Signal 22’s support role is critical for first responders
Firefighters, police and first responders delivered just what we expect during times of crises — a collaborated effort to save people trapped in rubble following the collapse of a threestory building on the 1800 block of South Broad St. Hamilton Twp. Mercer County.
Responders arrived from all parts of Mercer County as men and women attempted desperate rescue of people trapped by the building collapse. The fact that we stand together during disasters but fail to reach a similar accord during peaceful times, rates as a discussion for another day.
Yesterday, one could not overlook the power of people, engaged in one collaborated effort to save lives. The incident occurred just around 7 a.m. according to local residents.
James Feig, an inspection engineer out for a morning bike ride from his home on nearby Lafayette Ave., captured initial photos of the collapse, including a surreal shot of a woman waistdeep in rubble.
“I got here just as the dust settled,” Feig said. “There were two people standing on the sidewalk. And then there was this woman who lived in the house. She had her cell phone in one hand. We both shouted for other people who lived in the house. I do know that one person came out on a stretcher.
His photos delivered a disturbing feeling about disaster and how a daily existence runs parallel to potential injury or death. Living on these fault lines of life, and watching the dedication of firefighters and others, offered a perspective about gaining one more day to rise or fall two stories into a mountain of bricks and broken wood. And survive.
A comfort arrived of sorts when Signal 22 Fire & Police Canteen rolled up South Broad St. where members set up an outpost to assist men and women engaged in the moving of bricks, cutting of wood and hoping for a successful outcome.
“We’re out here to provide water, Gatorade, food, snacks and whatever other comforts we can offer to firefighters and other first responders,” John Donahue, chief of Signal 22 explained.
“If we show up then generally it means something bad has happened. We show for fires, hostage situations, natural disasters, building collapses. Whatever. We just want to help any way that we can.”
It’s been that way since 1938 when a group of concerned citizens supported Trenton Fire Department firefighters as they battled a lumber yard fire in South Trenton. They supplied the firefighters with sandwiches, coffee and other food fare. Three years later, they formally organized the Signal 22 Canteen Unit.
By 1955, the SIgnal 22 Canteen Unit expanded to 35 members. Fire companies, individual fire fighters and others contributed dollars to purchase a 1955 Chevrolet walk-in bread truck, eventually converted into their second mobile unit.
In 1997, Signal 22 purchased their third and current primary vehicle, another Chevy truck. According to its website, Signal 22’s “scope of operational calls has expanded to include any emergency, long term operations. These include water recovery, wind damage, natural gas leaks and several fuel line ruptures of the major fuel distribution line along the New Jersey Turnpike.
The volunteers deliver remarkable responses to hazmat calls, including past incidents that involved anthrax contamination events at post offices in Trenton, Ewing, Hamilton and other locations.
As years pass, Signal 22 expands services as the support canteen responds to all manmade and natural disasters. In 2009, Signal 22 received a donation of a Dodge Mini-van as operation efforts produced new roles for emergency support.
Shifting focus from the collapsed South Broad St. building that showed numerous firefighters atop a pile of rubble to Signal 22, offered ambiguity as horror yielded to men and women accustomed to supplying comfort.
“We always answer the call, no matter who, no matter where and pretty much no matter what,” Bob Dansbury, Signal 22 deputy chief.
Firefighters moved toward the Canteen as Signal 22 volunteers made certain that these brave men and women were offered every convenience.
Of course, we have admiration for first responders, firefighters and police, plus, a special place in our hearts for the men and women of Signal 22.
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist.