SIMPSON, RAYMOND A.
On September 4, 2008, of Bellmawr. Age 63.
Best friend and devoted husband of 39 years of Sandee L. (nee Carter). Loving father of Jeffrey R. and his wife Nicole. Adoring grandfather of Sophia Rae. Beloved son of Evelyn. Dear brother of Walter, Jr. and his wife Kathleen. Dear uncle of many nieces and nephews. Also survived by many cousins and his faithful companions: Nixon, Reagan, Jasper and Opie.
Mr. Simpson was the proud former Chief of Bellmawr Fire Rescue #1 and was very active in all community projects.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the viewing Sunday evening from 6 to 9pm and Monday morning from 8:15 to 9:15am at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE. Funeral Mass Monday 10am, Mary Mother of the Church, Bellmawr. Interment New St. Mary's Cemetery, Bellmawr. The family requests please do not send flowers, but kindly make a donation in Raymond's memory to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or to the Kingsway Learning Center, PO Box 394, Bellmawr, NJ 08099-0394. Expressions of sympathy may be e-mailed to Condolences@Gardner FuneralHome.com

On Sunday August 31, 2008 at approx. 1613 hrs, Taskforce 33 was dispatched to 396 Flanders Rd for a reported dwelling fire. Battalion 303 (Domeracki) arrived to find a 1-story single family dwelling with heavy fire showing from Division A and PD reporting 1 victim trapped inside. L-33 and CFM-13 (Burleigh) arrived and attempted to conduct an interior search of the dwelling. Heavy fire conditions as well as extremely hazardous living conditions hampered the search efforts. E-33 & SQT-32 crews attacked the fire allowing the search to be continued. Members found a female victim in the rear bedroom, the victim was removed and CPR initiated by the FD members. Despite the valiant efforts of the members, the victim was pronounced a short time later by paramedics. L-73 (Westville) conducted ventilation, with Rescue 45 (Mt Ephraim) performing RIT duties, and E-75 (Runnemede) stretching and operating the 3rd attack line. Cascade 344 (Brooklawn) provided air supply services. The 2nd alarm was struck due to weather conditions which brought  E-21 (Haddon Heights), SQ-51 (Gloucester City), & Q-91 (Barrington) into the scene. SQ-27 (Lawnside) & TL-82 (Chews Landing) relocated to the quarters of Station 33. The fire was placed under control by B-303 in approx. 25 minutes. The fire is being investigated by the Camden County Fire Marshals Office and Prosecutors Office. This is Bellmawr's first fatal fire in over 8 years.

Rescue 32 and Engine 33 operated at a All Hands fire in nearby Magnolia.  2905 arrived within minutes of the dispatch and reported heavy fire showing and struck the all hands which brought in several surrounding communities: Chewslanding, Lawnside, Somerdale,Hi Nella, Glendora, Stratford and a rehab unit from Cherry Hill.  Several handlines quickly darkend the fire.  The Fire is being investigated by the Camden County Fire Marshal's Office, CCPO, and the Magnolia Police Department.

Rescue 32 and Battalion 303 responded as part of the Camden County Regional Task Force "C" to Winslow Twp. The Task Force was requested to relocate to the southern end of the county to provide regional coverage as numerous companies were operating at a 2-Alarm fire in Chesilhurst. The Task Force consisting of Engine 21 (Haddon Heights), Engine 291 (Magnolia), Squad 91 (Barrington), Quint 11 (Audubon), Rescue 32 (Bellmawr), and Battalion 303 (Bellmawr) staged at Station 253 (Winlsow Twp). The companies were committed until approx. 0800 hrs, until returning to their respective quarters.

On the morning of Thursday August 14, Rescue 32 was relocated to the quarters of Gloucester Twp 85 (Lambs Terrace) while the Gloucester Twp companies were operating at an All Hands dwelling fire. Rescue 32 along with Ladder 101 (Washington Twp) provided coverage until released @ approx. 0830 hrs.

At approx. 20:50 hrs, companies were dispatched to Route 295 S/B for a reported vehicle fire. Mt Ephraim Chief Scullan (401) arrived to find a tour bus well-involved with approx. 30 occupants evacuated on the highway. Gloucester County units arrived 1st due w/ Squad 32 & Engine 45 (Mt Ephraim) arriving behind them. B303 (Kibler) arrived and assumed Operations. Crews quickly extinquished the fire and performed overhaul. The bus occupants were transported to Station 33 for shelter until a new bus arrived.

Squad  75 (Runnemede), Rescue 32 (Bellmawr), and  BLS 787 responded to Traprock, a business on the Black Horse Pike in Runnemede for a reported overturned dump truck with entrapment.  Rescue 32 was returning to quarters from a dwelling fire in neighboring Mt Ephraim when the run came in.  R-32 arrived first due to find a tri-axle dump truck on it's side. Further investigation found that the driver had self extricated himself. The crews from R-32 and SQD-75 assisted with patient packaging and secured the vehicle. The patient was transported by BLS 787.