A residential fire this month has reignited awareness of why Jackson Township Fire District 3 needs to continue funding career firefighters to provide weekend and holiday coverage from 6 AM – 6 PM for Fire Station #55. Continued staffing is one of several critical items on its budget which is up for referendum vote this Saturday, Feb. 15.

On February 1, at approximately 4:45pm all four Jackson Fire Companies were called for a reported structure fire. Mutual Aid companies were called in to cover Jackson’s empty firehouses. Crews operated on scene for almost four hours before safely returning to their fire companies. Fortunately, there were no casualties, injuries or fatalities.

“Fire Station 55 was able to provide both Volunteer & Career personnel to assist with firefighting efforts. With the recent decline in Volunteerism, Station #55 has suffered. We have had to rely more on our career staff, specifically on weekends during the day. Station 55 provided 10 Firefighters including myself, 2 Chief Officers and a Captain, 4 career staff among the 10. Just a few short years ago we would have had closer to 20 volunteers respond from Station 55. In order to continue providing adequate staffing levels and maintain the recently hired two career firefighter positions, we require passage of our budget – and approval of both questions being asked regarding the budget,” explained Frank C. Hruschka, Commissioner in Fire District #3.

That is just one of several critical necessities covered within the Fire District budget which, if approved, will cost the average homeowner just $8 per month.

Other key items include:

• Delayed maintenance on Station #55’s 54-year-old, District-owned building to move toward the goal of providing a 24/7/365 response. Bathrooms, heating and the creation of sleeping quarters to allow for a faster response time are included in the proposed budget.
• Corrosion abatement and intensive maintenance on Station #55’s 17-year old Tower Ladder truck, and radio purchases and replacement of firefighter turnout gear due to recent safety findings.
• Yet another critical item covered in the budget, if passed, is training of new and seasoned firefighters to comply with statewide certification changes. Bathrooms, heating and the creation of sleeping quarters to allow for a faster response time are included in the proposed budget.

“Our community is growing and, as a result, so are the number of 911 calls we are receiving. In fact, in 2024, we had an increase of 144 fire calls and 29 EMS calls from 2023. In order to support the safety of the people who live and work here, we need a budget than enables us to do so,” said Hruschka.

Since early January, Jackson Township Fire District #3 has been taking steps to educate the public on this topic through speaking engagements, ads, social media posts and a mailing. Now voting day – February 15 – is upon the community.

Two Ways to Vote

OPTION #1: In-person voting will be held at Jackson Fire Station #55, Saturday, February 15, from 2 PM- 10 PM. The fire station is located at 113 N. New Prospect Road, in Jackson.

OPTIONS #2: Voters can submit their previously requested mail in ballot by mail, they must be mailed and should be postmarked by 2/15/2025. If the ballot bears no legible postmark the board of elections must receive by 2/17/25 for it to be counted. As long as the ballot bears a legible postmark of 2/15/25 it must be received by the County Board of Elections no later than 2/21/2025 to be counted.

Residents are encouraged to visit the website www.jacksonfiredist3.org/budgetupdate/ for information about the budget.

[Press Release]