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Fire Department

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1. How do I dispose of fire/smoke alarms?

Please refer to the U.S. Fire Administration, FEMA brochure for information. Disposal of Fire/Smoke Detectors

2. Where can I obtain assistance with the installation of a child safety seat?

The Camden County Emergency Training Center in Blackwood conducts periodic child safety seat checks. Please call 856-783-4808 x5427 for additional information. Child Safety Seat Installation

3. Why do I have to dial 9-1-1? Can't I call the fire station directly and save time?

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 fire safety and prevention for residents webpage.

4. If there is an odor but no visible fire or spark in an appliance, what should I do?

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 unit, either an engine or ladder company (no lights or siren), to help you investigate. It is always better to play it safe.

5. 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.

6. 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 predetermined criteria and according to information received by the 9-1-1 call taker. This could be two engine companies, one ladder company, and a battalion chief. A fire in your home requires more resources than something such as a remote leaf pile at the curb.

7. I called 9-1-1 for a medical emergency and a fire apparatus came to my home. Why is this?

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

8. 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.

9. 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 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 a waiver of liability form.

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

When causing a hazard to electric and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning 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, the heater, and the hot water heater.

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

Have in place 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 path by which the person would exit the room should be completely cleared of obstructing objects, to enable a quick and safe exit. If the person will need help to escape during an emergency, be sure to assign a family member to help them exit the home.

12. How do I go about creating an escape plan for my home or business?

The four basic steps to draw up an escape plan for your home or business include:

1. Draw a floor-plan of your home / business


2. Agree on a meeting place


3. Practice your escape plan


4. Make your exit drill realistic

For more information, view the home escape planning under Fire Safety for Residents.

13. Do I need to put a smoke detector in every room?

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 view the smoke and carbon monoxide detector inspection information sheet.

14. I am a senior citizen. Can I receive a free smoke alarm?

Yes. Please contact our Smoke Alarm Inspection Office at (856) 429-7441. They will assist you with any smoke detector questions.

15. 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.

16. How do I schedule a smoke & carbon monoxide alarm certification inspection for the sale of my home?

Complete the smoke alarm inspection request form or contact the Smoke Alarm Home InspectionOffice at (856) 429-7441.

For additional information, please view the smoke and carbon monoxide detector inspection information sheet.

17. I just moved into my home and my insurance company needs to know the distance to the nearest fire hydrant. What is the distance and where would I find it?

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.

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

The Cherry Hill Fire Department has proudly, over the past several years, increased the Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating to a high rating of two. The rating system of the ISO is from one to 10, with one being the highest rating.

In 1994, the various fire districts of Cherry Hill carried ratings from three to five. Our current rating of two 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.

19. Where can I dispose of old gasoline / oil / paint?

The Camden County Division of Environmental Affairs holds four 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 Boulevard:

• All types of batteries


• Motor oil


• Tires


• Waste

You can also contact Cherry Hill Township's Public Works Department at (856) 424-4422.

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

Check in the yellow pages listing under fire extinguishers for an authorized service contractor. The Cherry Hill Fire Department cannot service or collect fire extinguishers. You may dispose of them during household special waste collection events conducted periodically by the Camden County Division of Environmental Affairs; please contact them at 856-858-5241.

21. What is an engine company?

An engine company is the pumper. One fire officer and three 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 engine company will hook-up to a fire hydrant to supply water to other fire apparatus at the fire scene.

22. What is a ladder company?

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

23. The fire hydrant in front of my house is leaking. Who do I contact to fix it?

Any leaking or broken fire hydrants can be reported to the Fire Marshal's Office and we will contact the proper water company for repairs. Call the office between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm 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.

24. 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 and their initiatives right here in Cherry Hill. Your donation is tax deductible. Contact the fire administration at (856) 795-9805 for more information.

25. 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.

26. 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.