One of the instructions you may be given in an emergency where hazardous materials may have been released into the atmosphere is to shelter-in-place. This is a precaution aimed to keep you safe while remaining indoors. (This is not the same thing as going to a shelter in case of a storm.) Shelter-in-place means selecting a small, interior room, with no or few windows, and taking refuge there. It does not mean sealing off your entire home or office building. If you are told to shelter-in-place, follow the instructions provided in this Fact Sheet.

Why You Might Need to Shelter-in-Place: Chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants may be released accidentally or intentionally into the environment. Should this occur, information will be provided by local authorities on television and radio stations on how to protect you and your family. Because information will most likely be provided on television and radio, it is important to keep a TV or radio on, even during the workday. The important thing is for you to follow instructions of local authorities and know what to do if they advise you to shelter-in-place.

How to Shelter-in-Place

At Home:

• Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
• If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds, or curtains.
• Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems.
• Close the fireplace damper.
• Get your family disaster supplies kit and make sure the radio is working.
• Go to an interior room without windows that’s above ground level. In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air, and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed.
• Bring your pets with you, and be sure to bring additional food and water supplies for them.
• It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room you select. Call your emergency contact and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.
• Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.
• Keep listening to your radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.

An equipment drill and Department meeting will be held on Tuesday November 27th starting at 6:30 pm.

Members of the department were on stand-by at the station from 2100 hours on Sunday October 28th until 0800 hours on Tuesday October 30th.  During that time the department handled 13 calls for service.  Parts of the Billingsport section of town was without power for an extended peirod of time, when a large pecan tree took down a pole and wires at Queen St. & Billingsport Rd.  The majority of the calls were for trees and wires down. 

On October 8th due to the resignation of Mike Liccardello, the Department elected Al Giampola to serve the remainder of the term.  Gary Stevenson remained as Assistant Chief.  The following week Chief Giampola appointed Glenn Roemmich to serve as Capatin and Joan Lutz to serve as Lieutenant.

Chief  Al Giampola

Asst. Chief  Gary Stevenson

Captain Glenn Roemmich

Lieutenant Joan Lutz

On Monday October 8th the Fire Dpartment met to elect a new Chief due to Chief Mike Licciardell resigning.  Al Giampola was elected for the remainder of the term..  Congratulations to Chief Giampola !  

Gary Stevenson will continue to serve as Assistant Chief

On Thursday October 18th Chief Giampola appointed Glenn Roemmich to serve as Captain and Joan Lutz to serve as Lieutenant, they will serve until December 31, 2013.

The Paulsboro FD & Fire Association held their annual Installation Dinner in February at Botto's Restaurant in Swedesboro.Jack Suiter served as MC. Fire Chief Mike Licciardello updated gave an updated report on the FD. Mayor Jeff Hamilton thanked all for the work they do and swore in the officers. Archie Roemmich was honored for 50 years of actrive firefighter service and Dan Berth was also recognized for 40 years. For the LAdies Auxilliary, Bert McMahon was honored for 50 years and Marion Mederus was recognized for 40 years of service. Chuck Shaw received an award for FF of the Year.

Paulsboro FD Assistant Chief, Gary Stevenson, was sworn in as  Councilperson in January. Gary was appointed to fill the spot vacated by Jeff Hamilton who took over as Mayor of Paulsboro. Many of his fellow firefighters attended the swearing in ceremony. Gary's wife Raelynn held the bible as former Mayor, and current Assemblyman, John Burzichelli did the honor of swearing Gary in.

A bedroom fire damaged a home on the 300 block of W. Washington St. today. Around 2 PM the FD was called out for a fire at 372 W. Washington St. Upon arrival, Deputy Fire Chief Al Giampola (1702) observed heavy smoke coming from the residence. An "all hands working' was immediately put out. A crew from the first engine on location, Engine 1721, was ordered to stretch a 1 3/4" attack line into the home. A crew from Ladder 2116 soon followed. The crews were able to extinguish the bed which was on fire. Crews then wet-down some hot-spots and evacuated the home of smoke with ventilation fans. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Also responding were Thorofare and East Greenwich fire companies. Crews were on the scene until 5 PM.

The Paulsboro Fire Department was invited by construction officials to tour the site of the Paulsboro Port. The drill was set up to let the firefighters know what hazards there were as the Port is constructed. The firefighters were take around the land for the Port and then went onto a barge in the Delaware River. Operators of the river construction advised members of the FD what dangers there were when coming onto the barge. Response plans were talked about and another drill will be set up next month to put that plan into effect.

Marine 17 was called into East Greenwich today to assist in the search and recovery of a woman in a car. The initial dispatch was to check out a vehicle who's roof was seen coming through the water of the Mantua Creek near Sweeten's Dock, off of Berkley Road in E. Greenwich. The Paulsboro boat responded from Ziggy's dock in Paulsboro and proceeded to the scene. After confirming that there was a car in the water the boat returned and picked up divers from the Malaga FD and the State Police. Divers confirmed that there was a woman's body in the car. The Marine 17 was then used to tow the boat, after divers were able to put air bags around it, to the dock . A large tow truck then lifted the car from the water. Firefighter's from Paulsboro assisted the Medical Examiners Office in removing the body from  the vehicle.