East Windsor Fire Leaders Address Staffing Worries, Push For Funding Boost

EAST WINDSOR, NJ — Leaders of East Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. 1 (Station 42) issued a letter to residents Sept. 4 addressing staffing changes at Station 46, saying their own company remains fully staffed and committed to covering calls for the entire township.

The letter, signed by Chief Jay Laughlin and President Jenna Pinkney, said EW Fire 2 (Station 46) has faced significant staffing challenges after nearly 50 years of service. "For almost 50 years, the members of EW Fire 2 (Station 46) have dedicated themselves to serving our community," the letter said. "However, like many volunteer organizations, they have faced significant staffing challenges in recent years."

The remaining active responders at Station 46 have transitioned to other fire companies, and the company's remaining members have decided they no longer wish to respond to calls, according to the letter. "To help clarify the situation, the township has not closed the fire company," Laughlin and Pinkney wrote.

Laughlin and Pinkney said Station 42 currently has more than 40 active volunteer members responding to about 75 to 100 calls a month. "As the Chief and President of EW Fire 1 (Station 42), we want to reassure the public that our station remains strong," they wrote. "We are fully committed to covering calls for the entire township."

Township officials have informed Station 42 leadership of a plan to implement full-time career fire staff Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning Jan. 17, 2027, according to the letter. Station 42 leaders said they support the initiative, though they have not yet seen tangible progress.

"While we have not yet seen tangible steps toward this implementation, we support this initiative as a positive step for daytime coverage for our residents and businesses," the letter said. The company will continue responding to calls during evenings, nights and weekends, as well as during daytime hours when volunteers are available, according to the letter.

Station 42 leadership has requested two measures from the township to help retain and recruit volunteers: increasing the annual Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) contribution from $1,150 to $2,000 per member, and implementing a $10 per-call stipend to offset volunteers' fuel and vehicle maintenance costs. "These modest financial incentives are significantly less expensive than funding full-time career staff and would play a vital role in retaining and attracting dedicated volunteers," the letter said. "Unfortunately, the township has not yet acted on these requests."

The company is accepting applications from township residents interested in becoming volunteer firefighters.

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