To All the Men & Women of the Cherry Hill Fire Department, Firefighters Local 2663 and Fire Officers Local 3198,

The Cherry Hill Fire Department and it's Officers and Firefighters Locals were honored by the PFANJ in accordance with the many obstacles, trials and tribulations they endured and accordingly conquered while growing one of the finest fire and rescue departments for their size and type in the state, if not the nation. Many of those "fighters" have consistently shown their loyalty to our organization and have gone on to become principals in the department.

The Cherry Hill Fire Department is one of the best examples I know of labor-management partnerships on all aspects of the job from Administration, to Operations, to working conditions. Moreover, the Firefighters and Officers Locals have developed a grassroots political lobbying and community relationship with citizens, negotiating successful contracts, passing budgets, almost doubling their membership in these past 10 years by hiring new firefighters and promoting from within, and purchasing new and state of the art equipment, all done to the envy and model for many departments across our state and beyond.

It has been my pleasure to work with every Local Representative ever sent to our State organization. They have always appeared to me, from the outside, to be first class professionals that care for the firefighters they represent and the people they serve.

Congratulations Cherry Hill Fire Department and Firefighters Local 2663 and Fire Officers Local 3198 for being our recipient of the Local Department & Union of the Decade.

Sincerely,
Tom Canzanella, President
Professional Firefighters of New Jersey

Who was first?

Our Charter

First Volunteer Fire Company in America

In 1736 in Philadelphia, PA, Benjamin Franklin formed the first volunteer fire company, called the Union Fire Company. Franklin served on it as America's first volunteer fire chief.

First Paid Fire Department in America

A large fire in Boston in 1679, led to the organization of the first paid fire department in North America, if not the world. Boston selectman imported a fire engine from England and employed a fire chief, Thomas Atkins, and 12 fire fighters to operate it.

First Firehouse Pole

David B. Kenyon, Captain of Engine Company No. 21 of the Chicago Fire Department, was the inventor of the sliding pole in 1878. Information from: A Synoptical History of the Chicago Fire Department... , published by the Benevolent Association of the Paid Fire Department of Chicago, Chicago, 1908.

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History of the Maltese Cross

The insignia of the fire service is the Cross Pattee-Nowy, otherwise known as the Maltese Cross. The cross represents the fire service ideals of saving lives and extinguishing fires.

The fire service borrows the emblem of the cross from the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem (Knights Hospitallers), a charitable, non-military organization that existed during the 11th and 12th centuries that helped the sick and poor in setting up hospices and hospitals. Later, they assisted the Knights of the Crusades through their goodwill and also through military assistance in an effort to the Island of Malta, the island for which the Maltese Cross was named.

The need for an identifiable emblem for the knights had become crucial. Because of the extensive armor which covered their entire bodies and faces, the knights were unable to distinguish friend from foe in battle. They chose the cross of Calvary as their symbol, since they fought their battles as a holy cause. The cross was later called the "Maltese Cross" and represented the principles of charity, loyalty, chivalry, gallantry, generosity to friend and foe, protection of the weak, and dexterity in service.

IAFF Local 2663

During the Crusades, many knights became fire fighters out of necessity. Their enemies had resorted to throwing glass bombs containing naptha and sailing their war vessels containing naptha, rosin, sulfur, and flaming oil into the vessels of the knights. Many knights were called to perform heroic deeds by rescuing fellow knights and extinguishing fires. In acknowledgement of these feats, the cross worn by these knights was decorated and inscribed. This was considered a most honorable acclaim.

The History of St. Florian

Florian was born about 250 A.D. in Cetium (now in Austria). He joined the Roman army and advanced in the ranks. However, the Emperor Diocletian was shocked to learn that Florian did not carry out his orders to persecute all Christians in the area, and, thus, was sentenced to death by fire. Standing on the funeral pyre, Florian is reputed to have challenged the Roman soldiers to light the fire, saying "If you do, I will climb to heaven on the flames." Apprehensive to his words, instead of burning Florian, they drowned him. His body was recovered and buried.

About 600 years later, sometime between 900-955, a monastery was erected near Florian's tomb, and subsequently the village of St. Florian grew up around it.

St. Florian was adopted as patron saint of Poland after Pope Lucius III consented to the request of King Casimir to send relics of Florian to that country. Soon after, a person was saved from a fire by invoking St. Florian's name. Since then, Florian has been invoked against fire and has generally been regarded in most countries as the patron saint of the fire service.

What are the words to the Fireman's Prayer?

When I am called to duty, God, whenever flames may rage;
Give me strength to save some life, whatever be its age.
Help me embrace a little child before it is too late
Or save an older person from the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout,
And quickly and efficiently to put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me,
To guard my every neighbor and protect his property.
And if, according to my fate, I am to lose my life;
Please bless with your protecting hand my children and my wife.

Author Unknown

<Photo: Thomas E. Franklin/The Record>