Support Our Fire Department
The Livingston Fire Department (LFD) recently sent a letter to residents requesting donations. A second reminder is expected to go out this week, and we sincerely hope that those who receive it will take the time to read the letter, and consider making a contribution. We are always surprised to learn how many people are unaware that our fire department is composed of volunteers. These are your neighbors who are coming to your aid in moments of need, and there is a long history of doing so in this town.
The Livingston Fire Department has been serving the Township of Livingston since 1921. At that time, Livingston was a fairly rural community, and wells and buckets were the only real form of fire protection. Most barns and buildings would burn to the ground when a fire occurred, with residents working together primarily to save adjacent structures. But this was soon to change.
On the evening of November 15, 1921, a meeting of the Livingston Gun Club was held in Dougal Hall (formerly a wagon shed) on Cedar Street. Clarence Dougal asked Club members interested in organizing a Fire Department to remain after the meeting to discuss the issue. Twelve men, including Dougal himself, stayed to discuss the matter, and the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department was born.
And 103 years later, we want to keep this volunteer operation running (saving households a good deal of money in municipal taxes and insurance premiums in the process), but that requires some help. We are all experiencing some challenging economic times at the moment, as inflation has risen dramatically in recent years. As a result, the wallets of many have, understandably, tightened. Essentials like groceries are not something that a family can cut out of its budget, and so items like annual donations are what end up taking a hit. Numerous organizations that rely on such funds are dealing with this issue. We at the Tribune are certainly not immune to it, and neither is our volunteer fire department.
When the fire department experiences a dip in donations, it can impact what they are able to do for the community. It is imperative that we do not let that happen, as our fire department is essential to the public’s safety. It is worth stressing again that these volunteers save Livingston’s taxpayers millions of dollars each year; should the department ever have to convert to a paid operation, it would be quite costly. Financial support from donations ensures that the department can continue its vital mission for the community.
We also encourage people to consider volunteering to become a first responder. Both the Livingston Fire Department and the Livingston First Aid Squad are volunteer organizations who can use new members. We rely on selfless residents to keep these institutions running and a free service to those in town. It is a rewarding responsibility to take on, and these groups are always welcoming new members to their ranks. For anyone who thinks it might be a job for them, we encourage them to talk with current firefighters or EMTs to learn more.
Currently, the Livingston Fire Department has more than 50 volunteers manning four engine companies, as well as a rescue company and a ladder truck company. That experienced, dedicated membership continues to answer every call, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In 2023, LFD responded to 28 general fire alarms and 1,028 miscellaneous calls for emergency service.
Additionally, our firefighters routinely assist other communities, like last week when LFD sent an engine to Irvington to cover that city while its firefighters assisted Newark with a threealarm fire. LFD’s members also train extensively year-round, in order to be prepared to respond to a variety of situations, and to maintain and update their skills. LFD also celebrates National Fire Prevention Week (usually an open house event at LFD’s headquarters, but this year with a presence at September’s Community Block Party), with a goal of educating the community about fire safety. The Department awards scholarships to three Livingston High School graduates, and conducts numerous fire education programs throughout the year at local elementary schools, businesses, and civic organizations.
All of this, and so much more, is made possible thanks to community donations. The good they do, and the lives they have saved over the years, is incalculable. But while we cannot put a price on it, we can still contribute. So, if you have not already done so, we ask you to consider making a generous donation to the fire department when you receive that second letter. In the long run, doing so is a bargain.
