In 2016, the Jakeland Fire Dept. responded to 25,620 runs. There were 195 working fires. Of the 195 working fires, 56 were structure fires. There were 32 held to an All Hands assignment. There were 15 2nd Alarm jobs, 8 3rd Alarm jobs and 1 4th Alarm fire.
The busiest Engine in 2016 was Engine 4 with 2,517 runs.
The busiest Ladder in 2015 was Tower Ladder 1 with 1,845 runs.
There were 23 firefighters injured on duty.
Below are some important events that occurred in 2016.
The busiest Engine in 2016 was Engine 4 with 2,517 runs.
The busiest Ladder in 2015 was Tower Ladder 1 with 1,845 runs.
There were 23 firefighters injured on duty.
Below are some important events that occurred in 2016.
OCTOBER 31
4 KILLED AT DOWNTOWN BLVD BLAZE
Official 208 Downtown Blvd Press Release:
At 7:19 PM on October 31, 2016, firefighters were dispatched to the 200 Block of Downtown Blvd for a report of an explosion with fire. Dispatched to the scene were Engines 1, 4, 5, 15, Tower Ladder 1, Ladder 3, Squad 10, Rescue 1, Battalion 1 and Deputy 4. Engine 5 and Ladder 3 both arrived at 7:22 PM. Engine 5's Captain Brian McCall assumed the initial command and reported that a brick building had collapsed and was heavily involved in fire. Two other buildings were also involved in heavy fire. Engine 5 established a water supply from a hydrant, while Ladder 3 set up it's ladder for an aerial attack on the blaze. At 7:25 PM, Tower Ladder 1 and Engine 1 arrived on scene. Tower Ladder 1 began setting up it's tower ladder to attack the blaze, while Engine 1 set up a secondary water supply. At 7:26 PM, Deputy Chief Michael Manning arrived on scene and established command. After establishing command, he requested a 2nd alarm to the scene and a 3rd alarm to stage. Engines 2, 6, Tower Ladder 2 and Battalion 2 were sent to the scene. Engines 12, 13 and Ladder 7 were sent to staging at Downtown Blvd and Bergen St. At this time, a recall of off duty personnel was requested to man the reserve engine and reserve ladder. Deputy Chief Manning also requested from the Liberty County FD a collapse unit to the scene and assist. Tower Ladder 2 arrived at 7:29 PM and began setting up its tower ladder to combat the blaze. As flames continued to progress, personnel from staging was needed to stretch more hoses and relieve tired crews. The remaining Jakeland FD units were then requested to the staging area at 8:27 PM. At this time mutual aid was requested to man empty firehouses from North Lereado County, Lego Twp, Portage County, St Lego, Jackson Twp, Riverwoods, Rochelle Heights, South Palm and Buena Vista. A rehab from Westbrick was sent to the scene. Firefighters were on scene at this blaze throughout the night into the early morning. The fire was not officially declared under control until 4:56 AM. Crews were finally able to search the rubble for 4 missing people at this time. Unfortunately 4 residents who lived in the 3 story brick building were killed. The cause of the explosion appears to be a malfunctioning furnace in the basement of the building.
At 7:19 PM on October 31, 2016, firefighters were dispatched to the 200 Block of Downtown Blvd for a report of an explosion with fire. Dispatched to the scene were Engines 1, 4, 5, 15, Tower Ladder 1, Ladder 3, Squad 10, Rescue 1, Battalion 1 and Deputy 4. Engine 5 and Ladder 3 both arrived at 7:22 PM. Engine 5's Captain Brian McCall assumed the initial command and reported that a brick building had collapsed and was heavily involved in fire. Two other buildings were also involved in heavy fire. Engine 5 established a water supply from a hydrant, while Ladder 3 set up it's ladder for an aerial attack on the blaze. At 7:25 PM, Tower Ladder 1 and Engine 1 arrived on scene. Tower Ladder 1 began setting up it's tower ladder to attack the blaze, while Engine 1 set up a secondary water supply. At 7:26 PM, Deputy Chief Michael Manning arrived on scene and established command. After establishing command, he requested a 2nd alarm to the scene and a 3rd alarm to stage. Engines 2, 6, Tower Ladder 2 and Battalion 2 were sent to the scene. Engines 12, 13 and Ladder 7 were sent to staging at Downtown Blvd and Bergen St. At this time, a recall of off duty personnel was requested to man the reserve engine and reserve ladder. Deputy Chief Manning also requested from the Liberty County FD a collapse unit to the scene and assist. Tower Ladder 2 arrived at 7:29 PM and began setting up its tower ladder to combat the blaze. As flames continued to progress, personnel from staging was needed to stretch more hoses and relieve tired crews. The remaining Jakeland FD units were then requested to the staging area at 8:27 PM. At this time mutual aid was requested to man empty firehouses from North Lereado County, Lego Twp, Portage County, St Lego, Jackson Twp, Riverwoods, Rochelle Heights, South Palm and Buena Vista. A rehab from Westbrick was sent to the scene. Firefighters were on scene at this blaze throughout the night into the early morning. The fire was not officially declared under control until 4:56 AM. Crews were finally able to search the rubble for 4 missing people at this time. Unfortunately 4 residents who lived in the 3 story brick building were killed. The cause of the explosion appears to be a malfunctioning furnace in the basement of the building.
