Germania Fire Company Understands Value of Fundraising

Galloway Township’s second fire company was created on May 28, 1936, roughly 18 months after the first fire company was born.

It was built by farmers and local residents who wanted to protect their homes and properties.

Dave Simpkins has been with the Germania fire company for 35 years and has served as fire chief for the past two years. He believes the biggest problem facing his company is raising operating funds.

“The biggest expense in fire fighting is the cost of the equipment,” Simpkins said. “Fire trucks range in price on the low end from over $300,000 up to a million dollars for one of the big platform rigs. With proper maintenance the service life of a truck is about 20 years.”

There are also new OSHA regulations regarding the protective boots, pants and coats worn when fighting fires.

“Regulations now require replacement of this gear every five years,” Simpkins added. “We do our best to raise the operating funds through fundraising efforts year round, but when it comes to the cost of fire trucks the township has to step in and contribute the money to buy them. Being a volunteer fire company is a very good thing because paid fire companies are far more expensive to operate than volunteer ones.”

Galloway Township did not pay to build any of the fire companies within the township when they were constructed, and the companies themselves pay for maintenance and repairs to the stations.

“We have 48 active members who are qualified to fight fires, and we also have five junior members between the ages of 16 and 18 who can help at the station,” Simpkins said. “They are not allowed to go on calls.”

Active members must have lived in Galloway Township at least six months before they apply for membership, have to be between the ages of 18 and 45, pass a physical and police background check, have a valid New Jersey driver’s license, be a U.S. citizen, and agree to abide by the company’s constitution, bylaws and Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs).

Germania Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 is located at 312 S. Cologne Avenue. It can be reached by telephone at 609-965-2022, and by email at germaniafireco@comcast.net.

Meetings are the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 7:30 p.m., work details are held Mondays at 7 p.m. Drills are scheduled throughout the year on Monday nights and Sunday mornings.

Simpkins addressed their fund raising activities during the year.

“We have a bi-annual turkey dinner twice a year,” Simpkins said. “They’re held on the first Saturdays in May and October at the Germania fire station from 4 to 7:30 p.m. That means our first dinner is coming up Saturday, May 7. We invite everybody to come out for a great meal and help support our station. We also have a fund drive each summer.”

Over a third of the Germania yearly operating budget is raised through the various fundraisers.