12.14.09 Two Dead in Morning Accident on Route 70

Cherry Hill Firefighters and EMTs responded to a reported motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Route 70 West & New Hampshire Ave, at around 9:30 am. Firefighters arrived with Cherry Hill Police and reported a one car accident. The vehicle had sheared off a utility pole near the ground and also struck a resident who happened to be cutting branches from a tree in his yard at the time. Firefighters and EMTs immediately began to assess both victims and secure the vehicle while operating under the snapped utility pole. As the on duty fire department Battalion Chief arrived, he immediately ordered crews to relocate the patient underneath. About 30 seconds after moving to a more secure location, a primary power line dropped across the entire area they had vacated. One victim was declared deceased on the scene by paramedics and another victim was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. This accident is under investigation by Cherry Hill Police.

Courier Post Article


Pictures provided by Steve Skipton

11.26.09 Cherry Hill and Haddonfield Firefighters Team Up for 6th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner

Cherry Hill and Haddonfield Firefighters team up to form a detail on Cuthbert Road over Route 70. Firefighters were on hand to welcome 240 Troops from Ft.Dix who came to Cherry Hill for the 6th annual Thanksgiving dinner sponsored by the Jewish War Veterans and the Spevak family.

11.11.09 - Two Alarm Fire Critically Injures 2 & Displaces 20 People

At just after 0200 am, Cherry Hill Firefightetrs responded to a reported building fire at the Woods II development, located on Hickory Circle, near the Kresson & Evesham Roads intersection. Dispatchers advised responders they received numerous reports of fire with people trapped in a first floor apartment. First arriving crews reported heavy fire in the first floor apartments, extending to the second floor and roof area. One fire victim had self-extricated prior to fire department arrival. As additional crews arrived, large fire attack lines were stretched to both floors. Interior search crews located a fire victim in the first floor unit and rescued her. Crews were assisted by Cherry Hill Police with finishing the evacuation of the building. Both victims were treated on scene by Cherry Hill Fire Department EMTs and transported to Cooper Hospital in Camden.

Firefighters advanced their mulitple attack lines on this rapidly advancing fire. Additional mutual aid units were called to assist with the amount of evacuations necessary in the complex. The original companies on location made good progress on the advancing fire, by making aggressive stands at strategic points in the building. The additional personnel assisted with extensive overhaul of the four (4) units on fire, checking for any fire extension. All visible fire was extinguished in approximately 40 minutes.

All evacuated residents were relocated to nearby units while awaiting the Red Cross for temporary lodging. Ten (10) displaced residents were being placed at the Holiday Inn temporarily. The other residents made their own arrangements for lodging.

The intial investigation found the fire to have originated in a bedroom of a first floor unit, but the cause remains under investigation by the Cherry Hill Fire Marshal's office with the assitance of the Camden County Fire Marshal's office. The two injuried ciivilians from the fire, originally transported to Cooper Hospital in Camden, and transferred to Temple Hospital in Philadelphia. No emergency personnel were injured at this incident.

11.7.09 House Fire in Woodland Neighborhood

At 10:28 P.M. Cherry Hill Firefighters were dispatched to a fire located in the 300 block of Lincoln Avenue. The first arriving company found an advanced fire condition on the first floor of the two-story dwelling. The occupants had evacuated prior to fire department arrival. Two hose lines were quickly stretched to the interior of the dwelling and the fire was contained to the first and second floors. Fire had travelled into the home's walls and ceilings, requiring extensive efforts by firefighters on scene. The dwelling suffered fire damage on the first and second floors.

It took about 25 firefighters just 30 minutes to place this fire under control. Cherry Hill Police Department resources were utilized for traffic control measures, and assistance from the Cherry Hill Fire Police and the Cherry Hill Fire Department Rehab units were provided. All occupants of the property have been displaced. The preliminary cause is accidental, related to a clothes dryer, but this incodent remains under investigation by the Cherry Hill Fire Marshal’s Office.

Pictures by Steve Skipton @ www.phillyfirenews.com

9.20.09 Early Afternoon Car Fire

At just before 3 pm on Sunday, September 20th, 2009, Cherry Hill Firefighters were just clearing from another incident and were dispatched to a reported car fire on Cuthbert Road, near Hampton. Firefighters arrived to find a vehicle fully involved in fire. A hose line was deployed and the fire was extinguished in just a couple minutes. This fire is under investigation by the Cherry Hill Fire Marshal's Office.

