Burning bus, near-drownings, car crash, fires and collapsing stairs; busy year for first responders
PETERSBURG — Burning school buses, near-drownings, brush fires, collapsing stairs, car crashes — Upper Township can be a calamitous place.
Fortunately for its residents, visitors and others passing through, there is a large group of dedicated volunteers to pick people up when they’ve fallen down.
Township Committee held the inaugural Public Safety Awards ceremony Dec. 9, honoring dozens of volunteers from the township’s multiple agencies, as well as the paid professionals — State Police troopers, officers from neighboring towns, EMTs, paramedics, doctors and even a helicopter crew — with whom they work to save lives in peril.
According to Mayor Jay Newman, who also is chief of the Marmora Volunteer Fire Company, the township has 10 full-time and 15 part-time employees in the Upper Township Division of EMS, 25 seasonal employees of the Upper Township Beach Patrol and four all-volunteer fire companies in Marmora, Seaville, Tuckahoe and Strathmere with about 90 total members.
“What you will see tonight is the honoring of your public safety team. I can guarantee you that every one of our honorees does not want to be here tonight — they all think this is just part of the job and they do not do it for the recognition. I, however, strongly believe that the public should know who these individuals are and what they do for the community every day,” Newman said.
“None of us out there do it for the accolades, but whenever you get recognized for the job you did is certainly an honor,” said Committeeman Mark Pancoast, a lieutenant with the Ocean City Police Department.
Newman said Township Committee was honoring those involved in nine notable incidents, noting the township has six public safety agencies but those from multiple other organizations would also be recognized.
“You will see many other organizations represented tonight because they are all part of the team,” he said.
Leaders of the different departments took turns at the podium citing the events and those involved in resolving them.
Seaville Volunteer Fire Company Chief Perry Coker recognized driver Linda Giuffrida for safely evacuating students from a burning school bus on the Garden State Parkway.
Seaville Fire and the Upper Township Division of EMS were dispatched April 17 to the parkway in response to the blaze. Deputy Chief Roy Blackledge was the first to arrive on the scene and found the bus fully engulfed in flames.
He located the occupants more than 100 yards away, where Giuffrida directed them after safely evacuating all from the vehicle.
“These actions were life-saving,” Coker said.
Blackledge requested backup from the Marmora Volunteer Fire Company, and both worked to extinguish the fire.
Not all incidents happen on land at the New Jersey shore, where swimming and boating are popular pastimes.
Capt. Andrew Tobiasen of the Upper Township Beach Patrol honored Chief William Handley, Lt. Blake Boffa and lifeguard Ella Culmone, as well as Division of EMS EMT Wallace Welliver, for responding to a swimmer in distress.
Ocean City Police Communications received a 911 call Sept. 15 reporting the incident in Corson’s Inlet, leading them to notify the UTBP headquarters.
The weather was overcast with sustained northeast winds at 25 mph and 6-foot swells breaking on nearby sandbars a half-mile out to sea. The tide was rising, which allowed Handley to determine the victim was west of the breakers and being pushed toward the beach.
Boffa and Culmone launched a personal watercraft and coordinated with members of the Ocean City Beach Patrol amid search efforts. Handley and beach EMT Welliver updated communications and coordinated efforts. The victim was discovered by a passing boater and transported safely to shore.
“The situation is a prime example of the training necessary for lifeguards to respond in adverse conditions and to effectively coordinate with neighboring agencies,” Tobiasen said.
Sometimes people put themselves in harm’s way, forcing others to do the same to rescue them.
The Division of EMS, Marmora company and State Police were dispatched June 20 to the area of Tyler and Tuckahoe roads for a possible water rescue.
Upon arrival, emergency personnel were unable to locate a person in distress but made contact with the victim’s father, who reported his son had been missing for hours after having jumped off the Tyler Road bridge.
Units on the scene began searching the area and requested backup, including the State Police Marine Unit and Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company’s Marine Unit.
After about 20 minutes, responders requested a drone assist from the Ocean City Police Department. Officers Tom Strunk and Louis Diluzio and operator Aaron Mazza responded to the scene and launched the DJT Matrice 30T drone.
