At 0136 hours Engine2/C Platoon responded to a reported structure fire on the pier at 23rd Ave & the Boardwalk. Upon arrival crews could see smoke and flames coming from a structure at the end of the pier. Captain McClain ordered his crew to bring up the "High Rise" packs and report to the back of the pier. Wildwood City Engine 338 staged at 24th & Boardwalk and supplied the pier standpipe. Chief Cole arrived on location and took over command of the incident. Crews had to navigate through a series of fences and gates in order to access the back of the pier. Operations reported they had a small fire in a framed structure that did not have a roof. Engine 2 & Engine 38 were able to knock the fire down very quickly. Ladder 250 assisted with overhaul operations. Companies remained on location performing overhaul and assisted the investigators from the Fire Marshall's office.

During this incident there were approximately 5 additional emergencies going on throughout the city, including a reported stabbing. Engine Co 232 responded to set up the L.Z. for the medical helicopter for this incident.

06/24/11 B-Platoon 1349 hours
Under the command of Chief Cole Engine 2 & Rescue 294 responded to the 1500 block of Central avenue for a Unconscious Person. Crews found a subject that was in Cardiac Arrest and began to administer C.P.R. and they utilized the A.E.D. The crew was able to successfully obtain a pulse and continued patient care with Medic 5. The patient was flown via helicopter to hospital that specialized in Cardiac Emergencies.

06/25/11 B-Platoon 1805 hours
Minutes after shift change off duty Firefighter Larcombe came across a pedestrian at Chestnut Ave & New Jersey Ave that was struck by a vehicle. Firefighter Larcombe immediately called for  Engine 2 and Rescue 294 to respond. Upon the arrival of the Engine and Rescue crews began to initiate patient care. Rescue 294 and Medic 5 determined the patient needed to be transported to a trauma center. The patient was transported to ARMC-City Division via helicopter.

06/26/11 B-Platoon 0050 hours
Under the command of Captain Tirotta Engine 2 and Rescue 294 responded to the area of 3rd and Ocean for a reported fall victim. Upon arrival they found a subject with head injury. Crews requested a helicopter and a paramedic unit to respond. The crew transported the patient to the landing zone. The subject was flown via helicopter to ARMC City Trauma for treatment.

This is just a summary of the more serious incidents that our Firefighter/EMT's have responded to in the last week!

Captain Joseph Heitzmann Sr. retired after serving the North Wildwood Fire Department for 31 years.

During Capt. Heitzmann's career, he has held multiple positions including:

February 1979: Appointed as member of Anglesea Fire Company where he served as President, Vice President, Secretary, and Lieutenant of Engine 235.

February 1980: Hired as a part time Firefighter.

January 1986: Appointed as a Career Firefighter for the City of North Wildwood.

June 2003: Appointed to the rank of Captain.

Served as a Career Firefighter for 25 years.

Served as the Department Training Officer from 2007-2010.

He has held every position in the FMBA Local 56  He has served as President longer then any other member in the history of Local 56.

The Officers and members of FMBA Local 56 wish Captain Heitzmann Sr. and his family the best of luck during his retirement.

At 1741 hours Engine 2 (Platoon 3) under the command of Captain Sanguinetti responded to the 400 E. Block of 2nd Ave for the report of an explosion in a house. Wildwood City Engine 38 & Anglesea Engine 232 were requested for assistance. Upon arrival the firefighters found a two story house with a large amount of damage on the side of the house. Firefighters immediately began (Continued Below)

treating the injured occupant of the home and conducted a primary search of the home and adjacent apartments for any trapped victims. Crews then proceded to secure all the utilities to the house. Upon investigation it was found that a hot water boiler had failed causing significant damage to the home and adjacent apartments. NWFD Firefighter/EMT's  transported the victim to the hospital.

Off Duty NWFD Firefighter/EMT's were able to staff a second ambulance during this incident. This ensured that there was no lapse in ambulance coverage during the incident.

While clearing the boiler explosion incident Engine 2 was dispatched for a structure fire in Wildwood City. Crews placed the Engine back in service and immediately responded.

Engine 2 B-Shift responded to Wildwood City for a structure fire. The Engine company assisted Engine 38 with suppression and overhaul. The fire was placed under control in 20 minutes. No injuries were reported.

North Wildwood and Wildwood City operate under an automatic aid (shared services agreement).  This agreement allows both Cities Duty Crews to respond to any reported structure fire, alarm system in target hazards, motor vehicle accident with entrapment and any  other possible major incident that the on-duty Captain deems as potentially hazardous on the initial disptach. This system was created to assist in obtaining the proper amount of manpower (with no additional costs to either city) within the first couple minutes of the incident.

The members of the North Wildwood Professional Firefighters Union would like to congratulate Fire Chief Paul A. Evangelista on his retirement. Chief Evangelista worked for the fire department for over 30 years, serving as Firefighter, Lieutenant, Deputy Chief and Chief of the department. We would like to thank him for his many years of dedicated service and wish him the best of luck with his new endeavors.