Post by Fed Up on Sept 20, 2006 10:27:40 GMT -5
www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060914/REPORTER03/609140337/1099
TOAST OF THE TOWN
Camaraderie, purpose keep longtime firefighters going
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 09/14/06
BY ALESHA WILLIAMS
STAFF REPORTER
FREEHOLD — Two longtime Freehold firefighters won praise last week for their service to the borough.
Freehold Borough Council recognized Russell G. Taylor, 42, who started with Freehold Fire Department Sept. 31, 1985.
Carl N. Steinberg, 54, was recognized for being a Good Will Hook and Ladder Company member since Aug. 7, 1986.
Steinberg, who also has been a borough councilman, said he decided to join the department while living in an upstairs apartment in Freehold's original circa-1874 firehouse at 51 Throckmorton St., across the street from the current firehouse.
"When the whistle blew, there was no sleeping through the night," Steinberg said. "So, I said, "Hey, if I'm going to be up, why not see what's going on?' "
What started out as a whim led to 20 years of rewarding service, Steinberg said. There were challenges, Steinberg admitted, such as the time he and fellow firefighters on a call to assist Manalapan found the charred body of a woman who went into her burning home to rescue a pet.
"But the spirit of camaraderie, and knowing that you serve a purpose, is definitely satisfying," Steinberg said. "Unfortunately, with time being so valuable and both members of the household working, people don't have as much time to volunteer. It's nice that towns are finally recognizing the value of the volunteer."
Taylor's history with the borough goes back even further than Steinberg's. He follows a family legacy of borough volunteer firefighters, which began with his great-great grandfather, John Taylor, in 1872. His great-grandfather; George Taylor, his grandfather, Monroe Taylor, and father, former department fire chief Bob Taylor, also served in the department.
Russell Taylor, former captain and vice president of Good Will, moved to Millstone nearly a decade ago, but remained a Good Will Hook and Ladder member. He now serves on both the Freehold and Millstone fire departments.
"Basically being young growing up with it, you're around the fire department all the time," Taylor said. "I guess when you grow up in it you just do it.
"You're helping people, helping the community," Taylor said. "You feel you're giving something back to the community. As you get older, you realize it (being a volunteer instead of a paid department) even helps with the taxes.
Council members, who acknowledged Steinberg and Taylor at their Sept. 5 meeting, said the service is well appreciated throughout the borough.
"They've truly both been hard workers," said Councilman Jaye Sims, who also is a Good Will member. "There's a lot of history there, and both guys put a lot of effort into the company.
"I think it (volunteer firefighting) is very important, especially in this day and age with all the constantly changing requirements," Sims said. "It's harder to actually draw volunteers these days. For someone to actually last that long is a great accomplishment."
TOAST OF THE TOWN
Camaraderie, purpose keep longtime firefighters going
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 09/14/06
BY ALESHA WILLIAMS
STAFF REPORTER
FREEHOLD — Two longtime Freehold firefighters won praise last week for their service to the borough.
Freehold Borough Council recognized Russell G. Taylor, 42, who started with Freehold Fire Department Sept. 31, 1985.
Carl N. Steinberg, 54, was recognized for being a Good Will Hook and Ladder Company member since Aug. 7, 1986.
Steinberg, who also has been a borough councilman, said he decided to join the department while living in an upstairs apartment in Freehold's original circa-1874 firehouse at 51 Throckmorton St., across the street from the current firehouse.
"When the whistle blew, there was no sleeping through the night," Steinberg said. "So, I said, "Hey, if I'm going to be up, why not see what's going on?' "
What started out as a whim led to 20 years of rewarding service, Steinberg said. There were challenges, Steinberg admitted, such as the time he and fellow firefighters on a call to assist Manalapan found the charred body of a woman who went into her burning home to rescue a pet.
"But the spirit of camaraderie, and knowing that you serve a purpose, is definitely satisfying," Steinberg said. "Unfortunately, with time being so valuable and both members of the household working, people don't have as much time to volunteer. It's nice that towns are finally recognizing the value of the volunteer."
Taylor's history with the borough goes back even further than Steinberg's. He follows a family legacy of borough volunteer firefighters, which began with his great-great grandfather, John Taylor, in 1872. His great-grandfather; George Taylor, his grandfather, Monroe Taylor, and father, former department fire chief Bob Taylor, also served in the department.
Russell Taylor, former captain and vice president of Good Will, moved to Millstone nearly a decade ago, but remained a Good Will Hook and Ladder member. He now serves on both the Freehold and Millstone fire departments.
"Basically being young growing up with it, you're around the fire department all the time," Taylor said. "I guess when you grow up in it you just do it.
"You're helping people, helping the community," Taylor said. "You feel you're giving something back to the community. As you get older, you realize it (being a volunteer instead of a paid department) even helps with the taxes.
Council members, who acknowledged Steinberg and Taylor at their Sept. 5 meeting, said the service is well appreciated throughout the borough.
"They've truly both been hard workers," said Councilman Jaye Sims, who also is a Good Will member. "There's a lot of history there, and both guys put a lot of effort into the company.
"I think it (volunteer firefighting) is very important, especially in this day and age with all the constantly changing requirements," Sims said. "It's harder to actually draw volunteers these days. For someone to actually last that long is a great accomplishment."