Cologne Volunteer Fire Company

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Cologne Volunteer Fire Company

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Cologne Volunteer Fire Company (CVFC) is located in the Township of Hamilton (Atlantic County) New Jersey.

Cologne Volunteer Fire Company is located in the Township of Hamilton, NJ.2870 Cologne AvenueMays Landing, NJ 08330(halfway between the Black Horse Pike and White Horse Pike) This fire company is composed by approximately 26 active members (20 Firefighters, 1 Engineer, 3 Lieutenants, 1 Captain, 1 Assistant Chief and 1 Fire Chief) which dedicate their own time and sometimes resources to save lives and protect the property of those in need. As a 100% volunteer fire company the CVFC firefighters are part of the 823,350 volunteer (2005 USFA statistics data) across the nation that perform fire suppression duties and provide emergency services to local communities. Being part of a local volunteer fire company is an opportunity for people to give back to the local community. This also helps local governments and township residents to reduce the cost of maintaining a 24/7/365 fire department staff. This is one of the reasons why 73% of all firefighters across the USA are volunteers and the rest are career or part time. In the last few years the amount of volunteers in the fire service has decreased substantially. This is due to a variety of reasons attributed to changes in lifestyles and the time required to respond to emergency calls and to train in order to maintain a high level of proficiency when an emergency call is received. For this reason the CVFC’s main goal is to increase its membership in order to provide a reliable service to the local community and neighboring areas.

10/17/2026

🚒 TRAINING TO SAVE OUR OWN | RAPID INTERVENTION CREW (RIC) TRAINING

The majority of our formal training courses, drills, and educational activities focus on preparing our members to respond to emergencies and provide aid to our community. But who comes to the rescue when one of our own firefighters becomes trapped, injured, disoriented, or incapacitated while operating inside a burning structure?

That is the mission of a Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC), also known as a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) or FAST team.

Over the past three days, members of the Cologne Volunteer Fire Company and Weymouth Volunteer Fire Company participated in specialized training conducted by Safety and Survival, LLC, focusing on the skills and techniques necessary to locate, access, assist, and rescue firefighters in distress.

🔥 WHY RAPID INTERVENTION TRAINING MATTERS

Fireground conditions can change in seconds. Extreme heat, zero visibility, structural instability, entanglement, equipment failures, and rapidly deteriorating fire conditions can leave firefighters disoriented, trapped, injured, or unable to move under their own power. A compromised air supply can further turn an already dangerous situation into a life-threatening emergency.

When a firefighter transmits a MAYDAY, it signals an immediate emergency requiring an urgent, coordinated response. A RIC must be prepared to deploy, locate the distressed firefighter, provide emergency assistance, and work to remove them from danger.

LESSONS WRITTEN IN TRAGEDY

The Worcester, Massachusetts, warehouse fire on December 3, 1999, claimed the lives of six firefighters after deteriorating conditions left firefighters lost inside the building. On June 18, 2007, nine firefighters died in the Sofa Super Store fire in Charleston, South Carolina, after rapidly worsening conditions trapped firefighters inside.

These tragedies remain painful reminders that firefighter rescue operations are complex, dangerous, and time-critical. They reinforce the importance of preparation, communications, accountability, coordinated rescue operations, and the ability to respond when a firefighter needs immediate help.

🧑‍🚒 PUTTING TRAINING INTO PRACTICE

During this three-day training evolution, our members practiced realistic rescue scenarios and developed essential firefighter survival and rescue skills, including:

🔹 SCBA and Gemtor Harness Operations: Practicing with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and Gemtor harnesses used in firefighter rescue and removal operations.

🔹 RIC Packs: Training with Rapid Intervention Crew air packs designed to provide an emergency air supply to a firefighter whose SCBA air supply has been depleted or compromised, when the equipment and circumstances permit.

🔹 RIC Rescue Board: Practicing the use of a specialized rescue board to help package, maneuver, and remove an incapacitated firefighter through challenging spaces and during rescue operations.

