TOO OLD TO BE A FIREFIGHTER: Frank Matagrano, 75, an engineer and Firefighter for Company 1, in New Milford, NJ died nine days after he collapsed (stroke and heart attack) in the fire apparatus on Dec. 15 while responding to a water leak call

TOO OLD TO BE A FIREFIGHTER:  Frank Matagrano, 75, an engineer and Firefighter for Company 1, collapsed in the fire apparatus on Dec. 15 while responding to a water leak call.

We regret to pass on that a New Milford (northern NJ) Firefighter who suffered a heart attack while en route to a call has died in the Line of Duty.


Frank Matagrano, 75, an engineer and Firefighter for Company 1, collapsed in the fire apparatus on Dec. 15 while responding to a water leak call.



Other firefighters on the fire apparatus performed CPR and used a defibrillator on Maragrano before transporting him to Hackensack University Medical Center.


Today it was announced that Firefighter Matagrano passed away.


Our condolences to all those affected. Rest In Peace.



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New Milford Firefighter dies following heart attack on a call

Posted December 23, 2017





By Allison Pries

apries@njadvancemedia.com,

NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

A New Milford Firefighter who suffered a heart attack while en route to a call has died, according to a message on the department's Facebook page.

Frank Matagrano, 75, an engineer and firefighter for Company 1, collapsed in the fire truck on Dec. 15 while responding to a water leak call.

Other firefighters on the truck performed CPR and used a defibrillator device on Maragrano before transporting him to Hackensack University Medical Center.

New Milford Fire Chief Ross Rhein announced in a Facebook post on Saturday that Matagrano died. He thanked Fire Company 1, New Milford Ambulance Corp. and Dumont Fire Chief Daniel Molinaro "for their valiant efforts on that night."

"Their efforts gave Frank's family an opportunity to say their goodbyes," Rhein said.


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NEW MILFORD, N.J. -- A veteran New Milford firefighter resuscitated by his colleagues after he went into cardiac arrest on a call earlier this month passed away Friday.

Wake services for Frank Matagrano, 75, are scheduled from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at the Ascension Church on Azalea Drive in New Milford, followed by a funeral procession ending at Company 1, Fire Chief Ross Rhein said.

"I would like to thank Fire Company 1, New Milford Ambulance Corp. and Dumont Fire Chief Daniel Molinaro for their valiant efforts on that night," Rhein said Saturday. "Their efforts gave Frank's family an opportunity to say their goodbyes."

Firefighters were responding to the NVE Bank on River Road on a report of a water leak just before 10:30 p.m. Dec. 13 when the veteran volunteer "had a cardiac emergency and became unresponsive," Police Chief Frank Ramaci said.

The truck was stopped at River Road and Center Street, where, the chief said, firefighters used a defibrillator and CPR to revive their stricken colleague -- who, although retired from active firefighting, provided support, guidance and other assistance.

Matagrano was taken to the Intensive Care Unit at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Boulevard Funeral Home was handling the arrangements. 

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NEW MILFORD, NJ— 

Many firefighters at New Milford Fire Company 1 will remember Frank Matagrano for his 43-plus years of dedication to the company as both a volunteer firefighter and an engineer.

Matagrano, 75, died on Friday, nine days after he suffered a stroke, which then led to a heart attack as he was on his way to a scene.

A wake service will be held this Friday from 2 to 7 p.m., at the Church of the Ascension, 256 Azalea Drive, New Milford. A funeral procession will follow to Fire Company 1.

"It was like a punch in the chest," New Milford Fire Chief Ross Rhein said after hearing the news.

Almost every time there was a call, said Rhein, who works out of Company 1, Matagrano got on the truck and was ready to report to the scene.

That's what Matagrano and others in the department did on Dec. 13, when Fire Company 1 received a call about a water condition at a bank in town.

Rhein said Matagrano got on the engine without a problem but then started to feel ill after he was on the truck and collapsed. The other firefighters tried to revive him, using an AED machine and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

He was immediately transported to Hackensack University Medical Center, where he regained a pulse and independent breathing, but never regained consciousness, Rhein said. Matagrano was in the ICU for nine days with his family by his side, before he died.

"He will be greatly missed by the company," Rhein said. "The town lost a great asset to this department."

Many will remember Matagrano for being a fireman's fireman, Rhein said, and for being like a father figure to many of the younger members of the department.

"He told you how it was. He didn't sugarcoat anything," said Rhein.

Rhein, who has been with the department since 2002, remembers the time when Matagrano kicked him off the truck for being one of the younger firefighters as they were reporting to a house fire.

