Fire co. wetdown May 5

JACKSON - On May 5, members of the Cassville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 will host a five-truck dedication, also known as a "wetdown," and celebrate 68 years of service to Jackson.

Cassville President Doug Velting said the event will begin with a firetruck motorcade from Six Flags Great Adven-ture to the firehouse on Miller Avenue. The motorcade will leave Great Adven-ture at about noon.

The celebration at the Cassville firehouse will begin at about 1 p.m. and feature live entertainment by Wicked Cricket, entertainment for children, games, food and drink. The event is open to the public.

Cassville Fire Chief Matt Genovese said, "One of the new fire engines, an Elite Power Product Fire Engine No. 5621, we are dedicating, was proudly placed into action on Feb. 14. This new engine is capable of carrying 750 gallons of water and is outfitted as a multi-use apparatus which can be used for conventional firefighting as well as for light rescue work and extrication."

The truck can carry up to six firefighters and it brings the Cassville fleet back to its three full-service engines, replacing a 1984 GMC mini-pumper, he said.

The May 5 event will also feature four other vehicles that have never been dedicated: a 2001 E-One engine; a pre-owned 1998 E-One engine acquired in 2004; a 2006 Foster Hurricane air-power light trailer; and a 2006 Ford F-250 assistant chief operations vehicle.

The Cassville fire company was formed in 1939 when a dozen men met at Norton's Garage in the Cassville section of Jackson and filed the required paperwork.

Cassville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 protects 65 square miles in the southern and northwestern portions of Jack-son, which is the third largest municipality in New Jersey at 100.3 square miles. The fire company is staffed by more than 30 active volunteer firefighters.

For more information visit the Internet Web site www.cassvillefire.org.