These last few weeks of summer have kept us busy, some calls pictured here included storm standbys, various fires and mutual aid into surrounding areas!
What we’re going to highlight in this post is our Drone program that our members continuously work very hard on. Our Drone Response Team consists of our dedicated 100% volunteer members who respond at all times of the day and night to assist our local and surrounding Police Departments and Fire Companies. Our members constantly strive to make our operation run smoother and find new ways to be more efficient and assist these agencies any way that we can. A sincere thank you to these members who spend countless hours training and on scene doing their very best to assist in any way that they can.
Here’s some of our recent DRT responses!
Last month on 7/20/25 as members were returning to station from standing by for Bound Brook while they hosted there carnival, we were dispatched for our DRT in our district for a missing person. Eleven members searched countless areas for almost 3 hours before our services were no longer needed. As members were returning to station, Somerset County Communications advised us of a second Drone call into Watchung Borough for another missing person. The DRT made it on scene as PD was confirming that they had found the person. We were clear soon after. That’s the first time for even our senior members that a double drone call came in back to back!
This past Sunday 8/17/25 just shy of 12:00am we were requested into South Brunswick to assist PD locating a missing person. Two drones were in the air to search the surrounding areas until the missing person was located a few miles away, we cleared at 3:00am.
Last night was the first time our DRT was requested into Princeton Township to aid in the search of a missing child. Deputy 28 A28 and U28 responded with 8. On arrival we staged in a parking lot down the road from the incident while 2 members got closer to the scene to put our drone in the air to begin searching a wooded area. Thankfully after 30 minutes on scene the child was located safe and sound.
On Saturday 8/2/25, alittle after 11:00pm Station 28 was dispatched into Hillsborough Township for a Structure fire. Deputy 28, Squad 28, and Air 28 responded with a total of 8. When crews arrived, apparatus was staged in a separate driveway due to the main driveway access to the structure being very tight. Crews grabbed RIT equipment and made the long walk up to the scene and set up on the A side of the house along with @eavfc26 members.
The bulk of the fire was knocked as the crew made it to the house and the request for manpower was made to assist as first arriving personnel were swapped out. Two members went in and assisted Hillsborough companies with pulling ceilings and hitting hot spots. Later on during the incident two more members went in to further assist with overhaul duties before Station 28 was cleared at 1:30am. Great stop by first arriving Hillsborough units.
A special thanks to the members who stuck around an extra hour after returning to station to clean/check equipment, fill out paperwork , and fill air bottles. Doing this ensures our Apparatus are ready to go for the next call, this sort of dedication doesn’t go un noticed. #MillstoneValley#PrideandOwnership... See MoreSee Less
Please plan accordingly and be weather aware! These storms can dump an incredible amount of water at an overwhelming rate. PLEASE DONT drive through any flood waters!We are VERY VERY CONCERNED about the people in the yellow and especially red zones on this map tomorrow! Know anyone that lives there?
Turn around, don't drown! NEVER drive through flood waters. ... See MoreSee Less
It’s been a busy couple of days for Station 28, here’s a run down of what’s happened recently.
On Saturday 12/25 around 5:15pm our Drones were requested to colonial park to aid in the search of a missing person. Car 28, Utility 28-1 , Ranger 28 and Air 28 responded and put 2 Drones in service to begin searching. We worked with Somerset County Sheriff’s and Franklin Township PD to search the last known location and start looking in nearby areas. After being on scene searching the park for almost 2 hours the missing person was located down the road at a scout camp and was reunited with the family safe and sound.
On Monday 14/25 around 3:00pm District 1 was dispatched into Millstone Borough for a MV fire. Franklin Township Fire marshals arrived to find a ATV on fire in the backyard. Air 28 and Brush 28 responded and assisted FMs and Station 44 @middlebushfire with extinguishing the fire using Brush 28s tank. Units were clear shortly after. Squad 28 was on scene as acting Engine 8 for the day.
Later that evening District 1 handled a few different calls from the storm, Squad 28, Air 28 and Brush 28 handled an active gas leak in Millstone Borough while the rest of the District and Station 55 @sbbfire55 handled a reported electrical fire in a warehouse. As the calls died down 13 members, 8 of them being Swift water tech certified stood by in station while the storms moved through the area, thankfully there were no water rescue calls in our district. While it seems our area of Franklin was spared from the heaviest of rain , other parts of the county and surrounding areas experienced catastrophic flooding and our hearts go out to those affected by this recent storm.
On Tuesday 15/25 at 1:00pm our drones were requested into North Plainfield to assist in damage assessment and checking a few areas of concern. Our members remained on scene for a few hours before being released. Later that evening Squad 28 with 5 stood by for Franklin D3 while they handled a structure fire. Squad 28 was clear 30 minutes later. Please continue to be weather aware as more storms are possible this evening for the county. #MillstoneValley... See MoreSee Less
Please be weather aware and be safe, remember to avoid high water! #TurnAroundDontDrownPOTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS WEATHER UPDATE:The flash flood risk for our area tonight has been moved into the moderate likelihood stage. Periods of significant rainfall are expected which could lead to localized flash flooding ⛈️🌊 ... See MoreSee Less
Anyone recognize this truck!? For those who may not remember our former Squad 28, it’s now Engine 66 with a new lease on life under the Florida Sun! We are proud to see this old Seagrave making history assisting the Commissioners and Firefighters of Palm Beach Gardens Florida open its 6th Firehouse where she will serve as the front line piece for years to come. We hope it serves the residents of Palm Beach Gardens as greatly as it served the residents of Franklin Nj, Best of luck to you all! #MillstoneValley... See MoreSee Less
Both great departments. Being a life member of East Franklin Fire Department. And now a firefighter/paramedic in Florida. That dept had the courage to go to the 24/72 schedule. And a great group of guys and gals. Palm beach gardens.
