Another sad event in the City of Camden, the result of the delusion that perceived grievances and a sense of victimization are more important to the common good of a society than maintaining and when necessary enforcing standards of behavior and a sense of gratitude for the opportunity which this country gives and an obligation to serve one's community in time of peace or war, without thought of "what's in it for me".

Perhaps the only bright spot of note in this event was the exemplary conduct of the City of Camden's Fire Department and its police officers on the street. To quote now-retired Dennis Dowhy, a Captain with the Camden Fire Department back in October of 1981: "There is a sense of pride that comes with this job, and no one can can rip it apart. A lot of us were born here in Camden. We think protecting the people is worthwhile." 

Open letter to all personnel involved with the CFD on Mischief Night 1991

In preparation for Mischief Night '91 incidents, my staff and I developed an operational plan in meetings with the Police Administration. In doing so, we Jcarnedthatthe Police Department entitled their operational plan "Operation Pride" for the period or October 30th, 1991.

In terms of fire service planning, some of our staff at Fire Administration commented on the Police's optimism and more candidly termed last year's activities as "Operation Urban Storm." In reflecting on what we in the Fire Department were preparing, based upon our 1990 experience, I indeed felt that operation pride was less than appropriate. However, after witnessing firsthand the extraordinary performance of tile Camden Fire Department, Camden County, Burlington County, Gloucester County, and Philadelphia Fire Departments during the Mischief Night and Halloween, I feel what all Fire Fighters achieved was indeed operation pride of the highest order.

In over 25 years of service to this Department, I have never been more gratified or so proud. Based on last year's operations in 1990, what we prepared for was a relatively similar experience. What occurred during Mischief Night '91 was the single busiest tour of duty in the 122 year history of the Camden Fire Department. Only the urban riots of the 1970's saw more overall fire activity over a period of several days but not in the short span of time that we incurred on the evening or October 30, 1991. Some 150+ alarms were serviced within a very brief period. What our Fire Control Force accomplished during that short time may never be surpassed.

Our entire organization functioned like a fine-tuned machine from the top to the bottom, and may I say that it did not go unnoticed by the majority or other City Officials. From the administrative planning and preparation for the incident, to the magnificent execution by our units on the street, the Department performed nearly flawless.

Since the nights of the extraordinary activity, my staff and I have met in an attempt to assess what worked well and in what areas improvement may be needed. There are several areas that we will administratively target in preparation for future operations. After meeting with the Chiefs, Company Officers and Fire Fighters who worked both nights I directed that a comprehensive report be developed.

Your effort on the nights of 30/31 October, 1991 are well noted by this Fire Administration and they underscore what can be accomplished in a marriage of organization, planning, and cooperation. Once again my personal congratulations go out to each and every one of you for the dedication and remarkable performance that you have shown. The professionalism of your efforts has once again distinguished the Camden Fire Department as New Jersey's foremost fire service.

 

MISCHIEF NIGHT
October 30, 1991
1800-0800 Hours

COMPREHENSIVE SUMMARY REPORT

 By the direction of the
Fire Chief Kenneth L. Penn,
this report was prepared for the
Camden Fire Department 

by
Captain Dennis M. Dowhy

All inquiries can be made through
Fire Headquarters
3rd & Federal
Camden, NJ 08102
(609) 757-7520

MAYOR OF CAMDEN
Honorable Aaron A. Thompson, Mayor

 CITY COUNCIL
James R. Mathes, Jr. President
Jesus Torres, Vice- President
Gwendolyn A. Faison
Santiago IIarraza
Alfred W. Palumbo
Edwin R. Raiczyk

William Murray, Risk Manager
Calvin Lester, Risk Manager
Cyrus P. Saxon, Emergency Management Coordinator
Fred Martin, Municipal Utilities Director
Robert Gibson, Water Department Supervisor
Patrick J. Keating, Business Administrator

CAMDEN FIRE DEPARTMENT
REPORT ON MISCHIEF NIGHT
OCTOBER 30, 1991

INTRODUCTION

This report is divided into four sections. This section is an overview and includes the planning and implementation of Incident Command Operations. The second section graphically displays past trends of the Camden Fire Department (CFD) focusing upon mischief night. Included is a detailed analysis of each region (ZONE) of the City and the fire alarms that occurred on mischief night in that section. A look at Halloween is also evaluated and displayed. This section includes known drug distribution corners in which reported shooting incidents occurred. This section is critical for anticipating and planning for "Fire Storm 92".

The third section is a report of the problems encountered during operations and the needs of the Department to properly prepare for "Fire Storm 92".

The last section is a reference section of the alarms that occurred during this time period.

Differences in the number of alarms is based on the time frame being analyzed. Mischief Night, for most of this report, is considered between 1800 hours October 30, to 0800 hours on Halloween morning, October 31. Halloween is analyzed from 0800 hours, October 31 to midnight 2400 hours. Some sections and charts include a 24 hour daily clock 0001-2400 for comparing past trends and anticipating 1992s mischief night problems. -;

Numerous departmental reports were prepared and analyzed to develop this report. This report is the results of many fire fighters' and fire officers' dedicated work. To those who assisted in preparing this report and those who participated in controlling the incident, the Camden Fire Department is very grateful.

Mischief Night, October 30, 1991, the City of Camden made international news on CNN. Top news was the burning of the city. The Fire Department anticipated a night similar to the year before with a slight increase in alarms. What occurred was a 96% increase in alarms over 1990.

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

A typical response pattern to a structure fire consists on two engine companies, one ladder company, one rescue company and a battalion chief. Each addition alarm receives the same complement except for the rescue. A target hazard assignment receives an additional engine, ladder, and battalion chief. During reported structural fires at night, an additional engine is assigned.  

