04/03/2026
On April 1st, Burlington County requested UDSAR resources for an extensive search effort for a missing individual. Ground search operations covered approximately 275 acres with more than 50 searchers involved. UDSAR resources from across Cumberland County operated for about five hours before being released.
Shortly after returning to station, as Station 33 crews were coming back from another call, a woman knocked on our door appearing confused. Our firefighters and EMTs immediately assessed the individual and requested New Jersey State Police and Upper Deerfield EMS for further evaluation and transport. During the initial assessment, one of our members was made aware by an outside agency that the woman in our building was, in fact, ANOTHER missing and endangered individual.
A special thank you to Tony Cusano for his dedication to helping others and for staying current with missing persons bulletins. His awareness played a key role in this incident.
We would also like to thank Vineland Fire Department Station 5, Lawrence Township EMS, Greenwich Fire Department, and the Cumberland County Sheriffโs Office for their assistance and coordination throughout this incident.
This was truly a full circle day for our members. From assisting with a large-scale search effort out of county, to responding to emergencies here in our own township, and ultimately being in the right place at the right time, it reinforces that we are on the right path. Station 33 will always be here to help whenever and wherever we are needed.