The volunteer Tacoma Fire Company in Deptford will celebrate its centennial on Friday, June 23, beginning at 6 p.m. with a banquet at Valleybrook Country Club in Blackwood.
“It’s part of the fire company trying to get more involved with the community and to try to get the community more involved with them,” said Mayor Paul Medany. “They’re trying to get more recruits since they’re low on volunteers right now.”
The banquet will also honor the life and legacy of late Fire Chief Jeff Pfeiffer, who died in the line of duty on March 24. He worked with the Almonesson Lake Fire Company and served for more than 50 years, according to Tacoma’s website.
Pfeiffer was described by Almonesson Fire Company as “an amazing firefighter, leader, mentor and most of all, a great friend.” He owned Westgrove Industrial Park and was chief of the Deptford/Almonesson department for 17 years.
“Not only did Jeff dedicate his life to the fire company, but he was also an astounding drummer for many bands, a lover of country music … studio drummer in Nashville and a lover of the Country Music Awards,” the department noted.
The centennial banquet will also honor other first responders, including police officers, and the work of medical staff. Medany and the other members of township council are expected to attend.
“It’s important stuff (honoring first responders),” Medany noted. “It’s always important to honor our first responders. They all do a hell of a job. Every day, they’re out there on the front lines.”
