As the Year Closes Out…..

Cherry Hill Firefighters and EMTs respond to what may be the last serious car accident of 2007.

They were called to a reported motor vehicle accident in the early afternoon, around 1 PM, at the busy intersection of Route 70 & Greentree Roads for a motor vehicle accident with reported entrapment. They encountered two vehicles with serious front end damage and a total of three victims in both cars. As EMTs attended to the three victims, Firefighters worked to free one of them who had become pinned inside the vehicle because of the damage. Once free, all victims were transported to local hospitals for their injuries. Firefighters then secured all vehicles and cleaned up any fluids on the roadway.

1 Person Trapped in Accident

The Cherry Hill Fire Department responded at just after 4:00 pm to a reported motor vehicle accident on Cooper Landing Road with a person trapped in the vehicle. Firefighters arrived to find the accident in the parking lot of the Hampshire House Apartments. A driver of an SUV was in the parking lot of a bank located on Chapel Ave, adjacent to the apartment lot. The driver came through the fence seperating the lots and ended up on top of an empty parked car.

Firefighters first stabilized both vehicles while EMTs attended to the patient. After firefighters extricated the trapped driver of the SUV, she was then loaded into an awaiting Cherry Hill Fire Department ambulance and transported to Kennedy Memorial Hospital, which luckily happened to be across the street.

Busy Day on the Highway.....

Cherry Hill Firefighters and EMTs responded to a reported motor vehicle accident in the northbound lanes of Route 295, mile marker 34B, in the early afternoon of Monday, December 3rd, 2007. Dispatchers were receiving reports of a car carrier flipped over on top of other vehicles, trapped occupants and leaking fuel oils. On arrival, Firefighters encountered a flat bed trailer that had flipped over just after the off-ramp from Route 70. One car had become disengaged from the flat bed and were also on the highway. No drivers were trapped.

A small amount of fuel had spilled from the saddle tank of the flipped flat bed and had started making it's way down the embankment. The CHFD Hazardous Materials team just happened to be on the initial response and they were asked to assess the fuel leak. They oversaw controlling the leak and standing by as tow trucks uprighted the vehicles. This accident caused a several mile long back-up in the northbound lanes for several hours. Further back, firefighters that had just freed up from the first incident were called to a second accident at Route 295, under the Berlin Road overpass involving two cars. This accident was deemed minor and there were only minor injuries at both accidents which are under investigation by the NJ State Police.

CHFD EMT Recognized for 28 Years of Service

At the Monday, November 26th Cherry Hill Township Council meeting, Cherry Hill Fire Department Emergency Medical Technician, Lynne Weinstein was recognized for her long service to Cherry Hill. Beginning in April 1979, Lynne became an EMT with the, since dissolved, CHEMS, or Cherry Hill Emergency Medical Service. During her tenure, Lynne served on various committees and as Board Secretary for some time. Lynne also endured, during her tenure, several organizational changes; ending with the integration of emergency medical services into the Cherry Hill Fire Department in 2003. Lynne’s involvement and support during this time made the integration smoother.

According to her colleagues, Lynne’s service as an EMT in Cherry Hill can be summed up by a single word: compassion. Lynne’s devotion as an Emergency Medical Technician was not only experienced by her patients, but also by her fellow EMTs and the emergency medical services as she took every effort to make positive changes for emergency responders. We wish Lynne well in all her future endeavors.

Cherry Hill Ladder Tower Rescues Tree Worker

A Ladder Tower Truck, Rescue Truck, Ambulance and a Battalion Chief were dispatched to the 100 block of Ashford Road in the Wexford Leas section of the to to a report of a tree service worker trapped sixty feet in the air in a disabled aerial lift truck at about 11:00AM. The crew from the ladder tower quickly evaluated the situation and carefully placed their truck in the driveway of the home so that it would be able to make the rescue from the tree truck that was off the roadway in the homeowner's yard. Since the area was not large enough to set up the Ladder Tower; the Rescue company provided lumber to support the outriggers of the ladder that were not on a solid surface. The ladder tower's crew quickly raised their platform to the tree service truck bucket and safely transferred the stranded worker to the ladder tower platform and brought him down without injury.

