The Report

This is part two of a two part series featuring company reflections on a complex incident that occurred on 9/6/23. September 6th looked to be just another day in the CHFD as we conducted training for the B Platoon at the platoon level. Ladder 24 was setting out from their quarters shortly after lunch to head east for their training when a tree service truck drove erratically past them in the construction zone along Rt 70 taking out construction barrels and nearly hitting them. Ladder 24 began to pursue the vehicle and radio it into PD. The Rescue Co and much of the Field Command Office listened from the kitchen of 3s as events unfolded and were narrated in real time by Lt Justin Brown. While pursuing the vehicle they watched it head into oncoming traffic at 70 and Kings before jumping the median again and crashing through the front of Lakeview Dentistry, an occupied medical office.The interview you are about to hear was conducted at the kitchen table of Rescue 13 in which its members along with Battalion Chief Houck and FF Brian Ball (E22) reflect on their decision and actions that day. FF Ball was detailed to Ladder 24 that morning and operated on scene. If you have not had time to listen to Part One we encourage you to go back to Episode 3 of The Report and listen. 

In this episode we feature retired Captain Art West. Art was hired in 1996 and rose to the rank of Captain during his nearly 27 year career with the CHFD. Artie served in numerous companies during his tenure with the department including both firefighter and Lieutenant with the Rescue Company, Float Lieutenant FCO A Platoon, Captain in the Training & Safety Division, and Captain of Ladder 24. Art also began his service on the State’s Urban Search And Rescue Team (NJTF-1) during this timeframe in September of 2008. This service continues into his retirement. Captain West has been the recipient of 2 Departmental Service Rating Awards for Bravery for his actions on two separate fires occurring in 2021 while he was assigned to Ladder 1324. In this episode Art gives us a glimpse into the early days with the CHFD post consolidation through to our modern day department. 

September 6th looked to be just another day in the CHFD as we conducted training for the B Platoon at the platoon level. Ladder 24 was setting out from their quarters shortly after lunch to head east for their training when a tree service truck drove erratically past them in the construction zone along Rt 70 taking out construction barrels and nearly hitting them. Ladder 24 began to pursue the vehicle and radio it into PD. The Rescue Co and much of the Field Command Office listened from the kitchen of 3s as events unfolded and were narrated in real time by Lt Justin Brown. While pursuing the vehicle they watched it head into oncoming traffic at 70 and Kings before jumping the median again and crashing through the front of Lakeview Dentistry, an occupied medical office.The interview you are about to hear was conducted at the kitchen table of Ladder 24 in which its members along with Battalion Chief Houck reflect on their decision and actions that day. This is part 1 of a 2 part series looking back at this incident. Part 2 will be released in the coming weeks and will include the accounts of Rescue Co 13 and further reflections by CHFD members on scene that day.

Captain Dan Direnzo Jr retired from the Cherry Hill Fire Department in 2008 after serving a lengthy career with the department which began before consolidation. Like many of our members Captain Direnzo first started his service as a volunteer with the Erlton Fire Department where he would later be hired as a career firefighter and start down a path that would eventually lead to his role as Chief Financial Officer for the consolidated Fire District. In this episode we touch on more of our early department history but spend a considerable amount of time discussing one of the most historic fires in our departments history; The Garden State Race Track fire that broke out on April 14th, 1977. Captain Direnzo was the first arriving company officer and reflects on his actions and decisions that day. We close the episode out discussing his time as CFO and the lasting mark he made on our department.

Dennis aka Chewy is one of the most beloved firefighters of the Cherry Hill Fire Department. Growing up in Cherry Hill, he did what everyone from the neighborhood did; join the ranks of the Erlton Fire Company. Dennis began his career as a minimum staffer before entering the newly consolidated Cherry Hill Fire Department through its first CHFD recruit academy class of 1998. Dennis served 25 years with the department; just about all of which was on a ladder company. In the end Dennis is everyone's senior man and has come to be an iconic figure in the department and its history.