Cape May Fire Chief: ‘All Call Works’

CAPE MAY — West Cape May Volunteer Fire Company pulled out of an all call agreement two years ago between local fire departments which sent trucks from neighboring towns into the borough when a fire happened.
West Cape May Volunteer Fire Company Chief Chuck McPherson insisted that it did not work for the borough.
The controversy may have started when the Cape May Fire Department arrived before West Cape May Volunteer Fire Company at fires in West Cape May. Cape May has paid fire drivers on duty in their firehouse.
The issue has been debated in three local newspapers starting with a story in the Herald on Nov. 26.
Cape May’s Fire Chief Jerry Inderwies Jr. told the Herald Dec. 5 an all call agreement between local fire companies works.
“I am proponent of the all call system, it works,” said Inderwies. “It can save lives and property.”
He said fire chiefs in Lower Township were very happy with their all call agreement.
“As the Cape May Fire Department, we are willing to help any surrounding community because our goal is life safety,” said Inderwies. “You shouldn’t let your department get in the way of your mission.”
Two weeks ago, West Cape May Volunteer Fire Company Chief Chuck McPherson told the Herald an all call agreement was not a requirement from the state or federal government, something that was devised among local fire chiefs.
“It didn’t really work, he said. “What was happening was when the fire whistle went off, instead of having two fire trucks go to the fire, you’ve got everybody on the island going to the fire. It was too chaotic, it needs some tweaking.”
West Cape May remains in a mutual aid agreement with Cape May, Cape May Point and Town Bank fire companies. West Cape May will respond to an all call in other towns but does not receive all call from neighboring towns at its own request.
West Cape May Public Safety Commissioner Peter Burke said he did not understand the logic of questioning how a number of fire trucks arriving swiftly at a fire was a negative situation.
Cape May Police Lt. Robert Sheehan expressed concern of Cape May police officers arriving at a fire in West Cape May before any fire trucks arrive, in particular if an officer had to enter a home in a life saving situation without proper equipment. He said Cape May Police arrive very quickly to fires in West Cape May since they are on patrol.
“It’s our opinion the all call is best for everybody,” said Sheehan.” We want what’s best for the community, for the safety of the public and the officers.”
He said the bottom line of the all call agreement is “If there’s a fire, we all go.”
West Cape May has an average of 40 fire calls per year.
West Cape May Borough Commission and the West Cape May Volunteer Fire Company have been at odds for nearly over a year the signing of agreement to designate the volunteer fire company as the official fire company for West Cape May, the lack of an all call agreement with other fire companies and a lease for the fire hall.
The fire company has refused to allow the borough commission to inspect its books.
If no agreement is reached, West Cape May would have the option of an interlocal agreement with a neighboring town for fire protection. The borough has an agreement for police and EMS service with Cape May and is examining the possibility of merging its municipal courts.