Cherry Hill Fire Department supports over 75 children this Holiday Season

For the past 11 years the Cherry Hill Fire Department, under the direction of Firefighter Joe Gerace, and along with many others, have been able to assist families throughout Camden County. They were able to provide gifts for over 75 children to open up on Christmas morning this year.   

On Tuesday evening over 30 volunteers helped wrap all of the gifts and prepared them to be delivered on Christmas Eve. A special thanks to all of those involved with donating the gifts:

• Cherry Hill Firefighters & EMTs
• Cherry Hill Fire Department civilian employees 
• Cherry Hill Firefighters IAFF Local 2663
• Cherry Hill Fire Officers IAFF Local 3198
• Cherry Hill residents and local businesses
• Tony's Kids
• Mount Laurel Firefighters 

Cherry Hill Fire Department Celebrates 20th Anniversary

2014 marks the 20^th anniversary of the organized Cherry Hill Fire Department. Numerous objectives have been accomplished over the years. Approximately 90,000 calls for service have been answered by our Firefighters and Fire Officers’ since 1994. In addition nearly 88,000 EMS calls for service have been answered by our EMT’s since 2003, when EMS became part of Fire Department Operations.

The department will continue to move forward in a progressive fashion serving the residents and visitors of Cherry Hill.

To mark this milestone the Board of Fire Commissioners is issuing a 20^th Anniversary Challenge Coin to all members of the organization.

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

2014 Santa Tour!

Santa and the Cherry Hill Fire Department will start their annual rounds around town on Monday, December 15th! Check the schedules below to see when they'll be coming to your neighborhood.

All dates/times are subject to change due to emergency responses, weather, etc.

Medical Services Officer and EMS Training Officer Chrissy Oatman Presents at the New Jersey Statewide Conference on EMS

The New Jersey Statewide Conference on EMS was held November 12-14 in Atlantic City. This is a state-of-the-art conference designed to provide EMS personnel with educational opportunities that reflect current medical knowledge and practices that will enhance appropriate patient care and reinforce procedures critical to smooth and efficient on-scene operations.

During the conference, the CHFD announced our involvement and support for the education of the Rescue Task Force concept. Our Medical Services Officer and EMS Training Officer, Chrissy Oatman, in cooperation with Cooper Health System, presented and instructed Rescue Task Force concepts during the conference.

The Cherry Hill Fire and Police Department along with the EMS Medical Direction Staff from Cooper University Hospital are the first team to have an active Rescue Task Force in the State of NJ. These responders are trained to identify an escalated situation and are prepared to safely treat critically injured patients during high-risk events.

FIRE INSPECTOR JIM BIRD AWARDED CAMDEN COUNTY MILITARY SERVICE MEDAL FOR HONORABLE SERVICE

CONGRATULATIONS TO FIRE INSPECTOR JIM BIRD 

AWARDED CAMDEN COUNTY MILITARY SERVICE MEDAL FOR HONORABLE SERVICE

On Friday, November 7th, Fire Inspector Jim Bird was honored by the County of Camden with the Camden County Military Service Medal for Honorable Service. Fire Inspector Bird, along with 13 other Camden County veterans, were presented medals and proclamations at the Bancroft Veterans Day Observance held at the Cherry Hill Library.

In addition to more than 40 years of service in the Cherry Hill Fire Department, Fire Inspector Bird served 20 years in the military. He was a member of the United States Air Force (National Guard) during Operation Desert Storm. He entered active military service on November 13, 1968 and the National Guard on September 27, 1999 and retired after 20 years of service.   

 

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Chief Thomas Kolbe takes Oath of Office

On Wednesday, October 1st, the Cherry Hill Board of Fire Commissioners appointed Thomas Kolbe to the position of Fire Chief.

In attendance were family and friends, along with fellow fire officers and firefighters of the Cherry Hill Fire Department.   The evening began with an Invocation from Monsignor Michael Mannion followed by opening remarks from Commissioner Hugh H. "Skip" Gibson, IV and Mayor Chuck Cahn.

