At 1905 hours the North Branch Fire Dept was alerted to Rt 28 for the reported kitchen fire. As Chief 49 called in service dispatch advised that the homeowners were unsure if the fire was out. With this all Dist 3 fire depts were dispatched along with 49fire. Deputy 49 arrived on location and confirmed a working fire in the kitchen. Engine 498 arrived just behind the deputy and stretched an 1.75 preconnect to the rear door of the structure that led into the kitchen while E498s officer made entry into the structure and found that the fire had been knocked down by a dry chemical extinguisher, but had heavy smoke throughout the house. Crews checked the house for extension and started ventilation. All 2nd alarm companies were canceled and Eng 498 was held on scene for approx 10 min before being released.

In the early morning of January 27th at approx 0330 hours, 49 Fire was requested on a 3rd alarm assignment to 157 Brandon Ct. for the Working Structure Fire. First due company 48 Fire (Neshanic) arrived to find a 2.5 story residential home fully involved. North Branch Fire put into service the Engine and Rescue with 12 Volunteers total. Upon arrival crews were put to work on the Alpha and Charlie side to man 2.5 inch hand lines. Units remained on scene until PSEG were able to shut off the gas to the home that was fueling a fire on the Bravo side. 49 Fire went available at 0800 Hours. The fire is currently under investigation by Branchburg Twp. Fire Officials.

After returning to quarters from a R.I.T. assignment in Hunterdon, District 3 Companies were alerted to 224 Riverview Rd. in 49’s primary on a reported Garage Fire.  Chief and Deputy 49 arrived instantly with Engine 49-108 following to find smoke showing from the attached garage of a 2.5 story single family dwelling. Engine 108’s crew quickly stretched a 1.75” line to the C/D corner of the house to extinguish the main bulk of fire. Entry was then made through the rear door to knock down the remaining fire and begin overhaul operations. The fire was held to the C Side wall of the garage where it appears to have originated and is currently under investigation by Bridgewater Fire Officials. Units on scene were 49, 34, 24 Fire, Green Knoll-Martinsville Rescue Squad, and Bridgewater PD.

On Saturday morning 49 Fire was dispatched 318 Miller Ave on the reported deck fire. While Chief and Deputy 49 were en-route a large column of smoke was visible in the area of the address bringing in 32 Fire. Upon arrival the 2nd alarm was transmitted for the working Structure Fire in a large 2.5 story single family dwelling originating from the attached rear deck. Command would declare it a defensive operation after first arriving units were forced back from making an interior attack due to rapid fire spread and collapse. Shortly after, fire broke through the roof putting Tower 34, 32, and multiple ground lines into operation to extinguish the main bulk of fire. A 3rd alarm assignment was requested to bring in additional Engine companies with CAFS for overhaul operations. Around 0930 hours the fire was placed under control by command. Crews were then able to enter into the basement to hit hidden pockets of fire and complete overhaul. All units were clear by the 5 hour mark turning the scene over to Branchburg PD and Fire officials. Companies on scene were 49, 32, 34, 24, 48 and 31 Fire from Hunterdon County. R.I.T. operations were handled by 21 and 18 (Hunterdon) Fire. Also on scene were Branchburg EMS, PD, DPW, and Fire Officials.

