At approx 1400 hours Dist 3 fire was alerted to 75 Twin Oaks Rd for reported smoke coming out of the walls of the residence. Deputy 34 arrived and confirmed a working fire in the exterior wall on the Bravo side. 34-101 arrived and started stretching a line up the long driveway of the house. 49-108 and 34-109 arrived and and went to work opening up the walls and celling to get access to the fire while the hose lines were being stretched. Once access was made the fire was knocked down and the building was vented. After about 1hour 30min all units were clear of the scene.

On 06/13/09 at approx. 1530 Hrs.  49 Fire and 74 Rescue/EMS were dispatched to the 100 Block of Lamington Rd. on a report of a motor vehicle accident with possible injuries.  The first unit on the scene was Deputy 49 who confirmed a single vehicle MVA with a vehicle off the road into the trees.  Deputy 49 confirmed 1 occupant in the vehicle and heavily pinned.  Engine 108 & Rescue 49 were inservice immediately with the duty crew that was in the station, followed shortly by Engine 102 and SSU 157.  Upon the arrival of Rescue 49, the crew put both cutters to work and performed a total roof removal, assited by the crew of Rescue 74 for manpower.   The patient was extricated within 15 minutes of arrival.  Somerset ALS and 74 EMS transported the patient to Robert Wood Johnson Trauma Center as a Trauma Alert.   Investigation being handled by Branchburg Twp. Police. 

On 6/6/09 49 Fire was dispatched to Agfa-Bayer Corp on Miester Ave. on an activated fire alarm.   Upon calling enroute, Chief 49 was advised that a company rep had telephoned in a report of a smoke condition.  At this point, 32 Fire and 21 Fire Fast were added to the box .  Upon arrival, chief 49 found an approx. 35 x 25 block outbuilding that serves at the electrical distribution point for the complex with heavy black smoke showing.   JCP&L was requested with a rush and units went into a defensive mode as the building was energized with 46K volts.  Once the power company was able to secure the power, 2  1.75 lines were placed in service and the fire was quickly extinguished.  After assisting JCPL & the Township Fire Official with the investigation, all units were cleared after approx. 2.5 hours.  Fire Scene Rehab was provided by Branchburg 74 EMS/Rescue.

On Wednesday morning 5-27-09 North Branch Volunteers were at the Somerville Funeral Home paying final respects to Ex-Chief and Life Member Don Hanna. Ex-Chief Hanna was given a full firefighter funeral including his final ride to the cemetery in our 1936 Pirsch Diamond T. Ex-Chief Hanna will be sadly missed but not forgotten.

We would like to give a special Thank you to Somerset County Pipes and Drums member Michael Ahnell for playing the bag pipes during the ceremony. 

At 0820 units were alerted to Raritan Valley Community College for the reported fire in the mechanical room of the Hunterdon Hall building. Right after dispatch county communication advised all units that campus security confirmed a working fire with smoke throughout the building. Engine 49-108 arrived first due and found the fire was out but there was a heavy smoke condition on the 1st and 2nd floor. With this all 2nd alarm companies were cancelled and multiple EMS units were requested for 4 patients with smoke inhalation. After the building was vented and all pts were transported to the hospital by EMS the scene was turned over to the fire official and all units returned to quarters.

It is with deep regret and sorrow that the North Branch Fire Company announces the passing of Ex Chief & Life Member Don Hanna. Don has been a member of the department since 1969 and has held all of the operating officers positions including Chief  from 1979 -1980. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hanna family during this very difficult time.

Viewing will be held at the Somerville Funeral Home on West End Ave. on Tuesday 5-26-09 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a Firefighters Service at 8:30 PM. The Funeral will be Wednesday 5-27-09 at 10:00 AM.

At approx 1730 hours District 3 Fire Companies were dispatched to 852 Dow Rd for the reported fire on the outside of the structure. Chief 34 was first to arrive on scene and advised all units that there was heavy fire showing from the #2 floor and roof. 34-109 arrived as the first due engine company and went to work forcing entry and stretching a line to the #2 floor. 49-108 was the second due engine and established water supply to feed 34-109. The crew from 108 went right to work on the 2nd floor assisting the hose team in conducting primary searches and gaining access to the attic space to stop the fire from spreading any further. As other companies started to arrive command issued the evacuation of the building due to a partial collapse of the roof above the garage. Once all crews were out and accounted for, the safety officer cleared the house and crews went back to work attacking the fire. After about 30min all major fire was knocked down and fresh man power was rotated in to start extensive overhaul. Crews continued knocking down hot spots and checking for extension for about an hour. All units were clear of the scene by 1930 hours. Companies on scene were Green Knoll, North Branch, Country Hills, Bradley Gardens and Finderne Fire Depts.

