Member Voices
Aaron Voegtli, Firefighter
I have benefitted from being able to accomplish tasks that I didn’t think I would ever get to do, like putting out a fire before it burned a building down, or helping take a person out of a car that couldn’t get out without our help. Plus, the fire service gives the sense of family that I believe everyone is looking for.
Dan Messantonio, Battalion Chief
You’ll meet a lot of interesting people, maybe learn a few things you never thought you would. If you could try it out till you go to your first call, then you’ll be hooked after that. The experience itself speaks volumes. Once the initial rush is fulfilled, you chase that feeling for the rest of your life
Father and Sons Learn New Skills at Westville Fire Department
Richard Hubbs, his son and stepson have all been volunteering in the fire service since they were teenagers, but only recently began volunteering together at the same station.
Alex Ruffalo
Firefighter Alex Ruffalo loves the action as a Westville Fire Department volunteer. With the department’s high call volume, he is able to help many people in the community and learn a lot from more experienced members. Join Westville Fire Department today!
Drew Campbell
As a volunteer firefighter/EMT, Drew Campbell is able to make a difference on any call whether it’s simple or complex. Through it all, his training at Westville Fire Department prepares him to handle any emergency.
Dan Baker
For firefighter Dan Baker, the heart of volunteerism is all about giving back to the community and helping others. Take pride in what you do and become part of our team!
Justin Coogan, Lieutenant
Harmonville has allowed me through their training opportunities to further my fire service area by obtaining even more accreditation and training opportunities such as conferences and other hands on training both in and out of state to help further my skills and become a better firefighter.
Michael Sturm, Battalion Chief
I’ve received a bunch of training for free! Everything from a national fire certification to rescue, to code enforcement all for free, which excels me in any career I’d like.
Rob Leahy
Following in his father’s and uncles’ footsteps, Rob Leahy joined when he was 15 and has been helping people ever since. Rob encourages YOU to join to help strengthen the fire department and the community.
Justin Lesko
As a volunteer firefighter, Justin learns a lot and sees a lot of different types of emergencies. He plans to use that knowledge to not only serve the community, but also teach the next generation of firefighters.
Michael Krier
For Captain Krier, Westville FD is his home away from home. He has formed countless friendships and is always meeting new people in the fire service.
Spanish-Speaking Volunteers Enhance Westville Fire Dept.
Julio Irizarry Fuentes and Emmanuel Nieves are both Spanish-speaking volunteers at Westville Fire Dept.
Dan Staufenberg, Firefighter
Active Harmonville members have a proficient work ethic. They show up ready and eager to assist, no matter the task.
Scott Forsyth, Firefighter
Harmonville has always put the emphasis on putting the resident first.
Jimmy Toth
It's a fun experience and it's a way to understand safety and to collaborate with different types of people.
Kelsey Forsyth
The people that are there, want to be there, and want to fight fires and help their community.
Hope Mitchell, Firefighter
You’ll never have another experience in your life quite like this—between the thrill of a call, the comradery, the happiness when completing a job, and the utter exhaustion after a long job—nothing compares to this.
Feel inspired after reading how others have had their lives inspired and changed?
You can join us!
We are Westville Fire Department and we are seeking standout volunteers.
Could YOU be one of them?
Richard Hubbs, his son and stepson have all been volunteering in the fire service since they were teenagers, but only recently began volunteering together at the same station, Westville Fire Department.
Richard, 59, grew up with his dad, uncles and stepfather in the fire service, and wanted to follow in their footsteps to help the community. Richard joined the fire service after graduating from high school at age 18 and joined Westville about two and a half years ago.
Similarly, Richard’s son, Kyle Hubbs, 28, and stepson, Matt Wilson, 33, grew up watching him in the fire service and were interested as young boys.
“I enjoy working alongside both my sons as we all grow and learn from each other,” said Richard. “I pass on the knowledge I have learned over the years and we all teach each other something.”
Kyle started at the age of 14 and Matthew at the age of 15 as fire explorers, and completed Firefighter I certification at age 18. Matt joined Westville about 4 years ago and Kyle joined in February 2022. They both love being able to learn from their dad and admire that he is always learning and improving his skills.
“I think it’s awesome volunteering with my stepdad. He is a great teacher and leader,” said Matt. “Even at his age he is still going to school and classes to learn more and pass that knowledge down to younger firefighters.”
Richard is currently a volunteer firefighter/EMT at Westville Fire Department, but he has held many other ranks and administrative positions at previous fire companies.
“Volunteering with my dad is great since he has more experience, and is always teaching me new things and really makes it easier to learn,” said Kyle.
When recounting memories with his sons, Richard says there are too many memories of training and fighting fires to list, but it’s always a new learning experience.
“Both my sons are good learners and constantly want to learn more skills,” said Richard. “Even if they are asked last minute if they can fill in for a class, at least one of them will go out of their way to fill in.”
Kyle and Matt both recall memorable moments with their dad involving car fires.
“I remember when we were learning how to put out a car fire and he told me that I shouldn’t be afraid to put my head into the car with the hose to make sure I get the fire out,” said Kyle.
Similarly, Matt recalls a training session with a car fire simulator where he was on the nozzle and his dad was behind him on the hose line.
