Solutions for SIC Fires Discussed

SEA ISLE CITY – The anxiety and tension surfaced May 28 in Sea Isle City Council chambers as worried residents and property owners filled every seat to have a voice in municipal deliberations in the wake of another residential fire.
A car parked in the driveway of a home at 5605 Central Ave. caught fire May 23 at 10:36 p.m. Fire spread to the home, bringing the total number of residential fires in Sea Isle to four in the last 18 months, with one fatality.
As individuals added their input to the discussion as to what could possibly have happened to cause another home to burn in Sea Isle City, there was a consistent thread of sentiment: fire department volunteers are wonderful, residents appreciate their service, but it may be time to examine other options, including a paid service, although that’s an expensive option.
Residents are scared and believe their homes could be next as fires jump from one building to another.
One property owner suggested mandatory collapsible ladders or exterior stairs be provided by the city to allow people to exit second and third floors if a fire breaks out below.
Another wanted non-flammable siding so that chemicals and plastic pollutants would not endanger city air and firefighters.
And another wanted Atlantic City Electric to do more to inspect wires that corrode more quickly because of the salt air.
Claudia Vanderslice, of 44th Street, noted that a structure adjacent to her home was in a deplorable state, with exposed wires, that it led her to believe the city was not enforcing its building and fire codes.
A few, including the fire chief’s wife, Kathleen Edwardi, remarked that firefighters needed to be directly informed rather than through police dispatch when a fire broke out (This information was corrected by Solicitor Paul Baldini, who noted firefighters get direct notification within a minute of a fire report).
A couple of men, who indicated they were firefighters, urged council and city administration to pay attention to the situation of so many fires in recent months as an urgent call to consider all options to improve Sea Isle City’s firefighting protocols and planning.
Nevertheless, commented one, a firefighter in Vineland, when there are high winds, the rush of oxygen fueling a fire is difficult to combat and thus contain the blaze.
Business Administrator George Savastano was asked by Council President Jack Gibson to address the comments and the related anxious mood of the crowd.
“The city has a very cooperative relationship with our volunteer fire department and whatever they need we are quick to provide, such as desired equipment and facilities. They ask, we fund,” Savastano said.
“We are always looking at options to improve and in the case of a paid force, last year we did just that with our emergency medical service. We are not at that point yet with the fire department, though. Their response times are very, very quick,” he continued.
Baldini noted that his father had been a volunteer firefighter in Sea Isle and Council member Bill Kehner said his great-grandfather was a founding member of the municipality’s volunteer fire department.
Baldini continued, “The mayor in his State of the City address in January asked us to thoroughly examine all building code provisions. We are doing this and as well will be sending suggested legislation to council soon; all options are on the table.”
Gibson added, “Council will give serious consideration to all these suggestions and act promptly. We are very proud of our volunteer firefighters. They are humble and work very, very hard to keep us all safe.”
Gibson then asked the numerous volunteer firefighters who attended the meeting to rise and be recognized. The room resounded with applause. 
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.