The 9-1-1 emergency system is designed to save valuable seconds. When you dial 9-1-1, the system routes the police or fire unit that is closest to your home. Fire stations are not properly equipped to take emergency calls and calling the station directly actually wastes response time. To learn more about what to do in a house fire, check out the viewable and downloadable brochures in our Community Education area under "Fire Safety at Home."

What if I am not sure if there is a fire in my home, like an odor but no fire visible, or a spark in an appliance?

Do not be embarrassed to call for your Fire Department's assistance. Many Cherry Hill firefighters are your neighbors and we are here to serve. Call 9-1-1 and we will send out one (1) unit, either an engine company or ladder company (no lights or siren) to help you investigate. It is always better to play it safe.

Will the Fire Department respond if my carbon monoxide detector activates?

Yes, but you must place a 9-1-1 call. The fire department will respond to test the air for carbon monoxide.

Why do so many fire apparatus have to respond?

Our goal is to respond to your emergency as quickly as possible. Fire Department units are dispatched based on pre-determined criteria and according to information received by the 9-1-1 call taker. This could be two (2) engine companies, one (1) ladder company and a Battalion Chief. A fire in your home requires more resources than something like a remote leaf pile at the curb.

I called 9-1-1 for a medical emergency and fire apparatus came to my home.

Fire Department vehicles are fully equipped with first-aid and basic emergency medical response supplies, including defibrillators. Our firefighters are N.J. State Certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Emergency Responders, just like the personnel riding the ambulance, trained to handle medical calls. The Fire Department will respond along with the Emergency Medical Service on all serious medical calls. Since our fire houses are in your neighborhoods, often we are the first emergency personnel to arrive.

Is it okay to burn leaves, grass, or trash in my yard?

NO. It is a violation of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code to do open burning. No open burning of any kind is allowed.

I locked myself out of my house. Will the Fire Department assist me to gain access?

As a "service oriented" Fire Department, we will attempt to assist you in gaining access if you are locked out. Some new doors and locks sometimes make it harder for us to gain access to make entry without doing damage to a door or window. We will do our best to assist you. We can also help you if you are locked out of your vehicle. In either case, you will be asked to sign our "Waiver of Liability Form".

My basement is flooded. Can the Fire Department assist me?

When causing a hazard to electric & HVAC equipment, the Fire Department does assist residents and business's when local flooding occurs to mitigate those hazards at your property. However, there are times when we may not be able to get all the water out. Use caution in water around electricity, your heater and hot water heater.

A member of my family is disabled. What does he/she do during a fire?

Assure that you have a well-defined escape plan. Make sure that people who are confined to a wheelchair have immediate access to their wheelchair when an emergency occurs. The Cherry Hill Fire Department does maintain a confidential list of its citizens with special needs so that, in case of fire, we can do our best under the circumstances to meet those needs. You can contact the Fire Marshal's Office at 856-795-1340 to learn more about this valuable and potentially life-saving program and ask for a form. Or, click over to the Reports section of the website for a brochure and form with valuable information.

How do I go about drawing up an escape plan for my home/business?

The four basic steps to draw up an escape plan for your home include: 1. Draw a floor-plan of your home; 2. Agree on a meeting place, 3. Practice your escape plan; and 4. Make your exit drill realistic. For a downloadable drawing grid and brochure on Exit Drills in the Home, check out our Community Education Unit area of this web site. See if you can find out what we mean when we say "Be S.M.A.R.T."

Do I need to put a smoke detector in every room? How many do I need?

Smoke Detectors should be placed outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. Current laws also require a smoke detector in each sleeping area. On floors without bedrooms, detectors should be installed in or near living areas such as dens, living rooms, or family rooms. For more information, please visit our Reports & Forms page, click on Fire Marshal's Office and open the document entitled "Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector Inspection Form". We use this form for our inspections of homes for sale which have to meet all requirements.

I am a senior citizen. Can I receive a free smoke detector?

Yes. Contact our Community Education Division at 856-795-9805. They will assist you with any smoke detector questions. You can learn more about this program in the Community Education sections of this website.

Where can I receive CPR training?

The Cherry Hill Fire Department currently offers CPR training once a year during our Civilian Fire Academy. Check out the information on our Community Education page or contact our Community Education Unit at 856-795-9805 for more information.

