Township of Clinton Division of Fire

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Township of Clinton Division of Fire

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Volunteers from the Annandale Hose Company proudly serving under the Township of Clinton Division of Fire

11/06/2026

FIREHOUSE FACT OF THE MONTH – NOVEMBER:
What’s the Deal with Firefighters and Mustaches?

Ever wonder why so many firefighters rock a mustache? With No-Shave November underway, a cancer awareness and men’s health initiative, we thought it was the perfect time to answer a question from our community!

A Little History: Firehouse folklore suggests firefighters in the 1800s soaked their thick mustaches and beards with water in an attempt to filter ash and soot. While not an effective form of respiratory protection, the mustache became a lasting fire service tradition!

Today’s Reality: Firefighters wear Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) to breathe safely in hazardous environments. Beards and stubble can interfere with the mask’s seal, but mustaches are allowed as long as they don’t interfere with a proper fit!

The Tradition Lives On: For many firefighters, the mustache represents pride, history, and camaraderie.

Here’s an Insider Tip: Spot an Annandale firefighter with a beard or stubble? Chances are they’re not currently assigned to duties requiring a tight-fitting SCBA mask!

So next time you see a firefighter sporting that classic mustache, give them a compliment and thank them for their service! They’re keeping a little fire service history alive while rocking a timeless look!

AND NOW YOU KNOW!

Got a question about the fire service? Drop it below or visit our website. Your question could be our next Firehouse Fact!

11/04/2026

One Fire Company, a Few Volunteers, 8 Schools, and Nearly 1,000 Kids… One BUSY Fire Education Month!

October kept the volunteer firefighters of Annandale Hose Company #1 busy visiting schools and childcare centers throughout Clinton Township, teaching nearly 1,000 children about fire safety, emergency preparedness, and the fire service.

From fire engine tours and interactive discussions to teachers trying on full firefighting gear, the visits gave students a chance to learn about the firefighters who serve their community. And of course, those red take-home fire helmets are always a favorite!

A sincere thank you to our volunteer firefighters who took time away from their regular workdays and personal commitments to make these visits possible, all while continuing to answer the call for service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! Thank you also to the Clinton Township Division of Fire for providing supplies and our AHCo #1 Fire Education Committee for coordinating the visits.

And a very special, heartfelt thank you to our teachers and school staff! Whether at public, private, religious, or daycare facilities, you work every day to educate and protect our children. We appreciate your dedication and thank you for welcoming us into your classrooms!

We are proud to serve you!

11/02/2026

Santa is coming to Clinton Township! See the flyer for full details on how to schedule your time. We can’t wait to bring the holiday cheer!

11/01/2026

700 Hot Dogs, a Keg of Birch B**r, and One Incredible Community!

Another Halloween in the Village of Annandale is in the books, and what a night it was!

On behalf of the President, membership, and volunteer firefighters of Annandale Hose Company #1, thank you for making this year’s Halloween celebration another safe, successful, and memorable evening!

Every year, AHCo sets up with Clinton Township Police Department in the heart of Annandale’s trick-or-treating festivities, serving up food, refreshments, and a little hometown hospitality. This year, by 7:30 p.m., we had handed out over 700 hot dogs and a full keg of birch b**r!

Among the princesses, Spider-Men, and sports stars, our Recruitment Committee also spotted some promising future firefighters! We hope a few of those little heroes will someday trade their costumes for turnout gear!

A special thank you to the Clinton Township Police Department, AHCo President Marc Strauss, Chief Stephen Dombrowski, and all our volunteers who helped make the evening possible.

Most importantly, thank you to our incredible community! Your smiles, participation, and generous donations help keep this wonderful tradition alive while supporting the volunteers who proudly serve you.

We hope everyone enjoyed that extra hour of sleep this morning. We certainly earned it!

Thank you, Annandale! We’ll see you next Halloween! 🎃🚒

10/31/2026

Vehicle Fire – Route 31 North

Annandale Hose Company volunteer firefighters responded to a fully involved vehicle fire on Route 31 North near Cratetown Road during rush-hour on Friday, encountering heavy black smoke, intense heat, and flames engulfing the vehicle.

Engine 46-2 arrived first due as part of a Clinton Township, Station 46-centered response, with crews quickly deploying a hose line and knocking down the flames. Leaking fuel presented additional challenges, requiring firefighters to use foam to fully extinguish the fire.

This incident was a great example of training, preparation, and teamwork in action. From coordinating responsibilities and sizing up while en route to rapidly extinguishing the fire and preventing the spread, our volunteer firefighters, and Chief officers (after IC Chiefs helped clean up) worked side by side to get the job done.

Special thanks to the Clinton Township Police Department for assisting with scene safety (heavy traffic control) and protecting our firefighters as they worked.

Countless hours of training prepare our volunteers for moments like these. Proud of the teamwork and dedication of our crews for always keeping our community safe!

10/17/2026

Cold Nights, Warm Homes, Safe Families!