10/30/07 Truck Snags Wires on Evesham Road - closed for hours

At about 2:30 pm, a tractor trailer was coming out of an office facility's driveway on Evesham Road, just west of Springdale and snagged the overhead wires on the top of the truck's cab. The accident pulled down wires and the pole they were attached to. The driver managed to escape unharmed. There were no other vehicles involved. There were no injuries reported.

The Cherry Hill Fire Department responded as a precaution because of the wires burning and the fact that they were down on a vehicle. Voorhees and Cherry Hill Police kept Evesham Road blocked between Springdale and Berlin Roads for several hours (still at 6 pm) while PSE & G cut power to the downed wires, and restored service - during the afternoon rush hour. Several hundred public utility customers had periodic disruption in their services.

Capital Bond Update, 10/07 - Fleet Improvements

Our recent success in garnering bond funds to address fleet needs is starting to take hold in genuine fashion. Plans for a new pumper, a new ladder, and two new Squrts, are in process and there are dates firming up for expected deliveries in 2008.

In early October, we found CHFD Mechanic, Keith Smith, working on the Squrt unit we will be sending to Pierce Manufacturing to be outfitted on a new chassis and with a new body. A “Squrt” is an aerial device used to direct firefighting master streams (large volume streams) on large fires. They are also very applicable in a suburban setting, like Cherry Hill, for their ability to get the streams close in to a building easily, without the need for personnel at the tip of a ladder or in a bucket. The device is operated entirely on the ground by the Driver/Operator. Also, the articulating (sections are hinged, elbow like) Squrts concept that CHFD uses, with two sections, can also be directed to work “below grade”, like in a basement window for instance. And according to Captain Parks, “is much easier to rebuild than many other aerial devices. Basically, with the exception of a few NFPA regulations, the Squrts of today are nearly identical”.

The used Squrt unit Smith was working on was purchased with this idea from the beginning. According to Captain Parks at the CHFD Motor Maintenance Shop, “We planned on using two refurbished Squrt devices, instead of two new, expensive and more heavily regulated Squrts, from the beginning”. The 54 foot, 1971 Squrt device seen was purchased via a vendor from the Colwyn Fire Co, in Delaware County, Pennsylvania for a mere $5,000. New Squrt devices can cost as much as $170,000 and can only be placed on American LaFrance fire apparatus. A refurbished Squrt only has to meet the requirements of the year it was built, and can be placed on any manufacturer’s fire apparatus allowing fire departments to shop for the best unit for their money.

The CHFD Motor Maintenance Shop will be entirely removing the Squrt device from the chassis and sending it to the Pierce Manufacturing plant in Appelton, Wisconsin to be placed on a new Pierce fire truck chassis and outfitted with a new body. Parks elaborated; “We anticipate re-building costs to be less than half that of purchasing a new Squrt apparatus”.

CHFD plans include using this refurbished Squrt, and that of their own 1987 Squrt device, also set to be refurbished, expanding their fleet to 2 Squrts, and re-utilizing them for about 15 more years. A “pre-construction trip” to Wisconsin, for discussions on all these fleet changes, is expected during the week of October 22nd, 2007. Expected delivery of the new pumper and ladder trucks is currently for late March or April of 2008, and late May or early June for the two refurbished Squrts. “Of course, these dates are subject to change”, added Captain Parks.

10-15-07 - Retired Chief Ulshafer visits CHFD

Retired Fire Chief, Roger Ulshafer, and his wife Marge enjoyed a recent visit to Cherry Hill to catch up with the latest happenings within the fire department. Chief Ulshafer toured Garden State Park and the projected new fire station site. In addition, Ladder Co. 2B gave the Chief and his wife a warm welcome and tour of their new quarters. Station 2 was Chief Ulshafer's first post in Cherry Hill, a significant departure from 3rd and Spring Garden.

Later in the day, there was a visit to Fire Station 3 where Chief Ulshafer was briefed on the new Recruit Fire Academy course of instruction, background investigation process and "CHFD REAL" firefighter programs. Recruit Class 07-01 had the privilege to form up in the classroom for some words of wisdom from the 40 year fire service leader. After that, a quick stop at the CHFD Motor Maintenance Shop where Chief Ulshafer caught up with Tom, Emil and Keith. He was enthused with the Squrt refurb and remarked of the great success he experienced using the Squrt device at many extra alarm fires in Philadelphia.

