By Stephanie Loder
For most volunteer fire companies in South Jersey, it’s that time of year again.
It’s time for volunteers to hold a community fundraising drive.
Some fire companies send out mailers through the postal service to residents and businesses.
The hope is that someone will use the return envelope inside the mailer, and include a check with a donation for the fire company.
For many area volunteer fire companies, it’s time for firefighters to use their weekend to stand at the intersection with a donation bucket and hope motorists are kind enough to drop some spare change into the container.
Volunteer fire companies save money for communities and taxpayers.
However, many area volunteer fire companies are critically underfunded.
Cardiff Volunteer Fire Company in Egg Harbor Township, which held a donation collection Nov. 17 at English Creek and West Jersey avenues, is among them.
Firefighters will collect again on Nov. 24 at the same location.
The volunteer fire company reported that after the 2023 fund drive it mailed out 5,448 donation vouchers to Cardiff residents, but only 410 were returned with donations.
Cardiff firefighters also mailed out 439 donation vouchers for the businesses in Cardiff, but only 23 were returned with donations.
Cardiff thanked the businesses that donated in 2023: McGowan Landscaping, Palermo Masonry and the LB1 Restaurant.
More calls, fewer volunteers
Signs that read “Volunteers Needed” are a mainstay along Route 9 in Linwood and Somers Point, or in Egg Harbor Township. The same signs appear in Galloway Township and Hamilton Township outside firehouses.
In 2022 and 2023, firefighters in Atlantic County responded to a combined total of more than 20,000 total calls for service, according to data provided by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
Atlantic County fire officials said that some area fire companies may surpass their previous number of calls for service in 2024.
The Bargaintown Fire Company responded to 482 fire calls in 2023 compared to 472 calls in 2022.
As of September 30, Bargaintown firefighters have handled 436 calls, according to Fire Chief Gene Sharp.
The Cardiff Fire Company responded to 548 calls in 2022 compared to 588 calls in 2023. Cardiff reports so far in 2024, firefighters have responded to more than 438 calls as of September.
What else do volunteer fire companies provide?
While their main task is providing fire protection, area volunteer fire departments do much more.
All of the fire companies participate in bringing Santa Claus around on a fire truck each December.
Each year, Sept. 11 ceremonies are held to remember those who died in the terrorist attacks. Firefighters staff each event with a fire engine.
Fire companies throughout Atlantic County provide Open House for residents each October during Fire Prevention Month. Volunteer firefighters staff each event.
The volunteer firefighters also provide fire engines for the local Touch-A-Truck event, National Night Out, or at area elementary schools during Fire Prevention Week.
It’s up to the volunteers to clean each piece of fire apparatus.
Many volunteer companies provide college scholarships at area high schools.
Volunteers are needed
Ask any volunteer fire company in Atlantic County, and they will likely tell you they have trouble finding volunteers.
When former Police Chief Dennis Hofmann retired from law enforcement in North Jersey, he settled in the Bargaintown section of Egg Harbor Township and filled a slot with the fire police.
But he wanted to do more, so he became a volunteer firefighter.
“I was 60 years old when I went through the fire academy,” said Hofmann, the fire company’s president. “But I was used to seeing action and I wanted to get back in the game.”
Because he was retired, Hofmann was able to go through fire school without disrupting his schedule.
Not everyone, however, has the time to volunteer.
“The number one problem today, and it’s an age-old problem, is people don’t have time,” said William Danz Sr., a former Cardiff Fire Chief and longtime member of Cardiff Volunteer Fire Company #1.
He blamed a lack of volunteer firefighters on state regulations that require full days and months of training.
“In my day, I worked two jobs and was a volunteer,” he said. “Today state regulations are strict and fire school means 180-200 hours of time training in Firefighter One.
“The problem in this day and age is people don’t have the time to do what it takes to be true volunteers,” he said.
Danz also said many people believe Egg Harbor Township firefighters get salaries from the township.
“They all think we’re paid,” Danz said.
He said the township expanded in population during the 1980s when casinos opened in Atlantic City. A shopping center was built on English Creek Avenue and housing developments popped up in each section of the township.
“A lot of older folks relocated here from northern New Jersey where they had paid departments,” Danz said. “That’s not the case here. We’re volunteers. And we’re in the same boat today as we were then.
Stephanie is a freelance writer with 40 years experience covering NJ news for The Asbury Park Press, The Courier Post, The Catholic Star Herald and The Press of AC. Email her at stephanieloder59@hotmail.com