Serving Palm Beach Gardens not West Palm Beach, two different cities
Save the date! We’re excited to see you all September 20th! As of right now there’s only 30 tickets left so be sure to get yours before they run out! #MillstoneValley#trickytray... See MoreSee Less
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the members of Station 28 continue to try and increase awareness for this important cause. Breast Cancer holds a special place in several of our members hearts as we have several survivors in our “family”.
During the month of October, our members will be wearing Pink firefighting hoods to show our support. This will be our 2nd year wearing the hoods, hopefully our visual appearance will raise the awareness for those that we encounter.
This year Fire Prevention Week is October 6 – 12 and the theme is Prevent Kitchen Fires. Station 28 will be holding our annual Open House on Saturday October 19th from 11am – 4pm. This event will focus on how to Prevent Kitchen Fires, but we will also have games and gifts for kids, food, and our members will be available to answer any other questions you may have.
Bring the entire family down for some fun and education, and don’t forget to visit our neighbors at the Canal Fest taking place on Market St.
Join us this Saturday at the Somerset County Fire Academy in Hillsborough, on Roycefield Rd, for a live demonstration of Residential Fire Sprinklers. The Somerset County Fire Marshals Association is presenting this live demonstration in an effort to bring awareness to everyone about the major impact that Residential Fire Sprinklers can have on a home fire. With today’s materials burning hotter and faster, you need early water application to prevent complete devastation from a fire, Residential Fire Sprinklers do just that.
Air 28 was placed in service in June 2013 as a Special Services unit to provide Air, Light, and Rehab services along with being Station 28’s primary RIC vehicle. The photograph below shows the inventory stored in the HDR box area and roof top. Additional items requiring a controlled climate or easy access to the crew cab area are stored inside of the cab and walk-in area of the box. The members of the truck committee spent many hours designing a truck that stores a vast inventory of equipment in an effective way that makes it easy for members to retrieve. Photos of the compartments and inventory list will be posted shortly.
Shortly after 3pm on Saturday 9/14, Ranger 28 was requested to assist Station 36 with multiple brush fires in a difficult to access area of Dukes Farm. Ranger 28 and Ranger 36 were able to access the fires and utilized their on board foam tanks to extinguish them without incident.
12 years ago the most unimaginable terroristic acts occurred on our country. With the cause yet not fully known, hundreds of emergency workers responded to the Twin Towers to begin to mitigate the problem. Why? Because that is what we do. We go where there is a need, without question, without prejudice, without hesitation.
Never Forget is not just another slogan that the fire service created, it’s a mindset. It goes far beyond the fire service. We as Americans, regardless of race, creed, religion, must never forget that those who perished that day were not victims of some accident, they were MURDERED. We must remember them and honor their legacies.
For the emergency service personnel that gave their lives, we will never forget the 343 that died that day. But Never Forget can’t stop at those 343; since the attacks over 1,000 people have developed a WTC cancer. We must not forget that these men and woman gave selfishly of themselves to help those in need, who now have health issues.
Please take today to remember that firefighters give whatever is needed, to whoever is needing, whenever they can. We don’t do it for the glory, we don’t do it for the money, we do it for the community’s we serve.
NEVER FORGET 343 and ALL Emergency Service Personnel
On Sunday September 8th, Millstone Valley continued with its commitment to maintain a skilled RIC team. An early departure traveling to the Morris County Fire Academy for a bit of a change in training venues. Members reviewed advanced search techniques and executed several exercises to locate and remove lost or trapped firefighters.
Crews completed Denver and Pittsburgh evolutions along with an advanced search using the mask confidence course on the training grounds. Thanks to the instructors at Morris for providing a challenging training regimen today.
On Sunday morning, September 8th, Station 28 was requested to standby at Station 27, East Franklin, while they operated at a 2nd alarm structure fire. Squad 28 responded on the assignment and remained at Station 27 while crews operated for about an hour and a half.
On Labor Day, Station 28 assisted South Plainfield Emergency Services during their annual Labor Day Fireworks. Air 28 was requested as in years past and this year Ranger 28 was added to the request.
Ranger 28 was staffed with 2 personnel including an EMT, providing rapid response services to the area surrounding Spring Lake Park. Air 28 staffed with 4 personnel and provided lighting for public safety.
This past week, Station 28 sent several members to 4 days of training at Fire Rescue International. 6 of our junior officers and senior firefighters completed the Company Officer Leadership 1 education track, while both Chiefs completed the Chief Officer Leadership 1 track.
Our dedicated members attended more than 20 hours of training to further their education and continuously improve on the level of service we provide to our community.
As Chief of the Department, I would like to thank these individuals for their dedication.