BRIDGETON FIRE DEPARTMENT

Frequently asked questions:

I am starting a business in Bridgeton.  Do I need a fire inspection?

To comply with state and local codes, your business will most likely need an annual fire inspection.  For more information click here.

I am selling or buying a home.  I am told I need a Certificate of Smoke Detector/Carbon Monoxide Detector and Fire Extinguisher Compliance.

The Bureau of Fire Prevention can provide this certificate.  Fees range from $35.00 to $125.00.  Call for an appointment.   For more information click here.

Can I burn leaves or trash in my yard?

No person or persons shall make or cause to be made any open fire or bonfire of any kind or burn any type of combustible materials whatsoever in the City of Bridgeton except for cooking purposes or indoor fireplaces, incinerators or furnaces according to Chapter 107 of the City Code. For more information click here.

I had a small fire on my property or in my house but it is now extinguished.  Should I call the fire department?

Yes!  Many times a fire can appear out but my reignite minutes or even hours later.  Always call 911 as soon as possible if  you see or smell smoke or fire.  In addition, insurance companies often require a fire report from the fire department.

More frequently asked questions

Emergency Dial 911       Orange Street Headquarters: (856) 451-0091       Scholastic Drive Station: (856) 451-4250

Fire Prevention Bureau

Accelerant Canine

Overview

K-9 "Jake" is a Yellow Labrador retriever born June 13, 2000. He was originally purchased by a private party from Paradise Kennels in Felton, Delaware. He was returned to the breeder at the age of 8 months and eventually made his way to a local breeder, Michelle Earle, of Pittsgrove Township, NJ. "Jake" was then donated to the Bridgeton Fire Department for the purpose of establishing our first Accelerant Detection K-9 Program.

Battalion Chief  Todd Bowen was paired with Jake in the spring of 2001 and they attended a 10 week scent training course given by the Camden County Police Academy/New Jersey Police K-9 Association. After they graduated, the unit was officially placed in service on September 1, 2001. This resource is not only used to assist in investigations within the City of Bridgeton, but is available to surrounding communities as well, should the need arise. "Jake" and B/C  Bowen keep thier skills sharp by attending monthly in-service training sessions with the New Jersey State Police K-9 Unit. "Jake" is also certified through the United State Police K-9 Association as an accelerant detector dog, and attends their certifications regularly. Aside from investigations, the K-9 Unit also educates the public by performing demonstrations throughout the area to groups on the abilities of accelerant detection canines.

The establishment of the K-9 Unit would not have been possible were it not for the gracious donations of many area individuals and businesses. "Jake" and B/C  Bowen would like to give special thanks to the following for making this program possible through their donations and assistance:

Michelle Earle
Chief David Kupsky, Retired, Vineland Fire Dept.
Ptl. Lee Smith, Bridgeton Police Dept. K-9
Wilwynn Animal Hospital, Dr. William McAlonan
City of Millville
Valentine Fire Investigations, Inc
Ed's Body Shop
Lee Fox
Cobby's Auto Parts
Bridgeton Motor Parts
Cumberland Tire Center
Paula Austin Insurance, State Farm Insurance Company

Maaco of Turnersville

Investigations

Accelerant detection canines are often referred to as "arson dogs." This is technically not true since the canine detects the presence of an accelerant (flammable liquid used to start a fire), not the actual crime of arson. The canine alone cannot determine the cause of a fire, or the commission of a crime. The canine must be used in conjunction with sound investigative techniques to establish whether a crime has been committed or not.

The canine is a valuable resource in collecting evidence at a fire because of it acute sense of smell. Human noses posess approximately 2 million olfactory cells whereas the canine nose has up to 220 million. Canines also have the ability to separate and discriminate scents. A good analogy is when a human walks into a room where someone is cooking chili, they smell the chili. When a canine walks into the same room, they smell the beans, tomatoes, meat, seasonings, etc. This is also referred to as layering. As long as the scent is present, the canine can detect it.

"Jake" is trained to give an aggressive response when he detects an accelerant. This is done by scratching and/or barking and biting at the point where an accelerant is located. This helps tremendously when determining where to take a sample from a crime scene to send to a lab. Additionally, after the samples are collected, the canine is able to check the evidence containers to ensure the sample taken has the accelerant on it before they are taken from the scene. The canine can also be used to find containers had accelerants in them in the area of a fire, as well as determine whether or not someone's clothing has traces of any accelerants. The canine nose is so sensitive that in some cases, it has been upheld in court that accelerants were present, even when the lab reports have come back as negative. In these cases, the canine proves to be even more vital in obtaining a conviction during an arson case.

The canine, when trained and used properly, can be a valuable tool for an investigator to turn to in determining the cause of a fire.

Disclaimer:  The information provided on this web site is intended to provide news, informative content and general information for the public.  It is not intended to take the place of or conflict with any City of Bridgeton or Bridgeton Fire Department policy, statements or actions.  For official statements about emergency events, Fire Department policy or any other information for legal or official use, please contact Fire Chief David Schoch.

Emergency: 911

Business: 451-4250

Headquarters: 451-0091

Fax: 459-1801

Serving Since 1877

 Cohansey 1877

Minerva 1840

Neptune 1819

Incident Survey:

Fire

  2007: 1057

2006: 846

2005: 851

2004: 873

2003: 895

2002: 946

2001: 985

2000: 876