Fire Prevention — 1965
This page contains material from scrapbooks compiled covering fire prevention activities of the Camden Fire Department in 1965.
Camden Is 3d In Nation in Fire Prevention
Camden Courier-Post — 1965
Public Safety Director Keith Kauffman and Acting Fire Chief Edward Michalak on Tuesday, commended the citizens of Camden and members of the Fire Department for their work in fire prevention during the past year.
The commendation followed announcement by the National Fire Protection Association that Camden rated third in the fire prevention contest of last year. Jersey City and Plainfield placed first and second.
Starting last May and continuing during the year nearly every home in the city, manufacturing plants and places of business were inspected by teams of firemen in the campaign headed by George Baxter, fire marshal.
Particular attention was paid to schools where talks and demonstrations were given, stressing the theme, “Fire Prevention Is a Community Project.”
Firemen also worked with city health officials in burning off grass and weeds on vacant lots.
Baxter said 10,000 posters printed in Spanish also were distributed during the contest in areas where Puerto Ricans reside.
Fire Prevention Administration
Camden Courier-Post — 1965
Keith Kauffman — Edward V. Michalak — George Baxter.
Camden Third in State Fire Prevention Campaign
Camden Courier-Post — 1965
CITATION as third place winner in statewide Fire Prevention campaign during last year is scanned by (left to right) Director of Public Safety Kauffman; Fire Chief Michalak, and Camden Fire Marshal Baxter. The award to Camden City was bestowed by the National Fire Protection Assn. Jersey City was awarded first place and Plainfield second.
Camden Courier-Post — 1965
Keith Kauffman — Mario Rodriguez — Dr. Charles R. Bender — Federal Street — Mechanic Street — Andrew Corea.
Spring Clean-up Planned by Board
Camden Courier-Post —
The Pyne Poynt Better Neighborhood Council last night mapped plans for a spring clean-up week drive in May. The city public works department will detail a truck to the area to pick up debris.
Council President Mrs. Stella Cimino said the drive will be aided by pupils of the J. S. Read Elementary School.
Cleanup Campaign
Camden Courier-Post, May 18, 1965 — Andrew Corea — Elizabeth Hawm — Mathew R. Casper — Harry A. Kerr — Mario Rodriguez — Mechanic Street.
Camden Courier-Post, May 22, 1965 — Charles Bates — George Baxter — Burns Street.
George Baxter — Edward V. Michalak — Raphael Meadow — Tony Scappa — Keith Kauffman — North Camden.
City Fire Chief Cites Major Clean-Up Foes
Camden Courier-Post —
Litter War
Carelessness and ignorance are major enemies in Camden’s two-week clean-up campaign which started Monday.
So said Fire Chief George Baxter who, with other firemen, has been fighting both of them since the campaign opened.
Major tactics in the battle, according to Baxter, are the educational forays the firefighters are making into heavily littered sectors of Camden.
Literature Passed Out
There they are distributing literature and explaining why good housekeeping is a boon to fire prevention. They are also pointing out the dangers of trash accumulation and, where residents request, inspecting homes for potential fire hazards.
Firemen urge residents to bundle trash properly so it can be carted away during special pickup.
Purpose of the special pickup, Baxter said, is to get rid of accumulated trash. Purpose of the educational campaign, he added, is to prevent future accumulation.
Cites Benefits
But lessened fire hazards are not the sole benefit expected to result from resident cooperation in the clean-up campaign, Baxter said.
“If we can get rid of conditions like this,” said the chief, pointing to a pile of debris in an alley behind the 200 block of Burns st., “this town will get back where it belongs.”
Firemen continued to work in North Camden today. They will fan out in other areas of the city as the campaign shifts into high gear, Baxter said.
Bridge Drill — October 5, 1965
Preparing Apparatus for Public Display
Preparing apparatus for public display — Ladder Company 3 — Engine Company 9.
Letter of Appreciation from Brooklawn Cub Scout Pack
Camden Courier-Post —
CUB SCOUT PACK #56 June 7, 1965
Chief George Baxter Fire Headquarters Camden, New Jersey
Dear Chief;
I wish to extend to you and the men of your department my sincere thanks and appreciation for the tour of the firehouse and equipment on Sat. June 5, 1965. The men on duty at that time really showed the boys a good time and also taught them a little bit about firefighting. The men on duty at that time certainly are a credit to the Camden Fire Department and they will long be remembered by the boys of Pack #56. Thanking you again.
