Thursday, January 17, 2013  http://www.centraljersey.com/articles/2013/01/17/the_messenger_press/news/doc50f71bac42a34574061736.txt

Sunday, January 13, 2013  Five new volunteer firefighters began the twenty week process of becoming certified firefighters. The five began their training today at the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Facility in Westampton, NJ. The full day Sunday and several Saturday training class will provide NJ Firefighter 1 Certification to the new firefighters upon completion of their training in June of this year.

Pictured are: Jacob Krakowski, Wesley Franken, Peter Kvartek, Joshua Fortes and Joe Tresansky.

Photo credit: http://www.dennissymons.com

Sunday, January 13, 2013  The Washington Volunteer Firemen held a brunch at the Windsor Ballroom of the Holiday Inn in East Windsor to commemorate their 50th Anniversary.

In this photo Department and Ladies Auxillary Members look over a gallery of old photographs. Left to right, Bob Thomson, Ruth Arnwine, Debbie Walker, and Jim Merrit.

Photo credit: http://www.dennissymons.com

Sunday, January 13, 2013  President Joe Goss presents Robbinsville Councilman Vincent Calcagno with a ceremoinial check in the amount of $ 28,598.60. This check represents the share that the taxpayers of Robbinsville would have had to pay to participate in the recent $ 2,828,627 Federal Radio Grant awarded to Mercer County for new fire radios and pagers. Instead of asking the taxpayers to foot this bill, the volunteers used fundraising monies collected from local residents and businesses.

The fire department is receiving radios and pagers valued at $ 141,579 from this grant.

Photo credit: http://www.dennissymons.com

Sunday, January 13, 2013  Robbinsville Councilman Vincent Calcagno swears in the 2013 Washington Volunteer Firemen Line and Executive Officers at their annual brunch held at the Windsor Ballroom of the East Windsor Holiday Inn. 

Photo credit: http://www.dennissymons.com

Sunday, January 13, 2013  Lt. Thomas Krakowski was chosen as Washington Volunteer Firemen's 2012 Firefighter of the Year. Lt. Krakowski also was awarded a pin for his 10 years of service to the company. In addition to his line position, Lt. Krakowski serves as Vice President of the Volunteer's.

In the photo, Chief Chuck Petty presents Lt. Krakowski with his award.

Photo credit: http://www.dennissymons.com/

Wednesday, January 9, 2013  Washington Volunteer Firemen, Inc. was organized in August of 1963 and incorporated on September 6, 1963.

Before the fire company could consider itself in a position to provide fire protection to township residents much had to be done.

Members undertook an extensive training program, which included attending Mercer County Fire School, and assisting the three fire companies under contract to fight fires in then Washington Township, Allentown, Nottingham and Allentown.

Impressed by the spunk and determination of this fledging fire company, a local fire truck manufacturer sold to us at cost a used fire engine, and donated a second one. Both trucks were housed in a private garage from where they would respond to all township fire calls.

The land presently occupied by the fire house was donated by the Vahlsing Family March 23, 1964. Construction on the firehouse began in 1965.

After five years of hard work, which included purchasing all needed equipment, training, construction of the new firehouse and aquisition of two additional fire trucks, the Washington Volunteer Firemen were recognized by the Fire Insurance Rating Organization on January 1, 1968. The Township Committee also gave sole rights to the company on that date to protect the residents from fire.

Since then, as the Township grew and fewer residents were available to volunteer, the Department hired career personnel, first as drivers and subsequently the department evolved to a combination department which includes career personnel manning apparatus 24/7. This occurred first under a Fire District and currently under municipal control as the Division of Fire. Washington Township also became known as Robbinsville Township at this time. The volunteer fire department chose to maintain the identity of Washington Volunteer Firemen despite the name change. The Fire Division also provides Basic Life Support Ambulance Service utilizing personnel under contract from Capital Health Systems.

A private brunch will be held to celebrate the 50th Anniversary on January 13, 2013. Plans for a public celebration are pending.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013  Amazon, the online shopping company will be building a new distribution facility in Robbinsville at the intersections of Gordon and Old York Roads. The facility will employ upwards of 700 full time employees.

Welcome to Robbinsville Amazon! We look forward to serving you!

http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2013/01/amazon_will_open_robbinsville.html

Sunday, January 6, 2013  Engine 40 was dispatched to a reported house fire on Donald Lilley Court in Hamilton Township at approximately 8 pm. The First Due response found heavy fire on the first and second floors. Fire was a result of a spark that ignited the family Christmas Tree while the family was taking down their decorations. The fire caused serious damage to the home.

http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2013/01/christmas_tree_fire_damages_ha.html

Tuesday, January 1, 2013  2013 Volunteer Fire Officers

President: Joe Goss

Vice President: Thomas Krakowski

Treasurer: Nelson Mount

Secretary: Joe Tresansky

Trustees: Thomas Krakowski, Bob Thomson, Ryan Strano, Mike Krakowski

Chief: Chuck Petty

Lieutenants: Joe Goss, Thomas Krakowski