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.

Building Collapse 500 Route 38

Camden County Prosecutor Warren Faulk, Cherry Hill Police Chief Bud Monahan and Cherry Hill Fire Director Patrick Kelly reported a building collapse that led to the death of one man Friday.

On June 20, 2014, at 12:31 pm the Cherry Hill Police and Fire Department Officials responded to the report of a building collapse at 500 Rte. 38, Cherry Hill. Fire Department Units arrived on location and discovered one person trapped under the debris. His injuries were fatal. Jose Ortega, 38, of Camden was identified after an autopsy was conducted Saturday. He was killed immediately in the collapse.

A backhoe operator working at the site was also transported to the local hospital for evaluation after complaining of chest pains.

The building being demolished was formerly occupied by a Blockbuster Video Store but has been unoccupied for several years.

The Cherry Hill Police Department and Camden County Prosecutor’s Office are currently conducting the investigation with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.  

CHFD and CHPD Present "Operation Prom: Mock Crash"

On June 3, members of the Cherry Hill Fire Department and Cherry Hill Police Department assisted with Cherry Hill High School West's "Operation Prom: Mock Crash". 

The mock crash gave students a realistic look at what can happen while driving under the influence. The scenario included four high school students that were involved in a severe crash after they had been drinking at an after-prom party. The crash involved the car spinning out of control and hitting a telephone pole causing the unrestrained passenger to become ejected from the vehicle. When the police and fire department arrived, they quickly assessed the scene adding even more realism by pronouncing one student dead at the scene.

The police removed the driver and conducted a field sobriety test and then arrested him for driving while intoxicated. The two back seat passengers were injured and had to be extricated by the fire department.

As the students looked on, the narrator explained the costs both emotionally and financially that affect family, friends, victims and the community at large. 

After the presentation, students gathered in the auditorium where the four "crash victims" stood in front of their classmates and gave their thoughts on the program. They were all in agreement that this valuable exercise put things into perspective and definitely will make them think twice before making a bad decision in the future.

Police arrive on scene of mock crash

Unrestrained passenger ejected through front windshield

Unrestrained passenger ejected through front windshield pronounced dead at the scene.

Crews work to extricate trapped passenger

Patient is taken to local hospital by EMS

Ejected victim removed by Schetter's Funeral Home

Story and all photos for immediate release.

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2014 Memorial Day Murph Challenge

On May 26, 2014, the Cherry Hill Fire Department was an Official Host Site for the annual Memorial Day Murph Challenge.

We had a great turn out this year with participants from the Cherry Hill Fire Department, Cherry Hill EMS, Cherry Hill Police Department, Camden County Prosecutors Office, Camden County Police Department, New Jersey State Police and the US Navy.

The workout consists of:

1 mile run

100 pull-ups

200 pushups

300 squats

1 mile run

all while wearing a 20 lb. vest or body armor

Firefighter Mike Cipriano - Cherry Hill Fire Department 

Firefighter Zach Houck - Cherry Hill Fire Department

Lieutenant  Brett DeLucca- Cherry Hill Fire Department

Firefighter Steve Kinky - Cherry Hill Fire Deparment
Detective Ryan DelCampo - Cherry Hill Police Department

BROTHERS
Battalion Chief Jason Houck - Cherry Hill Fire Department
Investigator Tim Houck - Camden County Prosecutors Office
Firefighter Zach Houck - Cherry Hill Fire Department

The Murph Challenge is a charity workout in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Michael P. Murphy United States Navy (SEAL) whom died in the line of duty during Operation Red Wings near Asadabad, Afghanistan on June 28, 2005. Lt. Murphy exemplified the Core Values of the Navy and the CHFD; Honor, Courage & Commitment.