"He laughed about it all the time for years afterward," Rhein said. "Every time he brought up a story, he brought up that one."

Matagrano joined New Milford Fire Company 1 on Nov. 4, 1974, according to information provided by Company 1 President William F. Drew.

He was an active member and current trustee of the company, according to the information. Matagrano received a Firefighter of the Year award in 1988, a unit citation in 1991, and a Distinguished Volunteer Service award in 1993.

Matagrano was predeceased by his wife, Merrily, who died in 2014. He is survived by his children, Francine, Frank and Michael.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Milford Fire Company 1, 249 Center St., New Milford, NJ 07646.

A woman and her dog died during Christmas day house fire in the Lakeview community near Vass, NC

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

VASS-LAKEVIEW, NC -- 

One woman is dead after her house caught fire on Christmas.

The fire started before 2 Monday afternoon in the in the 100 block of McFadyen Lane near Vass.

When crews arrived, they found smoke coming from the two-story home.

According to fire officials, nearby neighbors notified firefighters that it was not known if anyone was at home at the time of the fire.


Firefighters began an immediate search for possible victims while simultaneously beginning an attack on the fire located on the ground floor of the home, the Aberdeen Times reports.

Firefighters said they found the woman and her dog dead inside.

The name of the woman has not been released, and an autopsy has been ordered to determine her cause of death.

Based on public records, the following person is listed as living at that home:

Lori Ann Clark age 55 Also known as: Lori A Gavel From: Fayetteville, NC==================


LAKEVIEW, NC

One person died in a house fire in the Lakeview community outside of Vass Monday afternoon.

Emergency responders were dispatched to a structure fire at 2:00 pm in the 100 block of McFadyen Lane off of Camp Easter Road.

The first arriving firefighters reported smoke coming from a two story house.

According to fire officials nearby neighbors notified firefighters that it was not known if anyone was at home at the time of the fire. Firefighters began an immediate search for possible victims while simultaneously beginning an attack on the fire located on the ground floor of the home.

After conducting a search of the ground floor, firefighters went up the stairs to the second floor where a female victim was located near the stairway. The woman was reported to be deceased when she was found. Firefighters also located a dog that was deceased inside of the home.



Without a nearby fire hydrant a portable drop tank was set up to allow firefighters to conduct a water shuttle to supply water for the firefighting efforts.

The fire was brought under control in approximately 45 minutes; however firefighters worked an extended time period ensuring the fire was fully extinguished and ventilating smoke from the two story home.



Once the fire was totally put out detectives with the Moore County Sheriff’s Department, as well as officials with the Moore County Fire Marshal’s Office, Cypress Pointe Fire & Rescue, and the NC State Medical Examiner’s Office began an investigation into the fire and death.

According to Moore County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Frank Rodriguez a search warrant was obtained for the home and detectives were continuing the investigation into the mid-afternoon fire. Obtaining a search warrant is a normal part of a death investigation of this nature Rodriguez stated.

As of this report the identification of the victim has not been released by officials.

Camp Easter Road was blocked to traffic in both directions for a lengthy time period in front of the Lakeview Post Office to allow for the water shuttle operations.



Responding to this incident were units with Cypress Pointe Fire & Rescue, Whispering Pines Fire & Rescue, Southern Pines Fire & Rescue, Moore County EMS, Moore County Fire Marshal’s Office, Moore County Sheriff’s Department, and the NC State Medical Examiner’s Office.

Good Shepherd Pet Crematory & Cemetery responded to the scene to assist in the removal of the deceased dog.

As of the time of this report at 7:00 pm law enforcement and fire officials were still at the scene and the cause of the fire remained under investigation. According to officials the victim will be sent for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

This was the second house fire within a 12 hour period here in Moore County. A Pinebluff man received serious burns from an early morning house fire that occurred on Meadowview Circle outside of Pinebluff just after 2:30 am.

Nine tanks of propane, methanol and race fuel exploded at Rainy Lake Oil Co. on County Road 332 east of International Falls, MN

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. (AP) -


A massive fire in northern Minnesota has destroyed a heating oil and fuel company near the Canadian border.

Rainy Lake Oil Co. erupted in huge plumes of fire, fueled by eight or nine tanks inside the company's warehouse Monday night near International Falls.

The local fire department says the cause of the fire is under investigation.

The company's office manager, Janelle Heem, says a warehouse, office and gas station were destroyed. She says the company was talking with suppliers Tuesday in order to get the business back on track.

The company distributes in northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Heem says the company has set up a temporary office and is making fuel deliveries with four trucks spared in the fire.

