In 2015, the Jakeland Fire Dept. responded to 26,738 runs. There were 183 working fires. Of the 183 working fires, 47 were structure fires. There were 30 held to an All Hands assignment. There were 9 2nd Alarm jobs, 7 3rd Alarm jobs and 1 4th Alarm fire.
The busiest Engine in 2015 was Engine 9 with 2,704 runs.
The busiest Ladder in 2015 was Tower Ladder 2 with 1,833 runs.
There were 18 firefighters injured on duty.
Below are some important events that occurred in 2015.
The busiest Engine in 2015 was Engine 9 with 2,704 runs.
The busiest Ladder in 2015 was Tower Ladder 2 with 1,833 runs.
There were 18 firefighters injured on duty.
Below are some important events that occurred in 2015.
DECEMBER 17
GENERAL ALARM NEEDED FOR FATAL SANZARI MEDICAL PLAZA FIRE
A major fire broke out at the Sanzari Medical Plaza at 360 Oradell Ave. The fire was held at a 4th Alarm assignment bringing in mutual aid from Lego Twp, Riverwoods International Airport, Portage, South Palm, North Lereado County, Buena Vista and St Lego to cover empty firehouses. The cause of the fire was determined to be the owner of Turtles Pizzeria illegally worked on the gas line in his kitchen. This caused a gas leak to occur which caused an explosion and fire. The owner of Turtles Pizzeria was killed along with a nurse on the second floor of the medical plaza who was disoriented by the smoke and could not find her way out. This was the biggest fire in Jakeland since the 2013 Dyson Chemical Fire.
|
NOVEMBER 26
THANKSGIVING DAY FIRE
Jakelands Bravest operated at a house fire at 17 South Matthews Place. The fire was caused by the homeowner deep frying a turkey in the attached garage. The flames were able to extend up to the second floor of the 2.5 story split level prior to firefighters arriving. Members of the 4th Platoon 1st Battalion were able to quickly bring the flames under control using three hoses. No occupants or firefighters were injured.
JUNE 10
FIVE FIREFIGHTERS INJURED BATTLING CLIFTON AVE BLAZE
Five Firefighters were injured during a 3rd Alarm blaze that occurred on Clifton Ave in Downtown Jakeland. All five were transported to Jakeland University Medical Center. Their injuries were mostly burns and injuries sustained from jumping out of the second floor of the building onto the ground ladders.
JUNE 8
RESERVE LADDER PLACED IN SERVICE
The 1996 Simon Duplex/LTI that served as Truck 4 from 1996 - 2007 has been brought back to Jakeland. The ladder was recently purchased by the Ex Chiefs of the J.L.F.D. to bring back to Jakeland. The ladder was then refurbished and repainted to it's original scheme at the time of delivery in 1996. The ladder will now serve as the JLFD's much needed Reserve Ladder.
JUNE 2
BATTALION 1 PLACED IN SERVICE
Battalion 1's 2015 Ford Explorer has been placed into service today. The new vehicle for Battalion 1 sports the new Jakeland FD color scheme. It is the second vehicle to feature this new scheme.
MAY 18
FATAL ROUTE 1 EAST CRASH
Jakelands Bravest were dispatched to Route 1 East for a motor vehicle crash involving an overturned tractor trailer. Three vehicles were involved in the crash that killed one person. A rescue from Lego Twp assisted Jakelands Bravest at the scene.
MARCH 30
FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE EAST FREDERICK DOUGLASS JOB AGAIN
Firefighters responded back to 221 East Frederick Douglass Ave for a working fire. When firefighters arrived on scene, flames were raging out of control in 221 and 223 East Frederick Douglass Ave. High winds created a very difficult situation for firefighters who were trying to contain the blaze. No firefighters entered the buildings due to the structural integrity already compromised from a previous fire. The fire was held to 2 Alarms.
