Motor Vehicle Accident - New Jersey Turnpike

On January 29, 2014, the Cherry Hill Fire Department, along with paramedics and NJ State Police, were dispatched to the NJ Turnpike mile marker 30.0 Northbound, for a serious motor vehicle accident with entrapment.
The CHFD arrived within 9 minutes to find two overturned tractor trailers.  One was carrying bulk goods and was blocking most of the roadway with no entrapment; the other was carrying a "bio-diesel" like product and was off the roadway on its side with the driver trapped inside.


CHFD fire and emergency medical crews rapidly assessed the patient and determined that he had potentially life threatening injuries and required rapid extrication.  Crews from Rescue 13 and Squad 13, along with Runnemede Squad Company, stabilized the cab of the tractor trailer and used hydraulic rescue tools to gain access to the patient.  Simultaneously, actions were taken by Haz-Mat 13 personnel to stop all active leaking of product from the tanker.


  

 Due to the extent of the patient's injuries, extreme weather conditions, and extent of entrapment, a request was made to medevac the patient to regional trauma center.  After the patient was extricated and transferred to the medevac team, Haz-Mat 13 personnel worked alongside a private contractor to transfer the product from the tanker. The accident is being investigated by the New Jersey State Police. 

 

A - Group Bailout Training

 



On January 31st, members of the CHFD A Platoon conducted training on “Bailout Procedures” as part of our monthly Firefighter Survival training. This procedure is used when a firefighters means of egress is blocked due to rapidly extending fire conditions. All members are equipped with a Gemtor Harness as part of their protective gear. This harness along with a section of rope are utilized to make this hasty retreat.

 

OCCUPIED VEHICLE THROUGH THE ICE

On Saturday, January 25th, C-Group Firefighters and EMS Members from Squrt 51, Ladder 24, Rescue 13, Battalion 13, and BLS 92 responded to Chapel Avenue for a report of a vehicle through the ice.

Crews arrived to find an occupied SUV off the roadway and into a frozen-over retention pond. The vehicle broke through the ice on top of the pond and became partially submerged.

CHFD members assisted the uninjured occupants out of the vehicle without incident. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Cherry Hill Police.

Click here for more information about what to do if your car breaks through the ice.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/vehicle.html.

C-Group Bailout Training

 C-Group Firefighters from Engine 22 and Ladder 24 trained on emergency window bailouts.

Firefighters may need to consider alternate, emergency means of egress from burning structures. Firefighters may find themselves in a position in which they have no other option but to bail from a window to save their lives. CHFD firefighters are equipped with harnesses and ropes which can facilitate these last-ditch escape methods

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 Coincidentally, today marks the 9th anniversary of the infamous "Black Sunday" in Bronx, New York. This event forced six FDNY firefighters to jump from fourth floor windows of a burning apartment building. Unfortunately, two Firefighters were killed and four seriously injured.

 The "Black Sunday" fire was a major influencing factor, nationwide, for the issuing of bailout equipment to firefighters. Here's more on that tragic incident:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvxtBC2gQ1g

Motor Vehicle Accident - Vehicle Struck House

Squrt 51, BLS 1395 and EMS 13 responded to a vehicle that struck a house in the Woodland section. One person was injured and taken to Cooper Hospital.

Motor Vehicle Accident - Mall Drive

On January 16, 2014, Squrt 1351, Rescue 13, Battalion 13, EMS 13, and BLS 1395 responded to the scene of a two car motor vehicle accident on Mall Drive. Crews found the driver of one of the vehicles trapped by the impact of the crash. Crews stabilized the vehicle and extricated the driver who was transported to the hospital by BLS with non-life threatening injuries.

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Engine 22 - C Platoon - Vehicle Fire

On January 16, 2014, Engine 22 responded to this well-involved vehicle fire on Route 70 West.   No injuries or damage to the adjacent building were reported.

January 10th "Ice Storm"

On Friday, January 10th between the hours of 7-11 am, Cherry Hill as well as many surrounding communities got quickly covered in ice.

With all roads and walkways covered in ice, the Cherry Hill Fire Department responded to a total 32 Fire and EMS calls in those 4 hours.

The CHFD manned the Emergency Operations Center and responded to numerous calls for assistance including motor vehicle accidents, fall victims, etc. Due to the quick thinking and rapid action of EMTs and Firefighters, we were able to handle all calls within Cherry Hill Township without assistance from outside agencies.

The CHFD normally answers about 36 calls per 24 hour day. 

 

  

Captain Tom Gaeta and Lt. Brett DeLucca meet Chief Alan Brunacini

Lt. Brett DeLucca and Captain Tom Gaeta attended a 5 day Blue Card Train the Trainer at Phoenix  Training Center.  

 

The Blue Card Command Certification Program is a state of the art training and certification system that teaches Company and Command Officers how to standardize local incident operations across their organization. The program uses a combination of online and in-class simulation training which results in an Incident Commander solution that finally addresses local Hazard Zone operations.       

 

The training is based entirely on retired Fire Chief Alan Brunacini’s Fire Command and Command Safety Textbooks which have been used globally in the Fire Service for over 30 years.  The Blue Card Incident Commander Training and Certification Program are designed to manage local, NIMS Type 4 and 5 incidents.  These 2 Incident Types account for more than 99 percent of a department's incident activity.  Until the advent of Blue Card, there has not been a curriculum or standard for an Incident Commander to manage a local, Type 4 and 5 Hazard Zone. 

 

The 3 day simulation lab is then followed by a 2 day session that focuses on:

• Command Teams
• Embedded Safety Operations
• Maydays
• Program Delivery 
 
 
 



Captain Tom Gaeta and Lt. Brett DeLucca meet Chief Alan Brunacini