10/07/07 CHFD Hazardous Materials unit responds to Camden City

Cherry Hill Hazardous Materials Unit was called to Our Lady Of Lourdes Hospital to assist the Camden City Fire Department with a 125 lb Freon Cylinder that was leaking in the basement. Members of both Cherry Hill and Camden Fire Departments removed the cylinder from the basement and stopped the leak by using sidewall patches. The cylinder was then placed into the Cherry Hill Fire Departments containment vessel. The Hospital was thoroughly checked and metered to ensure that there was no threat to the patients and faculty. A small amount of product was released into the building with no threat to the hospital .

10/11/07 - Firefighters make quick work of house fire.

On Thursday, October 11th at just past 3:15 in the afternoon, Cherry Hill Firefighters and EMTs responded to a reported house fire in the 1200 block of Sequoia Road. Battalion Chief 1303 was the first to arrive and reported a smoke condition in the rear of the dwelling and directed the incoming companies to go into service. Companies pulled hose lines to attack the fire which had gotten a hold of two rooms in the rear of the first floor and was quickly spreading throughout that level and up the stairs.
A thorough search for any trapped occupants proved nobody was at home during the fire. Windows were opened up to ventilate the heavy smoke condition and ladders were placed around the dwelling for use by firefighters. This fire was placed under control in about 15 minutes from the time of arrival. No injuries were reported to civilians or firefighters. A family of six has been displaced from this home indefinitely, and this fire is under investigation by the Cherry Hill Fire Marshal’s Office.

9/27/07, Technical Rescue Company 13 Responds to Building Collapse

On Thursday September 27th, Cherry Hill Firefighters responded to Medford Township for a report of a vehicle into a house, with people trapped. The department's Technical Rescue Team Responded to assist Medford Township Fire Department with the rescue. Prior to the arrival of Cherry Hill Firefighters, Medford Fire Department had removed the driver of the van who was in serious condition. Once on location, Cherry Hill Firefighters were told that the owners of the house were unaccounted for and possibly trapped in the house. After assessing the structural stability of the house, it was determined that wood and heavy rescue jacks needed to be used to stabilize the house. A room to room search was conducted by Medford Township, Evesham Township, and Cherry Hill Firefighters and it was determined that no one was home at the time of the accident.

Fire & Life Safety Day - 10/7/07 1 to 4 pm, Crofft Farm

It's time for Fire Prevention Week. From October 7-13, Cherry Hill Fire Department is joining forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to remind local residents to 'Practice Your Escape Plan.' According to the latest NFPA research, 3,030 people died in 2005 as a result of fires in their home – that’s roughly eight people every day. Being alerted to a fire and knowing what to do to escape from one are extremely important, yet only 23% of households have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan.

Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country. For 85 years, fire departments have observed Fire Prevention Week, making it the longest running public health and safety observance on record. During this year's fire safety campaign, firefighters and safety advocates will be spreading the word about the dangers of home fires and teaching local residents how to plan and practice escaping a home in case a fire occurs.

“Many times when we speak to residents who have experienced a fire in their home, they recall becoming confused and disoriented by the conditions and severity of the situation – but they realized they needed to get out fast,” said Captain Kevin E. Kenniff. "Sometimes there are only seconds to escape, but there’s no question that having a plan in place, that’s been practiced, saves precious time and makes survival more likely. We hope that Fire Prevention Week will prompt folks in our community to plan and practice their escape.”

Are you prepared for a fire? Although it’s difficult to prepare for the unexpected, reviewing the information below and taking action based on it to plan for a fire is strongly recommended… and don’t forget to practice your escape plan during Fire Prevention Week!

• Install working smoke alarms on every level; and inside and outside of each sleeping area.


• Develop a fire escape plan that identifies two ways out of each room and a family meeting place outside.


• Make sure your plan allows for any specific needs in your household. If everyone knows what to do, everyone can get out quickly.


• Practice using the plan, at least twice a year.


