FLORENCE: Firefighters unite for centennial festivities

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
   FLORENCE — The community gathered Saturday to honor its local heroes — firefighters.
   The Florence Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 celebrated 100 years of providing services with a day full of events July 7.
   The 100th anniversary parade featured memorable displays of antique and modern firefighting vehicles and equipment, and people traveled from near and far to participate and celebrate. Some folks displayed signs, which read “Congratulations” and “Thanks.”
   Invitations were sent out nine neighboring counties of Burlington County, according to Fire Chief Keith Scully of the Florence Township Fire Department.
   It was estimated that about 700 people attended the parade and approximately another 300 people were on hand for the evening activities, according to Fire Chief Scully.
   The celebration started off with a patriotic flag-raising ceremony at 11 a.m. at the fire department headquarters on Firehouse Lane presented by the American Legion, followed by a parade at noon, an evening concert. July 7 then ended with a bang as fireworks lit up the night sky at approximately 10 p.m., which were delayed due to Saturday night’s storm.
   ”We are here to serve each and every day as we have for the last 100 years,” said Marvin Wainwright, president of the Florence Township Fire Company, during the start of the flag raising ceremony.
   ”Let’s have a good day and let’s have fun,” said Fire Chief Scully during the flag raising ceremony.
   Florence Board of Fire Commissioners Chairman Charlie Bauer congratulated the department on achieving 100 years of service.
   ”A lot of you know I’ve had a lot of jobs in town, this job, the most important job I’ve ever had is the easiest job I’ve ever had because of all you (firefighters) out here,” said Mr. Bauer.
   ”You know your job, you know when to do your job, and you do your job the best there is,” Mr. Bauer said.
   ”Thank you all for your service,” said Congressman Jon Runyan, who represents the third congressional district. “For those of you standing out here in uniform, you put a little more thought, and put your lives on the line. My hats off to you guys.”
   Residents came out despite the heat and lined the streets to support their local fire department. They brought coolers, umbrellas, tents and chairs.
   Some people came dressed in red, white and blue, waving patriotic flags, and cheering and clapping, some spectators danced along the sidelines as a long procession of fire engines and emergency service vehicles paraded passed them, while the children ran to pick up candy tossed their way.
   ”It’s a tradition,” said Kate Worrell of Florence. Ms. Worrell was with her two younger children who were waiting to see their older sister walk with the Girl Scouts in the parade.
   ”It’s just an exciting day. They love the fireworks at the end,” Ms. Worrell said.
   Michele Amico, of Roebling, was hanging out with a group of friends waiting for the parade to start and see her daughter march, who is a Girl Scouts cadette.
   Ms. Amico said, “It’s a nice, small town parade. A very enjoyable parade.”
   The Campor family, of Burlington Township, has been coming to the parade for approximately 60 years.
   ”It’s a (tight) knit community where we grew up and you didn’t have to worry about anything,” said Joe Campor of Burlington.
   ”Thank god for the volunteer firemen who go out night and day,” Mr. Campor said.
   ”I enjoy the parade and seeing all the little kids’ faces,” said Mary Campor of Burlington Township.
   ”It’s just a fantastic celebration for a 100 years for Florence’s fire department,” said Rosalie Campor of Burlington.
   The length of the parade route was approximately 1.6 miles long, according to Fire Chief Scully.
   The procession featured approximately 60 organizations including regional fire company emergency squads, businesses with floats, youth groups and churches along with the Florence High School Marching Band and the Polish American String Band.
   Grand marshals from Florence’s legacy companies — Stephen J. “Fuzzy” Fazekas, Hobart “Hobie” Wainwright, and William “Doc” Doherty — were given plaques during a flag raising ceremony at the Florence Firehouse. The three men rode in an antique township fire engine during the parade procession and the trio has served collectively 182 years as firefighters. Mr. Doherty moved to Florida the day after the parade.
   Members of the New Jersey State Fire Chiefs Judging Association selected winning firefighters and companies during the awards ceremony which featured 28 different categories. Awards were distributed at 4 p.m. at the recreation complex behind the municipal building on Broad Street.
   Fire companies to earn awards were from a wide spectrum of municipalities including, Burlington Township, Burlington City, Harrison Township and Hightstown Borough.
   ”We went to the Florence parade to show support to an organization (that has) shown dedicated service to Florence Township for over 100 years,” said Larry Van Kirk, the fire chief of Hightstown Engine Co. No. 1 in Mercer County.
   ”My favorite things about parades are it brings members together, improves morale and keeps equipment in top working order. The feeling of everyone working together helps bond members new and old. Winning is great, of course, but it’s not everything,” Fire Chief Van Kirk said.
   He noted that the Hightstown company today includes a former Florence firefighter — Bill Paglione.
   For firefighter Scott Krakowski, of Hightstown, it was a moment of pride and accomplishment when he learned his company won four first-place trophies.
   ”I would like to thank my rescue crew that gave me a week worth of long hour days of cleaning for the parade,” said Mr. Krakowski said.
   ”The planning of the parade took about 10 months and long hard work” Florence Fire Chief Scully stated, adding that members of his department, the Florence Police Department, Florence Office of Emergency Management, American Legion Post 194, as well as various county offices helped.
   ”The parade was a milestone for the fire department,” Fire Chief Scully said. During the flag raising, Florence Township Fire Company was presented with a proclamation by George Heflich, president of the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association.
   It reads, “The Florence Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 was organized on August 15th, 1912. Henry Adams was the prime mover and (the members) met at Boyd’s Pharmacy. On April 14, 1913, the first driven chemical apparatus in Burlington County was purchased for $909. On Dec. 1, 1913, members were assigned as Tank-men, Bucket-men, Ladder-men, Hand Extinguisher men and Chauffers.”
   It was also noted in the proclamation that on Feb. 7, 1927, Florence Fire Company No. 2 was formed. On March 1, 1948, the Florence Emergency Squad was formed. In May of 1947, Roebling Fire Company No. 3 was incepted. Roebling is an incorporated historic village within Florence Township.
   The three Florence companies merged six years ago. The new fire department headquarters was dedicated July 2006.
   ”I would like to thank the township businesses and residents for all the donations that they gave to help support the events for the day. It would not have happened without them,” Fire Chief Scully said. “I also would like to thank all the members in the fire department that made the event a success. Everyone put a lot of hard work.”