“He kept pushing me closer and closer to the fire until it touched my fire helmet,” said Matt. “I have learned skills that I’ve never thought I would use outside the firefighting world and skills that make me a better person to help my neighbors and the community.”
Volunteers receive free equipment and diverse training at local, state and national levels. This prepares Westville firefighters and EMTs for any type of emergency.
In addition to firefighting skills, volunteering at Westville Fire Department teaches problem-solving, leadership and organizational skills. Kyle’s communication skills have also improved including how to talk to 911 dispatchers more effectively. No matter the age, volunteers can always learn something new.
“I’m still learning skills in Westville and train most Thursdays every month to keep up on my knowledge and refresh other skills I have,” said Richard. “Volunteering becomes like your second family, a home away from home.”
When they are not volunteering, Richard currently works as an EMT/fleet manager at Tricare Medical Transportation, Matt works as a transloader/laborer at SMS Rail Lines and Kyle is working as a dry ice production technician at Linde Gas.
Volunteers can give as much time as they choose to and are not expected to answer every call.
“I love being a volunteer because I don’t have to constantly be at the firehouse,” said Kyle. “I can respond to calls when I am available and still be able to spend time with my family.”
Westville Fire Department is seeking volunteer firefighters and firefighters/EMTs for those ages 18 and older. The junior firefighting program is for teens ages 14-17 and trains them to assist on calls.
Julio Irizarry Fuentes and Emmanuel Nieves are both Spanish-speaking volunteers at Westville Fire Department.
“Having a firefighter on a call that can speak Spanish helps everyone understand the person and the situation that they are going into,” said Nieves.
He has answered a few calls where the person who needed assistance only spoke Spanish. When Spanish is the only language someone speaks, Nieves and Irizarry Fuentes say this can cause problems on calls when first responders don’t know Spanish. If there is language-barrier, it takes longer to understand what is going on during an emergency, where every second counts.
“We’re living in a country with a variety of different languages from all over the world,” said Irizarry Fuentes. “It would be great to have bilingual volunteers who can communicate with people who speak the same language during an emergency.”
According to the 2020 Census, 13.61% of residents in Westville speak a language other than English. Imagine a person who was in a car accident who cannot speak English and is having one of their worst days.
“When they cannot speak to first responders, they are even more anxious and afraid,” said Irizarry Fuentes.
To make situations like these better, he and Nieves are teaching their fellow Westville volunteers basic words and phrases in Spanish that could be helpful on emergency calls.
Officially sworn in to the department in the fall of 2022, they will graduate with their Firefighter I certification from Camden County Fire Academy in May.
“It’s a tough school, but they’re passionate about teaching you,” said Nieves. “It’s not an easy job and they’re trying to prepare you for the line of work.”
Nieves grew up in the United States to Spanish-speaking parents and learned English when he started going to school.
He discovered that Westville Fire Department was seeking volunteer firefighters from a Facebook ad for the JoinWestvillFire.org campaign. He read more about the department and then filled out an inquiry form to express interest. After visiting the station and talking with other volunteers, he felt like Westville would be a good fit for him.
As a husband and father of two, he also consulted with his wife because he knew volunteering would be a big commitment. Always wanting to help people, Nieves really enjoys the fire service.
“The guys make it fun and going on calls to help people – or even just listen to people and talk with people – is rewarding,” said Nieves.
Similar to Nieves, Irizarry Fuentes’ first language is Spanish; however, he was born and raised in Puerto Rico. While living there, he was always interested in getting a job in the police department or emergency services, but never did. After Hurricane Maria hit in 2017, Irizarry Fuentes moved with his wife and four kids to the United States to start a new life.
English was a mandatory school course in Puerto Rico, and Irizarry Fuentes also watched movies in English, so he already knew the language when relocating to the United States.
With his interest in an emergency services career, Irizarry Fuentes found that Westville Fire Department was the closest station to his home. Although Westville is 100% volunteer and does not offer paid positions, Irizarry Fuentes still decided to join the team as a volunteer.
“Responding to calls is exciting,” he said. “What I enjoy the most is the way people get along with each other and the respect between everybody.”
Irizarry Fuentes works at Green Lawn Fertilizer to provide fertilization and weed control services to lawns. Meanwhile, Nieves works at ATLAS Flasher in traffic control.
“My job helps me with firefighting,” said Nieves. “If we’re answering a medical call on the turnpike or highway, I can take care of the traffic.”
To anyone interested in joining Westville Fire Department, Nieves’ advice is to engage and spend time with other firefighters.
“It’s not easy coming in new, knowing nothing,” said Nieves, “The more you engage, the more they will embrace you. When you show up to calls, it shows them that they can count on you.”
Irizarry Fuentes agrees with that sentiment.
“Go to training nights and respond to calls. Make sure the other volunteers see you to build that trust,” he said. “Open your eyes, open your ears and communicate. If you have any questions, ask them; don’t hesitate.”
No prior experience is required to become a volunteer firefighter. Westville Fire Department trains volunteers and provides them with gear.
“I’m having fun and learning a lot,” said Nieves. “It’s a great company to work for, a lot of hands-on experience.”
Westville Fire Department is seeking volunteer firefighters and firefighter/EMTs, ages 18 and older, as well as junior firefighters, ages 14 through 17. To learn more or sign up to volunteer, visit JoinWestvilleFire.org.