"Statewide, New Jersey has seen about a 20% drop in volunteers, declining from more than 30,000 volunteers in 2010 to just under 25,000 by the end of 2024, according to the state's Department of Community Affairs. Within individual departments, some of the numbers plunged significantly. "In 2005, I happened to run the numbers this morning, Pennsauken had 150 volunteer members," Pennsauken Fire Chief Jonathan Hutton said. "Today, we have 16 [volunteers].""
"The impacts of those numbers are having real-world impacts. Logan Township Fire Chief Scott Oatman recalled a January 2019 fire at an industrial building when the first fire truck didn't arrive for 27 minutes. "[The] property damage was pretty extensive on that fire," Oatman said. "That caused the business association to lift an eyebrow and say, 'Hey, what's going on? We pay a lot of taxes, and we need a good service.'""
Volunteer firefighter ranks in New Jersey have fallen roughly 20% since 2010, dropping from over 30,000 to just under 25,000 by the end of 2024. Some departments experienced much steeper declines, with Pennsauken falling from 150 volunteers in 2005 to 16 currently. Shortages have forced station closures and contributed to delayed responses, including a 27-minute wait for the first truck at a 2019 industrial fire that produced extensive property damage. Six South Jersey fire chiefs warn the trend could render departments unable to respond to urgent calls and say decisive, potentially costly actions are needed.
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