FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Joseph M. DiBella, Mayor

1-732-938-4500

March 6, 2006

Thank a Fire Fighter

Not a day goes by when there is not a story in the newspaper or an important news story on television about a major fire or emergency where fire fighters were at the scene working to protect people and save lives. Every day we hear about a situation in which the fire service was called to action, placing their lives in harms way to save someone’s home or rescue victims of some awful tragedy. Frankly, I think we have all become somewhat immune to the many disasters or emergency situation we all see every day. In thinking about all of this, I am reminded how fortunate we are here in Howell Township to have the finest volunteer fire fighters in New Jersey. While attending the Ramtown Fire Company installation dinner last month I was awestruck at the commitment of our local fire fighters and I began to think long and hard about how lucky we are to have these people protecting us.

Howell is blessed with five wonderful Fire Companies; Adelphia, Ramtown, Southard, Freewood Acres and Squankum. Each company is staffed with countless volunteers who are the real role models of our community. These fire fighters give of themselves every day in a cause designed to save lives and protect our community. Day and night they respond to emergencies and place themselves in grave danger in doing so. I think at times we may take for granted the extraordinary work of these brave residents who are always there in the face of danger. Whether it is charging into a burning building or being involved in a rescue effort related to a traffic accident, a Fire Fighter is there working, caring and protecting.

Plus, having volunteer squads saves the tax payers millions every year. If the Township had a paid fire fighting force, we’d incur significant expenses that would create an ever larger tax burden. That we have such brave and professional volunteers is a great benefit to the Township. No one could do the job they do for us.

Today our children idolize famous athletes or entertainers, thinking these are the role models of society. This is all wrong in my estimation. The real heroes and role models are the firefighters of Adelphia, Ramtown, Southard, Freewood Acres and Squankum. It is their photos that should be affixed to trading cards that kids collect and it is they who our young people should be encouraged to aspire to be like. These fine residents are the real role models and I encourage everyone in Howell to remember this and remind a young person of this.

In tribute of these extraordinary heroes, I am proclaiming April 2006 Fire Fighter Month in Howell Township. We’ll announce some special awards and at the three Council meetings in April and we’ll profile some of the wonderful stories of courage and bravery demonstrated by each Company.

  Howell Township is a wonderful place to live and raise a family for a number of reasons, chief among them being the extraordinary group of volunteer fire fighters we have here in Town.  The next time you see a fire fighter, thank them for all they do and be reminded how lucky we are to have them.

Please tell me know how you feel about or any issue. Please call or email me anytime at MayorDiBella@twp.howell.nj.us. May God Bless our Troops, May God Bless America and May God Bless Howell Township.

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