5.31.08 CHFD Participates In Multi-Agency Training

Cherry Hill Fire Department's Hazardous Material Company participated in a multi-agency training exercise today that took place in Camden City and Pennsauken. The scenario was a simulated rail car fire at a Camden terminal. The fire department determining the rail car might contain radiological materials prompted a response from the county's Hazardous Material units. Also part of the scenario, a River Line passenger train that passed through the incident possibly exposing passengers on the train to radiation. The train was stopped at the next station in Pennsauken where passengers where scanned for radiation and treated for any medical reasons. Crews set up decontamination areas for both passengers and firefighters working on the scene. Crews also had to inspect the train for radiation contamination.

The training exercise, one of many done throughout the year, focused on simultaneous events in multiple locations with multiple victims. The exercise was an excellent training event allowing several agencies to work together to continue to handle events more effectively. Besides Cherry Hill, Fire Departments from Pennsauken, Camden, Gloucester City, Waterford, Gloucester Twp., Pennsauken EMS, Camden County Health Department, Camden Police, Pennsauken Police, NJ Transit Police, Riverline Authority and Army National Guard participated in the exercise.

5.28.08 Car Flips on Route 70

Cherry Hill Firefighters and EMTs were dispatched to the intersection of Route 70 and Old Orchard Road for a motor vehicle accident with a reported person trapped. Additional information included that a commercial truck may have been involved. When they arrived, they encountered a single car accident, where the car had flipped over, coming to rest on its passenger side.

Firefighters stabilized the vehicle with specialized mechanical struts and heavy wood cribbing. Once stable, they entered the car via the sunroof to assess the lone victim, who was trapped in the rear passenger seat area. The patient was removed via the rear cargo door and loaded into an awaiting CHFD ambulance and transported to Cooper Hospital, Trauma Division. No other injuries were reported at the scene.

EMS Week & Memorial Bike Ride 2008

EMS Week: May 18-24, 2008 – EMS: Your Life is Our Mission

This is EMS Week - 2008. Emergency medical services personnel are entrusted with the responsibility of providing medical care in urgent situations, and their efforts help prevent loss of life. They work tirelessly to respond swiftly and with professionalism and compassion in the face of crisis. During Emergency Medical Services Week, we work to raise awareness about injury prevention and the use of emergency medical services in case of an accident or medical emergency.

To help raise public awareness about EMS Services and EMS Week, about 110 EMTs from around the country are taking part in the 8th Annual National EMS Memorial Bike Ride. Riding along with them is Cherry Hill’s own Paramedic, Dave Milsted. This is Dave’s second year making the nearly 600 mile ride. The 2008 ride began Saturday, May 17th at Ground Zero at the Williamsburg Bridge Crossing in New York City, and culminates on Saturday, May 24th in Roanoke, VA at the National EMS Memorial Service.

The Cherry Hill Fire Department is proud of Paramedic Milsted’s hard work and the entire EMS community in their efforts to publicize safety and honor the dedication of those who daily provide the lifesaving services in the field. We also join them in recognizing those lost in the line of duty performing this vital public service. For more information about EMS Week, or the Memorial Bike Ride, please visit the following websites:

American College of Emergency Physicians

National EMS Memorial Bike Ride

5.2.08 CHFD EMS Chief Honored by Rotary Club

Cherry Hill Fire Department EMS Chief, Randall McCargar was selected as the 2008 Cherry Hill Rotary Club Public Safety Person of the Year. Chief McCargar was honored at the 2nd Annual Rotary Club Community Service Awards Dinner & Raffle. The raffle, which is a fundraiser for the Club’s many charitable offerings, is 16 years old and usually raises about $15,000. Due to its success, the Club decided to expand the idea of the fundraiser into a community outreach program and offer special recognition to people that serve Cherry Hill in the fields of: Education; Health Care; & Public Safety.

Chief McCargar was nominated and accepted for his “outstanding and stellar career serving the public as an Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic", according to Rotary Club Secretary Jeff King. Chief McCargar’s 34 year career in EMS has taken him around the country serving at various levels. After a national search for an experienced EMS leader in 2003, he and his wife Pam relocated to Cherry Hill when Randy was selected as EMS Chief for the Cherry Hill Fire Department. Since, he has implemented a first class EMS operation and positioned Cherry Hill’s EMS services as one of the finest pre-hospital care services in the region. According to Chief Giorgio; “Chief McCargar is one of those people that adds value to whatever he does, is fun to work with, proud of his profession; and in his short time with our department has become a key figure both today and for our future”. Please join us in congratulating Chief McCargar’s achievement.