Cherry Hill Townships new Emergency Operations Center served as the Central Command for this winter’s first snow storm. Pictured are Mayor Platt and staff participating in a Briefing by OEM Director Seta and Public Works Director Musilli.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Christmas Eve fire quickly extinguished
At 2018hrs. on Christmas Eve, Cherry Hill Fire Department A Platoon companies were alerted to a dwelling fire at 627 Kenilworth Avenue. Squrt 51 arrived and observed smoke showing from the front door of a 2 story wood frame single family dwelling. Squrt 51's crew stretched 1 13/4" hose line after laying in from the hydrant. Ladder 24 conducted a search and ventilated the dwelling while Squrt 51 extinguished the basement fire. Engine 22 stretched a back up line and assisted with overhaul. Battalion 13 (Harris) commanded the incident.
Monday, December 20, 2010
CHFD Acquired Structure Training
Members of Cherry Hill Fire Department, on all three platoons, had a chance over the past week to train at the old Jack Kellmer Jewelers building at Brace Road and Route 70. Companies conducted vertical ventilation operations on the metal deck roof. A variety of hand tools and power saws were used to cut holes of different sizes and purposes. CHFD would like to extend our gratitude to Rich Capone of Universal Constructors for allowing us this rare training opportunity.
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| Spare blades, tools & fuel |
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Thursday, December 2, 2010
A Platoon Firefighter Rescue Training
Saturday November 27, 2010
Companies on A Platoon received instruction on how to maximize the equipment they carry in their pockets along with there Gemtor personal harness. The motivation behind this type of training is to be able to immediately assist a downed firefighter until additional help arrives.
Battalion Chief Rick Harris and Lieutenant Jason Houck instructed on-duty companies throughout the day.
The training consisted of 2 segments -
1. Modifying a downed firgfighters SCBA and Gemtor harness for horizontal movement (i.e. across floors)
2. Modifying a downed firefighters SCBA and Gemtor harness for vertical movement (i.e. stairs )
B/C Harris and Lt. Houck demonstrated how to use SCBA, Gemtor harness, personal rope, webbing, & other small items that many firefighters carry with them. All firefighters demonstrated the techniques they were taught while in the daylight.
After firefighters demonstrated their ability to perform the techniques in the daylight, the next step was to perform the same in total darkness. Firefighters formed 2 person teams and were tasked with searching for, locating, packaging and removing a downed firefighter. Firefighters used the techniques they were taught to perform the task.
Companies on A Platoon received instruction on how to maximize the equipment they carry in their pockets along with there Gemtor personal harness. The motivation behind this type of training is to be able to immediately assist a downed firefighter until additional help arrives.
Battalion Chief Rick Harris and Lieutenant Jason Houck instructed on-duty companies throughout the day.
The training consisted of 2 segments -
1. Modifying a downed firgfighters SCBA and Gemtor harness for horizontal movement (i.e. across floors)
2. Modifying a downed firefighters SCBA and Gemtor harness for vertical movement (i.e. stairs )
B/C Harris and Lt. Houck demonstrated how to use SCBA, Gemtor harness, personal rope, webbing, & other small items that many firefighters carry with them. All firefighters demonstrated the techniques they were taught while in the daylight.
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| Firefighters D'Alesandro & De Lucca carry Lt. Houck up stairs |
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| Ff's Schaeffer and Brown prepare to ascend interior stairs with a downed firefighter (Capt. Walker) |
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| B/C Harris demonstrating a drag technique |
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| Ff Riess and Lt. Carr package Ff D'Alesandro for removal |
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Alarm Investigation Becomes Hazardous Materials Incident
In the early morning hours of November 30th, Squrt 31 and Ladder 44 were dispatched for an activated fire alarm at 1951 Old Cuthbert Road, a laboratory complex that plates computer chips with precious metals utilizing various chemicals. Squrt Company 1331 B arrived under the command of Lt. Art West with an audible and visual fire alarm activation. The building was secured with no access, so an emergency contact was summoned to respond. A 360 degree observation of the building revealed nothing showing.
On arrival of the emergency contact, Squrt Co. 31 accessed the building to investigate the activation. During the investigation, access was made to the laboratory area where, upon opening the lab door, companies were met with a fumes cloud that caused immediate eye irritation and coughing, resulting in the immediate retreat of the firefighters to the exterior. Lt. West summoned additional companies to the scene including Battalion Chief M. Iannetta, Ladder Co. 44 and Haz-Mat 13 under the command of Lt. W. Arcari.
Utilities were terminated to the building. Fire Department personel utilized the MSDS Manuals and conducted phone interviews with the occupants chemical technicians to identify the potential chemicals involved and their possible hazards. Squrt 31 established a water supply and lines were connected to the fire department connection. Haz-Mat personel made entry into the building finding a hot plate had been left on with a beaker on top containing T-400 Filmstripper. Haz-Mat removed the beaker and it's contents into a secondary container and removed it from the building. Building management took reponsibility for disposal of the product.
No Fire Department personnel were injured during the incident, however this is a stark reminder that what may seem like an "average" call can quickly become a hazardous event for firefighters. It is important for firefighters to never become complacent during the "bread and butter" calls and to remain calm and summon the necessary back-up resources when faced with any "surprises" that may arise during investigations.
On arrival of the emergency contact, Squrt Co. 31 accessed the building to investigate the activation. During the investigation, access was made to the laboratory area where, upon opening the lab door, companies were met with a fumes cloud that caused immediate eye irritation and coughing, resulting in the immediate retreat of the firefighters to the exterior. Lt. West summoned additional companies to the scene including Battalion Chief M. Iannetta, Ladder Co. 44 and Haz-Mat 13 under the command of Lt. W. Arcari.
Utilities were terminated to the building. Fire Department personel utilized the MSDS Manuals and conducted phone interviews with the occupants chemical technicians to identify the potential chemicals involved and their possible hazards. Squrt 31 established a water supply and lines were connected to the fire department connection. Haz-Mat personel made entry into the building finding a hot plate had been left on with a beaker on top containing T-400 Filmstripper. Haz-Mat removed the beaker and it's contents into a secondary container and removed it from the building. Building management took reponsibility for disposal of the product.
No Fire Department personnel were injured during the incident, however this is a stark reminder that what may seem like an "average" call can quickly become a hazardous event for firefighters. It is important for firefighters to never become complacent during the "bread and butter" calls and to remain calm and summon the necessary back-up resources when faced with any "surprises" that may arise during investigations.
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