Middletown Unveils Volunteer Incentive Program At Navesink Firehouse

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — On Wednesday morning, the Middletown Township Committee held a press conference outside Navesink Hook & Ladder firehouse. They were joined by the men and women who volunteer as Middletown firefighters, EMTs and OEM first responders.

There, they introduced the first-ever Middletown Emergency Volunteer Incentive Program.

As Patch reported last weekend, this is a first-of-its-kind program where the Township will give financial incentives to people who choose to volunteer as firefighters and EMS. Here are the incentives:

• A $10,000 loan for first-time home buyers in Middletown
• A $500 yearly property tax reimbursement
• These benefits must be earned by accumulating hours of volunteer time and emergency response. The $10,000-homebuyer loan can be amortized or forgiven by continued accumulation of response time.
• Free parking at the commuter parking lots and building permit fees will also be made available.

Middletown has one of the most robust volunteer fire departments in the state, and many in this town pride themselves on looking after their own. Is volunteerism down in Middletown? Is it difficult for the town to find volunteer firefighters?

"Finding volunteers today is not as easy as it was 10 - 20 years ago," is how Mayor Tony Perry answered. "Married couples both need to work today. We are looking down the road; Middletown wants to get out ahead of this. We sat down and talked about what we could offer to entice people to volunteer."

Middletown's Deputy Mayor Rick Hibell, a longtime firefighter, shared a personal story with the crowd:

"When I was a kid, I didn't even want to be a firefighter. That's because three years before I was born, my dad joined the Belford Fire Department, and my whole childhood I always remembered him running out the door for a fire call. Then I turned 18 and I knew I wanted to be a volunteer firefighter, too."

"He's here today, so thanks, Dad," and he motioned to his father in the back, leaning against a fire truck.

He said the mortgage loan and the property tax deduction will help attract young Middletown residents to volunteer.

Hibell, a Republican, also took a dig at outgoing President Joe Biden in his public address Wednesday: "These last three to four years have been very difficult. It is not cheap to live here and it is very difficult to get into this town."

“By providing these incentives, you not only help retain the firefighters we have, but also inspire new recruits to join our rank,” said Second Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Morrissey. “This program ensures our department remains robust, ready and able to respond effectively to any emergency.”

Wednesday's press conference was attended by Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican assemblyman who is running for a second time in an an attempt to be New Jersey's governor.

"Volunteers keep property taxes down," said Ciattarelli. "You have no idea how much it would cost to have a paid fire department, or paid rescue squad. These people don't need it, but this is a 'thank you' from the town. I truly hope the 563 other towns in New Jersey follow Middletown's model."

For Middletown to have a paid fire department, Perry said the cost would be "in the millions per year," when you factor in salaries, health insurance and pension."

Middletown's fire department is entirely volunteer; the five chiefs are paid a small stipend.

Middletown’s Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) Coordinator John Drucker will oversee the program and will ensure that only volunteers who meet the criteria will receive the incentives.

These incentives will begin in 2025. Middletown is currently accepting interest forms. If you are a Middletown emergency volunteer or interested in becoming one, please visit www.middletownnj.org/ourvolunteers to complete our interest form.

“Our emergency volunteers truly make up the fabric of our community,” said Perry. “I am constantly in awe of them for leaving their loved ones to run into a burning building, the scene of an accident, or a natural disaster to save a fellow human being who they may never meet again. I am incredibly proud to show our gratitude to these heroes by establishing this program.”