• Some studies have shown that some children and adults may not awaken to the sound of a smoke alarm; they may need help waking up.


• If the smoke alarm sounds: Go to your closest exit, and if you run into smoke, turn and use another way out. If you must exit through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit. Don’t take time to pick up belongings; just get out and help others get out. Move fast but stay calm.
  

Come to Croft Farm at 100 Evans Mill Road on October 7, 2007 from 1p.m. to 4p.m. for our 3rd Annual Fire and Life Safety Day. Fire, Emergency Medical, and Police units will be on hand to demonstrate equipment and speak about making your home safer. Activities include; children’s firefighter challenge, home hazard hunt, fire hose squirt, kids card program and more.

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September is National Preparedness Month

The Cherry Hill Fire Department wants all residents to know that September is “National Preparedness Month”, and we applaud the effort of the Department of Homeland Security's Ready Campaign in encouraging Americans to take an active role in personal and community disaster preparedness.

National Preparedness Month is a nationwide campaign highlighting the simple steps that each of us can take to be prepared for emergencies. With a motto that inspires us to 'Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed and Get Involved' National Preparedness Month reminds us that: In a Disaster, Knowledge is Power!

The internet has a wealth of information regarding disaster preparedness. During National Preparedness Month, we ask that you visit the following websites that very completely outline simple steps any family can take to prepare for an emergency:

• American Red Cross - Get Prepared


• CDC - Emergency Preparedness and Response


• CERT - Community Emergency Response Teams


• Citizen Guide To Disaster Preparedness


• DisasterHelp.gov


• FEMA For Kids


• Preparedness Today - What You Need To Do!


• Ready.gov


• ReallyReady.org

During a disaster, internet and telephone access may be disrupted. Now is the time to print important information and place a copy with your disaster supplies. In A Disaster: Knowledge Is Power!

Throughout September 2007, the CHFD encourages all to help yourself and your loved ones survive, as we remind you that helpful information is always available at our website at http://www.cherryhillfire.org/.

One Car Crash on NJ Turnpike Traps Two Victims

On Saturday, September 16, at 12:45 PM firefighters were dispatched to the New Jersey Turnpike for a report of a car accident. Firefighters arrived on the location and found single SUV that had run off the roadway and had rolled onto its side and that the two occupants were trapped inside of their vehicle. Firefighters used hydraulic rescue tools to remove both victims and then Cherry Hill Emergency Medical Technicians, assisted by Fire and EMS units from Runnemede, removed and transported both the driver and passenger to Cooper Hospital in Camden.

CHFD Hazardous Material Unit Responds To New Jersey Turnpike

On September 9, 2007 at approx. 6:20 PM CHFD was dispatched was dispatched to the New Jersey Turnpike at Exit 3 for a tractor trailer overturned. CHFD responded with an engine and a hazardous material unit. Upon arrival crews found a tractor trailer on its side with the driver already out of the vehicle. The truck was leaking large quantities of diesel fuel, oil, transmission fluid and refrigerant from reefer unit on trailer. The Trailer was loaded with onions that did not cause a problem or come out of the trailer. Crews had to contain the fluids from entering storm sewers and proceeded to drill holes in the trucks fuel tanks and manually pump off the remaining diesel fuel (approx. 150 gallons) so the truck could be safely up righted. Crews remained on the scene until approx. 9:15 PM until the truck was up righted. No injuries were reported.

September 11th In Memoriam

September 11, 2001 is a day most will always remember. Whether in New York City, or thousands of miles away, we all remember where we were and what we were doing the instant the news reached us. For the men and women of the Cherry Hill Fire Department, we also remember what it did to galvanize our resolve and commitment to our "All Hazards Approach" and providing our region with an emergency response, ready 24 hours a day, to meet any challenge before us.

We’d also like to take this opportunity to recognize that six years has gone by since so many victims lost their lives in the terrorist attacks, and so many of our colleagues paid the ultimate sacrifice when they rushed into both World Trade Center towers to do what any of us would do. Just last month, we lost two more firefighters in the Deutsche Bank building fire damaged in the September 11 attack, painfully bringing the entire incident back into our minds. Equally, we recognize the continued commitment, dedication and ultimate sacrifices to public safety we witness every day by Firefighters, EMTs, Police and all emergency workers around the world, and especially here in America. The nine Charleston Fire Department firefighters (6/29/07), and two Boston firefighters (8/29/07), who recently lost their lives remind us to always be vigilant and safe in what we do.