How can I receive a copy of a fire incident report for my insurance company?

Have your insurance company contact the Fire Marshal's Office at 856-795-1340. They will work with your insurance carrier to obtain the proper report.

How do I schedule a smoke detector inspection for the sale of my home?

You can click over to our Fire Marshal section and learn what you need about the resale of your home. You can even download the "Smoke Detector Inspection Form" that contains much information. Or, you can contact the Fire Marshal's Office at 856-795-1340.

I just moved into my home and my insurance company needs to know the distance to the nearest fire hydrant.

Fire hydrants are located within 800 feet. If there is not one in front of your house, just look down the street or around the corner to locate one.

What important information should I advise my homeowners or fire insurance carrier about Cherry Hill Fire Department?

The Cherry Hill Fire Department has proudly, over the past several years, increased our Insurance Services Office rating to a high rating of a 2. The rating system of the ISO is from 1 to 10, with 1 being the highest rating. In 1994, the various fire districts of Cherry Hill carried ratings from 3 to 5. Our current rating of 2 may have a positive effect on your insurance premiums. Currently, only about a dozen fire departments across the state have this rating. The Cherry Hill Fire Department is always trying to improve all our ratings.

What do I do with old gasoline/oil/paint?

The Camden County Division of Environmental Affairs holds four (4) waste collection days each year. You can contact them at 856- 858-5241 for the next available date and location. The following items can also be disposed of at the Cherry Hill Township Municipal Garage on Pernia Blvd.

• Tires
• All types of batteries
• Waste
• Motor Oil

You can contact Cherry Hill Township Public Works at 856-424-4422

Who do I call about a fire extinguisher that is broken or needs to be recharged?

Check the YELLOW PAGES under Fire Extinguishers for an authorized service contractor. The Cherry Hill Fire Department cannot fix or collect fire extinguishers.

What is an Engine Company?

An engine company is the pumper. One (1) Fire Officer and three (3) Firefighters are assigned to this unit. Their primary objective is to move fire hose lines into position to extinguish the fire. On most fires and especially larger fires, one (1) engine company will hook-up to a fire hydrant to supply water to other fire apparatus at the fire scene.

What is a Ladder Company?

A ladder company is the apparatus that carries portable ladders, multiple hand tools, saws, and salvage equipment. One (1) Fire Officer and three (3) Firefighters are assigned to this unit. Their primary objective is to ventilate, search, and force entry into the fire building. The personnel assigned to a Ladder Company are usually the firefighters you see working hard on the roof of a burning structure.

The fire hydrant in front of my house is leaking. Do you take care of that?

Any leaking or broken fire hydrants can be reported to us. We can contact the proper water company for repairs. Call our Fire Marshal's Office between 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday at 856-795-1340 and we will send the local fire station out to investigate.

The Water Companies inspect hydrants on a yearly basis. Cherry Hill Firefighters check all the hydrants in their territory during the Fall months.

Does the Cherry Hill Fire Department participate in telephone solicitations?

No. However there are other fire service organizations that, at times, conduct fund raising campaigns for their organizations and charity donations. Please use your discretion in making donations and be careful with any phone solicitation. We do accept donations used to support The Fire Prevention and Safety Alliance ant their initiatives right here in Cherry Hill. Your donation is tax deductible. Contact our Fire Administration for more information at 856-795-9805.

I saw a fire truck at the local supermarket, and some members of the crew were inside buying food. Why do firefighters use the fire apparatus to tend to non-emergency business?

To ensure the most effective service at the time of an emergency, our firefighter crews must stay together during their entire shift. Our firefighters work 24-hour shifts and have no scheduled meal breaks. They usually stop to pick up food and supplies for the station. They maintain constant radio contact with the fire dispatcher and will respond to an emergency regardless of their location or non-emergency assignment. Very often, our firefighters spend long periods out of their station on emergency calls, training, and inspections.

I saw Cherry Hill Fire Department Units responding outside of Cherry Hill. Why were they doing that?

The Cherry Hill Fire Department provides "Mutual Aid" response to our neighboring communities when they need our assistance. Some of these communities return the favor, by responding into Cherry Hill to assist us.