New township fire chief happy he chose volunteerism

By: Dick Brinster
   EAST WINDSOR — Jim McCann decided when he was a teenager to become a volunteer fireman, and more than two decades later he’s extremely glad he did.
   "It’s one of the most satisfying things you can do," said the new chief of Fire Company 1. "You’re always out there helping people in a situation that’s dangerous."
   Chief McCann, 41, has been fighting fires for the last 10 years in East Windsor and 17 years overall. In January he succeeded Tony Katawick as wearer of the "white hat" and commander of a force of 40 firefighters and 12 auxiliary members.
   In some areas, keeping that many nonpaid firefighters on the rolls can be difficult, but not locally, Chief McCann said.
   "We’re very fortunate we have a very strong volunteer system here, and we get pretty good support from Hightstown and East Windsor II," he said.
   They all pitch in fighting the flames and keeping up interest in volunteerism, he said. But it takes far more than enthusiasm for even the best of causes to make them viable. Financing is every bit as important.
   Mayor Janice Mironov said the municipal budget provides $130,000 annually to Fire Co. 1 for operating expenses. Chief McCann, a father of three who owns the East Windsor-based Super Coups direct mail business, said another $75,000 is raised through annual fund drives.
   "It’s a crucial part of what we do," he said, alluding to mailings and October door-to-door calling. "A lot of people come from cities where they have professional fire departments, and one of our challenges is to let new people know that we are volunteers 365 days a year."
   The chief’s job entails much more than making certain the water goes on the flames, and managing to extinguish a blaze can be extremely difficult this time of year, he said.
   "In this kind of weather, you have ice to deal with," the chief said. "You also have to deal with issues like frostbite and people slipping and falling on ice from the hoses.
   "You have to manage your people and protect your firefighters."
   And, the problems don’t end with the spring thaw. Soon, the heat of summer becomes the next enemy.
   "In excessive heat, firemen still have to wear their turnout gear and you have to keep them hydrated," he said. "Part of your job as chief is to manage people, bring them out of the fire and be sure their pulse and heart rates are correct."
   Sadness over the losses of fire victims tugs at the heart, Chief McCann said.
   He recalled a recent blaze on Oak Creek Road, where the residents were not at home.
   "The family, unfortunately, lost two dogs," he said. "I have a dog myself, and I know how attached people become to animals.
   "The first aid people tried to resuscitate the dogs, but they were unsuccessful."
   He also remembers a fire a couple of years ago when lives were visually on the line.
   "It was a condo fire in Windsor Mills, and we had to rescue people who were trapped on a balcony," he said. "That is one of the most satisfying experiences you can have, getting people out safely."
   To the casual observer, fighting a fire might appear to be hooking up the hoses and turning them on. But Chief McCann says there’s much more to it than that. It takes a plan that begins long before the first spray hits its target. Responding to a fire in a speeding vehicle can be dangerous in itself, and making sure the right decisions are made at the scene is vital.
   "You have to have a plan of attack, the right size hose and how much water needs to flow," he said. "It’s a continuous event from the moment you get the call."
   The chief also must make the right decisions concerning safety. He needs to weigh what can be saved and make a call on when a structure is already too far gone and not worth the risk his firefighters must take.
   "There is always the possibility of collapse of a floor or roof, and we don’t want anybody inside if that happens," he said.
   As the commander at a fire scene, he also needs to know when to pull his men from a major blaze and send in fresh firefighters from surrounding communities, whether they wear Co. 1 or Co. 2 East Windsor hats or those of Hightstown, Washington, Cranbury, Monroe, West Windsor or any other assisting company.
   Those companies also must be treated as his own. It’s a responsibility every chief must bear, he said.
   "In the end, one thing is extremely important," Chief McCann said. "You want to make sure everybody gets home safely."