Referendums Approved For Firefighter Hires In Gloucester Twp. Fire District Elections

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Voters have approved referendums to fund additional staffing in several Gloucester Township fire districts, according to Camden County's firefighters union.

Gloucester Township has multiple fire departments, which are divided between six self-governing fire districts overseen by their respective fire commissioner boards.

New Jersey's fire district elections took place Saturday. Ballots throughout the state included votes for fire commissioners and approving budgets.

Several Gloucester Township fire districts also held referendums, seeking voter approval on spending measures to ensure adequate staffing and emergency-response times.

• Related: Gloucester Township's Under-The-Radar Elections: Fire Departments Seek Funds For Staffing

All of the ballot questions in Gloucester Township were approved, according to Camden County IAFF Local 3249.

Election results remain unofficial until certified by March 2. But some of Gloucester Township's fire districts have shared their unofficial results.

District 1 (Glendora Fire Company) sought a 29 percent tax increase to address staffing shortages and rising costs. Currently, the district's annual fire tax is $213.50 for the average household at $175,000. An annual increase worth $61.92 annually was proposed.

Voters approved the referendum 131-86, according to the unofficial results.

"We want to express our sincere appreciation to the residents of Glendora for your incredible support during the recent election," Fire District 1 said on social media. "Your commitment to our fire district shows how much you care about our community's safety and well-being. Together, we are stronger, and your voices have truly made a difference!"

Gloucester Township Fire Districts 2 and 4 — Chews Landing and Blackwood, respectively — had separate ballot questions to enable funding for Squad Company 88, their shared program.

In District 2, voters were asked to authorize the 2 percent budget cap to fund two new full-time firefighter hires. Voters approved the referendum 275-250.

District 4's voters approved a transfer of restricted funds to hire two full-time firefighters. The measure, which doesn't increase the fire tax, was approved 160-45.

Voters in District 6 (Erial) also approved a referendum to hire additional firefighters, according to Camden County IAFF Local 3249. Unofficial results weren't immediately available.