Fire Scorches 1.5 Acres at Schooley's Mountain Park

Tuesday night brush fire spreads behind county park's pavilion.

A late Tuesday night brush fire scorched 1.5 acres of land at Schooley’s Mountain Park, requiring multiple fire companies to respond and cut down the flames, Washington Township police said. After 10 p.m. police received a report of a possible brush fire at the county park on East Springtown Road, Adams said. Cpl. Lucas Allen, Sgt. Jeffrey Almer, Officers Scott Meyers and Phil Seabeck responded to the area prior to firefighters arriving on the scene, Adams said. The fire was spreading through brush at the top of the hill behind the Schooley’s Mountain Park pavilion, nearly a quarter mile into the woods with no access, Adams said. Schooley’s Mountain Fire Company, Long Valley Fire Company and Fairmount Fire Company all responded to the …

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Tracy Tobin

3:01 pm on Thursday, April 11, 2013

Stop Whining There was a specific question regarding whether the County would reimburse W.T. for fire suppression work at the park. In several other Patch articles re the Township Volunteer Fire companies (Budget, Fire Study, Brush Fires Near Home) a number of people, myself included, posted positive comments about the time and efforts our Fire and First Aid volunteers contribute to keeping our …   more ›

Blazes Ravage Dryer, Woods Over the Weekend

Quick thinking keeps fire from spreading in township home; brush fire quelled from land and air.

Two fires in Washington Township required response from the fire department as well as police over the weekend, as brush fires have ravaged the western Morris area. On Saturday, police responded to a clothes dryer fire on Hemlock Drive just after 2 p.m., Lt. Art Adams said. Upon arrival, Officer Kirk Griffin and firefighter Michael Cuccaro found the house fully engulfed with smoke, and the dryer was overtaken by flames, Adams said. Multiple fire extinguishers were used to contain the blaze, but it grew and spread to the walls of the laundry room and worked it’s way through the dryer vent, eventually contacting debris outside the residence, Adams said. Outside the home, two garden hoses were used to keep the flames from spreading until more…

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Tracy Tobin

4:56 pm on Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Another brush fire today, in the Kearney area. Photo shows the fire under electric power transmission lines.   more ›

Chimney Fire Damages Coleman Road Home

No injuries reported by firefighters on scene.

A fire overtaking a chimney in a Coleman Road home required multiple fire companies in Washington Township to respond Friday night, according to firefighters on the scene. No injuries were reported, firefighters said, and the blaze was knocked down after two firefighters attacked the flames from top of the chimney. Long Valley Fire Company was the first on the scene after the report came in shortly before 9 p.m. Friday night, and Fairmount Fire, Schooley's Mountain Fire, and the Long Valley First Aid Squad also responded to the scene. Firefighters used a ladder truck to gain access to the rooftop and subsequently quell the blaze.

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Volunteer First Responders Take Oath for 2013

Fire, first aid squad officers reorganize for new year.

Washington Township has hundreds of volunteers who serve the town on a daily basis, and some put their lives on the line to help their neighbors. Many of those brave and selfless residents were sworn into their official positions on the township’s three fire departments and first aid squad Wednesday night at the annual reorganization meeting. The following is a list of officers sworn into their respective emergency medical responder positions in 2013: Washington Township Fire Department Officers Chief: Kurt Wanner Deputy Chief: Craig Wallenstein Deputy Chief: Bob Drake Long Valley First Aid Squad Chief: Bill Kanen Assistant Chief: Rob Cline Jr. Captain: Chris Maxwell First Lieutenant: Anna Wagner Second Lieutenant: Ryan Gelsinger President…

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Twp. to Study Need of Fire Houses, Equipment

Governing body could spend up to $20,000 on analysis of fire stations in an effort to maximize monetary funds.

In an effort to determine what changes need to be made to the three fire departments in town, the Washington Township Committee is getting the ball rolling on a study of the stations. "One of the issues is we have three fire departments in town and we spend a lot of money on equipment," Mayor Ken Short said after Wednesday night's committee work session.  "With the change in population trends in the township we have concerns," Short continued. "Do we have the right equipment; do we need more, do we need less; do we have houses at the right locations; are the pumpers where they should be; is the ladder truck where it should be; is the tanker truck where it should be; personnel, are we getting volunteers at the right area; are we providing …

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5 Things You Need To Know Today

Eat Pancakes and Bare Foods This Weekend

Check out live music at Centenary College.

The weekend is finally here, and there’s plenty to look forward to, besides some extra sleep and relaxation. Let’s take a look. You Need Some Pancakes: The Fairmount Fire Company will hold its pancake breakfast at the firehouse from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. All you can eat pancakes, sausage, eggs and pastries will be available. Cost is $7.50 for adults, $4.50 for children 5 and over. Proceeds benefit the all-volunteer fire department. For more information, go here. You Need to Know About a Grand Opening: Bare Foods Catering and Meals to Go, located at 16 Schooley’s Mountain Road, will hold a grand opening Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. Swing by and check out the local food company. For more information, go here. You Need to Try a Wine Tasting: The…

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