By the 1980s, Cherry Hill's population was approaching 70,000 residents. As a result, the Township's paid firefighter ranks continued to grow to keep up with rising call volume and a continued decline in volunteers. Along with this came a need to have supervising fire officers. So, on December 1, 1988, Cherry Hill Professional Fire Officers Association IAFF Local 3198 was founded.

Our firefighters are leaders in rescue task force (active shooter), technical rescue and hazmat response and mitigation – all of which require our firefighters to participate in countless hours of training every year.

The 1990s saw a consolidation of Cherry Hill's six independent fire districts into one new governing body. On January 1, 1994, Cherry Hill Fire District No. 13 was organized and became the home of the new Cherry Hill Fire Department. The 2000s saw a sixth 24-hour company - Engine 22 - added to the department, with 25 to 27 firefighters and fire officers on duty at any time.

While our firefighters continue to answer the call of service, we're heading toward a new chapter in the department's young history: Many members are gearing up for retirement.

By 2010, investments in the fire department began to slow. The minimum staffing on fire apparatus dropped from four firefighters to just three. Less than a decade later, with Cherry Hill's population nearing 75,000 and emergency call volume at an all-time high, a shift minimum of 19 firefighters and fire officers became the norm. While this number continues to fluctuate in the 2020s, your Cherry Hill Professional Firefighters work tirelessly to ensure that investments in our community's safety remain paramount.

Your Cherry Hill Professional Firefighters are committed to protecting life and property for Cherry Hill's residents and visitors 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our members are there when you need us most.