Cape May/West Cape May Fire Companies Cooperating Again

WEST CAPE MAY — Following a meeting this week between West Cape May Fire Chief Chuck McPherson and Cape May Fire Chief Jerry Inderwies Jr., West Cape May Volunteer Fire Company will once again be the second alarm response company for fires in Cape May.
At a Wed. Nov. 23 Borough Commissioner meeting, Borough Commissioner Ramsey Geyer said he received a letter from Inderwies confirming the arrangement.
“When there is a second alarm in Cape May City, he will call West Cape May for a ladder and an engine with four firefighters,” said Geyer. “He has basically welcomed West Cape May back in as a part of the emergency response for Cape May City.”
On April 6, Inderwies sent a letter to Geyer notifying the borough Cape May would no longer utilize the services of the West Cape May Fire Company. In the letter, Inderwies expressed concerns with inadequate training for the West Cape May company and not following policies and procedures agreed upon by local fire chiefs.
The state Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health program (PEOSH) inspected the West Cape May Volunteer Fire Company and issued a final report. It raised minor items for correction such as keeping more accurate medical records of firefighters and procedure for the cleaning of breathing apparatus masks. Geyer reported all items cited in the report were corrected by the fire company.
Mayor Pamela Kaithern asked Geyer where the West Cape May Volunteer Fire Company stood in having Cape May Fire Department respond to structure fires in the borough.
Geyer said if West Cape May responds to an incident and there is a need for assistance, the fire company will call Cape May Fire Department. He said an “all call agreement” with Cape May has become a mutual aid call agreement which means the fire company of record determines which companies “they will call and when.”
“There is not the intention to have all three fire companies (including Cape May Point) responding to one place at the same time,” said Geyer.
He said dispatch in Cape May City tones out West Cape May and Cape May Point volunteer fire companies simultaneously, so both respond to incidents. He said Cape May Fire Department is on a second response like West Cape May is to Cape May City and if there is a need, they are notified.
On ambulance calls to the borough, Cape May dispatches an ambulance and a fire truck. Geyer said Inderwies determined there was insufficient manpower on scene when dispatching only an ambulance with a two person crew.