05/12/2026
Volunteerism Is Still Strong In Hammonton!
Recent coverage has focused on the challenges facing volunteer fire departments, but that is only part of the story. Across the country, many volunteer and combination departments continue to grow, adapt, and thrive.
Here in Hammonton Fire Department, we continue to welcome new members, but even more importantly, we are retaining them. That retention has translated into meaningful, sustained growth within our department.
That success is not accidental. It reflects a culture built on opportunity, training, mentorship, and pride in serving both the department and the community. Those values help members develop skills, confidence, and leadership abilities they may never have imagined possible.
Our department continues to grow not only in numbers, but also in capability—expanding our fire suppression, rescue, and water operations to better serve the community.
It’s not without its challenges, but in Hammonton we along with our elected leaders are actively working to address them and remain a strong, efficient, and reliable public safety organization.
Successful volunteer fire departments are able to provide an exceptional level of service at a fraction of the cost of a combination or fully career-staffed system, which would significantly increase taxpayer expenses when staffing, benefits, and infrastructure are taken into account.
Volunteerism is not dead in Hammonton—it continues to make a meaningful difference every single day within the fire department, as well as throughout the community and civic organizations.