Sincerely, Mr. William C. Packer Cubmaster, Pack #56 Brooklawn, New Jersey
Fire Prevention Employees, 1965
YMCA — House of Hazards
Edward V. Michalak — George Baxter — John J. Graw — YMCA.
Fallout Shelter Awareness
Rehearsal for Disaster
Camden Courier-Post — 1965
Fire Rescue Drill Held at W. Jersey Hospital
By Mary Archibald
Courier-Post Staff
A demonstration of rescue procedures was given yesterday at West Jersey Hospital by the Camden City Fire Department and the hospital for representatives of 14 hospitals in the Greater Philadelphia-Camden area.
All known rescue methods were used to remove theoretically trapped student nurses and hospital personnel from fifth floor windows and rooftops. The drill was climaxed by a two story leap into a net by two firemen.
Several student nurses, assisted by firemen, descended extension ladders first from upper-story windows. This procedure was followed by the lowering of bandaged nurses, masquerading as patients, from the fifth floor in stokes baskets. The stokes basket is a specially shaped wire basket which conforms to the shape of the human body and in which a patient may be strapped safely.
Calm Performance
Although most of the mock patients were unruffled and a few volunteered for a repeat performance, oxygen, though unnecessary, was administered. The girls were lifted then onto stretchers and transported to the street curb by able and willing firemen. As evacuees reached the ground, a group of nurses, headed by Mrs. Jane Born, director of nursing services and education, swung into action.
Exceptional bravery was displayed by several girls in shorts and shirts who slid down stout ropes from fifth floor windows.
Among the hospital personnel who were rescued were two head nurses, Doris Stephens, and Jacqueline Stauffer. Student nurses participating were Irma Corsey, Jean Knopple, June Peters, Sue Ofgant, Judy Bowers, Millie James, Kathi Mullen, Lois Weintraub, Arleen McCormack, Sally Bashaw, Barbara Eddis and Faith Isbell.
Acrobatic Fireman
Showing acrobatic skill was a fireman, William Hopkins, who swung from a rope attached to a fire truck extension ladder. Jumping two stories into a net were firemen Jay Anderson and Jay Getty, who landed in the proper rump-down position according to the fire department’s drill master, Otto Keiser [sic].
Chief Edward Mickalek [sic] said he thought the drill was successful.
Emergency Drill
“The drills are a part of our pre-planning program for emergencies and we will be having another demonstration drill Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Walt Whitman Hotel. We are doing pre-planning all the time at hospitals, hotels and factories as part of a year-round program,” the chief added.
The drill was coordinated by W. J. Gribble, hospital engineer. District Fire Chief Theodore Primas was in charge of firemen and apparatus. Observers were representatives from All Saints, Burlington, Cooper, Delaware Valley, Jeanes, Lower Bucks, Nazareth, Northeastern, Sacred Heart, St. Christopher, St. Mary’s, Stetson, Underwood and Friends Hospital.
DISPLAYING the use of the stokes basket in a demonstration fire drill at West Jersey Hospital yesterday, June Peters, a student nurse, is lowered from the fifth floor.
Michalak Takes Fire Dept. Reins
Camden Courier-Post —
Retiring Fire Chief Edward R. MacDowell today handed over command of the city’s fire department to Acting Chief Edward V. Michalak.
Michalak announced there will be no immediate changes in the organization or operation of the department.
MacDowell will hang up his chief’s hat today after 38 years and nine months of city fire service. The 64-year-old veteran joined Camden’s fire-fighting force April 1, 1926, and first served as a hose and chemical wagon driver for Engine Co. No. 3, 1813 Broadway.
Names Chief in 1959
Advancing through the ranks to junior captain, 1939; captain, 1943; battalion chief, 1949, and deputy chief, 1949, MacDowell was named acting chief following the retirement of former Chief William V. Pfefferle in October, 1958, and was made chief December, 1959.
During his career MacDowell also served as chief instructor in courses offered to Camden career firemen and to county volunteer firemen at Camden County Vocational and Technical High School, Pennsauken.
He numbers among the major achievements of his tenure the installation of radio equipment, improved fire training and better cooperation with fire units in surrounding areas.
Plans Trailer Travel
MacDowell, who has been granted a disability pension by the New Jersey Police and Firemen’s Consolidated Pension Fund, lives with his wife, Matilda, at 1308 S. Merrimac rd. They have three children, Edward R. Jr. and Wayne G., both of Pennsauken, and a daughter, Mrs. William Glading of Merchantville. MacDowell’s retirement plans include travel with a trailer caravan.
