Fire and EMS Department
The Hamburg Fire Department rose out of the ashes of several bad fires in Hamburg, NJ. Up until December 16, 1909, the burning of the Broom Factory was the worst fire the Borough had experienced. On December 23, 1909, a week after the Broom Factory fire, the Hamburg Fire Department was established. In 1910, the first chief of the department was Frank Smith along with 17 charter members. On April 6, 1911, the Firemen's Relief Association was formed to support and aid firemen. On April 11, 1915, the department was incorporated . In 1917, the equipment was changed from outdated rubber buckets to a portable four man hand pump owned buy the Hawthorne Fire Department. In 1927, fire hydrants and water systems were installed. The earliest known fire alarm to sound in Hamburg was a wheel from an old steam train locomotive which was struck by hand.
In 1919, the Hamburg Fire Department formed the Sussex County Firemen's Association.
Up through 1998, there were 77 chiefs in which some of the chiefs have served more than 1 year with the department.
Up through 1995 there have been 27 major fires in town.
For more information on details regarding the history of the Fire Department, EMS and Auxiliary please contact Marion Wood, president of the Historical Society, for her book "All About Hamburg".
Currently the department consists of 2 engines, a rescue truck and a chief's vehicle.
In the 1990's, the fire department merged with the EMS division. The EMS division currently consists of 2 rigs.
We have several members from the fire department that has crossed trained.
The Hamburg Fire Department consists of 30 volunteer Active Members and Active Exempt Members.
The EMS consists of 20 volunteer EMT's and other members.
2012 - Fire Department Officers
- John Haig - Chief
- Charles Zweigle - Assistant Chief
- William Oehler - First Lieutenant
- Kevin Decker - Second Lieutenant
- Scott Nicolai - Drill Master
- Richard Titsworth - Assistant Drill Master
- Engineers: Devin Vogel and Gregory Cook
2012 - Officers for Emergency Medical Services
- Karl Brennan - Captain
- Jennifer Brennan - First Lieutenant
- Joyce Oehler - Second Lieutenant
- Jennifer Brennan and Joyce Oehler - Engineer
2012 - Civil Officers
-
Ronald Garrett - President
-
Gerald Youkon - Vice President
-
Charles McMickle - Secretary
-
Amy Jo Kays - Assistant Secretary
-
Sid W. Crum Jr. - Treasurer
-
Michael Schneider - Assistant Treasurer
-
Robert Russell - Chaplain
-
Dwight Landrud - Assistant Chaplain
2012 - Emergency Management
-
Sid W. Crum Jr. - Emergency Management Coordinator
-
Keith Sukennikoff - Deputy Coordinator
-
Kevin Decker - Deputy Coordinator
2012 - Firemen's Auxiliary Officers
-
Shannon Nicolai - President
-
Thomas Thiessen - Vice-President
-
Carol Ann Decker - Secretary
-
Sharon DeGraw - Assistant Secretary
-
Jacquelyn Shane - Treasurer
-
Marlene Decker - Assistant Treasure
-
Sharon DeGraw - Chaplain
Additional Information:
Questions? John Haig 973-271-9707