Mercerville Fire Company: Chief Jon Holcombe reported that during the month of April, Hamilton Township Fire District No. 2 - Mercerville Fire Company responded to 59 incidents, including building fires in other districts as well as a fatal roadway incident. Twenty six of the calls were to assist other local fire districts.

Included in the calls were 8 fires, 12 emergency medical assignments, 5 service calls and 16 false calls. Nottingham, Enterprise, White Horse and Robbinsville fire companies assisted Mercerville when a late-night fire started in the back wall of Applebee’s Restaurant on Route 22. The fire was caused by a carelessly thrown cigarette. There was no damage to the interior of the restaurant.

The career staff conducts the fire inspection program, in April, they conducted 23 Life Hazard use inspections, 48 non-life hazard inspections, 10 permit and 19 hydrant inspections. They also provided a fire prevention program to local students from Bright Beginnings Day Care.

Holcombe attended the Executive Fire Officer Symposium at the National Fire Academy in Emmetsburg, Md. Attendance at the symposium is restricted to graduates of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, a four-year, intensive leadership program aimed at preparing executive-level fire service administrators to lead the fire service through the 21st century. The symposium is the continuing education component of the program.

Volunteer members dedicated 99 hours in April responding to emergencies for the community and 62 hours learning better and safer ways to do their job. Capt. John E. Lenhardt attended the Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis.
Apparatus Operator Kevin McElroy a completed Fire Safety and Prevention Program for Families and Seniors.

Firefighter operator Ray Krajcsovics completed paramedic recertification. Twenty three members completed rapid-intervention crew awareness training at the Dempster Fire Training Center.

Captain Christopher Tozzi completed Terrorism Awareness for Fire and EMS. Congratulations to Tozzi on achieving life membership in the Fire Company.

In July there will be a car wash to benefit Ryan’s Quest.

Rusling Hose: Chief Thomas Gribbon reported that Hamilton Township Fire District No. 3 - Rusling Hose Company responded to 81 emergency assignments in April. Of those assignments, 7 were fires, 36 were rescue and emergency medical services incidents, 5 hazardous conditions with no fire, 5 service calls and 27 good intent or false calls.

Nottingham Fire Company: Chief Gary T. Dempster reported that Hamilton Township Fire District No. 7 - Nottingham Fire Company responded to 83 emergency assignments in April.

There were fourteen fires, 3 rescue and emergency medical service assists, 4 hazardous conditions with no fire, 5 service calls, 2 sprinkler activations due to malfunction, 3 Carbon Monoxide detector activations, 5 smoke detector activations and 12 alarm systems sounded due to malfunction.

Groveville Fire: Chief Mark D. Antozzeski reported that Hamilton Township Fire District No. 9 - Groveville Fire Company responded to 39 fire calls, 157 emergency medical calls, 90 false alarms, 77 good intent calls, and 27 other type calls from Jan. 1 through April 30.

The Fire District also conducted 137 fire prevention inspections and re-inspections at local businesses. The inspections insure that stores are safe for customers and merchants can remain open. Inspectors also make sure office buildings and manufacturing facilities are safe for workers and schools are safe for children.

Mercer County Fire School: Director Scott Loh reported that Firefighter 2 Bridge Program and Challenge Exam was recently offered. All students passed the State of New Jersey Certification were, from Mercerville fire company: Anthony Chiorello, Ed Hirshman, Mark Kandrac, Scott Loh, Kevin McElroy, Jason Ryan and Chris Tozzi. From Nottingham: Jim Lombardo, Scott McCormick and Joe Palzzone; From Groveville: Joe Flynn, John Smisloff and Fred Taylor.

Mercer County Fireman’s Association: The Annual Mercer County Fireman’s Association held its Annual Memorial Service on May 6 at Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Ewing Township, Master of Ceremonies was Joeseph M. Lenarski.
Two firefighter line-of-duty deaths were recognized, City of Trenton firefighter, Manuel “Manny” Rivera died in the line of duty March 31 from injuries sustained while saving a life at a Feb. 9 fire, and Princeton Junction firefighter Dennis G. McClenahan died in the line of duty Dec. 27 after returning from a fire call, of an apparent heart attack.

Ladies Auxiliary Memorial Roll: from Hamilton Township included, from Decou Fire Co.: Norma B. Bentley, Lorraine Nestor and Lillian C. Schweder; from Enterprise, Hilda Cacciatore; from Mercerville, Ruth Ewell, Dorothy H. Metzier and Helen Worob; from Nottingham, Pearl E. Gavin and Julia M. Piscanello; from Rusling Hose, Marcella E. Agabiti and Gloria A. Benson Onofri; and from White Horse, Hope L. Goldenbaum, Mary H. Marcucci and Margaret R. Neidt.

Fireman’s Memorial Roll: from Hamilton Township included, from Decou Fire Co.: John D. Bloom, Jr. and John M. Haney; from Enterprise, William Cook and Carmine “Jack” DeLorenzo; from Groveville, Past Chief Wayne B. Wheeler; from Mercerville, David Kiss and William R. Layton, Sr.; from Nottingham, Harold “Roy” Breth, Harold Meehan and Theodore M. Hould; and from White Horse, Nicholas P. Schrerer: Hamilton resident from Trenton-Mercer Airport FD Michael D. Cavalier passed away.

The 200 Club of Mercer County will hold its annual luncheon, dedicated to Trenton firefighter Manny Rivera, Sr., Posthumous Valor Award Recipent, Wednesday; June 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Mercer Oaks Golf Course clubhouse. Scott Loh, Director of the Dempster Fire Training Academy, life member, past president and ex-chief of Merceville Volunteer Fire Company will be guest speaker. For more information call (609) 712-2012.

Shown above: Hamilton Township Fire District No. 7/Nottingham Fire Company Career Staff “B” Platoon includes Captain/EMT Joe Palazzone, firefighter Nick Silvestro, firefighter/EMT Craig Crawley and chauffeur/EMT Ken Class. (Photo by Bob Sherman Jr.)