I recently read an article in the paper by Ron Pontrelli, fire chief of the Holmdel Volunteer Fire Department, and was shocked again with the residents of Holmdel. The article explains the expenses of the fire department and the need for fire districts in our town, which will mean our taxes will be increased once again for something that is not necessary.
I further read, "In order to raise money, the department holds fund drives, but Pontrelli said that generally only 19 percent of the township donates any money." This really upset me. Shame on all the residents who do not donate when asked.
I am going to try to prove to each family how important it is to donate when asked by our fire department. A simple example of why you should donate: It is the wee hours of Christmas morning. You have gone to bed knowing the tree is decorated and the gifts are piled under the tree. For whatever reason, your sleep has been interrupted by the dog barking or you seem to smell something. You investigate, only to find the tree is ablaze, and you wake the family to leave the house.
In the meantime, the drapes have caught on fire and you call the 911 number. The dispatcher listens to you and says it will be a few minutes before you will have any help as they are shorthanded since the few members are out to another fire. It will be a few minutes before they arrive at your house.
By the time they arrive, the house is fully engulfed in flames and there is nothing they can do but hose it down, but the house is completely burned out. It is not the fault of the fire department or the firemen that this disaster happened. It is your fault for not answering the call for help when the fire department had its drive.
I can write an experience our family had with the fire department many years ago when we had fewer volunteers. The garage next to ours was on fire due to the people leaving old rags, cans of paint and the like in it. The firemen came, knew who we were as we always donated (back then, the firemen came on the fire truck to each home for the donations), and not only did they hose down the garage on fire, but also made sure the side of our garage was kept wet so as not to start another fire. These are dedicated men, heroes, who risk their lives for each of us, and yet some of us do not help them when they ask for your help by donating something.
I just hope and pray we always have a fire department when we need it and, if not, you can blame your neighbors and yourselves for not answering its appeal. Prove to me we can depend on the residents of Holmdel to help at the next appeal or, better still, why not sit down now, write out a generous check or money order, and mail it to the fire department on Route 520 (Main Street), Holmdel 07733. I am sure it would make Chief Pontrelli and the volunteers very happy and they will send you a note of thanks for being so generous and helpful at this time.
Edith M. Durrbeck
Holmdel