MARCH 26
EAST FREDERICK DOUGLASS 2 ALARM JOB
Firefighters fought a 2 Alarm fire on East Frederick Douglass Ave. The fire extended from 221 to 223 East Frederick Douglass Ave. Firefighters were able to stop the flames from spreading further and quickly knocked down the fire.
FEBRUARY 21
ROCHELLE HEIGHTS 5 ALARM FIRE
On Thursday, February 19, the Rochelle Heights Volunteer Fire Dept. was dispatched to a working fire at Liberty Auto on River Street. Jakelands Bravest were also dispatched to assist at the scene. Due to the freezing temperatures, hydrants in the area froze. A fire boat from St Lego was needed to draft water from the river to the scene. There were no injuries at this massive 5 alarm fire.
|
FEBRUARY 18
ENGINE 5 RECEIVES "NEW" ENGINE
FEBRUARY 13
ENGINE 6 RECEIVES NEW SPARTAN ERV ENGINE
The new Spartan ERV Gladiator for Engine 6 has been striped and decals have been applied by Jersey Shore Fire & Police. The engine is now at the Eagle Ave firehouse with it's crew busy training on the new engine to place it in service as quickly as possible. As of right now, the engine is scheduled to be placed in service at 8:00 AM on Monday February 16, 2015. A small ceremony is scheduled to take place to honor this new engine. After the new engine is in service, the old Engine 6 will be brought down to Downtown Blvd where it will be in service as Engine 5.
FEBRUARY 11
FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE WOMAN FROM BLAZE
Crews from Engine 6, Tower Ladder 2 and Rescue 1 arrived first at a working structure fire at 1515 Central Ave. A woman was trapped on the second floor fire escape. Due to heavy fire venting from the first floor, the woman was unable to climb down the fire escape. Firefighters raised a ground ladder up to her and assisted her to the ground. Three alarms were needed before the blaze was declared under control. Rochelle Heights, Buena Vista, Lego Twp, Riverwoods, North Lereado County and Portage fire departments were needed to cover empty firehouses while Jakelands firefighters battled this blaze.
FEBRUARY 9
NEW ENGINE 6 PATCH
Engine Company 6 has designed a new patch. The new patch features their 2 golden hydrant awards for 2011 and 2014. Those years Engine 6 was the busiest engine in Jakeland. Since being reassigned to Eagle Ave, Engine 6's call volume has dramatically increased due to being in the center of the city. The patch will be worn on all Engine Company 6 officers and firefighters class A, B and C uniforms and also will be applied to the new Spartan ERV Gladiator engine that will be placed in service soon.
JANUARY 10
JAKELANDS BRAVEST BATTLE 3 ALARM JOB ON RIVER STREET
A piece of Jakeland Fire Department history burned. The old River Street Firehouse at 155 River Street burned to 3 Alarms. The firehouse was constructed in 1983 and housed Engine 8 from 1984 until 2000. After Engine 8 was disbanded in 2000, the firehouse was used by the Jakeland Junior Athletics Association to store sporting equipment and hold monthly meetings. In 2008 when Quint 8 was established, the firehouse was again occupied by Jakelands Bravest. However due to budget cuts in 2012, Quint 8 was disbanded and the River Street Firehouse was again closed. This time however, no one stepped up to utilize the firehouse for any other purpose. As time passed, the buildings overall condition deteriorated. The Riverside Business Association made multiple complaints to the Jakeland City Council over the years to have the firehouse demolished due to the building being an eyesore on a high traffic commercial road. Also concerns grew because squatters were occupying the building to use for shelter from the weather.
The fire that consumed the firehouse grew to 3 Alarms. An interior attack was made at first, however firefighters were forced to retreat due to the conditions rapidly deteriorating. Eventually the roof collapsed, flames were then seen shooting into the sky. Firefighters were able to prevent the spread of the fire and hold it to the original structure. The firehouse will now be demolished because of the fire and the stability of the structure. |