Cherry Hill Fire Department Honor Guard

Invocation by Monsignor Mannion 

Chief Thomas Kolbe taking Oath of Office

Chief Kolbe received his badge pinning from his son, Cherry Hill Firefighter Christopher Kolbe.

Chief Kolbe and his Family:
L to R: His daughter Sarah, his wife Marie and their 3 sons Jason, Chris, and Alex 

Chief Thomas E. Kolbe is a veteran of the Cherry Hill Fire Department with 29 years of service as a full‐time firefighter. Chief Kolbe started his fire service career in Cherry Hill at the age of 16 as a volunteer firefighter in 1977.

Prior to being hired as a full‐time Cherry Hill firefighter in 1986, he was a Federal Firefighter at the Naval Air & Engineering Center in Lakehurst, New Jersey. In 1995, he was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to the Training and Safety Division of the Department.  In 2000, Chief Kolbe became the Chief of the Training and Safety Division and in 2001 was appointed to the position of Assistant Fire Chief.

Fire Chief Kolbe has a BA in Fire Science/Public Safety Administration from Holy Family University, an AAS in Fire Science from Camden County College, has attained the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications for Fire Officer I and Fire Officer II and maintains Fire Official, Fire Instructor and Incident Management certifications from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

Fire Chief Kolbe and his wife Marie have 4 children Chris, Jason, Sarah and Alex and live in the Ashland section of Cherry Hill.

9.11.14 - September 11th, In Memoriam

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

Thirteen 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 13 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 2014, as of September 8th, we have already lost 59 firefighters who have answered their last call and we recognize their service and sacrifice. Tragically, those 59 line of duty deaths put us once again on track to average about 100 firefighters lost each year. On March 26, 2014; we lost two Boston firefighters, and 13 more were injured, as they battled a 9-alarm fire on Beacon Street in a Back Bay brownstone style home. Their circumstances could happen to any of us on any given day and 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 13 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.

C-GROUP FIREFIGHTERS AND EMS MEMBERS RESPOND TO SERIOUS MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON CHURCH ROAD

On Wednesday, August 27, 2014, Cherry Hill C-Group Firefighters and EMS members from Engine 1352, Rescue 13, Battalion 13, BLS 1392, BLS 1396, and EMS 13, along with Virtua Paramedics, worked to extricate two patients from a vehicle involved in a collision on Church Road in the vicinity of the TD Bank.  Crews worked to simultaneously remove the sides and roof of the vehicle to provide access to the patients.  Both patients were safely removed from the vehicles and transported to the hospital by CHFD EMS.  The Cherry Hill Police is investigating the cause of the accident.

Cherry Hill Fire Department will be Accepting Applications for the Position of FF/EMT

Firefighter/Emergency

Medical Technician

Cherry Hill Fire District #13

1100 Marlkress Road

Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08003

The Board of Fire Commissioners of Cherry Hill, NJ will be accepting applications for the position of FF/EMT in order to establish a hire list for future full-time firefighting positions starting Friday, August 1, 2014.

Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements as set forth in NJ Statutes; Title 40A:14 (for example: Applicant must be eligible to be hired between 21 years of age and on or before their 35^th birthday.

Applicants must be 19 years of age at the date of the written test.

As a prerequisite for appointment, appointees will be required to pass a thorough medical exam, psychiatric/psychological exam, and background investigation. Any psychological, medical, physical conditions, or defect which would prevent efficient performance of duties of the position, cause the appointee to be a hazard to himself/herself or others, or become aggravated, as a result of performance of these duties, will be cause for rejection.

Interested candidates should follow the process outlined on the CHFD website:  www.cherryhillfire.org by selecting the Career / Volunteer Opportunities link and then Fire Employment Opportunities. Once you complete and submit the Applicant Form, an electronic copy of the Preliminary Employment Application will be emailed to you for completion. All completed applications must be submitted to the Cherry Hill Fire Department no later than 4:00 PM on Friday, August 29, 2014. Applications received after the 29^th at 4:00 PM will not be eligible.

For applicants that do not have an e-mail address, applications can also be obtained in person from Central Command during the following hours: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the month of August and must be returned no later than 4:00 PM on Friday, August 29, 2014.

