Month: July 2022

2022 Junior Fire Academy

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During the weeks of July 11 and July 18, 2022, the Woodbridge Fire Department hosted their fourth annual Junior Fire Academy. These two, week-long camps are designed to teach and promote teamwork, discipline, and a better understanding of the fire service from the perspective of firefighters and officers. Attendees, all of middle school age, met and worked directly with Woodbridge Fire Department personnel in hands-on training sessions performing numerous tasks that are executed during emergency operations. Campers not only toured and worked at Station 1 located on School Street in Woodbridge, but were also taken to the Middlesex County Fire Academy to see where current and recruit firefighters perform live-burn trainings and educational seminars. They were also introduced to the Middlesex County HAZMAT team and given a tour of the HAZMAT facilities, apparatus, and equipment. Before the completion of the camp, all attendees successfully passed the American Heart Association’s CPR training course and became certified in adult, child, and infant CPR. The Board of Fire Commissioners, Administration, and personnel at Woodbridge Fire would like to extend their heartfelt congratulations to the 2022 Junior Fire Academy graduates and thank them for their dedication and hard work.

Deputy Chief Robert Paul Retires

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The Woodbridge Board of Fire Commissioners, in collaboration with the Woodbridge Fire Department Administration, held a retirement breakfast for Deputy Chief Robert Paul on Friday, June 17, 2022. Deputy Chief Paul has served the community with the department for 23 years and ascended the ranks to his current position after starting as a firefighter/fire inspector in 1999. Current members of the Department joined retired members, commissioners, colleagues, friends, and family, all to pay tribute to an honorable career and momentous occasion in Deputy Chief Paul’s retirement.
 
“First I want to thank everyone for coming,” Paul said as he addressed the room. “To the Board and current administration, thank you for putting such a nice event together. It really means a lot. To everyone that I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years, thank you for not only making this a great career, but for teaching me everything that I know. Hopefully I’ve been able to share some of that knowledge and experience with those that I’ve worked with as they were hired in the years after me. And finally, a special thank you to my wife Joyce and my daughter and son, Jessica and Ryan. I know there were events and holidays that I wasn’t able to be with you because I was on duty, so thank you for understanding and for always being there to love and support me.”
 
Commissioner Jeff Moran was in attendance to extend his personal congratulations. “Deputy Chief Paul has had a very good career and was a great officer. We worked together on shift for a long time and I want to wish him as much success in his retirement as he’s had in his career!”
 
We would like to wish a long, happy, and healthy retirement to Deputy Chief Paul and thank him for his devoted service to the Woodbridge Fire Department and District #1.

Pride Flag Raising

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On Thursday, June 9th, members of the Woodbridge Fire Department joined the ranks of numerous township first responders, community activists and leaders, as well as state representatives at the second annual LGBTQIA+ Pride flag raising at Town Hall. The Pride flag raising tradition was started in Woodbridge Township last year when township high school student Molly Rubin contacted Mayor John McCormac citing the importance of inclusion, representation, and visibility. On top of the flag raising, Mayor McCormac presented a proclamation this year to highlight the Township’s focus on inclusivity, respect, and equality while also ensuring that all members of the LGBTQIA+ community know that they are welcome, supported, and protected. The Woodbridge Fire Department is also a member of the newly established Woodbridge Police Department Safe Place Program in effect throughout all nine towns in the township that offer refuge, protection, and assistance to LGBTQIA+ individuals that have faced bias and/or hate crimes.
 
                “The members of our Department have dedicated themselves to ensuring the public knows that all residents of our community are seen and respected,” Chief John Golden said. “They continue to put their oath into action by ‘rendering full service to the District’ in all forms. Our jobs go much further than safety and protection and it’s important for our residents, especially those in the LGBTQIA+ community, to know that they are a major part of what makes District #1 so great.”
 
                Commissioner John Kenny agrees. “Events like the Pride flag raising are significant because it sends a message of support and dedication to a community that unjustly faces discrimination and hate to this day. Having our members stand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community shows that we, as a department, unequivocally support equality for all. I, along with the entire Board of Fire Commissioners for Fire District #1, am proud to take that stand along with our members.”

Juneteenth Celebration

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On Saturday, June 18, 2022, members of the Woodbridge Fire Department and Woodbridge Fire Prevention Bureau attended the second annual Juneteenth Celebration on the concert grounds at Woodbridge High School. This event, presented by the Woodbridge Organization of Neighbors Advocating Change, commemorates the day the last remaining slaves in America were informed that they were freed following the Emancipation Proclamation. That occurred on June 19, 1865 in Galveston Bay, Texas and is not only an important moment in American history, but is notable because it occurred just under two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.
 
Chief John Golden expressed his contentment with the Department’s further involvement in community events like this. “As I’ve said in the past, participation in events throughout the year is paramount in building a relationship with the residents of our district. The Juneteenth Celebration was an excellent event for our members to attend not just to spread fire safety and prevention information, but also because of the holiday’s historical importance. It prompts the desire for those that may not know to learn more about the meaning of the holiday itself and that can then be shared with others.”
 
The Department members handed out fire safety/prevention materials and giveaways and had turn out gear for attendees to try on. Engine 3 was also on site for all to see, to get a tour of the apparatus, and to enjoy pictures while seated inside.