Michalak, 51, joined the department July 15, 1942. He rose to captain in 1951; district fire chief, 1959; deputy fire chief, 1961, and chief of staff, 1963. His father and grandfather were city employes and his son, Edward Jr., is a Camden policeman.
Michalak is president of Camden Firemen’s Credit Union and heads Camden Fire Officers Association. He is a member of several religious, civic and social organizations. He lives with his wife, Julia G., at 1040 N. 25th st. They have one other child, Barbara J.
SQUEEZE IS ON
CHICAGO—Americans are using more toothpaste. Average consumption in 1963 was 10.5 ounces per person, a 38 per cent increase in six years.
Retired Fire Chief To Be Feted at Camden
Camden Courier-Post — 1965
Retired Camden Fire Chief Edward R. McDowell [sic] will be honored at a testimonial dinner and dance at 6 P. M. Wednesday at the Walt Whitman Hotel.
Some 300 municipal and fire officials from New Jersey and Philadelphia are expected to attend the dinner, sponsored by the Camden Fire Officers Association, according to Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Guarino, dinner chairman.
MacDowell retired last Jan. 1 after heading the fire department for five years.
300 Honor Fire Chief MacDowell
Camden Courier-Post — 1965
More than 300 persons honored Camden’s retired Fire Chief Edward R. MacDowell last night at a testimonial dinner and dance in the Walt Whitman Hotel.
The dinner was given by the Camden Fire Officers Assn. in honor of MacDowell’s 38 years of service in the Camden Fire Department. MacDowell, who retired last year, joined the department in 1926.
Rep. Cahill, R-N.J., praised MacDowell for his many years of service, saying “he was a dedicated citizen to the community.”
Mayor Cites Service
Mayor Pierce, also praising him, said “because of MacDowell’s service, the Camden Fire Department does not have to take any back steps.”
Also in attendance were the entire city council members and board of freeholders.
MacDowell was presented with gifts from the Camden Fire Officers Assn., Coca-Cola Co., RCA, Philadelphia Fire Assn., Philadelphia Fire Department, The Delaware Valley Fire Buffs, Audubon Fire Co. No. 1 and the maintenance workers of the Camden Fire Department.
Camden Fire Chief Joseph R. Guarino was program chairman and master-of-ceremonies. Rev. William A. Gwynn, Lieut. Col., Volunteers of America, gave the invocation.
Starting the New Year on the Job
Camden Courier-Post —
Courier-Post Photos by Bob Bartosz and Arthur C. Jarvis
FIREMEN MAN equipment in fire headquarters, 3rd and Arch sts., New Year’s Day. They were among hundreds of South Jerseyites at work in diverse ways despite the holiday. Men in foreground are Fireman John Brzozowski (left) and Capt. Joseph Wolfing [sic], both members of Engine Co. 2.
George P. Baxter — Fire Inspections
Thomas Stammerjohann
MS Victim — Fireman Rescues Woman
Camden Courier-Post —
A 40-year-old victim of multiple sclerosis trapped by flames was rescued last night from her second floor North Camden apartment by a fire captain after two attempts by others failed.
The woman, Mrs. Emily Burns of 602 N. 2nd st., was admitted to Cooper Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation after being carried to the street by Fire Capt. John Gryckiewicz of Engine Co. 6.
John J. Klemowicz, 42, who occupies the first floor, and Daniel H. Johnson, 16, of 530 N. Front st., twice tried to reach the woman, but were frustrated by heavy smoke.
Capt. Gryckiewicz said he ran upstairs to get Mrs. Burns when someone told him a woman was trapped on the second floor.
The captain said Mrs. Burns was lying on the floor near the steps. A little dog was by her side. The dog would not move until Mrs. Burns was taken from the building, the captain said.
Mrs. Burns was taken to the hospital by police. She was placed in the intensive care unit of the hospital.
Acting First District Chief James Asher said the fire of undetermined origin is under investigation. It severely damaged the second floor.
Responding to the alarm were Engine Cos. 2 and 6, Ladder and Rescue Squad 1.
John Gryckiewicz Sr. — James Asher — Engine Company 6 — Mrs. Emily Burns — John J. Klemowicz — Daniel H. Johnson — North 2nd Street — North Front Street — Engine Company 2 — Ladder Company 1 — Rescue Company 1.