Awards Presented February 22, 2008

Distinguished Service Awards

Patrolman John Kemp
Camden City Police Department

Investigator David Mancini
Camden County Prosecutor's Office

On the evening of January 12, 2007, Patrolman Kemp and Investigator Mancini were on patrol traveling southbound on Route 130, in Pennsauken. As they approached the intersection of Route 130 and Marlton Pike they witnessed a large explosion involving two vehicles, and two utility poles supporting power lines lying across the northbound lanes of the highway. With no regard for their own personal safety, Patrolman Kemp and Investigator Mancini pulled a victim from his burning vehicle moments before the vehicle exploded and became fully engulfed in flames. They contacted Camden Police Communications who dispatched the Pennsauken Fire Department and Emergency Medical Technicians to the scene. The victim was taken to Cooper Medical Center for treatment for injuries sustained in the accident.

The quick actions of Patrolman Kemp and Investigator Mancini undoubtedly saved the victim from further injury or possible death.

Distinguished Service Awards

Chief Robert J. Gallos, Jr.
Mt. Laurel Fire Department

Mr. Jay H. Greenblatt
Civilian

On October 11, 2007 Chief Gallos was traveling along Route 73 when he observed motorists looking to the south of the highway. At that time he noticed there was a fire in the woods. He quickly pulled along side of the fire area and realized that the fire was that of an overturned vehicle, leaning against some trees. He immediately radioed communications for assistance and grabbed his gear. He then asked the crowd of onlookers if there was anyone in the vehicle. At that time he heard a woman's voice yell out for help. He attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher but to no avail. Kneeling down and looking into the vehicle he could see a female still in the car seat with her seat belt on. She asked Chief Gallos "to help her, as she was dying." At that time, Mr. Greenblatt approached the vehicle and offered assistance. It was determined that no one else was in the vehicle. The fire had already come through the dashboard and was starting to burn under the seat. Chief Gallos was able to reach in and cut the woman's seat belt as he tried to embrace her fall, but the seat belt gave way and the victim fell out of the seat. Her right arm, feet and bottom of her pants were on fire. Chief Gallos pulled the victim out of the vehicle and laid her on the ground, and was able to extinguish the fire that was burning on her clothes. By this time, the entire front passenger compartment of the vehicle was fully involved. Mr. Greenblatt assisted Chief Gallos in moving the victim away from the burning vehicle. Police, fire and rescue personnel arrived on the scene and began treating the victim and extinguished the fire.

The quick actions of Chief Gallos and Mr. Greenblatt undoubtedly saved the life of the trapped victim.

Unit Citations

Rescue 1
Engine 8
Squad 7
Ladder 1
Ladder 2
Engine 10

Camden City Fire Department

On October 11, 2007 Camden City Fire Department was dispatched for a dwelling fire with people trapped. Squad 7 arrived on location to find heavy fire on the first floor and heavy smoke on the second floor. EMS was on location and treating an elderly female who had jumped from a second floor window. It was reported that a male had jumped from the rear of the dwelling into the back yard. Members of Rescue 1 searched the yard but found no victim. Fire conditions were starting to worsen as the crew of Squad 7 began to fight the fire. Rescue 1 began an interior search to locate the victim. The conditions on the second floor were rapidly deteriorating. The heat was getting unbearable and visibility was at a minimum due to intense black smoke. The fire started to make headway. Engine 8 found a bad hydrant and Squad 7 lost water while another line was being hand dragged by the crew of Engine 8 and Ladder 1 to a hydrant down the block and around the corner. Engine 8 advanced the back up line to help with the fire fight Squad 7 was encountering. A call was made to evacuate the building due to loss of water and deteriorating fire conditions. The members on the first floor evacuated upon the emergency being sounded. The fire started up the stairs, blocking the members exit from the second floor. The firefighters were forced to make there way out through a porch at the rear of the building. Once on the porch Capt. Dilks used a thermal imaging camera to look into the rear bedroom window, where he saw an image on the floor below the window. Battalion 1 was notified and Capt. Dilks re-entered the window and attempted to remove the 350 pound victim. Firefighter Phelps was attempting to assist from the outside. Firefighter Ford and Firefighter Carr climbed in the window and assisted Capt Dilks in removing the victim to the crews of Ladder 2, Engine 1 and Ladder 1. Once removed the victim was placed in a stokes basket while members performed CPR on him. The victim was given to awaiting EMS for transport to the hospital.

The Camden County Hero Scholarship Fund commends the members of Rescue 1, Engine 8, Squad 7, Ladder 2, Ladder 1 and Engine 10 for their team work and cooperative effort in rescuing the trapped victim.

Meritorious Awards

Captain Brian Emenecker
Captain Dave Dilks
Captain Joe Woods
Firefighter Dwayne Dixon
Firefighter Tally

Camden City Fire Department

On January 1, 2007 Camden City Fire Department received a call for a dwelling fire. Engine 8 arrived on location and reported smoke showing from the second floor of a two story single family dwelling. Captain Wooden and Firefighter Tally proceeded to the second floor with a hose line to extinguish the fire. Rescue 1 arrived on the scene. Capt. Dilks led the crew of Rescue 1 to begin a search for a confirmed report of a trapped occupant in a second floor bedroom. Members of Squad 7 arrived to assist with the search. The crews were met with heavy smoke and extremely intense heat. Capt. Dilks located the middle bedroom and notified the others that the fire was located in the front bedroom. Capt. Dilks, Capt. Wooden and Capt. Emenecker made entry into the bedroom and started a search. Under extreme heat, and now heavy fire conditions in the front bedroom, Capt. Emenecker was able to locate the victim. With the help of Capt. Dilks and Capt. Wooden, the large victim was removed and taken to the hallway stairs. Firefighter Dixon assisted Capt. Emenecker in removing the victim down the stairs to awaiting EMS. The fire was a very hot and quick moving fire which caused several members of the department to be burned, and they were later transported to the hospital for treatment of first and second degree burns.

The Camden County Hero Scholarship Fund hereby commends all those involved for their valiant efforts in this hot rescue.