9.17.09 Accident Traps One, Backs Up Traffic for Hours

At just before 11:00 AM, on Thursday, September 17, 2009, Cherry Hill Firefighters and EMTs were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident on West Route 70 near Donahue Ave. An EMS supervisor was first to arrive and advised incoming units the accident involved one vehicle that had taken down a utility pole with multiple power lines down, a traffic light standard was in the roadway, and one victim was trapped in the vehicle, which ended up just a couple feet from a home located just off the roadway. Witnesses later said the car, which was travelling east bound, had flipped several times before coming to a stop.

Firefighters and EMTs stabilized the vehicle and used hydraulic rescue tools to free the victim, which took about ten minutes. The victim was transported by Cherry Hill Fire Department ambulance to the Trauma Center at Cooper Hospital in Camden. Traffic in the area had to be re-routed for several hours as firefighters and utility crews worked to clean up the roadway in conjunction with Department of Transportation personnel. This accident is under investigation by the Cherry Hill Police Department.

9.11.09 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 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 eight years has gone by since so many victims lost their lives in the terrorist attacks, and so many of our colleagues made the ultimate sacrifice when they rushed into both World Trade Center towers to do what any of us would do. In 2009, by the end of August, we have already lost 69 firefighters who have answered their last call and we recognize their service and sacrifice. Equally, we recognize the continued commitment, dedication and ultimate devotion to public safety we witness every day by Firefighters, EMTs, Police and all emergency workers around the world, and especially here in America. The two wildland firefighters who recently lost their lives during their battle to quell the severe wildland fires in California on August 30th remind us to always be safe in what we do. In addition, we recognize the accomplishments of the thousands of military personnel who continue to fight for our freedom, the cost of which has come at a high price for them and their familes.

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.

Southhampton Technical Rescue

On Thursday, August 27, 2009 the Cherry Hill Fire Department's Technical Rescue team responded to Southampton Township, in Burlington County, for a report of a worker trapped in a trench. When they arrived, members of the rescue team encountered a worker that was trapped up to his waste in a trench that was 3 feet wide, 6 feet long and 8 feet deep. Rescue team members immediately began to protect the worker from further collapse by using wooden panels and Paratech shores. The rescue teams had to deal with Type C soil (soil that is very granular and had water free flowing through it) almost like an hour glass. This is the most dangerous type of soil to work in or around, making the chance of a secondary collapse extremely high. The Cherry Hill Rescue team along with rescue teams from across Burlington County and the New Jersey State Urban Search and Rescue Team, NJ-TF1, worked for over five hours in extreme heat to free the trapped worker. Once freed, the worker was flown to Cooper Trauma Center in Camden where he is expected to make a full recovery.

6.15.09 Workman's Torch Ignites House Fire

From the Official CHFD Press Release.

At just before 1:00 PM on Wednesday, June 15th, 2009, Cherry Hill Firefighters and EMTs responded to a reported house fire in the 700 block of Cooper Landing Road. Reports from dispatchers indicated Cherry Hill Police were on location reporting a well advanced fire in the rear of the dwelling. Police also reported several small explosions occurring.

First arriving firefighters encountered fire in the rear of a two story dwelling under construction. The fire, which started in a second floor bedroom of the dwelling, was quickly spreading to adjacent rooms and into the attic. The fire was spreading rapidly due to the fact that many walls had been removed or opened as part of the renovation occurring inside the dwelling. Two teams of firefighters quickly deployed separate hand lines to extinguish the fire. Simultaneously, other teams of firefighters worked to open doors and windows to ventilate the home, alleviating the high heat and heavy smoke conditions inside. Additionally, firefighters quickly pulled ceilings on the second floor to search for fire extension in the attic. Fire extension was found in the attic as well and extinguished.

Also, even though this home was reported as unoccupied, a systematic search was conducted of all areas to ensure no workers or any occupant was left inside. All occupants were confirmed out of the fire building. In all, about 25 firefighters were called on to fight this fire which was placed under control in about 25 minutes. There were no injuries to emergency workers or civilians reported at the scene. The Cherry Hill Fire Marshal’s Office has made an initial determination that this fire started as a result of a plumber’s torch igniting the interior wall framing and spread quickly because of the construction. Also, the explosions heard were determined to be a portable propane tank and some other construction related equipment and not a cause of the fire which remains an open investigation.

Photos by Ted Aurig.

