Mission Statement:

     The mission of the Mantua Township Fire District No. 1 is to serve our community when an emergency occurs. We will respond safely and quickly with trained, skilled, and compassionate members, using the best available equipment to neutralize or reverse any situation.  We will continue aggressive planning and response preparation, and will strive to prevent the need for our emergency services through education and community interaction. Our services shall be delivered by a dedicated family of members committed to exceeding the needs and expectations of those we serve anytime, anyplace, any need.  

     On Saturday, November 16, 2013 members of the Mantua Township Fire District along with the Gloucester County Neptune Task Force conducted a joint training exercise with mulitple Camden County Fire Departments Saturday morning at the Port of Camden. The Neptune water delivery system was supplemented by Camden City's Fire Boat 1 as well as two five inch strike teams to achive maximum water flow capacity. The unit was able to flow approximately 10,000 gallons per minute through the 12" water lines and out of the Iron Man gun located at the end of the old Del monte pier. Numerous local, county, and state officials were on hand to see the Neptune systems capabilties for provinding high volume water delivery for fire suppression, and other emergency incidents. 

     On Monday, October 28, 2013 at 1457 hours members of the Glassboro Fire Department and Harrison Township Fire District were dispatched to Route 55 in the area of Exit 50 for a reported vehicle fire.  Prior to arrival Chief 2600 reported the vehicle to be in the Southbound lanes north of Exit 50 and requested a response from station 22-1. 

     Chief 2201 arrived moments later reporting a working car fire.  Chief 2201 made a quick knockdown of the fire and requested Engine 2611 proceed to the scene to extiguish the remainder of the fire.  The fire was quickly knocked down salvaging the vehicle.  Once the fire was brought under control, all companies were released by NJSP and NJ DOT.  No further action taken. 

  On Sunday, September 15, 2013 at 1946 hours members of the Mantua Township Fire District along with Quint 2816 were dispatched to 501 Mantua Boulevard, D'Agostini's Liquor Store, for a reported building fire.  Chief 2201 responded and was immediately advised by Gloucester County Communications that they were recieving numerous reports of smoke coming from the building.  At that time Chief 2201 requested the All-Hands brining in the second alarm companies. 

     Engine Company 2212 responded quickly with a crew of four and arrived first due reporting heavy smoke showing.  Engine Company 2212 established their own water supply and stretched a single 2 1/2" hand line through the front door of the building.  Crew from Engine Company 2212 located heavy fire conditions in the D-Side of the show room.

     While crews were on the interior crews from Engine Company 2213 and Quint 2816, and Squad Company  2218 began to perform outside ventilation opening the roof and assisting the crew from 2212.  The fire was quickly brought under control at which time all units performed salvage and overhaul tactics to help protect the remainder of the property. 

     Once units were clear from the interior the scene was turned over to the Mantua Township Fire Marshal's Office for investigations.  The fire was brought under control within in 20 minutes from time of dispatch and all units remained on scene for approximatley 2 hours assisting with the investigation.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Mantua Township Fire Marshal's Office.

Units on location:  Engine Companies 2212, 2213, and 2832, Squad Company 2218, Quint 2816, Tender 2214, Brush 2215, Utilites 2217 and Car 22 as well as RIC 516 and RIC 1038 along with BLS 8265.

     The members of the Mantua Township Fire District would like to extend our sincere condolences to the members of the Pitman Fire Department as well as the Gresko Family.

     Chief Anthony Gresko served his community as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Pitman Fire Company No. 1 where he served as Chief for ten years and Chief of the Borough of Pitman for ten years.  He was prominent figure within the township and all around mentor to all of the members of the Pitman Fire Department as well as firefighters throughout Gloucester County.  Chief Gresko was a good fireman and a good friend to the Mantua Township Fire District and he will be deeply missed. 

Visitations were set from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, and 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 23, at the Kelley Funeral Home, 125 Pitman Ave., Pitman, before a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Friday at Mater Ecclesiae Church, 261 Cross Keys Rd., Berlin.

Donations may be made to the Crozer-Keystone Burn Foundation, Lewis House, 1 Medical Center Blvd., Upland, Pa. 19013.

Come support the Gloucester County Professional Firefighters Union Local 3592 as they raise money for breast cancer. This fun filled night will consist of members from the Mantua Township Police Department facing off with members from the Mantua Township Fire Department in a lemon squeezing competition at Chickfila in the Mantua Square. Please come out and show your support, and don't forget to mention that you are there for "spirit night" or present this flyer to the cashier to make sure Local 3592 gets credit in their fundraiser for breast cancer!

     On Saturday, August 3, 2013 members of the Mantua Township Fire District participated in the Highland Chemical Engine Company's 100th Anniversary.  The company's actual 100 years will hit October 4th of this year. 

     Members participated in a parade as well as funfilled after party at "Total Turf Experience" on Lambs Road.  Prior to the parade numerous pieces of Apparatus were judged for various best appearing apparatus categories.  Mantua Township Fire District won the following:

1st Place-Best Appearing Tender (2214)
1st Place- Best Appearing Rescue (2218)
2nd Place-Best Appearing Command Vehicle (2201)
*Overall Best Appearing Fire Department*

The Mantua Township Fire District would like to thank the members of the Highland Chemical Engine Company for the hospitality and for putting on a great event.  Congratulations on 100 Years and hopefully 100 more.

