Medford Lakes Fire Department

08/06/2026

The Man, The Myth, The Legend

The stories continue to be told, your impact is still felt.

We miss you.

Michael C. Thomas, Captain in the Fire Department of New York, passed away on August 6, 2019. He was 53.

Mike was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Medford Lakes. He was a Graduate of Ossi Vo-Tech in Medford. Mike was a brave member of the FDNY for 24 years. He was a paramedic and member of Medford Lakes Fire Department in his younger days. His passion for fire service began in 1983. Mike was also a machinist and die maker. He loved his Pinelands heritage and spending time in the cranberry bogs and being part of the cranberry harvest. Mike was also a paddleboard enthusiast & twice navigated Manhattan Island for autism charities. He also competed in the memorial stair climb honoring his fallen brothers & sisters from 9/11.

Mike was a hero to many and most of all his mother Virginia Thomas, his brother Matthew both of Medford Lakes, his girlfriend Gina Nardo, his uncle Allen Zier (Michele) and his aunt Merle Baisden (Robert) and many cousins. Mike was preceded in death by his father, William C. Thomas, Jr.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church of Mount Holly. Relatives, friends, and fellow firefighters are invited to attend his viewing on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Perinchief Chapels, 438 High St., Mount Holly. Interment will be in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Pemberton Boro. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to either the Capt. Michael Thomas E-253 Memorial Fund at www.FDNYFoundation.org click donate today button leave Capt. Michael Thomas E-253 Memorial Fund in Comments Box., or to the Medford Lakes Fire Co., 1 Cabin Circle Drive, Medford Lakes, NJ 08055.

07/29/2026

🚨 **TRAFFIC ALERT & IMPORTANT INFORMATION** 🚨
**7/31/2026 Medford Lakes Colony Mardi Gras**

MARDI GRAS IS A PRIVATE Medford Lakes Colony EVENT AND NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! Medford Lakes Colony will be checking tags for members/guests.

The Medford Lakes Police Department and Fire Police units will be assisting with traffic control and pedestrian safety near Beach 1. Don't like waiting in traffic? Avoid Tabernacle Road!

🚗 **Beach 1 Traffic Pattern**
* All event traffic will be directed into the Beach 1 parking lot.
* Beach 1 will be a DROP-OFF ZONE ONLY — NO PARKING.
* Vehicles will be directed out of the parking lot onto Sagamore Trail toward Iroquois Trail. The traffic pattern will be the same for pick-up.

*Beach 2 - DO NOT BLOCK THE ROADWAY. Drop-off and park accordingly. The roadway must remain clear for emergency services.

**BEACH DRIVE: YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO LAUNCH FROM BEACH DRIVE. GO TO BEACH 1 OR BEACH 2.

🚶 **Pedestrian Safety**
Beginning at 4:00 PM, two Fire Police units will assist pedestrians crossing Tabernacle Road. All pedestrians will be directed to use the designated entry/exit point onto Beach 1.

🚫 **No Parking Areas**
Parking will be prohibited on:
*Tabernacle Road
*Powhatan Trail (between Tabernacle Road and Tecumseh Trail)
*Sagamore Trail

No parking signs will be posted in designated areas. Please follow all posted restrictions and directions from public safety personnel.

🛶 **Canoe & Kayak Safety Requirements - NJ Law
* All children under 13 years of age must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while in a canoe, kayak, or other watercraft.
* A U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket must be available onboard for every person in the canoe, kayak, or other watercraft.
*Navigation light: A bright white light visible from all directions (360°) must be displayed when the canoe is underway or at anchor.
The light must be visible at a sufficient distance to make the vessel identifiable to other boaters.
*Sound-producing device: Carry a means of making an efficient sound signal (for example, a whistle is strongly recommended).

* No alcohol is permitted — Colony Rules.

*NO ENTRY AFTER 8:30 P.M. and we are asking all watercrafts to be off the lake by 10 P.M.

🚫🍺 **DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE.**

The Medford Lakes Fire Department will have a boat on the water assisting with public safety operations.

Please drive carefully, follow all traffic directions, and help us make this a safe and enjoyable Canoe Carnival weekend for everyone.

Have a safe and happy Mardi Gras and Canoe Carnival weekend!

07/16/2026

🌫️ Air Quality Advisory 🌫️

Residents may notice a smoky haze or the smell of smoke in our area today. This is not due to a local fire. The smoke is drifting into our region from ongoing wildfires in Canada.

At this time, there are no active wildfires or significant fire incidents in our response area related to the smoke.

While the smoke may reduce visibility and create an odor outdoors, it is generally expected to pass as weather conditions change. However, individuals with asthma, COPD, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions should consider limiting prolonged outdoor activity if they experience irritation or difficulty breathing.

If you see smoke but do not observe flames or signs of a local fire, please do not be alarmed. If you witness an actual fire or emergency, always call 9-1-1.

07/06/2026

Last night, MLFD responded to a structure fire in Southampton.

07/04/2026

MLFD is operating at a church fire in Medford.

07/04/2026

07/03/2026

Last night, MLFD assisted providing additional fire protection for the Medford Fireworks.

06/27/2026

David Macbride is seeking a living kidney donor. Paired exchange may allow you to help even if you’re not a direct match. Confidential screening takes only a few minutes.

06/26/2026

You may have noticed more activity than usual around the firehouse. Over the last month we have had the entire inside painted and the floors have begun to be redone.

Over the next week you will see our trucks outside while each side of the floors are being done.