As temperatures drop and our neighbors across Annandale and the surrounding communities turn on their heat for the first time this season, here’s a friendly reminder from your local volunteer firefighters.

Every fall, we see an increase in furnace issues, gas utility calls, and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. A little maintenance now can go a long way toward keeping your family safe.

Before the cold weather settles in, make sure your heating system has been serviced, exterior intake and exhaust vents are clear, and your smoke and CO detectors are working properly.

Remember, smoke and CO detectors don’t last forever. Check the dates on the back and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for replacement. Change the batteries regardless.

And remember, we’re always here when you need us! If your CO alarm sounds or you smell natural gas, get everyone outside and call 911 from a safe location. If you suspect a fire, gas leak, or other emergency, never hesitate to call. Our volunteers would much rather respond than have you second-guess making that call.

The last thing we want to see is a family and their pets huddled in the car trying to stay warm in the middle of the night while firefighters investigate a potentially hazardous situation inside their home. A little preparation now can help keep those warm relaxing nights safe and comfortable, just the way they should be.

Stay warm, stay safe, and enjoy the season!

Your neighbors at Annandale Hose Company #1

10/15/2026

A Close Call and an Important Fire Safety Reminder

Annandale Hose Company recently responded to a reported structure fire in the southern part of town. Fortunately, an off-duty police officer and volunteer firefighter noticed smoke and flames and took immediate action. Thanks to their quick thinking and training, 911 was notified, and the fire was extinguished before spreading further into the structure. While the exterior siding sustained significant damage, a potentially much more serious fire was prevented.

Although the cause currently remains unconfirmed, improperly discarded paint brushes and rags following maintenance work are suspected. Certain oil-based paints, stains, and wood finishes can spontaneously combust without a spark or open flame. As these products dry, they generate heat that can become trapped in piled-up rags, eventually causing ignition.

A simple reminder: Never pile oil-soaked rags together or leave them near combustible materials. Always follow manufacturer instructions for proper ventilation, storage, and disposal. A few extra minutes of precaution can prevent a serious fire.

A special thank you to 36 Rescue and 45 Fire for their quick response and continued support of our community.

This incident reminds us that being a firefighter is a valuable life-saving skill, but sometimes living next door to one can be just as valuable!

Stay safe, Annandale!

10/08/2026

FIREHOUSE FACT OF THE MONTH: Why All the Fire Trucks When There's No Fire?

Ever wonder why several fire trucks respond to a smoke detector, fire alarm, or sprinkler water-flow alarm, even when there’s no visible fire?

Firefighters may bring a handline, place ladders near windows, and perform a 360-degree check in full protective gear, just as they would at a working fire.

Many alarms are caused by shower steam, burnt food, construction dust, or faulty detectors. Others involve multiple alarms or reports of smoke, flames, or other signs of danger. Because conditions can change quickly, we treat every report seriously and prepare our firefighters, equipment, and water supply for the possibility of a real fire.

That’s why you may see multiple trucks from Annandale Hose Company and neighboring mutual-aid departments. It’s better to have the help we need from the start than to call for it later when every second counts.

If you’re concerned enough to call 911, you have our full attention. Never hesitate because you’re worried it might be a false alarm or that you’re bothering us. We’re happy to respond, day or night, because that’s what we train for and volunteer to do.

When in doubt, call 911. We’d much rather respond and find nothing wrong than have someone wait when help is needed.

Now you know! Multiple trucks at an alarm mean we’re preparing for what we might find, not just what we can see.

Have a question about something firefighters do? Drop it in the comments! It might become our next Firehouse Fact of the Month.

10/06/2026

That Black Smoke Over Clinton Township…

If you saw the large column of black smoke over Clinton Township Friday evening, this was the scene.

As the community gathered at North Hunterdon for Friday night football, Annandale Hose Company responded to a large truck fire on I-78 eastbound. Crews contained the fire to the tractor, preventing it from spreading to the trailer and its contents.

Firefighters extinguished the fire, controlled ruptured tanks and spilled fluids, and established the water supply needed to bring the incident under control.

Rush-hour traffic added to the challenge, requiring a full closure of I-78 eastbound and coordinated traffic diversions throughout the area.

Thank you to Quakertown Fire Company (Station 91), South Branch Emergency Services, New Jersey State Police, NJDOT, our dispatchers, and all the volunteers who responded.

We appreciate everyone who worked together to safely bring this incident to a close.

10/05/2026

Big Water. Long Distance. One Team.

Saturday morning, fire departments from across North Hunterdon County came together to drill as the North Hunterdon County Large Diameter Hose (LDH) Task Force.

Think of it like a modern-day bucket brigade, but with a lot more horsepower. The Task Force uses large-diameter hose and multiple fire engines working together to move large volumes of water over long distances when a nearby hydrant or water supply isn’t available.

It takes equipment, coordination, and departments working together.

🎥 Here’s a look at how it works.

Address

68 Beaver Avenue
Annandale, NJ
08801

Telephone

(908) 735-5214

Website

http://ahco1.com/

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