Several fire departments assisted after the blaze erupted around 7 p.m.



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The cause of a fire and value of loss at an oil company’s warehouse and office Monday night is not yet known.


International Falls Fire Chief Adam Mannausau said the blaze at Rainy Lake Oil Co. reported via 911 at 7:09 p.m. Monday burned through the night and was declared extinguished at 9 a.m. Tuesday. The oil company is located on County Road 332 east of International Falls.


The scene has been turned over to the Minnesota State Fire Marshal for investigation.




The glow of the fire could be seen for miles around as tanks of propane, methanol and race fuel exploded, causing flames to leap high into the air.


Mannausau said the nature of the fire was frustrating for firefighters.


“It was unfortunate that in the beginning it was a stand and wait game and that’s tough for firefighters to do, but we had to let a certain amount of the product burn off,” he said. “As you know, oil and water don’t mix so we had to wait for the petroleum to burn off before we could add water.”


Petroleum fires are not frequent in the community. “This was a new one in my career,” said the veteran firefighter.


No one was injured in the fire, Mannausau said.


Two homes were evacuated as a precautionary measure and there were no immediate dangers to the public as law enforcement blocked entry from all directions, he added.


The warehouse, office facilities, one tractor and trailer were a total loss.




An undetermined amount of petroleum product was released from the site and was contained on scene. The company will need to hire a private contractor to ensure the site is cleaned up properly, Mannausau said.


Mannausau and Falls Mayor Bob Anderson credited the assistance provided by local, state and federal agencies, as well as local businesses.


“All the people did a great job,” Mannausau said. “We got excellent support... It was a great team effort all along.”


Anderson told The Journal Tuesday that firefighters and other emergency response agencies did an outstanding job.


Open for business


Meanwhile, Rainy Lake Oil Co. was open for business Tuesday despite the fire.


Janelle Heem, who works in the office, told The Journal early Tuesday morning that the company can still supply home heating needs immediately.




“With the holidays, we don’t want anyone being cold in their home,” she said. “We’re going to keep going.”


However, she said the office has moved to Shannon’s Square in International Falls, and can be reached by calling 218-283-4477.


Heem said the company supplies “tons of people for their fuel oil heating and propane.”


The business can continue, she said, because many of the company’s trucks were not destroyed in the fire.


Assistance


The International Falls Fire Department was assisted by the Falls International Airport, the Fort Frances Fire Department, the Littlefork Fire Department, totaling 35 firefighters and seven pieces of equipment involved.


Assistance was also provided by the International Falls Police Department, the Koochiching County Sheriff’s Department and Office of Emergency Management, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Field Operations officers, International Falls Public Works, Koochiching County Highway Department, Minnesota State Duty Officer, Minnesota State Fire Marshal, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and Minnesota Department of Homeland Security.


In addition, local companies including Roche’s Towing, Boyum Construction, Wagner Construction and Pelland Welding helped at the scene.


Mannausau noted the wide news coverage of the fire, which he said was a little surprising, adding that some national news reporters misunderstood the origin of the fire.


“They understood it was an oil refinery, not a warehouse,” he said.

The cause of a house fire in Kalamazoo, MI was electrical in nature and was attrributed to the stapled Christmas lights to a wall that damaged the outer jacket of the cord in the process.

Christmas lights stapled to wall caused Kalamazoo house fire

 the residents had stapled Christmas lights to the wall, damaging the cords and causing them to short out and spark, igniting the Christmas tree.

The fire spread from the tree to the attic.

The residents delayed calling 911 as they tried unsuccessfully to put out the fire themselves, which made the damage worse.

By John Tunison

jtunison@mlive.com



KALAMAZOO, MI -- A string of Christmas lights damaged by stapling caused a Kalamazoo house fire, authorities said.

The fire happened about 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20 at a house in the 2200 block of Regent Street.

Firefighters arrived at the scene to find smoke coming from all sides of the house.

They found fire in the living room that had spread into attic areas.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the bulk of the fire.

Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Fire Marshal Jim Williams determined that residents of the home had stapled Christmas lights to a wall and damaged the outer jacket of the cord in the process.

The Christmas tree soon caught fire and flames spread to the attic.

Residents tried to put out the fire themselves before calling 911, officials said.

No one was injured and the occupants safely evacuated the house.