6.9.09 Fast Moving House Fire on Berlin Road

As taken from the Official CHFD Press Release

At just before 6:30 PM on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009, Cherry Hill Firefighters and EMTs responded to a reported house fire in the 1500 block of Berlin Road. Reports from dispatchers indicated an occupant had discovered a fire in a clothes dryer located in the home’s lower level and attempted to extinguish it. The fire was spreading too quickly however, and the family evacuated the home.

First arriving firefighters encountered a thick smoke condition throughout, and heavy fire in the rear of the multi-level dwelling. The fire had gained a hold on the lower level and spread through void spaces and duct work into the home’s adjacent areas. Two teams of firefighters quickly deployed separate hand lines to extinguish the fire, which had now spread to all levels of the home. Simultaneously, other teams of firefighters worked to open doors and windows to ventilate the home, alleviating the high heat and heavy smoke conditions inside. Also, even though all occupants were reported as out of the home, a systematic search was conducted of all areas to ensure no one was left inside. All occupants were confirmed out of the fire building.

In all, about 30 firefighters were called on to fight this fire which was placed under control in about 45 minutes. There were no injuries to emergency workers or civilians reported at the scene, but a family of five has been displaced from this home. This fire is currently under investigation by the Cherry Hill Fire Marshal’s Office.

Photos generously donated by Curt Hudson, CHFD Photographer and Steve Skipton, PhillyFireNews.com Photographer

4.30.09 CHFD Rescues Trapped Truck Driver on 295

At around 1:15 AM on Thursday, April 30th, Cherry Hill Firefighters and EMTs were called to Route 295 for a reported motor vehicle accident involving a tractor trailer. Multiple units respond automatically to the highway to cover the north and south bound lanes more efficiently. First arriving units reported an overturned tractor trailer on the southbound exit ramp for Exit 31 (Woodcrest Station). Firefighters quickly stabilized the vehicle with heavy equipment and a winch while EMTs & Paramedics assessed the sole patient.

The driver had become pinned in the overturned cab by the steering wheel and needed to be cut free by a firefighter who squeezed himself into the crushed cab via the windshield opening and used hydraulic rescue tools to cut the steering wheel. Simultaneously, other firefighters used similar tools and power saws to cut the crushed cab open so that, once free, the patient could be easily removed. The operation took about an hour and the patient was transported to a local trauma center. This accident is under investigation by the NJ State Police.

4.11.09 CHFD Honors Local Fallen Soldier and Recognizes 9/11.

Several Cherry Hill Firefighters and residents spent a cold, wet spring morning honoring a local fallen soldier, recognizing September 11th, and planting a couple cherry trees along Chapel Avenue on Saturday, April 11, 2009.

As he has done for several years, Cherry Hill resident, Joe Zanghi, coordinated this event, the “8th Annual Cherry Hill 9/11 Remembrance and Patriotic Gratitude”, as part of his yearly effort to maintain the cherry trees along Chapel Avenue. Zanghi, along with volunteers from the American Legion Post 372, adorned the two mile stretch of Chapel Avenue with several hundred American flags and several yellow ribbons. About 15 Cherry Hill Firefighters arrived and helped the group plant two cherry trees in front of Kennedy Memorial Hospital.

Family members of Army Captain Gregory T. Dalessio, killed during combat operations in Iraq on June 23rd, 2008, and several residents joined them for a brief ceremony. Asked to speak on behalf of the groups, former NJ State Assemblyman, Dr. John A. Rocco called attention to the service of Captain Dalessio, and all military serving our country; and those victims and families affected on September 11th.

4.9.09 Stubborn Smoky Fire Heavily Damages Landmark Hardware Store

At just around 8:20 PM on April 9, 2009, Cherry Hill Firefighters responded to a reported fire alarm activation at the strip mall located at 2099 Route 70 East. As the Battalion Chief arrived, he reported a heavy smoke condition from the front of the store and immediately ordered additional resources to the scene. First arriving crews on scene established a water supply and took positions in the front and the rear of the building.

Firefighters forced entry into the hardware store and encountered a well advanced fire and heavy smoke. Multiple hose lines were used to fight the large volume of fire within the hardware store. Additionally crews on the roof used power saws to open ventilation points to relieve the heavy smoke and heat in an effort to better conditions for firefighters working below.