We hope that you will take a minute to remember the efforts of those at Ground Zero six years ago, and know that the Cherry Hill Fire Department recognizes those efforts every day as we prepare and train, ensuring we are ready to respond to your emergency.

Cherry Hill Fire Department Joins Agencies Warning about College Dorm Safety

Last week, several national safety agencies collaborated on a safety message about college dorm safety. According to collected data, the estimated number of fires in campus housing has noticeably risen in recent years from “a low of 1,800 fires in 1998 to 3,300 fires in 2005”. Also, through 5 years between 2000 and 2005, these fires resulted in 39 deaths and nearly 400 injuries.

Ever since the January 19, 2000 fire in a Seton Hall dormitory that killed 3 students and injured 58 others, the Cherry Hill Fire Department’s Community Education division realized educating college bound Cherry Hill students was a priority. This is the time when most young adults are on their own and responsible for themselves for the first time. Since, the CHFD has made College Dorm Safety a part of its educational offerings to our graduating seniors in all three high schools; along with our Operation Prom Night-Mock Car Crash, and Career Development. The CHFD program focuses on several college campus fire safety messages: recognizing fire risks and leading causes of fire; fire behavior and how detection systems work; planning an evacuation; and how to best survive should a fire strike.

At a joint press conference, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and University of Maryland’s National Fire Academy, urged new and returning college students, parents and school officials to be aware of the fire dangers in their residential housing. “While most fires are cooking related (hot plates, microwaves, portable grills, etc.), the majority of fire deaths occur in sleeping areas. Also, the majority of incidents occurred during evening and weekend hours, obviously when students are in their residences more”.

The NFPA and CPSC put together a list of “College Dorm Fire Safety Tips in their press release”:

Cooking equipment causes 72% of dorm fires. Students should cook in designated areas only, and never leave cooking equipment unattended when in use.

As far as deaths and injuries are concerned, most occur in sleeping areas, and are associated with smoking materials like tobacco products, candles, and incense. Always extinguish flames before leaving the room or going to sleep.

Electrical products, portable heaters, and lighting such as halogen lamps are the source of many dorm fires. Keep combustibles away from heat sources and don’t overload electrical outlets, extension cords, and power strips.

Take special care with holiday and seasonal decorations. Don’t use combustible materials and never block access to safety devices, doors, etc.

Know your building’s evacuation plan in case something does go wrong.

Don’t disable smoke alarms.

Following are a few links for some research into the issue. The Cherry Hill Fire Department also urges those involved to become aware of the problem.

Links:
Here is a link to a story local ABC affiliate, WPVI, carried:
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=consumer&id=3446715

This link is to the NFPA’s section on college dorm safety
http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=711&itemID=19560

Here is the original Consumer Product Safety Commission press release;
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07279.html

Underwriter’s Laboratory offers many safety tips:
http://www.ul.com/fallsafety/dormsafety.html

CHFD Responds To Ruptured Natural Gas Line

At approx. 12:00 noon on September 4th 2007, one CHFD engine company responded to a reported gas leak in front of a home on Prince Drive, off Springdale Road. An additional report was received that work crews damaged the pipe while digging for utilities. When the engine arrived they found the workmen had bored through a pipe under a sidewalk and there was an active leaking gas line. CHFD crews secured the work site, checked the well being of the residents in the surrounding houses, and monitored the air for dangerous levels of the flammable gas. Some residents were temporarily displaced from their homes until the leak was secured by South Jersey Gas. CHFD firefighters continued to monitor the air in the area until gas fumes had dissipated and the air returned to safe levels. The incident was then turned over to South Jersey Gas to make the permanent repair. No injuries were reported.