Physicals and Fit Testing: September 10, 2013 starting at 1700 Hours.
 
All members must be in attendance for Fit Testing.
 
Following Members must be in attendance for Physical:
 
J. Duaime
M. DuBeau
D. Fitzgerald
G. Godwin
C. Hanker
J. Hauss
C. Jones Sr.
C. Jones Jr.
D. Jones
J. Kustner
N. Lamana
S. Marks
J. Martell
M. McNicoll
P. Robinson
V. Torino

     On Sunday, June 16, 2013 at 1217 hours Brush Truck 2215 was special called to assist with a large brush fire in Township of Greenwich.  Brush Truck responded immediately and upon their arrival assisted crews with extinguisment and overhaul of the area. 

     Brush Truck 2215 remained on location for approximately one hour until being released by command. 

     On Saturday, June 15, 2013 at 1326 hours members of the Mantua Township Fire District responded on Squad Company 2218 with a crew of five to assist Glassboro Fire Department with a working building fire.  District 26 was handling a large fire at Bob's Little Sport Shop at 316 N. Delsea Drive in Glassboro.  The company was requested directly by command to expedite into the scene.  Upon their arrival crews provided manpower to assist with extinguishment, overhaul  and clean up. 

     The company remained on location for approximately two hours until being released by command.  The fire is currently under investigation by the Glassboro Fire Investigation Office and Gloucester County Fire Marshal's Office.

     On Friday, June 7, 2013 at 0016 hours members of the Mantua Township Fire District were requested to respond on the Second Alarm to a working house fire at 304 Catawba Avenue in Logan Township.  Engine Company 2213 responded with a crew of eight in under two minutes.  Upon the Engine Company's arrival they were sent to assist Engine Company 1832's crew with extinguishment in Division C.

     Crews assisted on location for approximately one hour until released by command.  The fire is currently under investigation by the Gloucester County Fire Marshal's Office.

    On Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 1524 hours members of the Mantua Township Fire District were dispatched to 408 Lambs Road, Omni Recycling for a reported Building Fire.  Chiefs 2201 and 2800 responded and were advised that an Articulating Tractor was on fire inside of the building.  Chief 2800 gave an initial report of a large header visible while en route to the scene.  A short time later Chief 2800 arrived and reported an approximatley 400 X 400 recycling pant with Heavy Fire Throughout, requesting the Second Alarm.   

     Engine company 2212 responded quickly with a crew of four followed closely by Tender 2214.  Engine Company 2212 and Quint 2816 arrived simultaneously and both pieces laid in approximately 1300 foot of LDH.  Upon arrival both pieces immediately went into master stream operations and were fed by Tender 2214 prior to establishing a cold water line.  Engine Company 2213 arrived with a crew of four and supplied the operating apparatus. 

     Quint 946 and RIC 1038 arrived and both companies were quickly placed into service in Division A attempting to extinguish the large machinery fires.  Companies operated for approximately 40 minutes attempting to extinguish the machinery fires as well as large trash pile fires at which time the bulk of the fire was placed under control.  RIC 516 was also placed into service working on Division A for a large trash pile.  Quint 2316 and Engine 4112 were pulled into the scene from the cover and both placed into service upon their arrival. 

     Once the fire was placed under control a command decision was made to have all three ladder companies go into service for approximately twenty minutes with straight streams to totally extinguish all active fires.  Companies operated on scene for approximately four hours without incident.  As special thanks to the American Red Cross for their assistance on scene with Rehab and Refreshments. 

     The fire is currently under investigation by the Gloucester County Fire Marshal's Office.

Units on location:  Chief 2201, 2800, 8200, and 5801, CFMs 1,  2 and 5803, Engine Companies 2212, 2213, 2832, and 2811, Tender 2214 and Foam Tender 5814, Brush 2215, Quints 2816, 946, 516, and 2316, Utility 2217, Squad Company 2218, Rescue 1038, along with BLS 8275 and 8265

On Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 1900 hours members of the Mantua Township Fire District along with Mantua Township Police Department, Gloucester County IAFF Local 3592 and general public were in attendance for the swearing in of newly hired Career Firefighter/Maintenance Shawn Layton.  Shawn was sworn at in front of a packed house by Chairman Nicholas Vacarino with his official hire date of May 6th.

     The members of the Mantua Township Fire District would like to congratulate Shawn on his new position and wish him luck and a long and prosperous career.

 

     Over the past weekend members of the Mantua Township Fire District were involved in numerous community events as well as handled numerous incidents within the township.  On Saturday, April 27th members assisted with the Arson Investigation Class at Camden County Fire Academy and also stood by at the Gloucester County Dino-Dig held at the Inversand Mining Company. 

     A crew of seven members stood by as a safety team while numerous public officials and community members enjoyed a beautiful day digging for dinosaur bones.  Over the two days the members also responded to numerous incidents including two active brush fires in the Richwood section of the township.  The members remained safe and efficient throughout the weekend providing gold standard service to the residents of Mantua Township.

     On Saturday, April 27, 2013 Firefighters Torino, Beckett, DeBlaker, and Daneker assisted with the Camden County Fire Academy Arson Investigation Class.  Members reported to the fire academy and stood-by to extinguish active car fires to help hone the skills of the class members.  The class served as a dual purpose for the Arson Investigation an some live fire training for the crew.