10/07/07 CHFD Hazardous Materials unit responds to Camden City

Cherry Hill Hazardous Materials Unit was called to Our Lady Of Lourdes Hospital to assist the Camden City Fire Department with a 125 lb Freon Cylinder that was leaking in the basement. Members of both Cherry Hill and Camden Fire Departments removed the cylinder from the basement and stopped the leak by using sidewall patches. The cylinder was then placed into the Cherry Hill Fire Departments containment vessel. The Hospital was thoroughly checked and metered to ensure that there was no threat to the patients and faculty. A small amount of product was released into the building with no threat to the hospital .

10/11/07 - Firefighters make quick work of house fire.

On Thursday, October 11th at just past 3:15 in the afternoon, Cherry Hill Firefighters and EMTs responded to a reported house fire in the 1200 block of Sequoia Road. Battalion Chief 1303 was the first to arrive and reported a smoke condition in the rear of the dwelling and directed the incoming companies to go into service. Companies pulled hose lines to attack the fire which had gotten a hold of two rooms in the rear of the first floor and was quickly spreading throughout that level and up the stairs.
A thorough search for any trapped occupants proved nobody was at home during the fire. Windows were opened up to ventilate the heavy smoke condition and ladders were placed around the dwelling for use by firefighters. This fire was placed under control in about 15 minutes from the time of arrival. No injuries were reported to civilians or firefighters. A family of six has been displaced from this home indefinitely, and this fire is under investigation by the Cherry Hill Fire Marshal’s Office.

9/27/07, Technical Rescue Company 13 Responds to Building Collapse

On Thursday September 27th, Cherry Hill Firefighters responded to Medford Township for a report of a vehicle into a house, with people trapped. The department's Technical Rescue Team Responded to assist Medford Township Fire Department with the rescue. Prior to the arrival of Cherry Hill Firefighters, Medford Fire Department had removed the driver of the van who was in serious condition. Once on location, Cherry Hill Firefighters were told that the owners of the house were unaccounted for and possibly trapped in the house. After assessing the structural stability of the house, it was determined that wood and heavy rescue jacks needed to be used to stabilize the house. A room to room search was conducted by Medford Township, Evesham Township, and Cherry Hill Firefighters and it was determined that no one was home at the time of the accident.

Fire & Life Safety Day - 10/7/07 1 to 4 pm, Crofft Farm

It's time for Fire Prevention Week. From October 7-13, Cherry Hill Fire Department is joining forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to remind local residents to 'Practice Your Escape Plan.' According to the latest NFPA research, 3,030 people died in 2005 as a result of fires in their home – that’s roughly eight people every day. Being alerted to a fire and knowing what to do to escape from one are extremely important, yet only 23% of households have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan.

Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country. For 85 years, fire departments have observed Fire Prevention Week, making it the longest running public health and safety observance on record. During this year's fire safety campaign, firefighters and safety advocates will be spreading the word about the dangers of home fires and teaching local residents how to plan and practice escaping a home in case a fire occurs.

“Many times when we speak to residents who have experienced a fire in their home, they recall becoming confused and disoriented by the conditions and severity of the situation – but they realized they needed to get out fast,” said Captain Kevin E. Kenniff. "Sometimes there are only seconds to escape, but there’s no question that having a plan in place, that’s been practiced, saves precious time and makes survival more likely. We hope that Fire Prevention Week will prompt folks in our community to plan and practice their escape.”

Are you prepared for a fire? Although it’s difficult to prepare for the unexpected, reviewing the information below and taking action based on it to plan for a fire is strongly recommended… and don’t forget to practice your escape plan during Fire Prevention Week!

• Install working smoke alarms on every level; and inside and outside of each sleeping area.


• Develop a fire escape plan that identifies two ways out of each room and a family meeting place outside.


• Make sure your plan allows for any specific needs in your household. If everyone knows what to do, everyone can get out quickly.


• Practice using the plan, at least twice a year.


• Some studies have shown that some children and adults may not awaken to the sound of a smoke alarm; they may need help waking up.


• If the smoke alarm sounds: Go to your closest exit, and if you run into smoke, turn and use another way out. If you must exit through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit. Don’t take time to pick up belongings; just get out and help others get out. Move fast but stay calm.
  

Come to Croft Farm at 100 Evans Mill Road on October 7, 2007 from 1p.m. to 4p.m. for our 3rd Annual Fire and Life Safety Day. Fire, Emergency Medical, and Police units will be on hand to demonstrate equipment and speak about making your home safer. Activities include; children’s firefighter challenge, home hazard hunt, fire hose squirt, kids card program and more.

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