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House Fire at 2200 Regent St

December 20, 2017 by Jon Thurn

KALAMAZOO, MI: On December 20, 2017, at about 1145 AM, Kalamazoo Public Safety responded to the 2200 block of Regent Street for a house fire. Arriving officers found a single story, residential home with smoke coming from all sides. Officers learned that all the residents had evacuated. Officers initiated a simultaneous interior and exterior fire attack. Fire was found in the living room and attic areas. The bulk of the fire was extinguished quickly. Overhaul required officers to pull ceiling to find the last of the burning material.

Fire Marshall Jim Williams investigated the cause of the fire. He determined that the fire was electrical. The residents had stapled Christmas lights to the wall damaging the outer jacket of the cord. The fire quickly spread to the Christmas Tree and then to the attic. Additionally, residents delayed calling 911 to try and put the fire out by themselves. Fortunately, no one was injured as a result of the fire.

The fire is not considered suspicious and the investigation is closed by the Fire Marshall.

Anyone having information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8139 or Silent Observer at 343-2100.

Authority: Lt. Diaz
Date: December 20, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety 337-8139

Rookie CHP officer Andrew Camilleri Sr., 33, died after his patrol SUV was hit from behind by the Cadillac of a speeding drunk and junkie driver on Interstate 880 in Hayward, California

According to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, fatal car, motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian collisions in the Bay Area jumped 43 percent between 2010 and 2016. The main factors cited in that analysis included speeding, unsafe turning and driver under the influence. The majority of the offenders are Hispanics.

CASTRO VALLEY, California --


As members of the California Highway Patrol mourns the loss of one of their own, officers remained at Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley, Monday afternoon, where they were keeping a close watch on the man they say caused the devastation.


"We have officers standing guard waiting for him to be treated and released," says CHP Asst. Chief Ernest Sanchez.

According to the CHP, a 22-year-old Hayward man was driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol Sunday night, when he drifted off Interstate 880 and slammed into the back of a parked patrol car with two CHP officers sitting inside.

"We have enough evidence and enough statements that have been made today to allow us to charge this individual when he gets released from the local hospital with some very serious felony charges," says Sanchez.

CHP officer Andrew Camilleri Sr. died from his injuries after being transported to St. Rose Hospital in Hayward. His fellow officer, Jonathan Velasquez, was treated for injuries at Eden and later released.


Sanchez added: "I'm not only disappointed but also angered that I had to notify a mother and three children that their father had deceased at a local hospital after being impacted by an individual who chose to drive irresponsibly."

The CHP says last night's fatality is just one in a growing number of deadly collisions on our local roadways. According to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, fatal car, motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian collisions in the Bay Area jumped 43 percent between 2010 and 2016. The main factors cited in that analysis included speeding, unsafe turning and driver under the influence.

The crash has been tough for many people to process partly because the two CHP officers were out on patrol as part of the agency's maximum enforcement period for the holidays.

"We still have a very big holiday coming up, and at times involves more alcoholic beverages being served and that's New Years," Sanchez said.

The suspect was in serious condition as of Monday afternoon. CHP officials will release his identity once he is booked into jail after being treated and medically cleared from the hospital.



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CHP officer killed after being struck by alleged drunk driver on I-880 in Hayward


Monday, December 25, 2017 08:23PM
HAYWARD, Calif. (KGO) --

A California Highway Patrol officer died late Sunday night, and another was injured, when a speeding car drifted off the road and slammed into their stopped patrol car on the shoulder of southbound I-880.

Police say the 22-year-old Hayward man driving the red Cadillac that struck the officers was drunk, and may have also been under the influence of marijuana. He could face felony charges when he's released from the hospital, they said.

"This is not the way we wanted to celebrate Christmas Day," Assistant Chief Ernest Sanchez told a gathering of reporters at the CHP's Hayward office.


Sanchez identified the officer who was killed as Andrew Camilleri, 33 years old, of Tracy. He had been with the Highway Patrol for a year and four months before the accident that ended his life.

"The impact was so severe that it turned a utility vehicle into a very small compact vehicle," Sanchez said.

Camilleri and his partner, Jonathan Velasquez, were on a "maximum enforcement patrol" -- parked on the shoulder of I-880, looking for drivers who appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Tragically, police say, that's exactly what they encountered.

The California Highway Patrol credit union has set up a fund to help the officer's family.



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HAYWARD, CA — Rookie CHP officer Andrew Camilleri Sr. had dreamed of wearing the uniform since high school and was working his first Christmas Eve shift, trying to the keep the roads safe from intoxicated drivers. But he couldn’t save himself when, just before midnight, a suspected drunken driver drifted off Interstate 880 and slammed into the back of his patrol car.