On Mischief Night this response remained the same except the extra night time engine company would not be assigned. The rescue would respond if special-called by the chief, if "people trapped" were reported, or if the alarm was a target hazard.

The CFD has 8 Engines Companies, 3 Ladder Companies, 3 Battalion Chiefs and 1 Rescue Company. This complement of equipment can handle three i-Alarm dwelling fires and two minor fires at one time. The CFD has five reserve apparatus that could be placed in service by augmenting overtime personnel. Any additional manpower and equipment is supplied by mutual-aid companies within the County. ,

In anticipating similar levels of activity to that which occurred during Mischief Night 1990, the CFD placed 3 reserve engine companies, 1 reserve ladder company, 1 manpower squad company, and a battalion chief in service staffed with overtime personnel.

Mutual aid companies were placed on alert. The complete 100 series mutual aid roster was activated. For each CFD company there is an assigned mutual-aid company to cover when that CFD unit is committed to service. Two staging areas were assigned; one was near the Collingswood Fire Station, and the other at Delaware Gardens Fire Station. In these staging areas there were a total of 8 engine companies, 3 ladder companies and a rescue company, comprising the 100 Series Mutual-Aid Units.

A major problem facing the CFD, was the fact that there were between 12 and 15 structure­fires occurring at the same time in different locations within the City. Around midnight, there were 12 separate fires occurring with reports still coming in of additional structure fires. By midnight, the previous fifth and second alarm fires were still not under control. Water pressure was low so the Water Tanker Task Force was activated.

On Mischief Night 1991, the 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 Series. Units were activated. In addition, four CFD Battalion Chiefs, a Water Tanker Task Force (4-tankers), a Heavy Hose Task Force (6-companies), and two Philadelphia Fire Department (PFD) Task Forces (6­Engines, 2-Ladders, and 2-Battalion Chiefs) were activated and responded. Mutual Aid services from the County of Camden, Burlington, Gloucester and Philadelphia extensively augmented the CFD fire control force in extinguishing the numerous fires that occurred, and provided coverage for maintaining continuity in fire protection.

To handle the 133 alarms, the Camden County Communications Center assigned 204 Engine Companies, 65 Ladder Companies, 62 Battalion Chiefs, 7 Rescue Companies, and 6 Squad Companies.

Each CFD Engine and Truck Company averaged about 7 laborious hours of intensive fire fighting throughout the night.

WATER SUPPLY OFFICER REPORT
TANKER TASK FORCE PROCEDURE
Mischief Night, October 30, 1992

Purpose:

The purpose of utilizing the Tanker Task Force (TTF) is to prevent Water Supply problems mainly to the Cramer Hill and East Camden areas. Utilizing the TTF early represents a concentrated effort directed toward providing a continuous sufficient water supply. Water problems in Cramer Hill can be potentially devastating to the Incident Commander, therefore, it is important that the Tanker Task Force be activated early.

Objective:

The objective is two-fold. One, increase and maintain the water flow to the existing water distribution system. Two, provide the Incident Commander with a 1,000 GPM minimum supply of water.

Background Information:

There are two water distribution systems in Camden. One belongs to Camden Water and the other belongs to New Jersey Water Co.

These water distribution systems operates on the grid piping system. This system consists of primary feeders of 16-, 20-, or 30-inch pipe. Connected to the primary feeders are a network of secondary feeders of 1 0-, or 12-inch pipe. Connected to the secondary feeders are smaller internal 4-, 6-, or 8-inch pipe called distributors. Most hydrants are connected to these distributors. With the exception of the Cramer Hill area, most distributors within the City are 6- or 8-inches. Cramer Hill has mostly 4-inch pipe on streets other than River Road, State Street and parts of 27th Street.

Under ideal conditions, approximately 250 GPM can flow from 4-inch mains, 750 GPM can flow from 6­inch mains, 1600 GPM can flow from an 8-inch main, 2,500 GPM can flow from a 1 O-inch main and over 4,600 GPM can flow from a 12-inch main.

Many of the distributors are over 100 years old and have tubercular corrosion or rust incrustation reducing the diameter sufficiently to have noticeable reduced water flows.

The reduced water flows were apparent on the 5-alarm fire, 10/22/91, at 17th & Admiral Wilson Blvd and during Mischief Night, 10/30/91 in the Cramer Hill area.

Hydrants:

MISCHIEF NIGHT SOLUTIONS:

Water Department:

The Water Department agreed to have storage tanks full and increase the water pressure within the system to meet the high demand periods which may occur during the night. In addition, the Water Department has a staff of personnel available to assist the fire department in maintaining an adequate water supply.

Fire Department:

The first objective, increase and maintain the water flow to the existing water distribution system, should be adequate for most of the city by the above Water Department actions. However, an in-line booster pumping system should be in place when a "Working Fire" has been established in the Cramer Hill area.

A pumping link between the 30 inch main on 18th Street and the 12 inch main located at River Road should supplement the grid system with both increase pressure and addition water flow in the direction of water flow usage. This link was established last year (1991) creating a 25 psig increase in water pressure and a noticeable increase in water flow on the fire grounds (approximately 1/2 mile away).

At any "Working Fire" in Cramer Hill, or in East Camden, the Water Supply Officer and an 1,500 GPM Engine Company should be dispatched to 18th & River Road. Such proactive action will "booster" the pressure in the system, provide an increase in water flow, maintain existing pressure in the surrounding areas, and provide a tanker shuttle filling location when the TTF is activated.

The second objective, provide the Incident Commander with a 1,000 GPM minimum supply of water, can be accomplished by activating the TTF early when water problems arise. The TTF should be automatically activated on a second alarm or greater in the Cramer Hill area. The TTF should be activated early because of "lead-time" required in set-up.

Resources: