Four local fire companies are banding together in Gloucester Township to continue the tradition of volunteer fire service in the area.
To promote the need for additional volunteer firefighters, Blenheim Fire Company, Chews Landing Fire Department, Erial Fire Company and Glendora Fire Company have announced a new effort to increase volunteer numbers across all four stations.
The slogan “Firefighting is our passion, volunteering is our tradition. Make it yours,” was unveiled, speaking to the campaign’s goal of adding volunteers to the long-running tradition of neighbors protecting neighbors in the event of a fire. Also a part of its recruitment campaign, residents may visit FirefightersofGloucesterTwp.org for more information on the new campaign, the lack of volunteers in recent years, and more.
According to Erial Fire Chief Michael Brezee, volunteers are paramount to the existing fire station model and provide the community with a reliable way of providing fire protection and emergency response to the township.
“That’s how we survive – volunteers,” Erial Chief Michael Brezee said. “Ten to 15 years ago, we all had more volunteers than we really needed. We were leaving guys behind at the station; but we don’t have that anymore.”
The campaign is a four-year initiative through 2021, implemented at no cost to the taxpayers thanks to funding through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The four stations applied for the grant together, with Glendora Fire Chief Michael Ricciardelli leading the charge.
Ricciardelli has been with Glendora Fire Company since he was 18 years old, having seen the decline in volunteerism over a long period of time. He hopes to be able to reinstall the importance of volunteer firefighters within the community and increase numbers across the township through this campaign.
“Volunteers provide a vital role in the town, there’s nothing like volunteering within your community and being a part of it,” Ricciardelli said. “You really find out that you’re a part of something bigger than you realized, being able to help out someone in their time of need.”
The fire chiefs also noted the campaign, if effective, will help keep down taxes in the future with regard to the fire department budgets by not needing to add a large number of career firefighters.
“This grant is us trying to find new ways to bring in volunteers and to keep the cost down of the fire department budget. If we can’t get the volunteers… it’s going to cost a lot more money,” Brezee said.
If not enough volunteers are recruited to assist the departments, additional career firefighters will be needed to help provide around-the-clock coverage for Gloucester Township residents, increasing taxes.
“That’s the fear right now. Everyone’s taxed out and we understand that,” Brezee said.
There are four ways community members can volunteer with fire departments.
Volunteer firefighters must be at least 18 years of age and able to respond to emergencies, save lives and protect property. Junior firefighters, who must be at least 16 years old, assist firefighters on scene and develop skills for the future.
Volunteer associate members help handle business matters, such as fundraising, recruitment, accounting and more. Members must be at least 18 years old. Lastly, ladies auxiliary members help organize special events throughout the year.
Brezee said the decline in volunteerism is not only township-wide, but also state-wide and nationally as well.
“Volunteers are needed so badly right now,” Brezee said. “All six of the departments are hurting, as far as volunteerism goes.”
Blenheim Fire Company Fire Chief Jonathan Smith has been with the department since he was 16 years old, and says its became a “lost art” over the years. Smith says his department has had three new community members reach out in the past two months about volunteering, but departments across Gloucester Township still need many more moving forward.
“Hopefully this grant is kind of reviving the volunteer fire service in Gloucester Township,” Smith said.
Moving forward, the six Gloucester Township fire departments hope to be active in the community, such as at township events, to help develop a stronger relationship between the departments and residents.
Smith pointed to the strong bond and community outreach program the Gloucester Township Police Department has created over the years as an example of what he hopes the fire departments are able to establish.
“Their community outreach is second to none; they reach out in every single aspect,” Smith said.
For more information or to fill out a volunteer inquiry form, visit FirefightersofGloucesterTwp.org.
