Schooley's Mountain Fire Co.3

06/14/2026

Ladder 39 stopped and visited a lemonade stand today put on by local young entrepreneurs. Some of the best lemonade our crew has had in a while!

06/13/2026

The Schooley’s Mountain Fire Company sends our congratulations to all West Morris Central graduates and especially our members Nate Pinto, Zane Pershaud, and Tommy Borgia. It was an honor to fly the nation’s colors at the ceremony.

We also had a blast stopping by Benedict A Cucinella School and spraying down the kids at their event tonight.

06/10/2026

All firefighters should take advantage of this.

Today, on National Call your Doctor Day, we highlight “A Gift From Captain Buscio” — a confidential and comprehensive annual health screening program available to current and retired firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical responders throughout New Jersey.

Founded by Donna Buscio in memory of her husband, Captain Dominick Buscio Sr. of the Jersey City Fire Department, the program was created following his tragic and unexpected heart attack at the age of 39. Recognizing that heart disease remains the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths among first responders, this initiative is dedicated to identifying hidden heart and lung conditions before they become serious or life-threatening.

Through Donna’s commitment to protecting those who serve, thousands of first responders have gained access to potentially life-saving screenings and evaluations.

To honor Captain Buscio’s legacy and learn more about the program or schedule your screening, visit: cardiopulmonarydiagnostic.com/captain-buscio.

06/08/2026

🚒 TRAINING BEFORE THE CALL 🚒

Not every piece of fire company history comes from a major fire or headline-making incident.

Sometimes, it comes from training.

This week, we’re sharing a look back at a 1986 car fire drill conducted by members of the Schooley’s Mountain Fire Company. The video shows crews working through a live-burn vehicle fire, practicing the skills they would need when the real call came in.

A few things have definitely changed since 1986. The gear is different. The tactics are different. The safety standards are much different — and yes, you may notice that the car was not exactly eager to stay where it was supposed to once the drill began.

We can laugh about that now, mostly because nobody got hurt and because the fire service has come a long way. Training today is more controlled, more structured, and built around lessons learned from generations of firefighters who did the job before us.

But one thing has not changed: the commitment.

The members in this video were volunteers giving their time to learn, improve, and prepare for the next alarm. That same commitment still drives our members today. We train because our neighbors count on us. We train because conditions change quickly. We train because when someone calls 911, they deserve people who are ready.

The faces, equipment, and methods may look different nearly 40 years later, but the purpose is the same: serve the community, protect one another, and keep getting better.

If you have ever thought about joining the fire company, this is part of what it means. You do not need to show up knowing everything. You just need to be willing to learn, work hard, and be part of a team.

And don’t worry — we chock the wheels now.

06/08/2026

At approximately 6 am this morning, crews from Washington Township responded to a reported structure fire at a residence with challenging access and limited water supply. Schooley’s Mountain responded with Ladder 3-9 and Engine 3-1 assisting with fire suppression, ventilation and overhaul. Thank you to the Washington Township Police Department, and mutual aid companies for their support and assistance.

06/01/2026

🚒🚜MEMBER MONDAY🚜🚒

Danny Irwin joined the Schooley’s Mountain Fire Company in 2025 and currently serves as a Firefighter. While he is new to Schooley’s Mountain, he is not new to the fire service, having previously served with the Chester Volunteer Fire Company, Chester, NJ, from 2016 to 2023.

Danny’s connection to the fire service started early. When he was 10 years old, he convinced his dad to join the Chester Volunteer Fire Company, Chester, NJ and his dad has been a member ever since. Since then, the fire service has been something they have shared together, including years spent helping at the Chester Fireman’s Carnival.

Outside the firehouse, Danny has worked as a farmer with Ort Farms and will continue there part-time moving forward. Today also marks his first day with Fire & Safety Services, Ltd., where he begins work as a diesel fire truck mechanic. It is a fitting next step for someone who has spent years around fire trucks, farms, equipment, and hard work.

For Danny, volunteering has always been about helping others, being part of the community, and the camaraderie that comes with the firehouse. He enjoys the unique experiences the fire service brings and the chance to be involved when people need help.

His outlook is simple and practical: “You can never solve a problem that you don’t own.”

Schooley’s Mountain Fire Company is proud to have Danny Irwin in our ranks and looks forward to seeing the impact he will make here at SMFC in the years to come.

05/25/2026

This Monday, we are pausing our regular Member Monday and 75th Anniversary history series to focus our full attention on Memorial Day. Today, Schooley’s Mountain Fire Company joins our community and our nation in honoring the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States. Their sacrifice is the foundation of the freedoms we enjoy, and it deserves our quiet gratitude, reflection, and remembrance. May we never forget.

05/21/2026

Saturday morning we got a special visit from Probationary FF Joseph Degraff’s grandkids. They were in town from out of state and wanted to see Grandpa’s new volunteer career.

Did you know that Joseph came to us last year having never been involved with the fire department before? It’s never too late. Come help us help our community.