The crash crushed the officer’s SUV, injuring Camilleri’s fellow officer Jonathan Velasquez and killing Camilleri as his three children slept at home in Tracy. On Christmas morning, his wife Rosanna was still struggling with how to break the awful news.

“They were going to open their Christmas presents first before Rosanna tells them,” Andrew’s mother, Sharon Camilleri, said through tears Monday morning.

Andrew Camilleri was 33 and had only graduated from the CHP Academy in March, his mother said.

“Today is the tragic loss of one our own, who we will consider a hero now and forever,” CHP Assistant Chief Ernest Sanchez said at a morning news conference.

The officers’ SUV was parked on the shoulder of I-880 near State Highway 92 late Sunday night as they patrolled for dangerous drivers. Camilleri was in the front passenger seat, and Velasquez was behind the wheel. The Cadillac was driving so fast that the impact crushed the SUV into “a very small compact vehicle,” Sanchez said.

The crash shut down all southbound lanes on I-880 until 9:40 a.m. Monday.

Velasquez, another young officer in the Hayward division, suffered minor injuries and was treated and released from Eden Medical Center, Sanchez said. “He will live with this tragedy of his seeing his partner die.”

The CHP on Monday afternoon had yet to disclose the name of the 22-year-old driver who was being treated for serious injuries at a hospital. Officers believe he was under the influence of marijuana and alcohol when he got behind the wheel and headed south on 880. Sanchez said he was coming home from a party, and “obviously had too much to drink and too much to smoke.” The crash was reported shortly before midnight on Sunday.

“Today, I’m not only disappointed but also angered in that I had to notify a mother and three children that their father had (died) at a local hospital after being impacted by a person who chose to drive irresponsibly,” Sanchez said. “That is the message today on Christmas Day: These irresponsible and senseless acts need to stop.” California Highway Patrol Golden Gate Division Assistant Chief Ernie Sanchez speaks at a press conference regarding a crash that killed a CHP officer Christmas morning on Dec. 25, 2017, in Hayward, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

Camilleri was the latest victim in a growing number of fatal collisions on Bay Area roadways involving drugs or alcohol, Sanchez said. Between 2010 and 2016, the number of fatal crashes in the Bay Area increased 43 percent with speed, unsafe turning, and driving under the influence the top three contributors, according to an analysis by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

Earning his badge was a long-time dream for Camilleri, who was part of the CHP’s Explorer Program in high school, his mother said. But it wasn’t one he realized right away — instead he got married and had children, built a career at Clark Pest Control, and put off enrolling in the rigorous 27-week CHP training program. The badge of California Highway Patrol Golden Gate Division Assistant Chief Ernie Sanchez is photographed on Dec. 25, 2017, in Hayward, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

He finally enrolled in the CHP Academy last year, and graduated March 3. He got a big kick out of the traditional run that marks the event: Graduating cadets run five miles from the academy building in Sacramento to the California Peace Officers’ Memorial across from the Capitol, while their fellow cadets line the route, poised in push-up position.

“I was very proud of him,” Sharon Camilleri said. “Very, very proud.”

The Christmas tragedy was an emotional blow to his fellow officers at the CHP. Camilleri is the second CHP officer to die in the line of duty this year, according to an online database maintained by the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, a union that represents CHP officers. Officer Lucas Forrest Chellew was killed in a crash in February in South Sacramento while pursuing a vehicle.

“Andrew was drawn to this profession due to his courage, his integrity and his desire to serve,” said Capt. Tim Pearson, commander of the CHP’s Hayward division. “The consequences of this action affect the department statewide, but that pales in comparison to what his wife and three children now have to live with.”

Camilleri’s family said he was a “hands-on dedicated father” to his 12-year-old daughter and 6- and 2-year-old sons. He was scheduled to work Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, so the family celebrated on Friday.

On Christmas Eve, his mother Sharon Camilleri was spending the holiday at her sister Michele Speciale’s house in Monterey. At 2 a.m. Christmas morning the phone rang. It was Andrew’s wife, Rosanna. Sharon had to get to the hospital “right now,” Rosanna said. “Something happened to Andrew.”

In shock, Sharon Camilleri and her daughter, 27-year-old Ashley Wharton, jumped in the car and rushed to Hayward. The drive took an hour and a half, and the two women’s minds were racing. Camilleri kept thinking that if they got pulled over for speeding, she’d tell them her son was the CHP officer in the hospital, and they had to get to him.

When they got there, he was already gone. The family is still in shock, Sharon Camilleri said, even though a small part of her had known this day might come.

“It’s always in the back of your mind,” she said, “when you’ve got somebody in law enforcement.”