CHFD Welcomes troops to Cherry Hill for Thanksgiving Feast

The 7^th Annual Feed the Troops Thanksgiving event took place on Thursday at the Americas Best Value Inn on Route 70.  The Jewish War Veterans, Veteran Motorcycle groups, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops and numerous other groups welcomed 3 bus loads of troops to Cherry Hill. A few hundred people lined the parking lot Thursday morning; waving flags, shouting cheers and snapping pictures of Americas Heroes. The troops, taking a break from their training, were given a first class meal and some entertainment to give them a little surprise taste of home before they head overseas to defend our country. Additional coverage - http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/Feed_The_Troops_Cherry_Hill_112610

Police and Motorcycle Escort from FT. Dix to Cherry Hill

Troops are welcomed by hundreds of thankful Americans

CHFD Running Squad On the Streets of Haddon Twp

CHFD Running Squad members participated in the Haddon Township Turkey Trot 5K race today. Chief Fire Marshal Tom Shemeley placed in the public safety award category. Our own CFO John Foley serves as the race director of this growing and popular South Jersey after Thanksgiving race. By CHFD

Ladder Company 24 A Training

November 18, 2010

Ladder Company 24 on the A Platoon conducted training at their firehouse simulating rescuing a civilian from a window into the basket of the Ladder. Ladder 24’s crew used the parapet of the roof to simulate a window sill. The rescues of both conscious and unconscious persons were simulated. This function, in some cases, would be handled by one Firefighter. This Firefighter rides the Outside Vent position on the Ladder Company and is responsible to vent, enter and search.





Entering the window





Transitioning from the basket to through the window



Moving the occupant back to the window to exit



Moving the occupant in to the basket



Occupant succesfully in the basket







11.22.10 - Turkey Bowl Heats Up East/West Rivalry

“Football is like nuclear warfare. There are no winners, only survivors.” ~ Frank Gifford

East and West after the game.

The early morning fog lifted just in time for the first C Platoon Turkey Bowl to get underway. The East and West Battalion companies met Monday morning at the Cherry Hill Township turf field off Chapel Ave. just after working their shift for a gentle, peaceful game of flag football. The East Battalion, dressed in red and led by team captain Sal Paolini, also had a surprise walk on, Battalion Chief William Stallfort. The West Battalion, in their home field black uniforms, took the turf behind their team captain, FF Joe Gerace – who played every down of the entire game, and with a broken finger.

The peaceful and passive game was marked by several notable plays. Most notable is the organization of the event and game play of both team captains. Each contributed exceptional play to their respective teams; Gerace having 3 touchdowns (including 1 interception that led to a touchdown), and Paolini playing in nearly every position and involved in every score by the East side, and also included an interception.

Other notable plays: East Battalion: Stackhouse – interception, touchdown passes, several “gentle” tackles; Cabaza – two touchdown receptions; Sarli-Prelle – multiple quarterback hurries; Kinky – two touchdown passes. West Battalion: Williams - #1 receiver, one touchdown; Wood – several receptions and tackles, Oberle – several “tackles”.

The game was characterized by the West dominating the first half, and then the East rallying a comeback to go ahead by one score in the second half. Late in the second half, on 3rd and long, the West’s Lt. DiRenzo beat Captain Paolini for about a 35 yard reception to keep the West alive. It ultimately led to the West tying the game with only 50 seconds left. As stated: at the end of the game no team emerged as the winners, but all survived.

C Platoon thanks off duty FF D’Alessandro for “officiating” the game. Please visit the Flickr site for more pictures of the Turkey Bowl.






One of several Gerace receptions.

 Big interception for the West Side



Paolini catches and evades tackle.



DiDomenico being "tackled"

 Another Tommy D saves of the day

Just a peaceful game of flag football.



Enough said.

Rescue 13 Special Called to Somerdale

In the early morning hours of November 23, Rescue 13 B Group members were special called to Somerdale for a motor vehicle accident, vehicle into a house. Somerdale Fire Department was reporting a mid-sized SUV that crashed into a house, possibly compromising the structural integrity of the house. No occupants were trapped as the house was vacant and the driver of the SUV was extricated by the police on scene and transported to the hospital by EMS.

Rescue Company 13 and Collapse Unit 13 responded under the command of Lieutenant Art West. On arrival, companies surveyed the scene assessing the damage to the house. It was determined that no structural shoring was needed by the rescue company as there was no evidence of structural compromise as well as the fact that there was no life safety danger on the scene. Rescue Company structural shoring is reserved to reduce the danger to company members in the event that a victim requires rescue.

Rescue 13 members remained on scene until the vehicle was pulled from the house by a local towing company.

C Platoon RIT Study & Training

Command Post

During the month of October, Battalion Chief William Stallfort conducted Rapid Intervention Training (RIT) with his 6 Companies assigned to his platoon.  This training served both as a practical training exercise for the Companies and a way for the B/C to record, revise and implement a RIT operational guideline.  Each of the 6 Companies arrived individually to the Burn Building at 1100 Marlkress Road and were given the scenario that they were the RIT Company arriving at a single family dwelling fire.  Each Company took preemptive measures to begin making the fire ground safe and prepare for any firefighter emergencies. Shortly into the operation the scenario quickly changed with a firefighter on the Engine Company's attack line becoming trapped and injured after a small collapse inside the building.  The assigned RIT Company quickly mobilized and began rescue efforts; Each crew had to assess, package and remove a down firefighter from the basement up a 20' sloped surface.