A 2nd Alarm was ordered to bring additional firefighters and equipment to the scene. In all, about 40 firefighters managed to place this fire under control in just over an hour. There was extensive damage to the hardware store and heavy smoke damage to a total of four stores. There were no injuries to civilians. One Cherry Hill Firefighter was taken to be evaluated at Virtua Hospital in Voorhees with non life threatening injuries. This fire is currently under investigation by the Cherry Hill and Camden County Fire Marshal Offices and Cherry Hill Police.

3.25.09 Late Night Commercial Bldg. Fire on Rt. 70

At approximately 01:00 AM Cherry Hill Firefighters were called to the Cross County Plaza in the 2100 block of Rt. 70 for a reported sign fire. The dispatch center started to receive numerous phone calls reporting the roof to be on fire. Firefighters arrived on location and confirmed a working fire in the sign area and extending to the parapet overhang. Two engine companies & one ladder company operated two hand lines to extinguish the fire. Ladder crews cut open the parapet using power saws to fully extinguish the fire. Quick action by the first arriving units saved the rest of the structure.

3.21.09 CHFD Climbs 50 Stories for Charity

On Saturday, March 21st, 2009, Cherry Hill Firefighters helped raise awareness about lung health by taking part in the American Lung Association’s 3rd annual Stair Climb Event in Philadelphia at the Bell Atlantic Tower. They joined several other local fire departments and 15 other American Lung Associations across the nation, challenging elite athletes and those who have a passion to raise awareness about lung health.

Stair Climb events utilize prominent skyscrapers and involve a timed climb up the stairs to the top floor. Approximately 400 climbers challenged themselves in this vertical race: one step; one flight; & one breath at a time. The Bell Atlantic Tower, located at 1717 Arch Street, is 50 Stories, totalling well over 1088 steps. Cherry Hill Firefighters came in 2nd place right behind Philadelphia Fire Department’s team.

2.26.09 Careless Smoking Blamed for Fatal House Fire

Careless smoking is to blame for a fatal house fire. Cherry Hill Firefighters & EMTs were dispatched to Laurel Hill Drive for a report of smoke in the area. As companies arrived in the area to investigate they filled out the working fire box after receiving reports from police of a working house fire with people trapped. Firefighters arrived on location to find a one story ranch style home with fire showing. Neighbors reported to police and fire officials that an elderly, handicapped man lived alone in the home. A total of 30 Cherry Hill Firefighters & EMTs responded to the scene and extinguished the fire with in 23 minutes. While performing a systematic search of the dwelling during the fire fight, an elderly male victim was found in the area of the fire.

2.25.09 Early Morning Supermarket Fire

Cherry Hill Firefighters responded to an early morning fire on 2/25/09 at just after 6 AM. Companies were dispatched to the 1700 block of Route 70 for a report of a water flow alarm. Companies arrived on location to find smoke showing from the rear. The alarm box was filled out, bringing additional man power to the scene. Firefighters forced entry into the building and found that a fire had occurred in a refrigeration unit, but was being held in check by the sprinkler system. Companies deployed a hand line and extinguished the fire. There were no injuries and the fire was contained to the unit.

1.21.09 In Memory: Captain Howard A. Walker

It is with deep regret that the Cherry Hill Fire Department announces the passing of Captain Howard A. Walker, Jr. who passed away January 21, 2009 in Fort Myers, Florida. Captain Walker served the Erlton Fire Company for over 50 years where he served in numerous capacities. Upon his retirement, he was awarded the title "CAPTAIN EMERITUS". He was the first to incorporate the emergency medical/rehab concept on the fire ground years before it became popular, oversaw SCBA maintenance, served as the Treasurer of the Fire Company Relief Association, and held various other Fire Company offices throughout the years, including President and Treasurer. Howard was a long standing member of the Camden County Fire Chiefs and the New Jersey Fire Service Instructors Association and served as President of the New Jersey State Fire School Council in 1979 and 1980.

In addition, Howard was probably most noted for being an Instructor. He was an Instructor for many years and was the Camden County Fire Instructors Coordinator for several years. Howard loved teaching recruit firefighters, especially rope and knots. Even to this day you hear firefighters practicing knots crediting Howard for helping them learn the right way. On April 14, 1977, Howard was the Officer of Engine 1321 that was 2nd due at the Garden State Race Track fire. He directed the crew to facilitate rescue and evacuation of the grandstand area.

Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation, Friends of Nursing Fund, P.O. Box 2218, Fort Myers, FL, 33908.