2014 Smoke Alarm Campaign

The 2014 Smoke Alarm Campaign is underway.  Each weekend, CHFD personnel will be going door to door offering FREE smoke alarm testing and installation of new alarms.  The list of neighborhoods will be updated each week.  Please check back to see when we will be in your neighborhood!

This campaign will increase awareness of the lifesaving role these alarms play when fire strikes - and it will save lives!  Letting firefighters install these alarms inside your house will ensure you can count on them to do their job when the unthinkable happens.  These are FREE and available to all Cherry Hill residents.  Please note we cannot service or replace hardwired alarms.     

If you are in need of a smoke alarm immediately or are unavailable at the days and times we will be in your neighborhood, please call (856) 429-7441 to schedule an appointment.

All dates are subject to change at any time due to emergency responses:

Saturday, November  8th

Development              Zone               Streets

Surrey Place             19B               Apley Rd./Balfield Terrace

Wexford Leas             9B               Dorset Rd./Partree Rd.

Barclay Farm             10A              Forge Rd./Randle Dr./Randle Ct./Barclay Ln.
                                                       West Gate Dr. 

           

  

 

A-Group Battles Multiple Fires on Christmas Eve



Burned up work bench

CHFD's A-Platoon Firefighters had a busy Christmas Eve.
 
First, Squrt 51, Ladder 24, Engine 22 and Battalion 13 responded to the 30 unit block of Maple Ave. for a reported structure fire.  The Camden County Communications Center was receiving multiple calls for some type of fire at that location. Based on second source information the county added Ladder 34 to the call.  Upon arrival Squrt 51 reported smoke in the area and was laying in. Squrt 51 subsequently found a shed, well involved with fire.

Contents that were on fire

Damage to side of shed 

Squrt 51 stretched a 1 3/4" handline to the shed and quickly extinguished the fire. Ladder 24 assisted with overhauling the shed.  Engine 22 stoodby.  Ladder 34was recalled prior to arrival. It was determined that the homeowner was welding in the shed prior to the fire, and the fire was likely accidental.





Damage from stove fire

 















Later that evening Squrt 41, Ladder 34, Squad 13 and Battlion 13 were dispatched for a dwelling fire in the 1st unit block of Wheelwright Lane. Cherry Hill Police arrived on location and reported heavy smoke showing from the dwelling.  Squrt 41 arrived on location shortly after and also reported smoke showing from the front of the house.


Damaged Cabinets

Upon entering the dwelling, Squrt 41's crew found the fire extinguished by Cherry Hill PD. The assignment was held to the first Engine and Ladder. The homeowner exited the dwelling with the help of CHPD and went to a neighbors house. Crews checked for extension and ventilated the dwelling. The residence was turned back over to the homeowner.



Per Diem EMT Testing - February 10, 2014

The EMS Division will be conducting pre-hire testing to establish a hiring list for Per Diem EMT positions on Monday, February 10, 2014. Due to time constraints, testing will be limited to 15 applicants who will be notified in advance of their eligibility to test.

Candidates must complete the Registration form by February 3, 2014.

• Skills Scenarios Exam:  9:00 am

Successful completion of the Skills Scenarios will qualify the candidate for the second step:

• Physical Ability Exam: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

For additional information on the selection process, Physical Ability Course description, and Registration form, please log on to:  http://bit.ly/19mmByJ

Rescue 13 C Platoon Training - Simulated Collapsed Structure

 

On December 20, 2013 - Members of Rescue 13 - C Platoon took advantage of the nice weather and trained on a simulated collapsed structure that had a victim trapped below the concrete flooring. 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Conducting concrete breaching and breaking techniques with the Stanley

hydraulic jack hammers and chipping hammers.

 

 

 

Congratulations To Newly Sworn Members

Firefighters Fiorentini, Keegan, Kolbe and Luft

 

On December 5, 2013 four firefighters proudly took the Oath of Office and received their badges.  The Office of the Fire Chief and the Cherry Hill Board of Fire Commissioners congratulates Nick Fiorentini, James Keegan, Chris Kolbe and Robert Luft as they were sworn in as firefighters as they completed one year of service as a probationary firefighter.  

 

MSO Lewis, MSO Croshaw and EMT Harkins

 

 

Congratulations to Medical Services Officer Matthew Lewis, Medical Services Officer Jeffrey Croshaw as well as EMT Kendall Harkins as they took the Oath of Office for their positions. 

CHFD Prepares for Active Shooter & High-Risk Events

CHFD Paramedics and EMTs train under live-gun fire 
conditions with Cherry Hill Police Officers at a 
simulated active shooter incident

This week marks the one-year anniversary of the tragic events that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.  Unfortunately, active shooter events are becoming increasingly common throughout the United States.  It is critical for emergency services organizations to adapt and meet these expanding threats.  The Cherry Hill (NJ) Fire Department (CHFD) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division along with its EMS Medical Direction staff from Cooper University Hospital are partnering with the Cherry Hill Police Department (CHPD) to enhance their ability to respond these and other high-risk events.

The CHFD is the first Fire/EMS agency in New Jersey to implement an “Active Shooter Rescue Task Force”.  These procedures, in tandem with the CHPD’s rapid intervention model, will quickly place CHFD Paramedics and EMTs at a patient’s side in an elevated risk environment.  Unlike previous “stage and wait” protocols, these guidelines, protocols, and practices allow EMS personnel to quickly reach patients while law enforcement officers continue to neutralize the threat.  With the close escort of police, EMS personnel can enter a potentially unsecure scene and initiate basic, life-saving medical care before rapidly evacuating victims to secure areas for further treatment.

