Fire Station #55 Seeks to Educate Voters on 2/15 Budget Referendum

Fire Station 55 Launches Awareness Campaign to Encourage Jackson Twp. Fire District #3 Residents to Vote by Mail or In-Person at February 15 Fire Budget Referendum

Jackson Township, New Jersey… Population growth, an uptick in 911 calls to 1308 in 2024, and a dire shortage of volunteer firefighters have created the perfect storm within Jackson Township.

This year, Fire Station #55 is doing something about it: Launching a public awareness campaign.

Before voters cast a vote for or against the 2025 proposed fire budget submitted by Jackson Township Fire District #3 (which includes Fire Station #55), the fire company is taking measures to make sure residents know what is in the budget and why…and to provide details about voting by mail or in-person.

This is being accomplished through targeted postcard mailings, social media posts, press releases, media interviews and speaking engagements with communities throughout Fire Station #55’s coverage area. The goal is to make sure citizens are kept informed up to the voting day deadline, February 15.

“In 2024, our fire budget has failed to garner voter approval because people did not understand what was in it. This year, we are changing our approach. We are explaining what is in the budget we created and, most importantly, making sure people know that – if approved by voters – the tax impact will be just $8 per month for the average homeowner,” said Frank C. Hruschka, Commissioner in Fire District #3.

The 2025 proposed Fire Budget sustains safety for citizens and firefighters alike by funding the following essentials:

• The continuation of two paid firefighters, thus ensuring that Station #55 can respond to fire calls on weekends and holidays, between 6 AM- 6 PM, without having to cut critical budget line items in order to compensate them.
• Intensive maintenance and corrosion abatement on Station #55’s 17-year old Tower Ladder truck, the only one in the township, in an effort to delay refurbishment or replacement.
• Training of new and seasoned firefighters to comply with statewide certification changes, and to ensure firefighters are skilled to handle novel 911 emergencies, such as electric car fires. Training costs an average of $833 per firefighter per year.
• Radio purchases and replacement of firefighter turnout gear due to recent safety findings. Inflationary costs put this expenditure at $22,269 per firefighter.
• Delayed maintenance on Station #55’s 54-year-old, District-owned building to move toward the goal of providing a 24/7/365 response. Bathrooms, heating and the creation of sleeping quarters to allow for a faster response time are included in the proposed budget.

Fire Commissioners and Fire Station 55 leadership worked tirelessly for four months to create a bare bones budget that would have the least financial impact on the community. “The average cost for a pizza is $18; the average homeowner’s monthly tax obligation will be $10 less,” said Hruschka. He and Station #55’s fire chiefs are taking this message, and a budget overview, around the township through a series of scheduled presentations. They welcome the opportunity to do more for community groups that are interested.

Essential Voting Details:

Both voting in person and voting by mail options are available for citizens who wish to participate in Jackson Township Fire District #3’s budget referendum to fund Fire Station #55.

In-person voting will be held at Jackson Fire Station #55, Saturday, February 15, from 2 PM- 10 PM. The fire station is located at 113 N. New Prospect Road, in Jackson.

Voters can also submit their ballot by mail, but must have it postmarked by February 15 and received by February 17 to be counted. To request a ballot by the February 8 deadline, (visit https://www.oceancountyclerk.com/frmelectionservices

Citizens are encouraged to visit the website www.jacksonfiredist3.org/budgetupdate/ for information about the budget.