Cherry Hill - Deer Park FC
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Organized in 1948 as the Deer Park Fire Company, it operated as a traditional fire company until 2004 when the career Cherry Hill Fire Department was established township wide due to dwindling volunteer staffing. A number of members who wished to continue their volunteer service spent six months planning
the concept of a fireground rehabilitation support unit. With the concept approved by the township, Deer Park Fire Company took on a new role in serving the community. Present day, twenty active members average 125 responses annually to both emergency and planned incidents. Dispatched by Camden County, their units serve Camden, Burlington, Gloucester and Ocean Counties as well as Atlantic County including runs to the Jersey Shore on large scale incidents.
A fact the company is very proud of is that they have never missed a run since their formation in 2004! Their largest incident response to date has been a 12 alarm fire at the Dietz & Watson factory which burned for three days - ironically enough, Dietz & Watson is the brand of hot dogs they serve while feeding first responders during incidents!
Cherry Hill FD Station 13-8
When originally organized in 1948, the Deer Park Fire Co. housed their 1939 Mack engine in the garage of a truck repair shop owned by a charter member who served as the first fire chief. Following the construction of their original firehouse in 1953, this double drive-through bay station was dedicated in September 1968 as the Cropwell Substation. Staffed by 25 volunteers recruited from the Old Orchard/Fox Hollows sections of the township (many of whom had come from Brooklyn,
New York where they were formerly employed in the Brooklyn Navy Yard), this station operated as a traditional fire company with a variety of apparatus including engines, aerial devices and heavy rescue/utility units. When the shift to the career Cherry Hill
Fire Department occurred in 2004, this station remained in service with the Deer Park Fire Co. in their new capacity as a fireground rehabilitation support unit.
Rehab 1385 - 2004 Freightliner MT55/Union City Body Co./Custom Mobile Foods
This rig represents a truly unyque first of its' kind response vehicle - the body was built by the Union City Body Co. of Indiana on the Freightliner chassis which features a higher horsepower engine, increased suspension and air brakes. It was then shipped to Custom Mobile Foods of Hammonton, New Jersey, a supplier of mobile food trucks where the on-board kitchen was installed making it the first purpose built fire department response vehicle constructed by this vendor. Seating four in captain's chair style seats, it features a curbside extendable awning, serving window and shelf. The full service kitchen is outfitted with two refrigerators, coffee/hot water
maker, a two burner stove, microwave, commercial grade hot dog grill and drink dispensers. It also features a full service on-board restroom module complete with climate control (the only unit of its' kind in Southern New Jersey).Cherry HillDeer ParkRehabFreightlinerUnion City Body Co.Custom Mobile FoodsCanteen
Utility 1386 - 2014 Freightliner MT55/Custom Mobile Foods
After several years operating in their new role providing rehabilitation support, it was determined that a utility type vehicle was necessary to carry additional support equipment to bring the unit into compliance with the NFPA 1584 standard governing firefighter rehabilitation. After an extensive planning and research period, an opportunity allowed the acquisition of a 1991 Ford Super Duty with an 11' walk-around rescue body
that originally served the Mitchell Hose Co. of Burlington City in neighboring Burlington County. Later replaced with the custom built unit shown above, that rig was sold to the Newbold FD in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.
With the proven performance of Rehab 1385, Custom Mobile Foods was contracted to construct this support rig which once again was the first ever purpose built fire department support vehicle built by the company. Featuring a climate controlled crew cab with seating for five which can double as a rest/recovery/medical monitoring area, it features a diesel generator, 150' electric cord reel, a 4,200 watt light tower, LED scene lighting on all sides and roll-up compartments.
It is outfitted with a four shelf freezer for extra food and frozen electrolyte popsicles as well as two rear slide-out trays containing an inflatable Zumro® tent with accessories to provide heat/air conditioning. Its' equipment complement includes EZ-Up® shelters, misting fans, folding chairs, Kore Kooler® cooling chairs and a portable 3,000 watt Honda® generator for establishing a rehab sector in any environment. In addition, it also carries extra water/MVP® for restock,
a full set of basic hand tools, first aid kit, digital camera, extra fuel, rope and tarps/brooms/ice melt.Cherry HillDeer ParkRehabFreightlinerCustom Mobile FoodsSupportUtility
Support 1388M - 2008 Kawasaki 4010 4x4
Acquired for transporting supplies at large scale incidents including off road structure fires (barns), interstate highways and large building fires, this UTV can reach a top speed of 25 MPH. It features four wheel drive, high intensity Amber LED warning lights and two rows of seating with the rear seats being foldable to double the storage space or accommodate a Stokes basket/SKED stretcher.
It is towed by a 2003 Ford F350 van equipped with a heavy duty tow package and slide out equipment tray in the rear (this rig served as Rehab 13's original response vehicle when first organized in 2004).
Antique - 1939 Mack Type 30S 500 gpm/300 gal.
Purchased in 1948 from the Cheltenham Hook and Ladder Co. in Pennsylvania for just $700, the loan was held by Cheltenham for three years until Deer Park raised enough funds. In service until 1975, it is one of only six of this model ever built (the other five were shipped out of the US). It also holds the distinction of being the only with a front mount pump, a REO straight six motor (producing a whopping 30 HP) and the
only one of the six rigs built known to remain in existence present day. With the original 300 gallon water tank removed to reduce weight strain on the chassis, this rig is maintained by Deer Park Fire Co. as a parade and public relations piece.