Profile: Kirkland For Englishtown Board Of Fire Commissioners

MANALAPAN, NJ - While the New Jersey primary election is still weeks away on June 8, voters in Englishtown Borough are gearing up for another important vote on April 20. Two seats are open on the Englishtown Board of Fire Commissioners, and longtime Englishtown resident Thomas S. Kirkland is vying for a spot.

Kirkland, 39, previously served for a nearly decade as a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners Fire District 1 Englishtown Borough from 2003 through 2012. During his tenure, he filled clerk and chairman positions. In 2013 and 2014, Kirland stepped away from the board to serve as fire chief. He has also spent 14 years as a career firefighter with the City of Summit Fire Department in Union County.

He is currently the assistant fire chief at Manalapan Township Fire Company No. 1.

Kirkland is currently in his final year of completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Service Administration through the University of Eastern Kentucky.

“I hold numerous certifications through the NJ Division of Fire Safety in conjunction with Kean University such as Firefighter 1 and 2, Fire Officer and Emergency Incident Management,” he told Patch. “I have also completed multiple training sessions with the Federal National Fire Academy located in Emmitsburg, Maryland.”

Kirkland resides in the borough with his wife Melissa and five-year-old son. He has been a lifelong resident of Englishtown for 39 years.

“My family has continued to maintain strong ties to the community as I am a third-generation resident,” Kirkland said. “My wife of 3 years Melissa Kirkland and I have enjoyed watching our 5-year-old son grow up and are extremely proud of watching him as he develops in the Manalapan Englishtown School system.”

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Why are you seeking a seat on the Board of Fire Commissioners?

Throughout my family’s history, we have always had deep roots in the fire service, which has inspired me with a passion for striving to bring out the best in any organization I have been associated with. The Board at present consists of members who have served numerous terms (well over 10 years) which seems to breed complacency, as well as members that have no fire service experience, detrimental when making decisions of public safety.

Combining together my education as well as my volunteer and professional experience, I believe I can be an asset to the Board and help to usher in fresh and new ideas to aid in the safety and protection of the residents and firefighters of Englishtown Borough.

What is the single most pressing issue facing Englishtown Borough:

This would be an issue that is not unique to Englishtown but to most if not all of NJ and nationwide, and that is the fading away of the volunteer firefighter. While all aspects of life continue to increase their busy pace, so do the demands on the fire service. The added demands of mandatory training and (re)certification have continued to rise, placing a strain on the availability of volunteers, and that is even before adding in responding to emergencies.

While the quick solution may be to just hire personnel, the fact is our small community could not support that financially. When successfully elected, I would foster outside of the box thinking to work with our neighboring towns and districts, looking to establish a foundation of mutual support that could benefit all involved.

What are the critical differences between yourself and the other candidates seeking to serve on the Board of Fire Commissioners?

Speaking with fellow residents familiar with the fire department, I have heard a common theme. They only see these candidates once a month for the business meeting, and their main focus is on the stipends received for serving as Board Members. There also seems to be a lack of urgency in the daily operations. When elected, I will strive to increase the level of professionalism to ensure the highest quality resources will be at our fire department’s disposal for the safety and well being of the Borough residents.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign:

In a word, transparency.

For many years fire districts have “flown under the radar” and not many residents are aware that a Board of Commissioners exists let alone what they do. When elected, my goal will be to raise awareness and support for the Fire District. Residents should be aware of where their tax dollars are being invested towards their fire protection, as well as educated of the critical needs for the fire department operations.

What accomplishments from your past can you cite as evidence you will be an effective board member:

During my term as Fire Chief from 2013 and 2014 I achieved the following accomplishments:

• Obtained a Federal grant in the amount of $52,000 for replacement of firefighter’s protective gear used during firefighting, to offset the deduction from the District’s budget.
• Headed the replacement of the department’s then 40-year-old brush truck
• Established a 5-year capital budget plan to aid the Board during budgeting
• Fostered and (re)established relationships with neighboring departments
• Best advice ever shared with me: “Take care of your own”. While I have since moved on from my time volunteering for Englishtown Borough, I do still take this advice to heart, feeling a strong connection to taking care of our residents and firefighters by stepping up and providing the best fire and life safety available.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself:

I do remain an active participant in the local fire service, having served Manalapan Township Fire Company 1 as Assistant Chief since 2017. Many residents may see me around and interact with me during fire responses in Englishtown Borough, as the two departments work closely together for your safety and benefit.