North Branch and Readington Fire Companies were dispatched to 3372 Rt. 22 on a report of a structure fire with entrapment. Upon calling in service, Deputy 49 was advised that PD on location were confirming the working fire and reporting a person trapped in basement unable to get out. Engine 498 arrived on location and found heavy fire on the first floor and basement of a 2 story multiple dwelling. 498's crew stretched a 1.75 preconnect into the front door and initiated an aggressive interior attack, but were unable to make entry into the basement. Engine 492 arrived and crews took a second handline into the building to backup 498, however due to worsening fire conditions, crews were ordered out of the building. Crews then darkened down the bulk of the fire from the exterior and made a push through the rear basement entrance, encountering heavy fire and zero visibility. Crews led by Capt 49 and Lt 49-1 were unable to complete the primary search of the basement as a partial collapse of the 1st floor kitchen occurred forcing them from the building. Once all heavy fire was knocked down, Chief 34 and Capt. 49 were able to re-enter the basement and locate the victim. The victim was removed with the help of DC 49, DC 32 and Lt 49-1 and was immediately turned over to EMS personnel. Shortly after the victim was removed, the fire was placed under control. Unfortunately, the victim could not be resuscitated and was pronounced by Somerset Medical Center ALS. Units working the fire were Companies 49, 32, 21 FAST, Branchburg EMS, Whitehouse Rescue, Somerville/HIllsborough EMS Rehab, Branchburg PD, Branchburg OEM, Somerset County Prosecutor's Office, and last but not least, Chief 34. The Officers and Members of Station 49 wish to express their condolences to the family and friends of the fire victim.

After returning to quarters from a odor of smoke in Bridgewater Units were dispatched to U.S. Intec, 106 Meister Ave. in Branchburg on a report of an outside fire. While enroute, Chief 49 reported a large column of black smoke visible in the night sky and requested a full 1st alarm assignment to be dispatched, including companies 32, 24 and a FAST team from 21. Upon arrival,  a large liquid tar ground fire was found just off the loading dock with 2 trailers and a warehouse as an exposure. Engine 49-8 arrived on location and made an aggressive attack using a foam line to knock down the burning tar. Engine 49-2 layed in 1000 ft of 5 inch from the closest municipal hydrant to supply 49-8. Two additional handlines were stretched to cutoff spread in the warehouse due to fire extension into a very large compactor that was attached. The fire was placed under control in about 40 minutes, holding company 49 for extensive overhaul. Units also on scene were Branchburg PD, and Branchburg EMS.

As crews were out on Santa runs and heavy snow made its way into the area, 34 Fire was alerted to 287 Northbound for a reported rollover. While enroute units were advised of 2nd accident at mile marker 14.4 with entrapment. Chief 34 arrived at the southbound accident to find a single vehicle overturned into the woods with 3 pinned. At this time 49 Fire was requested to respond for additional manpower. While 34 units were operating on the southbound lanes Chief 49 came across a 3rd accident on the northbound side at mile marker 16 involving an overturned vehicle with ejection. Rescue 49 responded to the northbound accident to assist with patient care and packaging while Engine 108 continued in to the pin. Once units cleared on the northbound side the chief along with the rescue diverted back to the southbound lanes to assist with removing the driver who was still heavily pinned behind the steering column. Once removed the victim was transported by BLS to Robert Wood Johnson Trauma Center. Units operating on the highway consisted of 34, 49, 24 Fire. Martinsville-Green Knoll and Bound Brook rescue squads along with multiple BLS and ALS units from Somerset Medical center. 21, 32, and 43 Fire covered District 3's area for any additional calls.

Around 1645hours 34 and 49 fire were alerted to Westend Ave in the area of the circle for an mva with injury. Eng498 went right in service with a crew of 4. Deputy 49 was first on location and found a two car accident with one person injured. Eng498 arrived and its crew went to work starting EMS care of the patient and securing the two vehicles. Bradley Gardens Squad arrived and the patient was loaded in the ambulance and transported to Somerset Medical Center.

