By Mike Morsch, Regional editor
Jay Taylor admits he’s a by-the-book kind of guy. He’s a Cranbury Township committeeman and a volunteer member of the Cranbury Fire Company.
To illustrate that, he cites a past story that late one night, he experienced an issue with carbon monoxide inside his home. As a member of the fire company, he’s trained on something like that and could have handled the situation by himself.
But he still called 911 because he believed that he should follow the same procedure of every other resident in town when confronted with that situation.
“While I got good-natured ribbing from fellow members for calling 911 on myself, my kids heard the monoxide alarm, gathered as taught and were calm,” said Taylor. “They were not afraid when the alarm sounded or when the engine pulled up with the lights and siren and firefighters exited in their gear.”
Taylor attributes the calm response of his family to the entire situation in large part to lessons that fire company personnel have taught students in school and at the fire company’s annual open house.
This year, the fire company open house and fundraiser will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the fire company at 2 S. Main St. in Cranbury. Rain date for the event will be Sunday, Oct. 15.
Among the day’s activities will be tower truck rides, a firefighter obstacle course for children with a mock firehouse, a demonstration on the proper way to use a fire extinguisher and firehouse tours.
“Our township benefits greatly from the passion and energy of our volunteer firefighters,” said Taylor, speaking in his capacity as a township committeeman. “Financially, our budget would be millions more if we had to pay for and fully equip our fire company, and personally, I doubt we’d have anywhere close to the same level of dedication and passion with a paid company.”
Taylor added that he believes the open house is one way the fire company gives back to the community and that it also ties in well with Fire Prevention Week conducted in the local school.
“The fire company lessons in the school and the open house help make kids and families comfortable that the firefighters are their friends and are there to help,” said Taylor.
