The Voorhees Township Fire Department introduced 25-year veteran Jim Poland as its new fire chief on March 28.
Poland served as deputy chief for two years, and before that moved up the ranks as a battalion chief. The township committee and Mayor Mike Migogna were eager to announce the news.
“The township committee believed the time was right to name a new chief, and Jim Poland was the clear choice,” the mayor said. “I have known Chief Poland for many years and am confident his leadership will make our fire department continue to shine.”
The Voorhees department was previously a separate entity in the township, controlled by a board of fire commissioners. The township committee assumed control about five years ago.
During the transition, Police Chief Lou Bordi oversaw both the police and fire departments.
“For the past five years, I have worked with Chief Bordi every day – emails, phone calls, in- person meetings – and he’s kind of mentored me to help me prepare for the position,” Poland noted.
Poland also credited his father, grandfather and mother. The latter two both served as Voorhees firefighters, while his father was part of the township emergency services office.
“I’ve always grown up in a fire family,” Poland recounted. “My grandfather was a Voorhees firefighter, and in the ‘70s, my mother was involved as an active volunteer in the department. She helped out and was trained when they were short staffed.”
Poland, whose family moved from Pennsauken to Voorhees in the 1980s, said being named chief is special given that he accompanied his father to the fire station as a kid. He believes his new role represents an accumulation of hard work and service to the community over the years, but Poland admitted the added responsibility will take some time to get used to.
“The time I’ll be spending running into a burning building is very limited now,” he acknowledged. “It’s more time being responsible for the people running into a burning building. It carries a little more pressure … Now when I go to a fire which I still respond to, it’s very rare you’ll see me run into a fire.
“I’m more of a facilitator, looking out for the guys’ and girls’ safety on my fire squad.”
As chief, Poland will spend more time overseeing the department as a whole, communicating with EMS services and working hand in hand with the township committee.
“I’m looking forward to having more interaction with the mayor, the committee folks, our deputy safety director … “ he said. “I’m looking forward to the increased exposure [to everyone].”
