Instagram Updates
It is with great sadness the Somerville Fire Department offers it’s sincerest condolences to our neighbors and mutual aid company @station37fire and all of the Hillsborough Township Fire District. Yesterday afternoon Ex Chief/current Assistant Chief Bill Schaffer was operating at a call when he sadly lost his life in the line of duty. Chief Schaffer was one of the most active responders in our area, proudly serving station 37 for 35 years. His dedication to the fire service was second to none. He will be greatly missed.
It is with a heavy heart the Somerville Fire Department announces the passing of Ex-Chief Dave Bowden. Chief Bowden was a member of Engine Company #1 for 57 years serving as chief from 1977-1978. A lifelong resident of Somerville and Raritan, he also served as Chief of the Veterans Administration Fire Department in Hillsborough for over 27 years. He was also a veteran of the United States Navy. Visitation will be 4-8pm Friday with a firefighter service at 7pm at Bruce C. VanArsdale Funeral Home, 111 No. Gaston Ave. Somerville.
This morning at approximately 4:10am Somerville and @raritanfire52 were dispatched to N. Doughty Ave. for a reported structure fire next to the Somerville Fire Museum. PD arrived on location and advised of the rear of the building being fully involved. Residents had to be assisted off the roof and are safe. Truck 1 needing to get to the roof made it’s own access point in the rear. This stubborn multiple alarm fire was finally brought under control and units cleared the scene around 9am. Thankfully there was no major damage to the museum. Thanks to mutual aid companies from @findernefirestation30 @greenknollfire @bound_brook_fire_23 @svfrc1 @northbranchfire49 and all of the ems units on scene #tillertime #newjerseyfireground #firemuseum #jobville
Tonight Somerville Fire, @raritanfire52 and @findernefirestation30 participated in a live burn at our training tower focusing on connecting into fire department connections and using a stand pipe in the building to extinguish fires. In the newer apartment buildings being built everywhere around us, this is how a fire attack would be made.
Today members of the Somerville Fire Department participated in the New Jersey Fireman’s Home golf outing. SFD was one of the original contributors to the home and has had numerous members become residents over the years. Another great fundraiser and fun day as it is every year for this crucial entity that serves those who served our communities in the past.
Truck 1 responded into Hillsborough tonight to provide a ladder truck to cover the township from @station37fire while units operated at a 2nd alarm fire in @htvfc3 ‘s first due area. Mutual aid is often provided to the scene for larger incidents or to cover other towns to ensure there is adequate response in case of another call. This effort is always reciprocated into the Borough by numerous surrounding areas in the event of a fire in Somerville.
The Somerville Fire Department would like to wish our deepest condolences after the sudden passing of Craig Ferrante. Craig was a dedicated member of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office and a close friend to many SFD members. May he Rest In Peace.
With the winds whipping over the last 24 hours, SFD has responded to 6 calls including a working fence fire with extension to a house and a working oven fire in town. Assistance was also provided at a 3rd alarm structure/mulch/debris fire in Hillsborough township. Thanks to @raritanfire52 for providing assistance in town.