road, Bellmawr New Jersey. 

 

Legacy        

Chief Fire Marshal Paul E. Hartstein began his career with the Camden County Fire Marshal’s Office in December of 1981.  Paul started out as a Deputy Fire Marshal serving in that position for ten years, of which his duties included working in the fire investigation unit and code enforcement.  In 1991, Paul was promoted to the position of Deputy Chief Fire Marshal where he would serve for the next four years ultimately being promoted to the distinguished position of Chief Fire Marshal where he served out the balance of his career for the next sixteen years.  

 

Paul started his career in the fire service when he joined the Audubon Volunteer Fire Department in 1966.  Paul served as Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief and Chief of the Audubon Fire Department.  Paul also belonged to many organizations including the New Jersey Association of County Fire Marshal’s, New Jersey State Firemen’s  Association, the Camden County Firemen’s Association, the Camden County Fire Chief’s and Fire Officer’s Association, New Jersey State Volunteer Firemen’s Association, the International Association of Arson Investigators, International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Burn Foundation of Philadelphia, the Camden County Hero Scholarship and the New Jersey State Fire Safety Commission.

 

In 1994, Paul also became the Fire Protection Inspector and the Fire Sub-Code Official for the Borough of Audubon which he remained until his death.



 

Paul also received the Roland Kandle Award from the Burn Foundation for outstanding volunteer service on October 15, 2010.  

 

In 2012 Paul was installed as a 4th Degree Knight with the Haddon Township Chapter, Knights of Columbus.



On November 30, 2012, Paul received an award from the New Jersey State Juvenile Firesetters Council on behalf of the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety and the New Jersey Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators.  The award was given to him for his tireless efforts and dedication in support of juvenile firesetter awareness and intervention throughout the State of New Jersey.  



 

On February 2, 2013, Paul was presented an award by the Audubon Fire Department for his dedication and for gratefully serving the Borough of Audubon the past 40 years.



Paul proudly resided in Audubon, and leaves behind his wife, Annette, and two children, Jennifer & Paul.  He retired May 1st 2011 as Chief of the Camden County Fire Marshal Office following thirty years of service to the County of Camden.

 

Fire Service Personnel attending the services on Saturday morning, March 16, 2013, and will be bringing fire apparatus to the funeral are to stage on the Paul VI High School parking lot.   

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Friday, February 15, 2013  Task Force 7 was dispatched for a reported apartment fire at 1001 N. Black Horse Pike. Upon arrival crews found smoke showing from division "C". The Beaver Brook Duty Engine, Squad 32 stretched a 1 3/4" handline to the fire room and found the fire to be extinguished prior arrival with a dry chem extinguisher, however crews still had a heavy smoke condition throughout. Companies ventilated the building and overhauled the affected area in the apartment. The fire is being investigated through the Runnemede Fire Marshalls Office.

All Companies - Chief 702, Squad, and Engine 75(Runnemede), Rescue and Battalion 82(Chews Landing), Ladder 91(Barrington), Ladder 33(Bellmawr), Utility 81 and Chief 8101(Glendora), Squirt 21(Haddon Heights), and Utility 69-1(Hi Nella).

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Saturday, January 5, 2013  The Mayor of Runnemede, Bertha “Sis” Kalvaitis, swore in the 2013 Line Officers and Executive Board at our Annual Installation Banquet. We look forward to a very progressive and successful 2013.

Fire Line Officers:

Chief of Department - 701 - Patrick Moriarty

Deputy Chief - 702 - Alfred Loverdi

Assistant Chief - 7502 - Thomas Buscio

Captain - 7504 - Jaime Daleus

Lieutenant - 7505 - Anthony Dolce

Lieutenant - 7506 - Matthew Meyers

 

Fire Company Executive Board:

President - John Feret

Vice President - Michael Kearney

Recording Secretary - Mary Roray

Financial Secretary - Joan Albertson

Treasure - Bernard Moore

Trustee - Alfred Loverdi, Bob Wilson, Greg Grugan, George Pedicelli, and Charles Romond Sr.  

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Friday, December 21, 2012  00:04 - Task Force 82 was dispatched to 35 Brookline Dr for a reported dwelling fire. Battalion 82 arrived to find heavy fire showing from a two-story single family dwelling with fire extending to the exposure. Squad 32(staffed by the Beaver Brook Fire Alliance) and Squad 75(Runnemede) responded and operated at this fire. The fire escalated to two alarms and is being investigated.

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Thursday, December 20, 2012   
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) want you to know that every year, hospital emergency rooms treat about 12,500 people for injuries, such as falls, cuts and shocks, related to holiday lights, decorations and Christmas trees.

In addition, warns CPSC, candles start about 11,600 fires each year, resulting in 150 deaths, 1,200 injuries and $173 million in property loss. Christmas trees are involved in about 300 fires annually, resulting in 10 deaths, 30 injuries and an average of more than $10 million in property loss and damage.


Additional CPSC tips to make your holiday a safe one include:

Trees:

• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.
• When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and do not break when bent between your fingers. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
• When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.

Lights:

• Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory, which indicates conformance with safety standards. Use only lights that have fused plugs.
• Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets. Always replace burned-out bulbs promptly with the same wattage bulbs.
• Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. Make sure the extension cord is rated for the intended use.
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
• Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.
• Stay away from power or feeder lines leading from utility poles into older homes.
• Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use only insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks. Or, run strings of lights through hooks (available at hardware stores).
• Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
• Use caution when removing outdoor holiday lights. Never pull or tug on lights - they could unravel and inadvertently wrap around power lines.
• Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold. GFCIs can be installed permanently to household circuits by a qualified electrician.

Decorations:

• Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.
• Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.
• In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.
• Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair."
• Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.

Information provided by: http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/blholidaysafety.htm

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