Applicants must bring a valid driver’s license, photo ID, and a money order in the amount of $25.00 made payable to Cherry Hill Fire District 13 at the time of the written examination.  No other form of payment will be accepted.

The Board of Fire Commissioners of Cherry Hill, NJ is an equal opportunity employer.

WORKING SMOKE ALARM SAVES THE LIVES OF A LOCAL FAMILY

WORKING SMOKE ALARM SAVES THE LIVES OF A LOCAL FAMILY

A Cherry Hill family was able to safely evacuate their home last week after a smoke alarm alerted them to a fire in their home.

CHFD units were dispatched to the home just after midnight Wednesday, where they discovered a fire on the first floor.

The family expressed how thankful they were; just two months prior to the fire, the fire department came out and replaced all of their older smoke alarms with new 10 year smoke alarms. The resident stated that these new alarms saved their lives.

This incident serves as a reminder of how important it is to have working smoke alarms. Every weekend firefighters from the Cherry Hill Fire Department go door to door offering FREE smoke alarm testing as well as installation of new alarms.

For more information click here:

http://www.cherryhillfire.blogspot.com/2013/12/2014-smoke-alarm-campaign.html

Promotional Ceremony for Battalion Chief, Captains and Lieutenants

On Wednesday evening, July 9th, the Cherry Hill Fire Department held a promotional ceremony for the following:

• Battalion Chief Tom Gaeta

• Captain Brett DeLucca

• Captain Chris Dollarton

• Captain Art West

• Lieutenant Robert MacDermott

• Lieutenant Chris Passer

• Lieutenant Kirk Tharp

In attendance were family and friends of all seven members, along with fellow firefighters and fire officers of the Cherry Hill Fire Department.

The evening began with opening remarks from Acting Fire Chief Tom Kolbe who welcomed family and friends to the ceremony. Chief Kolbe spoke about the process, the achievements and opportunities that lie ahead for the newly promoted Battalion Chief, Captains and Lieutenants. Following this, each Officer was asked to stand and take the oath of office before having their badge pinned on by a loved one.

The Office of the Fire Chief and the Cherry Hill Board of Fire Commissioners congratulates these Officers and wish them well in their new positions. 

Acting Chief Tom Kolbe

Battalion Chief Tom Gaeta

Battalion Chief Tom Gaeta is a life‐long Cherry Hill resident joining the Woodland Fire Co in 1987 as a volunteer firefighter. This experience developed into a life‐long love for the job. In 1991, BC Gaeta was hired by District #1 fulfilling his goal to become a career firefighter. He has worked in Stations 1, 2, 22, 3, 4 and 5 and is currently the Training Officer in the Training Division. He looks forward to the challenges of his new position. BC Gaeta is a graduate of Camden County College, Holy Family and St. Joseph’s Universities.

Battalion Chief Tom Gaeta taking the Oath of Office

Battalion Chief Tom Gaeta badge pinning by his wife Kathleen

Captains DeLucca, Dollarton and West 

taking the Oath of Office

Captain Brett DeLucca

Captain Brett DeLucca began his career in 2002 assigned to SD 13 where he remained for 7 years. He was transferred to the FCO in 2009 as a Floating Firefighter and was promoted to Lieutenant, remaining in the FCO as a Float Officer. Brett was transferred to TL24 in 2010 and remained there until he was transferred in 2013 to the Training and Safety Division as the Fire Training Officer. Captain DeLucca is assigned as Station 5 Commander and SQ1351 A Platoon.

Captain Brett DeLucca badge pinning by his wife Dana and son Vincent

Captain Chris Dollarton

Captain Chris Dollarton joined the newly consolidated Fire Department on January 1, 1994 as a Provisional Firefighter/EMT and was appointed full‐time in October of 1994. He has been assigned to E42 and E52 as a Firefighter, to the Office of the Fire Chief as a Staff Officer, the Field Command Office as a Float Officer, and following his promotion to Lieutenant in 2010 at SQ1351. Captain Dollarton’s new assignment is Station 22 Commander and E1322, B Platoon.

