HOWELL – As Adelphia approaches its 100 anniversary, the all-volunteer fire company is looking toward the future and hoping to bring more members into its ranks.
Adelphia Fire Company currently has approximately 45 active volunteers and responds to roughly 600 emergency calls each year. Last year alone, the company answered 525 calls, providing fire and emergency services across approximately 22 square miles of Howell, including portions of Routes 9 and 33.
To help address the need for additional volunteers, Adelphia Fire Company has launched a new recruitment campaign, “Join Our Tradition. Create Your Legacy.”
The four-year campaign is designed to introduce more Howell residents to the opportunities available through volunteer firefighting. Outreach efforts will include social media, videos, mailers, lawn signs, media relations and community booth displays.
“We need more volunteers because our call volume continues to grow, and having enough people available to respond is critical to providing the level of service our community deserves,” said Carmelo La Marca, a trustee of Adelphia Fire Company as well as commissioner and vice chairman of Howell Fire District No. 2. “With work schedules and family commitments, and fewer people living and working locally, we no longer have the community-orientated generation of volunteers we once did. As a result, in 2026, we are making an aggressive effort to recruit new members.”
The company is hoping to recruit as many volunteers as possible and emphasizes that volunteering does not necessarily require a previous background in firefighting.
For those interested in becoming active firefighters, no prior experience is required. The fire company provides training and equipment to help new members learn the skills necessary to serve their community.
Jason Howlett, Adelphia Fire Company’s former chief and current second vice president, said volunteering offers both personal fulfillment and opportunities to build lasting connections within the community.
“I’ve been involved with Adelphia since I’ve been born. My father was a chief, and I joined the junior program when I was 14,” Howlett said. “The Adelphia Fire Company has always had great camaraderie, not only within our company but also with the surrounding companies. We’ve sponsored a lot of community activities, from bowling and Fire Fighters Field Day to pancake breakfasts and Santa runs. I have a lot of fond memories, and I’ve made many friends who I’m still friends with today.”
New members can expect training and support as they learn the responsibilities of the fire service.
“We offer all the training needed to help members feel confident in the job,” said Howlett. “Not every task a firefighter performs is for everyone, but most people find something they feel comfortable doing. For example, some members may assist with extricating victims from car accidents, while others can contribute in ways that don’t require being directly involved in those situations.”
Adelphia offers several ways to get involved. Volunteer opportunities include active firefighters, active associate members for certified New Jersey firefighters who live or work in the area, support members who assist with events and administrative duties, and junior members ages 14-17.
The recruitment campaign is being fully funded through a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Residents who have ever considered volunteering – or simply want to learn more – will have an opportunity to meet members of the department during Breakfast with the Firefighters/Open House on Sunday, October 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is open to the public and will give residents an opportunity to visit the firehouse, meet local firefighters and learn more about becoming a volunteer.
Those interested in volunteering can also visit HeroesNeeded.org to complete an inquiry form.
As Adelphia Fire Company looks toward its 100th anniversary, its message to the community is simple: the tradition of volunteer service can continue only with a new generation willing to carry it forward.
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