New Fire Chief Takes Helm In Cherry Hill

CHERRY HILL, NJ — The Cherry Hill Fire Department officially has new leadership. Wade J. Houlihan took the oath of office Monday as fire chief, taking over for Chris Callan, who retired late last month.

The following members of the fire department also received promotions during the ceremony:

• Assistant Fire Chief Timothy McGeady
• Battalion Chief William J. Riess
• Battalion Chief Raymond P. Reis
• Fire Captain Christopher M. Passer
• Lt. Thomas I. McGovern

Caddis retired from active service in late April. A member since 1998, Caddis was promoted to fire chief on Jan. 1, 2019.

The Cherry Hill Fire Department shared the following info about Houlihan:

"Wade was appointed in 1998 with Recruit Class 98-01. He served as a Firefighter assigned to Engine 1362, Ladder 1324, and as a charter member of Squad Company 13. Upon promotion to Lieutenant, he was assigned to the Field Command Office, Ladder 1344 and Squrt 1341. He returned to command Squad Company 13 upon his promotion to Captain in 2014, where he coordinated and managed the Department’s Hazmat and Foam Unit responses on both a departmental and county level.

Upon promotion to the rank of Battalion Chief, he was assigned to C Platoon and assisted in the coordination and deployment of the Department’s Special Operations Units. As an Assistant Chief, Wade was tasked with the oversight of the Operations Division of the Department. He has been a Lead Instructor for recruit classes, departmental training initiatives and also teaches modules in the Department’s Fire Officer Apprentice Program. Wade holds a MS in Public Safety Management and resides in the Old Orchard section of Cherry Hill with his wife, Renee and daughters Erin, Erica and Elyssa. Chief Houlihan was pinned by his daughter Erin.

The Office of the Fire Chief and the Cherry Hill Board of Fire Commissioners congratulate Chief Houlihan and wish him well in his new position."