JACKSON – Frank McDonnell, a fire official in Jackson Bureau of Fire Safety District No. 3, retired May 1 after 38 years in the fire service in Jackson.
McDonnell graduated from Jackson Memorial High School in June 1980 and in August he joined Jackson Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 as a volunteer firefighter. According to a press release, he eventually realized he wanted to pursue a career in the field.
McDonnell held administrative positions including public relations officer, secretary and president, and climbed the fire officer ranks, serving as fire prevention program coordinator, safety officer, 1st Lieutenant and 2nd Lieutenant. In 1986, he was hired by the Board of Fire Commissioners District No. 3 as a per diem firefighter-driver, according to the press release.
In 1991, McDonnell became a part-time Firefighter-EMT after receiving certification as a New Jersey State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) just after the Board of Fire Commissioners established the EMS First Responder program in the fire district. In May 1993, McDonnell was appointed by the fire district to serve as a full-time Firefighter-EMT.
In 1998, McDonnell was appointed fire inspector, enforcing state uniform fire codes and continuing to coordinate fire prevention programs by visiting schools and hosting open houses each October during Fire Prevention Week, according to the press release.
By 2000, the Fire Bureau purchased the children’s fire safety smoke house trailer that simulates a residential house complete with a bedroom, living room and kitchen and educates children about home fire hazards and evacuation with simulated smoke, props and smoke detectors.
In 2002, McDonnell was promoted to fire official, serving the longest in fire district history for the past 16 years. As chief administrator of the Fire Bureau, he continued to expand activities with the company inspection program, conducting fire drills and reviewing evacuation plans, offering a free smoke detector program, fire safety programs and fire extinguisher training events, according to the press release.
McDonnel is a life member of the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association. He has been married to his wife, Jane, for 25 years. Their 19-year-old daughters are triplets Brittani, Kyle and Casey.
“It has been great ride the last 38 years and I will miss the camaraderie of working with my brothers and sisters in the fire department and meeting the residents and business owners of Jackson.
“I hope I made a difference in making the community more aware of the dangers of fire, whether through fire prevention programs, code enforcement or fire safety press releases.
“I wish all Jackson firefighters safety in the job they continue to do professionally so they can go home to their families after the job,” McDonnell said.
Firefighter Mim Stacy was appointed McDonnell’s replacement by the Board of Fire Commissioners as provisional fire official beginning May 1, according to the press release.