CHFD Responds to Haddonfield Fire

CHFD firefighters were dispatched at approx. 10:38 PM for a fire reported in a large home at 73 Center St. in Haddonfield . One engine and one ladder tuck were dispatched on a mutual aid agreement with Haddonfield. Police arrived on location to find smoke showing from a rear two story addition to the property. Haddonfield Chief arrived on location reporting a fire on the first floor in the rear of the dwelling. Crews from Haddonfield deployed the first hose line for extinguishing fire. Cherry Hill crews arrived with the engine's crew deploying a second hose line for back up and also supplying water to Haddonfield's first arriving engine. The ladder truck arrived and worked to secure utilities, provide ventilation of smoke from the dwelling and also to confirm extension of fire on the second floor. Crews also assisted with remaining overhaul to assure all fire was extinguished in walls and between floors. Westmont and Barrington Fire Departments also responded and assisted with operations. CHFD Rehab unit was also dispatched to provide much needed fluids and relief for firefighters. Fire is still under investigation by Haddonfielfd and Camden County Fire Marshal's Office. There were no reported injuries.

Car Accident Injures 10, Ties Up Traffic for Hours

At just around 11:25 on August 28, 2007, Cherry Hill Firefighters and EMTs responded to a motor vehicle accident on Route 561 in the area between Rue De Bois and Evesham roads with reported people trapped. Responding units were advised that at least 4 cars were involved, about 10 people injured including small children, and 1 person was still trapped in their vehicle. A CHFD Battalion Chief was the first to arrive, confirmed the number of victims and the entrapment, and immediately directed dispatchers to add an appropriate number of Fire and EMS resources to the scene. An EMS supervisor also responded to help set up triage assessments for the large number of victims.

The coordinated EMS response helped to identify several patients as priorities and they were packaged and taken to area hospitals. The trapped victim was freed by firefighters using several powered and hydraulic rescue tools. The heavy damage to the front of his vehicle caused him to become entangled in the passenger compartment. Firefighters removed the roof of the vehicle to give EMTs and Paramedics access to their patient, and then continued to free the entanglements, remove the car doors and place him on a backboard. The majority of the remaining injuries were minor in nature, and all patients received assessment and treatment on the scene, and transported to a hospital for further care. Cherry Hill Fire Department ambulances transported at total of 10 victims.

Cherry Hill Police had Route 561 shut down for almost two hours as they investigated the accident. It remains under investigation by the Cherry Hill Police Traffic Unit.

To see more photos, visit CHFD's Flickr.com account.

CHFD on Route 295 for Accident with Trapped Victims

At around 3:00 pm on Monday, August 20th, Cherry Hill Firefighters and EMTs responded to a reported motor vehicle accident on Route 295, just north of the route 70 ramps. First arriving companies reported a serious traffic collision involving one SUV and one tractor trailer, and that the driver of the SUV was trapped in the wreckage of her vehicle. Cherry Hill EMTs gained access to the vehicle to attend to their patient while Firefighters went into service with hydraulic rescue tools.

Once free, the female patient was removed from the vehicle by EMTs and Paramedics and brought to an awaiting CHFD ambulance and transported to Cooper Trauma Center in Camden. A three year old child was also removed from the vehicle but sustained no injuries. The Fire Department then secured the vehicle, worked with NJ State Police to alleviate the 4 mile traffic back-up, and took an active role in re-uniting the child involved with family members. Traffic in the area was affected for almost an hour. No other injuries were reported.

See more pictures on the CHFD Flickr page.

CHFD Responds to Motor Vehicle Accident on Turnpike With People Trapped

At just around 3:30 AM, Saturday August 18, 2007, Cherry Hill Firefighters and EMTs were dispatched to the area of mile makrer 29 on the New Jersey Turnpike for a motor vehicle accident reportedly with people trapped inside a vehicle. The secondary report indicated an accident involving a car and a tractor trailer. Firefighters arrived on the scene and found a 15 passenger van that had struck a tractor trailer in the rear. Several passengers were walking around the scene, but the driver and front passenger of the van remained trapped with multiple injuries. Firefighters carefully removed the doors and mid posts on both sides of the vehicle with hydraulic rescue tools so the patients could be safely removed. Both were transported by ambulance to Cooper Trauma Center in Camden, along with one other passenger who experienced minor injuries. CHFD units were clear from the scene in approx. thirty-eight minutes. Runnemede Fire Dept. also assisted with the operation.