Crime & Safety
North Branch Firefighters Rewarded For Heroic Efforts During Hurricane Ida
In total, North Branch Volunteer Fire Company made 143 rescues on the night when Hurricane Ida hit.

BRANCHBURG, NJ — North Branch Volunteer Firefighters were rewarded for their heroic efforts after they helped to save 40 people during Hurricane Ida.
On the night of Sept. 1, North Branch Firefighters made a total of 143 rescues. Among those was a rescue at Amneal Pharmaceuticals on Chambers Brook Road in Branchburg.
Branchburg Township Police called the fire department to help evacuate employees at the building after the road was overcome by fast-moving floodwaters.
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Due to the swift-moving floodwaters firefighters went into a neighboring business tocut through a wooded area and over train tracks.
"NJ Transit was shut down in order to make the save and North Branch crews escorted 40 employees from the Amneal site through the woods and down the train tracks to safety on Readington Road," said North Branch Volunteer Fire Company.
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Firefighters then taxied the employees back to their firehouse on their engine and rescue truck to get dry and warm up before ultimately taking them to a local hotel to spend the night.
On Tuesday, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. presented the fire department with a check for $10,000 to thank them for their efforts that night.
"We are absolutely blown away by their generosity and for thanking us for doing what we voluntarily signed up to do. We are blessed to be assisted by the most amazing of community partners," said North Branch Volunteer Fire Company.
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