Fire units responded to a reported fire in a cooking hood today.  A small grease fire was located under one of the hoods within the facility used for the preparation of foods for the airline industry.  Engine 6 and Rescue 1 arrived on scene and utilized a handheld extinghisher to control the flames on the top of the cooking surface.  No extension to the structure was noted. 

Firefighters attended the phase 5 flashover training this evening at the Somerset County Fire Academy.  Members participated in the live fire training which consisted of a first floor room and contents fire and a basement fire.  Special thanks to the staff of Somerset County Fire Academy for the lessons learned. 

Truck 7 responded into the 1000 block of East Second Street last night for the confirmed structure fire.  Plainfield units under the command of Acting B/C McCue caught a fire in a two and a half story store front with residential units above.  Initial reports were that there were victims at the windows on arrival.  This is unconfirmed at this time.  Truck 7 setup on side D while the crew assisted in forcible entry on side A and search operations.  The fire was placed under control and second alarm units from Union County were released.  The fire is under investigation. 

The kindergarten classes of Franklin School visited the firehouse today and were treated to a first class inspection of the fire apparatus.  Firefighters Kolinski, Gray, Calvey and Conti allowed the students to view the many tools used in firefighting up close and personal.  Students were allowed to sit in the fire engine and enjoy the view.  The classes are organized as part of a day long trip that includes the police station, the library and a local bank.  Students from Franklin School have been visiting the fire house as part of this event for the past ten years.  

Fire units responded to Stetlon Road at Hadley Center Drive late tonight on a reported motor vehicle crash with a car fire.  Arriving units found a two vehicle crash with a smoldering engine compartment fire on one of the vehicles.  A one-inch line was stretched off Engine 6 and the vehicle was overhauled.  EMS was on scene with two injuries. 

Fire units responded to the off ramp at 287 North (Exit 4) for a reported rollover with possible entrapment.  Arriving fire units were greated with a victim already removed by paramedics on scene who was severly injured.  Medics requested Northstar for a flyout due to the injuries.  State Police shutdown the North Bound land of Route 287 to allow the helicopter to land.  The patient was packaged by Fire/EMS units and flown out to Robert Wood Johnson for trauma evaulation. 

Fire units responded to a car fire on Cedarbrook Avenue early this evening.  DC 2 arrived and transmitted the working fire signal for an fire in the engine compartment.  Engine 6 arrived and stretched in with an 1 3/4 attack line.  The fire was knocked down and turned over to PD to be towed. 

Firefighter Kevin Bulla married Kelly McConville this evening at a ceremony held at Sacred Heart Church.  Kevin is a long time member of the South Plainfield Fire Department and Kelly is employed as a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the town.  Best wishes Kevin and Kelly!  

Engine 6, Rescue 1 and Somerset EMS responded to a reported rollover of a tractor trailer with possible entrapment early this morning at the base of the Port Redding bridge at Hamilton Blvd.  A local trucking company driver was pulling a tandem set of trailers and was proceeding up the bridge when the rear trailer rolled over.  Arriving units found no entrapment, no injuries and no hazmat involved.  PSE & G had to be special called due to the fact that the trailer sheared off the traffic device which then became entangled in the high tension wires.  Traffic was backed up along the busy corridor for approximately one hour. 

Engine 6 relocated into Edison house 4 late this evening due to a working fire on Willow Drive.  Middlesex County mutual aid coordinators were on scene and requested the move up to cover the empty houses.  Engine 6 returned to service around 3am the following morning. 

Congratulations to John and Jill Reed on the birth of their daughter Taylor. Born 5/17/09 at 2:02pm, 7lb 9oz -  20in Mother and Daughter are doing fine.

Truck 7 responded into a second alarm on Halsey Street in Plainfield today for a one story Cape Cod with fire showing on three sides of the structure on arrival.  First in units had a good knock on the fire and Truck 7 was assigned to search and overhaul operations on Division 2.  The fire was placed under control and second alarm companies were released. 

Photos courtsey of Courier News Staff Photographer

Fire units responded to a reported garage fire on Hopkinson Street late in the afternoon this day.  Arriving units were greated with a moderate smoke condition coming from the attached garage area of a one story wood frame structure.  The working fire signal was transmitted as Engine 4 arrived on scene.  Engine 4 took a hydrant in front of the structure and stretched a 1 3/4 attack line to side A.  A second attack line was also stretched to the interior of the structure.  Truck 7 arrived and laddered the building and setup for a roof vent.  Interior crews were meet with a body of fire at the back of the garage.  Quick work with the attack line allowed for a rapid knock down.  A moderate smoke condition remained and crews initiated a search for extension as well as for occupants.  All searches were negative and extension was limited.  Positive pressure ventilation was initiated and the fire was placed under control by FGC Scalera.  The scene was turned over to the Bureau of Fire Prevention for origin and cause investigation. 

The State of New Jersey under the provisions of the Uniform Fire Code, has available an emblem for those considered as disabled and or required to use oxygen.  The emblem would be displayed by you at your home after consultation with appropriate State agencies and organizations representing individuals with disabilities.  There is a specific criteria to be considered as a "person with a disability".  Please call the Bureau of Fire Prevention office at 908-756-4761 and we will provide you with a written copy of the official document from the State that explains the program.  We have attached a PDF document under the downloads section of our website that will allow you to print off the application and fill it out at your leisure.  Upon approval, the State will mail the emblem directly to you at your residence and the Fire Department will be notified in writing from the State as to its presence.  Please find below a link to the State web site that has additional information that you may wish to review.  If you have any questions please call us so that we may assist you in any way possible. 

  http://www.state.nj.us/dca/dfs/contcert.shtml

Fire department units were initially dispatched to a reported structure fire somewhere on Metuchen Road today.  A large column of smoke was visible and first arriving Police units confirmed a working fire at the US Plastics plant located at 651 Metuchen Road.  A large column of thick black smoke was visible at the back of a large detached storage building used for warehousing the plastic product used in the manufacturing project.  The working fire signal was transmitted as Truck 7 and Engine 4 arrived on scene.  Truck 7 reached the rear of the building and began to setup for master stream and reported that the fire was actually in a detached dumpster.  Heavy fire was present and was posing a serious exposure problem.  Engine 4 dropped a feeder line on the way in and then stretched an attack line to the rear of the building.  The first line was placed in operation on the exposure and then onto the fire.  A second line was stretched into the exposure building.  Use of thermal cameras confirmed that the fire had not breached the outside wall as of yet.  A third line was placed in operation on the fire.  The fire was knocked down and overhaul was commenced.  The fire was placed under control and covering units were released.