Captain Chris Dollarton badge pinning by his daughters Annie & Emma

Captain Art West

Captain Art West was hired full‐time with the Department in 1996 after spending 4 years as a volunteer and two years as a parttime member. He has been assigned to several stations including Station 3 where he has served for 14 of his 19 years of service. Captain West was promoted to Lieutenant in 2006 and was assigned to FCO for one year and then reassigned to Station 3 where he served until now. Captain West is also a Rescue Specialist with NJTF‐1, where he serves the entire state of NJ with his expertise

Captain Art West badge pinning by his daughter Isabella

Lieutenants MacDermott, Passer and Tharp

taking the Oath of Office

Lieutenant Robert MacDermott

Lt. Robert MacDermott has been a member of the CHFD for over 17 years. Newly assigned to L‐34/R13 C; his previous assignments were E32/R13, SQ31/R13, L34/R13 and SQ51. He has served as a Drill Instructor in the CHFD Recruit Academy and as an instructor in firefighting and technical rescue subjects. Lt. MacDermott also represents the CHFD as a member of the NJUSAR Task Force 1 as a Rescue Manager and works as an instructor with Rutgers University/NJ‐TF1ʹs technical rescue program. He has served as an instructor at the Camden County Emergency Training Center and currently works for Safety & Survival Training LLC as a fire service/technical rescue instructor. Lt. MacDermott is a tenor drummer with the Camden

County Police & Fire Pipes and Drums.

Lieutenant Robert MacDermott badge pinning by his wife Donna and son Gavin

Lieutenant Chris Passer

Lt. Chris Passer began his career with the CHFD in August 2003, Recruit Class 03‐01. After completing his recruit training, Lt. Passer was assigned to SD13A, until his promotion to Lieutenant. During his tenure at the SD Co, Lt. Passer received specialized training in HazMat response and played a role in many of the advancements of the SD Co. Lt. Passer served as a Fire Instructor for the Recruit Academy. He is currently attending the American Military University where he is completing his Bachelors Degree in Fire Science Management.

Lieutenant Chris Passer badge pinning by his daughter Madelyn

Lieutenant Kirk Tharp

Lieutenant Kirk Tharp has been a member of the fire service for 23 years; 8 of those years with the CHFD. He has served the CHFD as a firefighter since August of 2006, with assignments at L1324, E1352, SQ1331, L1334 and R13. Lieutenant Tharpʹs promotion will transfer him to the Training and Safety Division. Kirk has also contributed to the fire service as an adjunct fire instructor with Camden County College’s Regional Emergency Training Center for the past 15 years and is currently a course coordinator for the Firefighter 1 basic recruit program and the Technical/Industrial Rescue programs.

Lieutenant Kirk Tharp badge pinning by Peg Palcko

Reorganization of the Office of the Fire Chief

Firefighters Take Oath of Office

On July 3rd, three firefighters proudly took the Oath of Office and received their badges as they completed one year of service as a probationary firefighter.

The Office of the Fire Chief and the Cherry Hill Board of Fire Commissioners congratulate Andrew Gottsch, Jason Macri, and Shawn Doran as they were sworn in as firefighters.

Firefighters Doran, Macri & Gottsch taking the Oath of Office

Firefighter Shawn Doran

Firefighter Shawn Doran badge pinning 

Firefighter Andrew Gottsch

Firefighter Andrew Gottsch badge pinning

Firefighter Jason Macri

Firefighter Jason Macri badge pinning

ROOF FIRE AT CHERRY HILL HIGH SCHOOL WEST

On June 23, C-Platoon Firefighters responded to Cherry Hill High School West for a reported fire. Crews found a small fire on the roof of the school's gymnasium. The fire was quickly extinguished with an 1 3/4" handline but required extensive overhaul efforts. All units were cleared from the scene in about an hour. There were no reported injuries. 

Contractors were working on the roof at the time of the fire. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.

Per Cherry Hill Public Schools, the building is ok for use and all scheduled events remain unaffected.

Thanks to Fox 29 and NBC 10 for the aerial pics.