The reorganized NJ FD responds to the fire in the first building

By Glenn Epps
The Express Times

JOHNSONBURG, NJ – The Frelinghuysen Volunteer Fire Co. successfully put down its first fire in nearly 40 years on September 30th.

When the call came in at 2:42 a.m. to respond to a structure fire, the community’s newly appointed seven-member squad wasted no time in preparing, driving to the scene and doing the job they were trained to do were, Fire Chief Angel Ortiz said.

“I’m like a proud dad,” he said. “I came by to see the victims the day after the fire and they just hugged me and called us heroes. I can’t explain how much this means.”

Station 84 was established in 2022 but officially opened in March 2024 after renovations to the firehouse were completed. Residents once thought they would never see a fire department in Frelinghuysen, said Mayor Keith Ramos.

“This was never planned,” he said, “it’s a gift from God.”

In the last 22 years, only three fires have been recorded in the municipality of Frelinghuysen, including the basement fire reported last month. Station 84 is a monumental milestone for the community, especially at a time when more cities are closing fire departments due to a lack of participation, Ramos said. He said he approached 152 fire departments in the region to collect donations for the project.

You are not “just” a volunteer firefighter

Breathing apparatus and fire engines were donated by Harrison Township, Parsippany donated equipment, Bloomfield donated gloves, Toms River donated Scott SCBA air packs, Elmwood Park Borough donated a ladder truck. Other items, including the generator and hoses, were all donated or paid for with American Rescue Plan Act funds ($200,000), capital funds ($900,000) and microgrants.

The project, which included renovating the former Public Works Department for use as a fire station, was developed at no cost to residents, Ramos said. Continuing to run the program should cost the township less than $45,000, he said.

The community of 2,200 residents previously paid $105,000 a year for coverage from its neighboring communities. The cost of emergency services was among the most expensive items in the municipality’s annual budget, Ramos said.

“To me it was almost biblical,” Ramos said. “Nobody knew there would be a pandemic and we would get the ARPA money. Everything really worked out.”

Each of the 15 volunteers at Station 84 lives within walking distance of the converted fire station. Here is a list of the station’s founding members: Fire Chief Angel Ortiz, Jim K. Burns, Jim P. Burns, Frankie Giordano, Robert “Doc” Halsberstadt, Thomas Heaton, Jose Jaime, Todd McPeek, Benny Perez, Dave Possehl, Christian Rodriguez, Jhonny Lopez Sosa, Christian Winfield, James Winfield, Scott Winfield.