by Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
The Monmouth Junction Fire Company is running a recruitment drive to find new members.
The company has planted signs throughout Monmouth Junction inviting those interested in volunteering for the fire service to come by the station on any Thursday evening to meet members and get a sense of what firefighting is about.
Doug Wolfe, a former chief and 43-year member of the company, is the head of the membership committee. Mr. Wolf, 63, said it is good for people who think they have an interest to get all the facts about what firefighters do.
”We put this recruitment drive on about once a year, looking for people who have an interest in the fire service,” he said. “If they come by, then they will know what it entails, and also what they can get out of it. Firefighting is very time consuming, but it is also very rewarding.”
Mr. Wolfe said the company has about 35 active firefighters, a good amount of whom volunteer for the evening. He said finding people who are available during weekdays can be difficult.
”It can be tough because most of the guys are on their jobs,” he said.
Mr. Wolfe said that there are many benefits to becoming a firefighter. “Besides the reward of volunteer service to your community, we have a full gym for firefighters and their wives,” he said. “There is also a length of service award program, where the district will pay into an annuity fund based on how long you serve.”
Volunteers must be between the ages of 18 and 45, pass both a routine and criminal background check, live or work within South Brunswick Fire District No. 2 and have a valid New Jersey driver’s license. They also must have a high school diploma or equivalency, pass a medical physical performed by the department’s physician and be able to devote the time necessary to meet all the requirements of the job, according to the company’s Web site.
Mr. Wolfe said that members must make weekly training sessions on Thursday evenings and respond to 25-30 percent of all the calls a year to be considered on active duty.
”I tell people when they come that they need to make a commitment, a commitment to service,” Mr. Wolf said. “It is a part-time job, without the pay. The rewards are there though.”
Those who wish to volunteer can stop by the station at 573 Ridge Road in Monmouth Junction on Thursday evenings, or send and e-mail to [email protected].