The subject was located standing in knee-high water. He was rescued by a boat crew and returned to shore, where he was evaluated by an ambulance crew and transported to a hospital.
Newman recognized Upper Township EMS Chief Melissa Coker, Supervisor John Carter, EMT Ryan Schaefer and EMT Carol Raff; Marmora Deputy Chief Barham, Capt. Marc Hemby and firefighters Bruce Kratz and Michael Weil; Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company Chief Andy Ferrier, Deputy Chief Ed Carter, Capt. Sean Ferrier and firefighters Bill Geib, Kathy Geib, Justin Hope, Kevin Kuperstein and Nick Mason; Strunk, Diluzio and Mazza of the OCPD; and State Police troopers Sgt. Ricardo Delgado, Sgt. Jason Baker, I. Brian Reyes, Nicholas Ferraro, Lucas Buzby, Matthew Regenato and Sean Graham.
While car accidents can involve life-threatening injuries, the stakes are ever higher when the incident involves entrapment.
That’s what members of the Marmora company and the Division of EMS were faced with May 6 when they were dispatched to South Old Tuckahoe Road in the area of Burning Tree Road for a motor vehicle crash.
Firefighters found a pickup truck had left the roadway and struck a tree. Nearby resident Debbie Phillips was on the scene providing initial aid and comfort to the female driver who was trapped inside. Due to the entrapment, the Seaville and Tuckahoe companies were automatically dispatched.
Under the direction of extrication officer Barham, and with assistance from Engine 15-31’s crew under the command of Deputy Chief Mark Newman and Rescue 1570’s crew led by Capt. John Barlow, the victim was freed.
Supervising EMT Jennifer Teasenfitz and EMT Ryan Couse, under the direction of the Division of EMS Medical Director Dr. Michael Westrol, began assessment and treatment of the patient while she was still entrapped. AtlantiCare paramedics then evaluated the patient before she was transported to a local trauma center.
Honored were Chief Newman, Barham, Deputy Chief Don Tomlinson, Deputy Chief Newman, Barlow and firefighters Ed Kooker, Ryan Schaefer, Josh Kooker, Chris Barham, Steve Becotte and Bruce Kratz; civilian Phillips; Teasenfitz, Couse and Westrol; AtlantiCare paramedics Paul Champion and Craig Henderson.
Hazardous situations also arise in the home, and first responders are just as equipped to handle these types of emergencies as others.
On April 13, Ocean City Police Communications received a 911 call reporting a child had suffered traumatic injuries when struck by a vehicle.
The Division of EMS, Seaville company and State Police were dispatched to the scene while dispatch provided instructions to the caller.
Seaville Deputy Chief Blackledge was the first to arrive, quickly discovering that the boy had been struck by a riding lawnmower.
EMTs Newman and Schaefer initiated life-saving care and stabilization while communicating their needs for additional equipment and resources to other incoming units. They immediately requested an aeromedical unit.
A second ambulance staffed by Supervisor Teasenfitz and EMT Ryan Couse arrived on scene, followed by Seaville Engine 1932 and troopers.
All responders, including Supervising EMT John Carter, worked in unison to prepare the boy for transport to the landing zone.
The boy was loaded into an ambulance just as AtlantiCare paramedics Erica Hartman and Trish Carey arrived and began providing advanced life support.
The boy was transported to the landing zone in Marmora to rendezvous with the aeromedical unit JeffStat4 staffed by Matt Malone and Ami Tomaszewski. He was transported to Cooper University Hospital in Camden and later Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where he underwent intensive treatment.
“Weeks later the patient was able to return to his home, where he was greeted by family, including his new family of first responders,” Mayor Newman said.
Recognized for their efforts were Division of EMS Supervisors Teasenfitz and Carter, EMTs Schaefer, Couse and Newman; Seaville Chief Coker, Blackledge, Capt. Weil, firefighters Matthew Blaker, Kevin O’Brien and Richared Stevens, and junior firefighter Sydney Allegretto; Malone and Tomaszewski; paramedics Hartman and Carey; Ocean City Police Department officers Robert E. Lane, Rachel Anderson and Kelsey Meyer; and State Police troopers Michael Ottovrano, Michael Popek, Michael Gallagher, Julian Disano and Guy Loggi.
