Friday, December 30, 2011

12.31.11 - Battalion Chief Stallfort’s Last Day

"Good leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion". ~ Jack Welch


Thirty years of completing anything is an accomplishment worthy of mention. A 30+ year career in the fire service is an amazing and rare achievement. Battalion Chief William Stallfort is serving his last tour of duty with the Cherry Hill Fire Department today after more than 30 years as a firefighter – which will be a challenge to summarize in just a few short paragraphs here. What began in 1975 as a Junior Firefighter position, as a “way to play softball with the firefighter’s teams” led to him being hired in 1980. Today, his service can be recognized as a career that helped shape the Cherry Hill Fire Department, especially its’ technical rescue teams, and define a style that’s admired by the firefighters who call him “Chief”.

For the last 30 years, Chief Stallfort has served in an industry where the daily work offers few second chances. Many have observed that those in other careers get to make mistakes – not true with those of us in the emergency services. It’s permissible when: deliverymen; teachers; bankers and the athletes we admire so much; make mistakes. In contrast, we believe that in the fire service we need to “bat 1,000 percent” every day, on every call. Chief Stallfort’s mindset, and the ideals he instilled in those he leads, set the tone for this type of success each and every shift they come to work: Training, Plan-ahead, Training, Preparedness, and Training – basically complete readiness….with some Training to round it out.

In the past two years, Chief Stallfort redesigned the way his Platoon trained together. Members of C-Platoon have been training nearly every tour in what Chief Stallfort called; the “bread and butter” evolutions of arriving on scene, making an accurate and correct size up, placing hose lines in service and performing search and rescue and fire control. Each time there was always a little surprise or twist to keep his officers guessing. But the theory and practice of performing the simple everyday pulling hose lines and maneuvering them into service was not lost on the firefighters of C-platoon.

It was once said that the best leaders are willing to walk beside those they lead. Well, any firefighter can tell you good leadership comes from integrity – where you’re willing to do whatever you ask others to do. No one espoused these ideals more than Chief Stallfort. His firefighters were used to his participation in his own training assignments and having him right behind you on incidents big and small. You never had to question if he was there – you knew he would be. You never had to question what the assignment was – get the job done!

Chief Stallfort’s service also extends outside of Cherry Hill; serving New Jersey and our country as a member of New Jersey’s Urban Search and Rescue - Task Force One. On September 11th, 2001, Task Force One was one of the first teams pressed into service at Ground Zero. Just recently, at our own 10 year memorial service for September 11, Chief Stallfort relayed how he arrived in New York as a Team Leader in charge of about 7 or 8 people, and received an on the spot “field promotion” to Team Manager. He was placed in charge of about 60 or 70 people – and asked to lead them during the most horrific scene any of us will ever imagine. For those of us that work with him every day, it’s easy to believe how clear of a decision it was to promote him and rely on him that day.

In his personal and off-duty life, Chief Stallfort continues to prove integrity counts. He is a devoted husband; and he and his wife, Tiziana are the parents of two successful and accomplished young women. Chief Stallfort has been asked to lead department forces at many events, celebrations and services and has been a consistent team member of the Cherry Hill Firefighters softball team (remember why he joined in the first place?) helping them win multiple seasons and tournaments.

For the past 30 years, Chief Stallfort always commanded – and earned – respect. Today, he not only has our respect, but also our gratitude. Thank you Chief Stallfort, and best wishes in your retirement.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Car vs Building Rescue Assignment



The vehicle left the roadway and struck the historic gatehouse of Colestown Cemetary.
Just prior to 1900 hours on Wednesday, December 28, "A" Group's Squrt 1351 and BLS 1392 were dispatched to the intersection of Church Road and North Kings Highway for a motor vehicle accident with injuries.  While en route, additional calls reported that the driver of one of the vehicles was entrapped inside their car.  The incident was upgraded to a “rescue assignment,” adding Battalion 13, Rescue 13, EMS 13, and an ALS unit to the response.

Upon arrival, Squrt 1351 reported a three car collision, with one vehicle off the roadway.  That vehicle had impacted the gatehouse of the Colestown Cemetary and its driver was still pinned inside.  

The crews from Squrt 1351 and BLS 1392 stabilized the vehicle and began providing medical attention to the driver.  The crews also checked on the condition of the occupants of the other vehicles involved in the collision who were reportedly uninjured.

 Squrt 1351 and Rescue 13's crews work to extricate the driver.

Squrt 1351’s crew began removing the driver’s door to the entrapped patient’s car using hydraulic rescue tools.  As the balance of the assignment arrived on scene, Rescue 13’s crew brought additional tools to the scene, and assisted in the extrication effort.  After approximately 20 minutes, the driver was removed from the vehicle and transported by BLS 1392.  


The CHPD are investigating the cause of the collision.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

CHFD Welcomes home more troops

On Christmas Eve Cherry Hill Firefighters had the privilege to welcome back some hometown heroes for the holidays. The Lamanna family from Kingston Estates has four sons; John, Justin, Jesse and Joe. Three of their boys proudly serve our country covering all over the globe and have not been together for Christmas in quite a few years. John, a medical Sergeant in the Army, is currently stationed in South Korea. Jesse, enlisted in the Navy, is stationed in California. Joe, a Hospital Corpsman Third Class enlisted in the Air Force, is stationed in Spain. Cherry Hill American Legion Post #372, Warriors Watch, Yellow Ribbon Club, Nam Knights, Last Patrol and AMVets were some of the organizations represented in the parade leading to the Lamanna residence. With sirens, horns and motorcycle roaring down the street, neighbors came out of their house to see the celebration. The entire Lamanna family came out as everyone lined up to shake the hands of these brave young men. Mayor Platt read a proclamation and drew a rousing applause as he motioned toward the Lamanna family and stated “This is America!!” The Cherry Hill Fire Department salutes the Lamanna family for their selfless service.

