Jackson Mills honors two who have served 25 years
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

Raymond A. Hosford (l) and Stephen F. Gibson were recently honored for 25 years of service they have provided to the Jackson Mills Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Jackson. See story, page 6.

JACKSON - They are always on call, day and night, year after year, and they will risk their lives to save yours.

They are the firefighters of the Jackson Mills Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 and they honored their finest at a Jan. 20 annual installation dinner held at the Freehold Gardens, Freehold Township.

Stephen F. Gibson and Raymond A. Hosford were honored for 25 years of service.

"I think it is an absolute honor to receive an award like this," Gibson said. "There are a lot of people who are members of an organization for this many years, but it's different when you are still active and still answering calls at 3 a.m. I think it's a goal that every volunteer firefighter could do, if they want."

Gibson, 43, a life member of the Jackson Mills Volunteer Fire Company, joined the fire service on June 9, 1980. He has achieved the rank of engineer, safety officer, second lieutenant and first lieutenant. Administratively, he has held the office of president twice.

He is also a life member of the Howell Township First Aid and Rescue Squad No. 1 and has served there for 15 years.

Gibson is employed by the New Jersey State Police State Governmental Security Bureau, Trenton.

Gibson said he plans to continue serving the community.

"In today's society it's hard to get volunteers," he said. "You need to have time to invest. You need to train. You have meetings and work nights on monthly drills, but it all pays off after one call, knowing if it were not for you being there and having the necessary training, what would happen to your neighbor or your neighbor's home."

Gibson, who has two children, said his family has occasionally asked him if he has done enough and to consider taking a break. He said it is not yet time for him to call it quits.

"I need to make sure that someone shows up to handle the call," he said. "It's hard to stay home when your pager goes off, even if it's a repetitive call."

Gibson said when someone starts to do the job of a firefighter, one of the first things he needs to do is to know there are friends he can trust.

"When a building is burning and you get off the truck, you need to know you can trust the guy behind you," he said. "You're putting your life in his hands and he is doing the same."

Gibson reflected on one experience that will always stay with him. It was a Sunday morning shortly after Sept. 11, 2001 when he answered a call at St. Aloysius Church, Bennetts Mills Road. He was the driver of the rig, which had a full crew inside.

"A woman came up to me as I was sitting in the truck and handed me a long-stem rose," he said. "She had tears in her eyes. She said, 'Thank you. You guys are something special.' It was the first time I ever heard that and it felt good."

Hosford, 51, a father of two, joined the fire service in 1981 and went on to serve as engineer, safety officer, second lieutenant, first lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and chief. He is a life member of the Jackson Mills Volunteer Fire Company.

"I feel honored to receive an award like this," Hosford said of the 25-year service commendation. "It's an accomplishment that any firefighter would hope to meet."

Hosford said it has always been an honor to serve the residents of Jackson.

"I have enjoyed the opportunity of working with so many outstanding firefighters and meeting so many people," he said.

Hosford said he enjoys doing all kinds of service for the community, not only firefighting, but speaking at schools and nursing homes about fire prevention.

"I enjoy seeing the smiling faces of children during fire prevention talks, as well as partaking in our Santa Patrol at Christmas time," he said.

Most of all, the chief said he feels honored to lead the department.

"It's a great feeling knowing that you have so many firefighters behind you and knowing they will always be there whenever the alarm goes off," he said.

Firefighter John Burmeister, Engine 5417, received a special commendation from Hosford.

On Aug. 9 Burmeister came upon an accident in which an SUV had entered an intersection and collided with a tractor-trailer, trapping a grandmother and her two grandchildren in the vehicle. He entered the SUV to try and free the victims. While waiting for assistance Burmeister provided first aid to the victims.

Also commended were Brian Alicia, Joseph Esposito Sr., Chris Fostek, Joseph Tracy, Peter Weinrich, Peter Kilgour, Stanley O'Brien Sr. and Vanessa Bowman.

Distinguished Service Awards were presented to Ray Sheean, Bobby Anderson, Jeff Brinkers, Adam Burns, Rich Leonard Jr., Joseph Tracy, Mike Yasuk, Jay Zimmerman and Ray Tremer III.

Members of the extrication team who have distinguished themselves include Lt. Raymond Tremer, Barry MacNeil, John Ackley, Robert O'Brien, Lt. Mark Reynolds, Rory Ellinsky, Larry Campbell and Stephen Gibson.

Life-saving awards were presented to Jack Bollentin, Ray Tremer and Rich D'Allassandro for the service they rendered on May 7 to an injured driver whose vehicle crashed on Siloam/Cedar Swamp Road.