FREEHOLD — Members of the Freehold Fire Department chose a unique way to thank the mayor they said has been an unwavering supporter of the organization.
The fire department named Mayor Michael Wilson the Honorary Freehold Fire Chief. A helmet bearing Wilson’s name was presented to the mayor at the Sept. 6 meeting of the Borough Council.
Fire Chief Ryan Bailey bestowed the honor upon Wilson, who is leaving office at the end of 2011 after 26 years as mayor, and several years as a councilman before that.
Wilson said being named an honorary chief of the fire department is one of the biggest thrills he has had as the mayor of his hometown.
“I give these firefighters all the credit in the world for what they do here,” Wilson said. “I couldn’t do it.”
Aproclamation presented toWilson states that throughout his “distinguished tenure,” he has consistently proved to be the fire department’s leading advocate to have trained firefighters and the modern equipment necessary to safeguard the residents of the borough.
The proclamation states that under Wilson’s leadership, the fire department has experienced “the complete replacement and purchase of all its rolling stock, the building of a satellite firehouse, upgrading of the firefighting safety equipment and aesthetic improvements to fire headquarters.”
Bailey said the mayor endeavored to ensure that Freehold Borough’s all-volunteer fire department maintained its historically strong membership at a time when many towns are hiring paid professional firefighters.
He said residents have benefited from Wilson’s “commitment to the professional firefighting and rescue operation by experiencing an improved Insurance Safety Office (ISO) rating from Class 5 to a Class 3, an achievement that can only be heralded by only 52 other fire jurisdictions in the state.”
Bailey said although Wilson was never a member of the fire department, “his leadership and love of the town set an example that proved to be contagious among all fire chiefs, officers and dedicated volunteers.”
The title of honorary chief was bestowed upon the mayor “as testament to his unquestioned and unyielding support during his tenure of unselfish public service.”
Freehold Fire Department President Hank Stryker III said Wilson has always been “100 percent behind the fire department.”
“Hewas always there for us with anything we needed,” Stryker said. “We wanted him to know how much we have always appreciated his support.”
Many firefighters attended the council meeting and a reception was held at the firehouse for the mayor and council, family members and friends after the governing body adjourned.