Cherry Hill Heroes Honored

Four Cherry Hill firefighters immediately stepped up to help in the search and rescue efforts at the World Trade Center. They worked as part of the State Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, one of 12 throughout the country. Captain William Stallfort, Battalion Chief Dennis Reilly, Lieutenant Robert Childs and Lieutenant Montrell Haldeman worked around the clock for 10 days at Ground Zero, stabilizing debris and searching for trapped victims.

Captain William Stallfort, Rescue Manager, led approximately 40 people in the search and rescue efforts. Battalion Chief Dennis Reilly, Rescue Officer, supervised a group that conducted search and rescue efforts on the scene. Lieutenant Robert Childs, Rescue Team Manager, worked to identify the locations of trapped victims within the debris piles. And Lieutenant Montrell Haldeman, Technical Search Specialist, operated specialized equipment to assist in search efforts.

Emergency Medical Technicians answered the call as well. On Sept. 11, Dante Vespertino, J.R. O’Neill and Douglas Pignatelli worked with the rescue operation – first at Giant Stadium, then at Liberty State Park, then at ground zero. Two days later, Joe Anderson and Michael Mader traveled to New York as part of a South Jersey task force.

On Thursday, Sept. 13, EMS workers Joe Anderson and Michael Mader traveled to New York in one of Cherry Hill’s ambulances to relieve New York City emergency personnel of their shifts. Our men were part of a South Jersey task force of 18 ambulances and four paramedic units sent to assist in the search and rescue efforts.

On Monday, Sept. 17, Emergency Medical Technician Vincent Mancini and Police Officer Michael Rann also headed to New York. Rann, who is also trained as an EMT, volunteered to go to New York on his day off.

Mayor Levin and Township Council honored the 11 local police, fire and EMS workers for their participation in the World Trade Center rescue efforts. In this touching ceremony, each hero received a plaque that read:

You demonstrate to the world the true spirit of America.

In unity, there is strength. In renewal, there is hope.

Your courage gives us strength. Your compassion gives us hope.

September 11, 2001

Mayor Susan Bass Levin

Many Cherry Hill residents have called wanting to help. Cherry Hill Township is collecting contributions on behalf of the relief organizations, as they are asking that people send monetary contributions only. Please give from your heart.

If you would like to show your support, please make your check payable to an organization listed below and mail it to: Cherry Hill Township, Office of Mayor Susan Bass Levin, 820 Mercer Street, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002.

American Red Cross Disaster Relief

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Author: CH Mayor Susan Bass Levin- The Cherry Hill Connection.com