Byram Fire

January 28 At approximately 6 p.m., Byram firefighters were dispatched to Johnson Lake off of Tamarack Road for a reported vehicle in the water. Firefighters downed ice rescue suits and entered the water. The firefighters approached what appeared to be a tail light sticking through the water. Upon further investigation it was determined the light in the water was a safety beacon, the type worn on a vest. At that point, the he situation went from a vehicle to the possibility of a fisherman in the water. Mutual Aid was requested from the Jefferson Township Fire Company 2 for a dive team and the Hopatcong Fire Department for an air boat. After an hour of searching the lake, it was determined that no one was in the water. The Andover Borough Fire Department and the Lakeland Emergency Squad also assisted at the scene. January 29 Byram firefighters took part in a multi-department ice rescue drill hosted by the Jefferson Township Fire Company 2. Fire departments from Morris, Sussex, and Warren counties took part in the training exercise. The drill feature five training stations including the “Rescue Alive Sled,” the Banana Boat Sled, the MarSars Ice Shuttle, Self Rescue, and open water rescue. Each department rotated through the stations using different equipment to perform the tasks. After the drill, all the firefighters were invited to Jefferson’s firehouse for a performance critique The companies that took place in the training session were the Jefferson Company 2, Jefferson Company 1, Jefferson Rescue Squad, the fire departments from Byram, Hopatcong, Allumuchy, Stanhope, Randolph, Picatinny Arsenal, and Rockaway townships. Photo by S. Allen