🔹 The Denver Drill: Rehearsing a demanding firefighter rescue technique designed to remove a downed firefighter through a restricted opening.

🔹 Rope Rescue Techniques: Practicing fundamental rope-rescue skills to raise and lower firefighters to and from elevated locations.

🔹 Team Coordination and Problem-Solving: Developing the communication, coordination, and hands-on skills necessary to locate, access, package, and remove a firefighter who cannot self-rescue.

These skills require repetition, physical effort, teamwork, and trust in the firefighters working beside us. Every piece of equipment and every technique has a purpose when seconds count and a fellow firefighter's life is on the line.

When a MAYDAY is transmitted, there is no time to learn the basics. The training must already be there.

The Cologne Volunteer Fire Company is proud to invest in the continued development of our members and to work alongside our mutual-aid partners to strengthen firefighter safety throughout our region.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Safety and Survival, LLC, for conducting this important training and to the members of the Weymouth Volunteer Fire Company for participating in this joint training effort.

We train to protect our community. We train to protect each other. And we train so that when one of our own needs help, we have the skills and preparation to answer that call.

🚒 EVERYONE GOES HOME.

10/10/2026

🚒 CALL VOLUME UPDATE & NATURAL GAS SAFETY

414 Calls for Service — And Counting!

As of October 1, 2026, the Cologne Volunteer Fire Company had responded to 397 calls for service. To date, our call volume has increased to 412 calls, reflecting the continued demand for emergency services in our community.

⚠️ NATURAL GAS LEAKS: A RECURRING SAFETY CONCERN

One trend deserves special attention: natural gas leaks continue to be a recurring reason for emergency responses. Through September 2026, our company responded to 52 natural gas-related incidents. Since October 1, we have received four additional natural gas leak calls, bringing our year-to-date total to 56 incidents.

Our most recent response occurred last night, when our members were dispatched to an apartment where elevated levels of natural gas were detected indoors. The situation required ventilation to clear the apartment of any remaining natural gas and help ensure the area could be made safe.

Incidents like this highlight the serious dangers natural gas leaks can pose to residents. Escaping gas can ignite and cause fires or explosions, making prompt action essential.

🚨 WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT A NATURAL GAS LEAK

✅ Leave immediately. Get everyone out of the building and move a safe distance away.

✅ Avoid sparks and flames. Do not operate lights, electrical switches, appliances, garage door openers, or electronic devices inside the affected area. Do not smoke or use matches.

✅ If safe, confirm stove k***s are fully closed. Do not re-enter or delay evacuation to check them; never operate gas equipment if a leak is suspected.

✅ Do not investigate or attempt repairs. Never try to locate the source of a leak or operate gas equipment yourself.

✅ Call 911 from a safe location. Report the suspected gas leak and follow the instructions of emergency responders.

✅ Notify your gas utility from a safe location. Qualified professionals must investigate and address the leak. Do not return to the building until emergency responders or the appropriate authorities confirm it is safe.

Know the warning signs. A rotten-egg odor, a hissing sound near a gas line, or other indications of escaping gas should never be ignored. Even if you cannot smell gas, take action if you have another reason to suspect a leak.

🚒 Our Commitment to the Community

As a 100% volunteer fire company, the Cologne Volunteer Fire Company remains committed to protecting lives and property through emergency response, public education, and fire prevention.

We encourage everyone to share this important safety information with family, friends, and neighbors. Recognizing the dangers of natural gas and knowing how to respond can save lives.

10/09/2026

🚒 Fire Prevention Month

Fire Prevention Month is an important reminder that fire safety starts with education, awareness, and prevention. By teaching children how to recognize fire hazards, practice safe behaviors, and understand what to do in an emergency, we help build safer homes and stronger communities.

Today, members of the Township of Hamilton Fire Department visited St. Vincent de Paul Regional School to educate students about fire safety and fire prevention, reinforcing the importance of being prepared and knowing how to stay safe.

These visits go beyond emergency response. They give us the opportunity to connect with our community, empower the next generation with potentially lifesaving knowledge, and help prevent emergencies before they happen.

