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.