At 2135 hours 24 and 32 fire were dispatched to 30 Kenbury Rd. for the reported structure fire. Chief 24 called in service and was advised by communications that Branchburg Pd was confirming a working fire, reporting all occupants out of the structure and accounted for. At that time 49 Fire was requested for the R.I.T. Team. Chief 24 arrived and confirmed heavy fire showing from a 2 story single family dwelling set back off the street. 24-104 was the first arriving engine and went to work on stretching lines for primary attack. Squad 32-104 arrived to hit the hydrant and supply 24-104. Due to collapse crews were unable to make an intial interior attack. The R.I.T. Team was then split to work with Engine 49-108’s crew to assist with outside ventilation, extinguishment, and overhaul. A township wide general alarm was sounded and after about 2 hours, the fire was placed under control.  At this time, it appears that the fire was accidental in nature, but is under investigation by the Branchburg Township Fire Official.  Companies operating on scene were Country Hills Co. 24, Readington Co. 32, North Branch Co. 49 and Neshanic Co. 48.  Also on location were Branchburg Rescue Squad and the Somerville-Hillsborough EMS Rehab Services.  Red Cross and PSEG also on location.  Green Knoll Co. 34 and Bradley Gardens Co. 21 provided station coverage.

49 Fire responded to 144 Choctow Ridge Rd. on a report of an odor of gas in an occupied residential duplex. Upon the arrival of Chief 49, he discovered the entire structure to be heavily charged with natural gas. Engine 102 arrived first, closely followed by Engine 108 and Rescue 49. E102's crew stretched a handline to the front door and a crew led by Captain 49 made entry into the structure to complete a primary search. The source of the gas leak was found to be a free flowing gas stove that was inadvertently left on by the home owner prior to her leaving for a few hours. The stove was secured and both sides of the duplex were vented. Also on location was Branchburg PD, 74 Rescue and PSEG Gas.

On Saturday @ 1234 Hrs, 49 Fire, 74 Rescue and Somerset MICU were dispatched to the intersection of Rt. 22 & County Line Rd. on a report of an MVA with injuries and fluid spill. Upon the arrival of Chief 49, he confirmed a 3 vehicle MVA with multiple injuries and large fluid spill. 1 vehicle was located well off the road and upon checking, 2 victims were located in the rear seat and a door pop was needed. 74 Rescue & the crew from Engine 108 were able to perform this in a matter of minutes. Because of the spread out area that the wreckage covered, an additional engine was requested from Green Knoll Fire. Units remained on scene for approximately 75 minutes assisting Branchburg PD with traffic control and until the removal of all 3 vehicles. 74 EMS transported a total of 4 patients to local hospitals.

At 1947 hours 49 Fire and 74 Rescue were dispatched to Rt22 west by France Drive for a MVA with a vehicle smoking. Chief 49 arrived and advised Communications that it was a 3 car crash with 2 injuries. Eng 498 arrived and staged behind the accident to provided protection of the scene. E498's crew went to work starting BLS care till EMS arrived. Once the patients were transported to the hospital by EMS. PD requested E498 stay on location till all vehicles were towed from the scene. All units were clear after about 45 minutes.

At 0121 hours the North Branch Volunteers were requested into Hunterdon County for our Rapid Intervention Team. Rescue 49 arrived 3rd due and went right to work doing a building size up and setting up our specialized equipment while the Rescue Lieutenant went to the command post to get briefed by the incident commander(Chief 22). The IC advised it was a small fire inside the Alpha side bay door with heavy smoke through out the building. Within minuets the fire was knocked down by interior crew and crews started the long process of overhaul. Rescue 49 remained on scene for approx. another hour while crews finished overhaul before returning to Somerset County.

On November, 5, 2009, Alan Carroll, a North Branch Firefighter currently serving in the United States Army at Fort Hood in Texas was one of many active duty members shot multiple times while preparing to be deployed to the middle east.  Alan has been a member of North Branch Volunteer Fire Company since he was 15 years old.  Upon his 18th birthday he enlisted in the Army and left for basic training shortly after.  Alan is expected to make a full recovery.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Alan, his family, and all the other Army members wounded in this tragedy.

Rescue 49 joined crews from 32 Fire, 74 and 22 Rescue for a weekend long class in Vehicle Rescue Operations. Crews rotated through different scenarios practicing their skills in stabilizing, lifting, cutting and removing patients from crashed vehicles. The class was a great chance for all Branchburg Township Rescue Companies to train together. The class was taught by RVESCUE,LLC.