We are proud to support Fire Prevention Month and grateful for the opportunity to make a difference through education and community outreach.

09/26/2026

🌧️ Serving Our Community — No Matter the Weather

As the Nor’easter continues to impact the New Jersey coastline, our volunteers remain ready to answer the call.

Tower 18 is returning to the station after another response — our 6th call for service since Friday afternoon. From heavy rain and strong winds to whatever emergency comes our way, our members continue to give their time, training, and dedication to protect our community.

Every response is made possible by 100% volunteer firefighters who are willing to leave their homes, families, and everyday responsibilities to serve when their neighbors need them.

Interested in making a difference? Join the Cologne Volunteer Fire Company. There’s a place for you on our team.

07/23/2026

Every Wednesday evening, the members of the Cologne Volunteer Fire Company come together for much more than a meeting. Our weekly training nights are dedicated to sharpening skills, conducting equipment inspections, maintaining operational readiness, and ensuring that every member is prepared to respond when our community needs us most.

Last Wednesday, our members participated in a hands-on vehicle extrication drill, practicing the techniques and teamwork required to safely rescue victims trapped in serious motor vehicle accidents. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to City Wide Towing for their continued support of our training efforts by providing the vehicles used during this exercise. Partnerships like these allow our members to train under realistic conditions, helping us maintain the skills needed to provide the highest level of service to our community.

This afternoon, several members also completed driver training to further improve their proficiency behind the wheel of our fire apparatus and continue working toward full certification to safely drive and operate our emergency vehicles.

Training doesn't stop when the drills are over. While our members were gathered this evening, they answered Call #299—a two-vehicle motor vehicle crash. Our volunteers quickly transitioned from training to serving the community, demonstrating the professionalism, dedication, and commitment that define the Cologne Volunteer Fire Company.

None of this would be possible without the selfless men and women who volunteer their time to train, respond, and protect our neighbors. Their commitment ensures that our community receives highly trained emergency responders whenever the call comes.

If you're looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community, consider joining the Cologne Volunteer Fire Company. Whether you're interested in firefighting, emergency response, or supporting the department in other ways, we'd love to have you on our team. Together, we continue to make a difference—one call, one training night, and one act of service at a time.

07/14/2026

Please join us in congratulating Shanen Alvarez and Hailey Leavens on successfully completing Firefighter I training program with the Atlantic County Fire Academy.

Over the course of more than 180 hours of classroom instruction and hands-on training, they demonstrated the dedication, determination, and commitment required to earn this important certification. Their hard work has prepared them with the knowledge and skills needed to safely and effectively serve our community.

The members of the Cologne Volunteer Fire Company are proud of your accomplishment and look forward to serving alongside you for many years to come.

Congratulations, Shanen and Hailey, and thank you for answering the call to serve!

07/06/2026

We hope everyone had a safe and memorable time celebrating America's 250th Birthday this Fourth of July weekend! 🇺🇸

As the holiday weekend comes to a close, the members of the Cologne Volunteer Fire Company remained ready to answer the call, responding to 12 calls for service. We are proud to serve our community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and we thank our volunteers and the public for their continued support.

We're looking for dedicated new members to join our team! Whether you're interested in firefighting, helping with emergency responses, or supporting our mission in other ways, there's a place for you at the Cologne Volunteer Fire Company. No experience is necessary—we'll provide the training.

06/29/2026

Today is day 179 of the year, and we are almost halfway through 2026.

Our call volume has steadily increased over the last few years, and we are well on track to finish the year with more than 500 calls for service. We are proud to continue providing 100% volunteer emergency services to our community, and it is because of our dedicated members that we are able to keep up with the increasing demand.

Our call volume breakdown is as follows:

06/21/2026

Wishing a very Happy Father's Day to the fathers on duty today, and to those dads who sacrifice their family time to volunteer for their community!

Address

2870 Cologne Avenue
Mays Landing, NJ
08330

Telephone

+16099653320

Website

http://www.colognefire.com/

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