AUGUST 14
MAIN STREET BUSINESS BURNS DURING HEAT WAVE
Official 204 Main Street Press Release:
At 4:32 PM, Engines 13, 6, 9, 12, Tower Ladders 2, 4, Squad 3, Rescue 1, Battalion 2 and Deputy 4 were dispatched to 204 Main Street for a working fire in the "Varsity Sports" sporting goods store. The store is a 2 story brick building with a sporting goods store on the first floor, offices, storage and a sewing room on the second floor. Engine 13 arrived on scene at 4:35 PM. Lt John Kendrick gave a size up over the air and observed heavy smoke pushing from the first and second floors of the building. Firefighters from Engine 13 stretched a 1 3/4" hose into the first floor to initiate an interior attack on the fire. At 4:37 PM, Squad 3 and Deputy Chief Michael Manning arrived on scene. Squad 3's crew headed in to begin a primary search of the first floor. Deputy Chief Manning requested a second alarm to the scene (Engines 7, 15, Tower Ladder 1, Battalion 1). Also due to the heat wave currently occurring in the Jakeland area, rehab teams from Jakeland University Medical Center and Westbrick Fire Department were requested to the scene. Engine 6's chauffeur established a water supply to feed water to Engine 13, while the rest of the crew stretched a second 1 3/4" hose into the building. Engine 6 would head up to the second floor. Before an attack could be made on the fire though, flames raged out of control and flashed. Firefighters from Rescue 1 searching the second floor were forced to evacuate. Lt James Vernon was forced to go down a ground ladder head first in a controlled fall. He would however hit the pavement and break his collarbone. Once all firefighters were out of the building, a third alarm was requested (Engines 1, 4, Ladder 3, Squad 10). The remaining 2 engines and 1 ladder (Engines 2, 5, Ladder 7) were moved up to the South Main St firehouse to stage. Off duty firefighters were then recalled to man the reserve engine and ladder at the Eagle Ave firehouse. Flames in the building eventually vented through the roof. Tower Ladder 2 and Squad 3 placed their aerials in operation and used their master streams to combat the blaze from above. The blaze was declared under control at 7:46 PM. At 8:33 PM, Deputy Chief Manning officially declared the fire extinguished with overhaul complete and all hot spots cleared. Other Agencies that operated at the scene were Jakeland Police, Jakeland University Medical Center EMS BLS/ALS, Jakeland Building Dept. and Westbrick FD. Agencies that provided coverage at empty firehouses were Riverwoods FD, Lego Twp FD, Portage County FD, Jackson FD, St Lego FD and Rochelle Heights FD. Two firefighters were transported to Jakeland University Medical Center with heat exhaustion. One was transported for a broken collar bone. The cause of the fire has been determined to be electrical. The owner of the store had left a wall air conditioner on while the shop was closed to help keep the shop cool during this heat wave. The air conditioner was plugged into an extension cord which overheated and started a fire.