The Rescue Task Force consists of multiple, four-person teams.  These consist of two police officers, to provide front and rear security, and two CHFD EMS members to stabilize patients using Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) principles and equipment.  In addition to the protection of the escorting officers, EMS personnel are outfitted in ballistic vests and helmets to further mitigate the risk of operating in this environment.

Training sessions for Rescue Task Force members are conducted at the Camden County Police Firing Range.  These allow EMS first responders to practice aggressive patient care interventions while functioning in an environment of elevated threat and live gunfire.  The training and inter-agency cooperation required for this program is a testament to the continued professionalism and advanced training commitment maintained by both the Cherry Hill Fire Department and the Cherry Hill Police Department. 

All photos / information are for immediate release.  For additional media inquiries, please contact Cherry Hill Fire Department EMS Chief Randall McCargar at 856-795-9752 

Santa Neighborhood Visits

The Cherry Hill Fire Department is happy to announce that our Blog is up and running again!
Please check back often to see what is happening in the Cherry Hill Fire Department.

SANTA NEIGHBORHOOD VISITS

Starting Monday, December 16th through Sunday, December 22nd, Santa will be riding our fire trucks and making stops in your neighborhood to see who has been naughty and nice!  To see when Santa will be visiting your street, click here: Santa Schedule

9.11.13 September 11, In Memoriam

“No Day Shall Erase You from the Memory of Time”.

Twelve years have passed since September 11, 2001 - 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 12 years have 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. 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.

 In 2013, by the end of August, we have already lost 79 firefighters who have answered their last call and we recognize their service and sacrifice. Tragically, those 79 line of duty deaths put us once again on track to surpass the average of 100 firefighters lost each year. On June 30th alone, we lost 19 firefighters from the Prescott Granite Mountain Hot Shots as they battled the Yarnell Hill wildfire in Arizona. Their circumstances 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 families.

We hope that you will take a minute to remember the efforts of those at Ground Zero 10 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.

 

Squrt 51 Extinguihes a Car Fire

Squrt 51arrived to an engine compartment fire at TD bank on Haddonfield Rd. Fire was extinguished with no exposure issues.

Platoons Complete April SCBA Proficiency Training

75' Hose Drag

All 3 Platoons of the Cherry Hill Fire Department will complete their annual SCBA proficiencies this week. This course was modified this year to include part of the IPAT training the members went through.

Apartment pack Carry

First station was a 75' hose drag to the hose carry station with a 50' 2 1/2" hose bundle.


Apartment Pack up the stairs



The hose carry included a complete circle back to where the hose was picked up and included a walk up a set of stairs into the burn building and down and out.

Buddy Breather exchange



A cool down was added after putting the hose pack down with a walk to the buddy breather station. There you had to complete a buddy breather change.



Completing the buddy breather change



This station would give you a chance to regulate your breathing for the next station which was a dummy drag of 20' and then back.

Ladder Raise

After the dummy drag you proceded to a ladder raise of a 16' ladder and then set it.



Kaiser Machine



Then next station was a Kaiser machine to drive the block from one end to the other.  Then there was a maze crawl in a conex box following a hose line with a reduced profile maneuver.

This course was not completed until you ran out of air. Everyone received their benchment for the amount of times they circled the course.


Maze Crawl



A-group performs 2 & 1 training

OV making the 2nd floor to vent

 On sunday April 7 A-group completed their 2 and 1 training at the class A burn building. Companies were presented with a 2 story simulated apartment unit with fire on the first floor extending to the second floor apartment by auto exposure.


Engine Company getting ready to make entry



Ladder Company setting ladders

 Ladder company made entry and completed the primary search and found 2 victims on the first floor area. Engine company encountered heavy fire first floor division D.

Venting as engine company makes 2nd floor fire

Ladder company to the roof to trench cut

Ladder completed 2nd floor primary and reported all clear. Second handline made the second floor and found the fire had extended to an apartment on that floor and got into the cockloft. Ladder company repositioned to the roof to trench cut while engine pulled the ceilings to find which way the fire was traveling.

2nd Engine company making entry

Crews reported all fire out and secondary searches were negative. Both battalions completed the same training.

Ladder 44 & Squrt 31 Cross Training

Blitz Fire in Service

Ladder 44 and Squrt 31 continue their cross training, getting ready for the apparatus to be transfered into their new locals. The companies are refreshing personel being transfered to their new apparatus.

Aerial setting up

There are several evolutions the companies are completing prior to the movement of the rigs. Today they were practicing setting up their heavy water lines.

Squrt 31 opening up

They will complete several more evolutions in the coming weeks to get ready for their new assignments. They will be completing 1 & 1 training, hose stretches- 1 3/4" &  2 1/2", dwelling and building practice assignments as well as live fire exercises.

Ladder 44 in Service

These are all to be completed in each of the 3 platoons by the second week of March when the planned move of the apparatus is to take place into their stations.

Squrt 51 First Due in Maple Shade

Squrt 51 stretching 2 1/2" attack line

Squrt 51 was dispatched to Maple Shade to Robert Mills Apartments for an apartment. They arrived to find a heavy fire condition in an aparatment extending into the eaves of the complex. The company stetched a  2/1/2' attack line and darken down the fire will Mt. Laurel's Ladder company assisted opening up.

Cherry Hill FD Trains at Aquired Structure

Companies performing roof cuts

Cherry Hill Fire Department received permission to conduct training exercises from the owner of a dwelling that was to be torn down. Companies were rotated into the dwelling to complete several different tasks during the work week. Each platoon rotated their companies in each day to meet with training and train on various tasks.

Instruction prior to cutting roof

Companies completed hose stretches, searches, simulated occupant removals, floor breeches, wall breeches, roof cuts. They were also able to complete 1 & 1 SFD senarios under simulated smoke conditions. This training is invaluable when the fire department can acquire structures to train in.

Final review of cuts made