On Sunday May 3rd,  Rescue 49 attended a live burn with the Green Knoll Fire Company at the Somerville training tower. Evolutions focused on refreshing firefighters with basic fire attack and search techniques. While at the drill Rescue 49 was alerted for there F.A.S.T. team into Bradley Gardens for a reported fire in the residence with possible victims trapped. The fire was found to be minor in nature and the Rescue was cancelled while enroute. We would like to extend thanks to 34 Fire for allowing us to participate with them in their drill.

Shortly after clearing up from a CO incident in Branchburg, 49 and 34 Fire Units were dispatched to interstate 287 southbound for a reported dump truck overturned with possible entrapment. First arriving personnel confirmed a truck on its side hauling live chickens. The driver was found standing in the cab of the truck with sever pain in his leg, arm and neck. Rescue 49 arrived first due followed by Engine 34-101 and removed the windshield to extricate the victim who was then turned over to awaiting EMS units. 49/34 Fire were clear of the highway within 30 minutes. All the chickens remained accounted for.

On the weekend of April 18th, crews headed over to the Branchburg Shoprite to help raise money for the company. We would like to thank all the members of the community for there support and donations.

At approx 1640 hours the North Branch Volunteers were dispatched for a reported structure fire in Bradley Gardens. With a crew in quarters Rescue 49 was in service in under 30 seconds. While responding Chief 21 arrived and reported the fire was extinguished but there was heavy smoke throughout the house. 21-105 arrived and went to work checking for extension. Upon arrival of Rescue 49 the fire was confirmed out and Chief 21 released all M/A units holding only his 21-105 and 21-103 for ventilation. Other companies responding were Green Knoll and Country Hills.

On Tuesday March 18th at approximately 1130 hours, North Branch Fire Units were alerted for a motor vehicle accident with rollover at Route 22 and Milltown Road.  Upon arrival of Cheif 49 a car was found overturned into the woods. With unknown extent of entrapment or injuries mutual aid was requested from 34 Green Knoll Fire to the scene. The lone occupant of the vehicle was able to self extricate himself and was transported by Bradley Gardens Rescue Squad to Somerset Medical Center with minor injuries. All units were cancelled with the exception of Engine 498 who remained on scene to secure the vehicles battery. All units were clear of the scene within 30 minutes.

On Thursday February 26Th at 0206 hours North Branch and Readington Fire Companies were dispatched to the area of 370 Burnt Mills Road for the reported barn fire. While units were en route Somerset County Communications confirmed a fully involved barn fire. Upon arrival of first due engine 498, heavy fire conditions were found throughout the structure with multiple exposures in danger. With lack of hydrants in the area Chief 49 immediately requested mutual aid and the North County Tanker Task Force.

While water supply was being established crews evacuated residents and helped remove vehicles from the exposures. During the operation multiple explosions occurred from oil drums and equipment inside the structure. Once water supply was established the fire was brought under control in under an hour and contained to the building of origin. After extensive overhaul all units were clear of the scene by 0530 hours.

At approx 0655hours 49Fire and 74Resue were dispatched in the area of 84 Readington Rd for a reported car into a pole. As Engine 49-108 and Rescue 49 went in service Somerset County Dispatched advised all units that the mva was on Readington Rd in Hunterdon County and there was one person entrapped in the vehicle. With this Hunterdon dispatched 32Fire as it was in their area. Chief 32 asked 49 units to still respond due to that we were already on the road. Engine 32-104 arrive on scene and started stabilizing the vehicle and pulled a handline for suppression. 49-108 arrived and assisted 32-104 crew in starting extrication. Crews removed the passenger side B-post and rear door. Extrication took approx 15min and the patient was loaded into an awaiting ambulance and transported to the hospital.

At 1800 hours the North Branch Volunteers headed to the Somerset county training center for a live burn in  the county's  flashover simulator. Crews practiced their skills for approx 3 hours then returned to service.