At 4:32 PM, Engines 13, 6, 9, 12, Tower Ladders 2, 4, Squad 3, Rescue 1, Battalion 2 and Deputy 4 were dispatched to 204 Main Street for a working fire in the "Varsity Sports" sporting goods store. The store is a 2 story brick building with a sporting goods store on the first floor, offices, storage and a sewing room on the second floor. Engine 13 arrived on scene at 4:35 PM. Lt John Kendrick gave a size up over the air and observed heavy smoke pushing from the first and second floors of the building. Firefighters from Engine 13 stretched a 1 3/4" hose into the first floor to initiate an interior attack on the fire. At 4:37 PM, Squad 3 and Deputy Chief Michael Manning arrived on scene. Squad 3's crew headed in to begin a primary search of the first floor. Deputy Chief Manning requested a second alarm to the scene (Engines 7, 15, Tower Ladder 1, Battalion 1). Also due to the heat wave currently occurring in the Jakeland area, rehab teams from Jakeland University Medical Center and Westbrick Fire Department were requested to the scene. Engine 6's chauffeur established a water supply to feed water to Engine 13, while the rest of the crew stretched a second 1 3/4" hose into the building. Engine 6 would head up to the second floor. Before an attack could be made on the fire though, flames raged out of control and flashed. Firefighters from Rescue 1 searching the second floor were forced to evacuate. Lt James Vernon was forced to go down a ground ladder head first in a controlled fall. He would however hit the pavement and break his collarbone. Once all firefighters were out of the building, a third alarm was requested (Engines 1, 4, Ladder 3, Squad 10). The remaining 2 engines and 1 ladder (Engines 2, 5, Ladder 7) were moved up to the South Main St firehouse to stage. Off duty firefighters were then recalled to man the reserve engine and ladder at the Eagle Ave firehouse. Flames in the building eventually vented through the roof. Tower Ladder 2 and Squad 3 placed their aerials in operation and used their master streams to combat the blaze from above. The blaze was declared under control at 7:46 PM. At 8:33 PM, Deputy Chief Manning officially declared the fire extinguished with overhaul complete and all hot spots cleared. Other Agencies that operated at the scene were Jakeland Police, Jakeland University Medical Center EMS BLS/ALS, Jakeland Building Dept. and Westbrick FD. Agencies that provided coverage at empty firehouses were Riverwoods FD, Lego Twp FD, Portage County FD, Jackson FD, St Lego FD and Rochelle Heights FD. Two firefighters were transported to Jakeland University Medical Center with heat exhaustion. One was transported for a broken collar bone. The cause of the fire has been determined to be electrical. The owner of the store had left a wall air conditioner on while the shop was closed to help keep the shop cool during this heat wave. The air conditioner was plugged into an extension cord which overheated and started a fire.
JULY 28
DOWNTOWN NIGHT CLUB "METRO LOUNGE" BURNS
Jakeland's Bravest battled a 3 Alarm blaze that occurred at the nightclub "Metro Lounge". Thankfully the club had just closed and there were no occupants in the building. The fire did spread to the Jakeland Bank next door on Monmouth Ave however.
JULY 19
NEW ENGINE 7 DELIVERED
Engine Company 7 received a new 2016 KME engine. This replaced their American La France engine.
JULY 18
NEW PATCH FOR ENGINE 7
The officers and firefighters of Engine Company 7designed a new patch. The new patch features a "Jack Daniels" theme.
MAY 20
JAKELANDS BRAVEST ASSIST LEGO REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY
Engine 6, Tower Ladder 2 and Battalion 1 were requested to assist the Lego Regional Fire Authority at a 2 Alarm structure fire. The fire occurred at 397 Brick Blvd. Rochelle Heights Truck 832 was also requested to assist. After an aggressive attack made on the fire, firefighters were able to hold the fire to the original fire building and prevent any further extension.
APRIL 29
ENGINE 7/TOWER 4 ASSIST ROCHELLE HEIGHTS FD AT CHURCH FIRE
Jakelands Bravest were requested by the Rochelle Heights FD to assist them battling a church fire. At 11:47 AM on April 29, 2016, the RHFD was dispatched to St Michael's Church on Rochelle Ave. When they arrived, they found heavy fire venting through the roof of the church. The fire quickly grew to 4 Alarms. Engines 7, 9, Tower Ladder 4 and Battalion 2 were sent to assist Rochelle Heights.
APRIL 6
FF SMITH MEMORIAL DEDICATED, TOWER LADDER 2 PLACED IN SERVICE
A memorial dedicated to FF Jason M. Smith, who perished in a fire on April 6, 2011, was dedicated. Also a new tower ladder for Tower Ladder Company 2 was placed in service. Tower Ladder Company 2 was the unit FF Smith was assigned to when he made the ultimate sacrifice.
MARCH 17
FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE ALL HANDS JOB AT RAYMOND'S COFFEE SHOP
Jakelands Bravest fought a All Hands job at 264 Tidewater Ave. An aggressive attack made by Engines 2 and 15 quickly brought the blaze under control and prevented further extension to an attached structure.
MARCH 14
TOWER 2 DELIVERED
A 2015 Pierce Quantum 95' Tower Ladder was placed in service as Tower Ladder 2.