Captain Gardner walks through heavy snow after investigating downed power lines
Captain Sitzenstock surveys the scene as crews remove downed trees from the roadway
Firefighter E. O'Donnell (L) and Captain Sitzenstock check a vehicle after cutting up a tree that had fallen onto the vehicle
An arching power line that had fallen in the backyard of a home in Buckingham Park
Captain Gardner and Firefighters Friddell and Anderson (L to R) at a motor vehicle accident on Levitt Parkway
By Firefighter Mark Robertson Sr.
February 14, 2010
The two blizzards at the beginning of February kept Willingboro Firefighters busy for several days. During the two powerful storms, both full-time and volunteer firefighters kept multiple fire apparatus available to answer calls for service. Crews were kept busy for several days, even after the snow had stopped falling.
During the storm on the weekend of February 6th and 7th, the crews answered twenty-two calls for service. None of the incidents were severe in nature, but the crews were kept busy for most of the entire weekend. Firefighters responded to a number of calls to assist Willingboro EMS crews. Utility 1616, equipped with a snow plow and snow blower, responded to clear a path on the roadways and onto the properties.
The midweek storm of February 10th and 11th created fifty-five calls for service for Willingboro Firefighters. The units responded to many incidents for wires that were brought down by trees. A heavy coating of snow and ice brought trees down onto wires and across several roadways. The crews used chain saws to cut off fallen branches and trees.
Chief of Department Burnett helped to coordinate the response of apparatus and personnel to many of the incidents. At the height of both storms, Chief Burnett was receiving the incidents via telephone from the county's 911 center. Chief Burnett then prioritized each incident and notified the responding units by radio as to which incidents needed immediate attention.
Units:
Chief 1600, Engines 1613, 1611, and 1632, Ladder 1615, Utility 1616, and Fire Police 1618