Motorcycle riders receive briefing on surprise visit.

Crowd gathers outside of Lamanna household.


Neighbors join in the welcome home celebration.


Mayor Platt presents a proclomation.


A video produced by event organizer Sue Quinn. 

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

A-Group starts shift early with MVA Rt 295 SB


Company after securing power
 Companies were dispatched for a MVA  involving a tractor trailer with entrapment on Route 295 southbound

Companies arrived to find a car into the gardrail with no entrapment and patient out of the vehicle.
Passenger vehicle resting spot after collision


Tractor Trailer the vehicle collided with on other side of highway


After accessing the patient they were transported to the hospital. Vehicle was secured and companies went available.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Santa Comes to Cherry Hill

Since last Thursday, December 15, through this upcoming Wednesday, December 21, Santa Claus has been touring the streets of Cherry Hill, escorted by the Cherry Hill Firefighters and Fire Officers.  Normally the sound of sirens and horns accompanied by flashing lights means the firefighters are rushing towards some emergency in town.  However, in the evening and afternoon hours these noises have served the purpose of alerting all the boys and girls of Cherry Hill, and some adults of course, that Santa Claus is coming to town.
Santa w/ the members of Squad 13 "A"

On one special note, soon to be retiring Battalion Chief, William Stallfort, stopped into the quarter's of Squad 13 on his day off to help with the escorting of Santa Claus.  Occasionally while the firefighters are escorting Santa, emergencies occur requiring the firefighters and Santa to quickly rush off to protect the community; and yes even Santa helps.  As was the case on Thursday, December 15, B/C Stallfort and the members of Squad 13 "A" took in several calls in their local with Santa in tow.  Now, don't fret if you see Santa and the firefighters leaving for an emergency; they will return to finish Santa's trip through your neighborhood at a later date.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Vehicle crashes in to private dwelling

At 0901 hrs. on December 10th (A Platoon) Ladder 24, BLS 92 and ALS were dispatched to Sherwood Avenue for a motor vehicle accident. Ladder 24 and CHPD arrived to find a SUV crashed in to the side of an occupied private dwelling. One passenger of the vehicle was treated for minor bumps and bruises by BLS 92. The vehicle narrowly missed the electric and gas utility services to the house. Inspection of the building was turned over to Cherry Hill construction office and the accident is being investigated by CHPD. Units operating on scene: EMS 13, Ladder 24, BLS 92 & CHPD.

Friday, December 9, 2011

12.9.11 – Well-Known National Fire Chief Visits Cherry Hill Fire Department

Ask most people to name a celebrity or famous person and you will get a barrage of answers ranging across the sports, music and entertainment industries. Ask someone to name a famous firefighter, and the answers will come less eagerly – if at all. However; if you ask someone that’s been in the fire service for any amount of time, especially a firefighter that reads fire service articles and fire command text books, a few well known, “famous” firefighters or chief’s usually pop up. One such well known Fire Chief is Alan Brunacini. Chief Brunacini stopped by the Cherry Hill Fire Department on December 9th to discuss emerging trends in the fire service and review the CHFD’s recent venture into Brunacini’s own “Blue Card Training” for command officers.

Chief Brunacini joined the Phoenix Fire Department in 1958, rose through the ranks and was Chief of Department from 1978 to 2006, retiring after a nearly 50 year career. He has served on numerous nationwide fire service boards, committees and commissions and was the past Chairman of the National Fire Protection Association; N.F.P.A. He is the author of many fire service textbooks, some deemed mandatory for those seeking promotion to leadership roles in firefighting. These texts include: Fire Command; Command Safety, Timeless Tactical Truths, Essentials of Fire Department Customer Service; and the Anatomy and Physiology of Leadership.

Chief Alan Brunacini discusses fire service trends with Cherry Hill Firefighters.
Over the past 6 months, Cherry Hill Fire Officers have been training with the “Blue Card Training” program created and taught by Chief Brunacini and his two sons, John and Nick. Blue Card is designed to first instruct and then certify fire officers who serve in the role of incident commander or that supervises and manages emergency and hazard zone operations for everyday, local events. Blue Card incorporates 50 hrs of online instruction with 3-6 days of in-class simulation training. Chief Brunacini stopped by to review the department’s progress and the live simulation work areas. One simulation actually utilizes a department command vehicle and asks the perspective commander to make decisions just as he would in that vehicle on a live incident – which is on a video screen in front of him. CHFD Officers are set to begin using the simulators in early 2012.

Training Officer Callan reviews the Blue Card Simulator with Brunacini.
Below is an informative video for the public that describes the problems Fire Departments face across the country, and how the Blue Card program helps prepare fire officers to handle those problems while serving the customer and keeping firefighters safe.



Please visit http://www.bluecardcommand.com/ for more information or click here for a demo of the course.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

A Platoon exctricates trapped motorist

On Sunday November 27th, Ladder 24 and BLS 92 were dispatched to South Kings Highway and Park Boulevard for a reported Motor Vehicle Accident. The assignment was upgraded to a rescue assignment after CHPD arrived and reported one occupant trapped. Ladder 24 arrived and confirmed the reports and began rescue operations. Rescue 13 and Ladder 24 extricated the occupant in 5 minutes and EMS transported to Cooper Trauma. Units operating on scene were: Battalion 13, Ladder 24, Rescue 13, EMS 13, BLS 92, BLS 96, BLS 1457, Medic 44, Medic 400 and CHPD.