Fire Calls Down In Chatham, But Members Pour In 5,700 Volunteer Hours In 2015

CHATHAM, N.J. – While calls dropped more than 10 percent from the previous year, the Chatham Volunteer Fire Department was still extremely busy in 2015.

According to its annual report, the department responded to 311 calls in 2015, down 46 from the year before, said Chief Doug Allan.

But the 52-member department contributed 5,758 man hours of service to the community throughout the year, Allan said.

“Incident responses accounted for 1,198 of these hours, while the rest were devoted to training, meetings, fire prevention activities, driver training, fire duties and other work details,” Allan said in his annual statement.

Incidents accounted for six structure fires in 2015, none of which resulted in a large monetary loss, and the department provided or received mutual aid assistance on 31 occasions from Chatham Township, Green Village, Madison, Florham Park, Millburn, New Providence, New Vernon, Cedar Knolls, and Morris Township.

Seven new members joined the department last year in addition to the newly formed Junior Firefighter Company, which provides initial firefighting and emergency training to those between 16 and 18 years of age.

Chatham firefighters also assisted with community events including the annual fishing derby at Kelley’s Pond in April, and the Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks event, along with escorting Santa to greet hundreds of children at the Gazebo.