CHFD Responds to Haddonfield Fire

CHFD firefighters were dispatched at approx. 10:38 PM for a fire reported in a large home at 73 Center St. in Haddonfield . One engine and one ladder tuck were dispatched on a mutual aid agreement with Haddonfield. Police arrived on location to find smoke showing from a rear two story addition to the property. Haddonfield Chief arrived on location reporting a fire on the first floor in the rear of the dwelling. Crews from Haddonfield deployed the first hose line for extinguishing fire. Cherry Hill crews arrived with the engine's crew deploying a second hose line for back up and also supplying water to Haddonfield's first arriving engine. The ladder truck arrived and worked to secure utilities, provide ventilation of smoke from the dwelling and also to confirm extension of fire on the second floor. Crews also assisted with remaining overhaul to assure all fire was extinguished in walls and between floors. Westmont and Barrington Fire Departments also responded and assisted with operations. CHFD Rehab unit was also dispatched to provide much needed fluids and relief for firefighters. Fire is still under investigation by Haddonfielfd and Camden County Fire Marshal's Office. There were no reported injuries.

Car Accident Injures 10, Ties Up Traffic for Hours

At just around 11:25 on August 28, 2007, Cherry Hill Firefighters and EMTs responded to a motor vehicle accident on Route 561 in the area between Rue De Bois and Evesham roads with reported people trapped. Responding units were advised that at least 4 cars were involved, about 10 people injured including small children, and 1 person was still trapped in their vehicle. A CHFD Battalion Chief was the first to arrive, confirmed the number of victims and the entrapment, and immediately directed dispatchers to add an appropriate number of Fire and EMS resources to the scene. An EMS supervisor also responded to help set up triage assessments for the large number of victims.

The coordinated EMS response helped to identify several patients as priorities and they were packaged and taken to area hospitals. The trapped victim was freed by firefighters using several powered and hydraulic rescue tools. The heavy damage to the front of his vehicle caused him to become entangled in the passenger compartment. Firefighters removed the roof of the vehicle to give EMTs and Paramedics access to their patient, and then continued to free the entanglements, remove the car doors and place him on a backboard. The majority of the remaining injuries were minor in nature, and all patients received assessment and treatment on the scene, and transported to a hospital for further care. Cherry Hill Fire Department ambulances transported at total of 10 victims.

Cherry Hill Police had Route 561 shut down for almost two hours as they investigated the accident. It remains under investigation by the Cherry Hill Police Traffic Unit.

To see more photos, visit CHFD's Flickr.com account.

CHFD on Route 295 for Accident with Trapped Victims

At around 3:00 pm on Monday, August 20th, Cherry Hill Firefighters and EMTs responded to a reported motor vehicle accident on Route 295, just north of the route 70 ramps. First arriving companies reported a serious traffic collision involving one SUV and one tractor trailer, and that the driver of the SUV was trapped in the wreckage of her vehicle. Cherry Hill EMTs gained access to the vehicle to attend to their patient while Firefighters went into service with hydraulic rescue tools.

Once free, the female patient was removed from the vehicle by EMTs and Paramedics and brought to an awaiting CHFD ambulance and transported to Cooper Trauma Center in Camden. A three year old child was also removed from the vehicle but sustained no injuries. The Fire Department then secured the vehicle, worked with NJ State Police to alleviate the 4 mile traffic back-up, and took an active role in re-uniting the child involved with family members. Traffic in the area was affected for almost an hour. No other injuries were reported.

See more pictures on the CHFD Flickr page.

CHFD Responds to Motor Vehicle Accident on Turnpike With People Trapped

At just around 3:30 AM, Saturday August 18, 2007, Cherry Hill Firefighters and EMTs were dispatched to the area of mile makrer 29 on the New Jersey Turnpike for a motor vehicle accident reportedly with people trapped inside a vehicle. The secondary report indicated an accident involving a car and a tractor trailer. Firefighters arrived on the scene and found a 15 passenger van that had struck a tractor trailer in the rear. Several passengers were walking around the scene, but the driver and front passenger of the van remained trapped with multiple injuries. Firefighters carefully removed the doors and mid posts on both sides of the vehicle with hydraulic rescue tools so the patients could be safely removed. Both were transported by ambulance to Cooper Trauma Center in Camden, along with one other passenger who experienced minor injuries. CHFD units were clear from the scene in approx. thirty-eight minutes. Runnemede Fire Dept. also assisted with the operation.