The Battalion logged what equipment each Company brought, what they did preemptively (i.e. throw ladders, 360 degree size-up), how and what they did to rescue and remove the firefighter and ultimately how long the operation took.  This information will be analysed and used to better equip and teach our Companies in firefighter rescue and RIT operations

Some common tools utilized by the RIT can easily be
carried to the scene via the Stokes Basket

Aggressive RIT Operations don't begin when the May Day occurs but instead starts upon the arrival  of the RIT.  The crews throw ladders, clear windows, force any unopened doors and work to make the fire ground safe

Headed into action after the report of a down firefighter

The RIT follows the hoseline into the injured firefighter

Firefighter Anthony Sambucini Retires

On Friday, November 12, 2010 Firefighter Anthony Sambucini worked his last tour of duty with his company Ladder 24 C.  Tony enjoyed a luncheon and dinner that he hosted along with his family at Ladder 24's house on Friday.  There friends, family and fellow firefighters from around the county stopped in to say their goodbye to Tony.  

In addition to completing 25 years of service as a career firefighter, Tony served 9 years as a volunteer firefighter in the previous Fire District 5/Church Road Fire Company. Firefighter Sambucini completed basic firefighter training at the Camden County Vocational and Technical School then attended advanced firefighter training through the Delaware State Fire School. Firefighter Sambucini began a steady progression of fire service training including fire service instructor, Fire Official, and Emergency Medical Technician. Tony was part of a team of firefighters trained in 1981 as field SCBA repair technicians, the precursor to our successful SCBA Repair Shop.  

Firefighter Sambucini served in a number of capacities during his career with an emphasis on helping to train other firefighters—not just in Cherry Hill, but in our region. Firefighter Sambucini served as a Company Officer during the transition to the new Fire District and worked in the Training and Safety Division helping to develop the first district-wide training program. In addition, Firefighter Sambucini served in many of our Fire Stations and an extended commitment at Ladder Company #2. Tony developed a number of training programs on his own—always with an eye on firefighter safety and improving our capability. Hallmarks of Firefighter Sambucini’s service include the effort he placed on servicing the public, his loyalty to the CHFD and his pride for the firefighting profession. On behalf of the entire Department and Board of Fire Commissioners, we congratulate Firefighter Sambucini on his admirable service to the residents of Cherry Hill and the Cherry Hill Fire Department. We wish Tony and Kathleen continued success in all their endeavors.

A Platoon Training

On Wednesday,October 27, 2010 at the North Kings Highway Station Engine1322, Ladder1324 and Squirt 1351 conducted an exercise simulating a response to an unconscious patient who was on the roof of a house.  Cherry Hill Firefighters have faced situations similar to this in the field several times before.  For the training the engine and ladder companies utilized their ropes, ground ladders, and mechanical advantage devices to safely lower the simulated patient, safely secured in a stokes basket, from the height of over 13 feet.

A Platoon Live Fire Training

On October 20, 2010 Engine Company 22, Ladder Company 24 and Squrt Company 51 conducted live fire training at the CHFD Training Academy on Marlkress Road. The companies, under the supervision of A Platoon Commander, Battalion Chief  Rick Harris, simulated an apartment fire at the burn building. The Engine Companies secured a water supply from the fire hydrant, advanced hoselines in to locate and extinguish the fire. The Ladder Company simultaneously forced entry in to the building and searched for any missing occupants Ladder Company 24 ventilated the building, freeing the smoke and heat to create a better environment for any trapped occupants and the Engine Companies working to extinguish the fire. Two simulated occupants were quickly removed and the fire was extinguished in under 10 minutes.

11.8.10 - Car Overturns on Route 295 On-Ramp, Traps Driver

At just about 4 pm on November 8th, Cherry Hill Firefighters and EMTs were dispatched to a reported motor vehicle accident with entrapment in the area of Route 70 and 295. First arriving units encountered a single vehicle overturned on the northbound on-ramp from Route 70 to Route 295. Firefighters used advanced stabilization techniques that included a cribbing structure under the vehicle and ratchet straps securing it to their own Rescue vehicle. Once stabilized, EMTs continued to assess and treat the patient while firefighters worked to extricate the driver from the vehicle. It was determined that removing the roof was the best option and hydraulic rescue tools were used to cut the roof from the vehicle. Patient access was now complete and the victim was removed from the wreckage, placed on a backboard and into an awaiting CHFD ambulance. The NJ State Police are investigating this incident.

11.1.10 Three Car Accident, Kings & Church

Cherry Hill Firefighters and EMTs were dispatched to a car accident reporting multiple vehicles involved and at least one person trapped in their vehicle. One ambulance, one Engine, the Battalion Chief and the Rescue Company were dispatched. Personnel arrived and quickly assessed that no victims were trapped in their vehicles. All potential victims involved were evaluated for injuries and a second ambulance was dispatched. Firefighters assisted EMTs in patient care and loading them into awaiting CHFD ambulances for transport to local hospitals. Firefighters then handled any other accident related hazards. This accident is under investigation by Cherry Hill Police.