4.20.08 CHFD Joins 9-11 Patriotic Celebration

Cherry Hill Firefighters and EMTs joined residents, police officers and veterans at the 7th Annual 9-11 Remembrance & Patriotic Gratitude Event. Held on Chapel Avenue under the shade of the cherry trees, planted each year by Cherry Hill resident, Joe Zanghi, a moment of silence was observed in reflection of support for the men, women and families affected by the tragic events of September 11, 2001; and to offer an endorsement for the men and woman of our armed services. For a slideshow of the 2 mile stretch of 3,000 cherry trees along Chapel Ave, visit the Cherry Blossoms website.

4.12.08 CHFD Emergency Workers on Scene Struck By Car

From the official CHFD Press Release: At just around 9:15 AM, on Saturday, April 12, 2008, one Cherry Hill Fire Department EMT and one fire department Paramedic were struck by a motorist while working on another emergency scene in the westbound lanes of Route 70.

The EMT and Paramedic were operating on the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving four vehicles with five victims that required transport to a hospital. While they were loading one patient already on a stretcher into the ambulance, they were struck by a motorist. The vehicle went around the backed-up traffic and onto the shoulder where the EMS personnel were operating and struck them and their vehicle.

Both injured EMS personnel were treated on the scene by Cherry Hill Firefighters also working at the original accident scene. Additional emergency workers were called to assist with the two accidents. All patients from the original accident were transported to local hospitals. The injured EMT and Paramedic were transported to Virtua hospital where they are under observation with non life threatening injuries.

Chief Giorgio remarked: “Accidents involving emergency workers operating on a roadway can be career ending and often fatal. This incident highlights the risk our EMTs and Firefighters take every day performing their duties. Our EMTs respond to about 7,500 calls each year and accidents make up a decent portion of that total. We encourage all motorists to slow down and increase their awareness near accident scenes, especially when there are emergency vehicles and personnel operating. Sometimes, this increased awareness and care is the only protection emergency responders have while operating on our roadways”.

Of particular interest; one of the EMS workers struck is in training for the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride set to begin on May 17th, 2008. This 500 mile bike ride is a component of the Annual EMS Memorial held in Roanoke. VA. This ride has the multiple objective of: Remembering fellow EMS workers who have died in the line of duty, raise public awareness about EMS line of duty deaths and disabilities; honor EMS providers who work despite dangerous safety conditions; and others.

This incident is currently under investigation by the Cherry Hill Fire Department and Cherry Hill Police.

4.6.08 CHFD Assists Camden FD at 3-Alarm Blaze

Fire Departments from Camden, Cherry Hill, Audubon, & Bellmawr worked together to fight this 3-alarm blaze in an abandoned Camden warehouse in the 1100 block of Linden Ave during the late afternoon of Sunday, April 6th, 2008. CHFD members from Ladder 2 responded on the 2nd alarm when the incident commander requested a tower ladder. This is a perfect example of how regional emergency services assist each other with “mutual aid” assignments and readiness. More information can be found in the Courier Post article concerning this fire. More images, graciously donated, can be found on our Flickr.com picture site. Or for even more pictures, visit www.southjerseyfire.com.

3.31.08 - Firefighters Make Quick Work of a Hot Basement Fire

From the Official CHFD Press Release: At just around 3:30 in the afternoon on March 31, 2008, Cherry Hill Firefighters responded to a reported house fire on Banner Road in the Surrey Place East development. The homeowner was at home and heard some loud popping sounds towards the front of his house. He investigated and discussed the sounds with electrical contractors trenching fiber optic cable for Verizon FiOS directly in front of his home. They had been working in the neighborhood for some time.

Within minutes, as they were discussing the possibility they may have contacted buried utilities, the homeowner noticed a heavy smoke condition coming from his basement and called 9-1-1. Firefighters arrived and immediately went in service with a hose line to the basement to extinguish the fire. At the same time, the house was opened up to ventilate the growing smoke condition. A second hose line was placed in service when it was discovered the fire had severely impacted the basement ceiling and had extended to the first floor. Also, even though the homeowner indicated he was the only one at home, firefighters performed a systematic search for anyone possible remaining in the dwelling.

Once all fire was extinguished, firefighters searched for further extension. It was felt the exterior wall on the side of the house most affected may have some fire extension, so teams worked on the inside and outside of the house to uncover any hidden hot spots. In all, 25 firefighters managed to place this fire under control in about 15 minutes. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters reported at the scene. However, this family of three is displaced from their home. This fire is currently under investigation by the Cherry Hill Fire Marshal's Office.