The next day, the Division of EMS was dispatched to a home where a fall was reported. The responding ambulance, staffed by Supervisor Teasenfitz and EMT Raff, arrived to discover the victim had fallen into the basement when the stairs collapsed.
Deputy Chief John Brittin confirmed there was no other access point and requested backup from the Marmora company to assist with access and extrication.
Brittin lowered himself into the basement and began to assess and treat the patient. Engine 1531 arrived and lowered a ladder, allowing Capt. Jeff Taccarino to enter the basement and assist with treating the victim’s injuries.
Upon arrival of Rescue 1570, Capt. Hemby and firefighters James Brown and Kratz entered the basement with a stokes basket to begin preparing the victim for removal.
AtlantiCare paramedic Katherine Bell arrived to the scene and provided advanced life support treatment while preparations continued to remove the victim, who was then transported to a hospital.
Newman recognized Marmora Deputy Chief Don Tomlinson, Deputy Chief Barham, Taccarino, Hemby, Ed Kooker, Josh Kooker, Brown, Kratz, firefighter Sean Whelan, probationary firefighters Austin Green and Karl Ruf and junior firefighter Kasey Ruf; Division of EMS Chief Coker, Brittin, Teasenfitz and Raff; paramedics Bell and Valerie Akeret.
Many medical emergencies occur in the home, but some also take place in public, potentially providing the victim with a quicker response and more positive outcome.
Such was the case Nov. 29 when the Division of EMS was dispatched to Dino’s Seaville Diner to treat a person possibly having a seizure. Upon arrival, the ambulance crew was notified that the victim may be choking.
The patient was found unresponsive and emergency workers began assessment and treatment while moving toward the ambulance, where the victim’s airway was cleared and breathing was assisted via a bag valve mask and oxygen.
Treatment continued while en route to a hospital. The crew rendezvoused with AtlantiCare paramedics on the way and the patient was delivered to the hospital without further incident.
Chief Coker presented awards to Division of EMS Supervisor Carter and EMTs Schaefer and Newman; as well as paramedics Brandon Matthews and Demitria Vermette.
While responding to accidents and treating injuries is a large part of their responsibilities, the companies occasionally fight fires as well.
Ocean City Police Communications received a 911 call Oct. 27 reporting heavy smoke in the area of Corson Tavern Road.
The State Police, New Jersey Forest Fire Service, Seaville company and Division of EMS responded to investigate and discovered the presence of heavy smoke. However, they were not immediately able to locate its source.
Units on scene then requested the Ocean City Police Department launch a drone for assistance. Officer Shane Rauner arrived, launched the drone and located a fire in a wooded area within minutes, allowing firefighters to begin the containment process. Rauner was recognized for his efforts.
This year, those hometown heroes didn’t just save lives but also helped welcome a new one.
Melissa Coker of the Upper Township Division of EMS presented an award to Seaville Volunteer Fire Company Deputy Chief Brian Allegretto, Capt. Charles Weil, Capt. Robert E. Lane, firefighter Robert L. Lane and firefighter Justin Leielli; Upper Township EMS EMTs Jessica Riggins and William Handley; State Police troopers Christopher Vargas and Christopher Lavance; and Ocean City Police Officer James Haggar.
Township EMS and Seaville fire were dispatched at 9:03 p.m. Nov. 21 to mile marker 21 on the Garden State Parkway, where a woman was reportedly in labor in a vehicle on the side of the highway.
Allegretto arrived on the scene with the State Police, followed by Upper Township’s ambulance and Seaville’s engine. EMS personnel evaluated the patient, confirmed that birth was imminent and prepared for delivery.
Amelia Charlotte was born at 9:18 p.m. to Joanna Elswick and James Marsden, weighing 8 pounds, 7 ounces.
The family, which attended the presentation, was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Mainland Campus in Galloway Township.
Chief Newman said the dozens of volunteers are committed to making Upper Township safe and treating victims in a professional manner.
“This doesn’t happen by accident — it takes years of training, proper procedures and dedicated people to make it happen,” he said.
– STORY and PHOTOS by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff