Kingston Volunteer Fire Company #1

07/23/2024

Dozens of emergency vehicles will participate in a motorcade on July 27, to celebrate the milestone.

07/23/2024

This year Kingston Fire Company is celebrating along with Monmouth Junction Fire Company 100 years of service to the residents of and those who travel through South Brunswick Township as well as the surrounding communities of Middlesex, Somerset, and Mercer Counties.

07/22/2024

We want to express our sincere thanks to Rich Matticoli and all the folks at Gino's Auto Body Shop in Little Rocky Hill for their great work. They were able to repair the many scratches and marks on our Engine #1. They repainted all of those areas, and have made the Engine look like new.
We are extremely happy to have these repairs done now as we are celebrating our 100th Anniversary.

THANK YOU GINO'S

07/20/2024

On this date (July 20) in 1939 our newest Engine was registered with the State of New Jersey Motor Vehicles. Thos was the second Engine that was purchased new by the Fire Company. It is a 1939 Ward La France pumper manufactured in Elmira, New York.
It is a 500 G.P.M. pumper with a 250 gallon water tank. The purchase price was $7,000.00.

We still own and maintain this vehicle. It is still capable of pumping and we still use it for parades, fire prevention programs, and funerals. This Engine is also a constant reminder of those firefighters who served our Fire Company in its early years.

07/16/2024

Due to construction work in the parking lot behind the firehouse we are asking anyone who attends the district meetings tonight to park in the lot across the street. Thank you.

07/14/2024

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Corey Competatore, former Chief of Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company…

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/gTm5vz67qNEqKADG/?

Our members wish to send our condolences to the family of Corey Comperatore who lost his life shielding his family from gunfire during the attack on Former President Donald Trump's event in western PA. Corey was the former Fire Chief of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company.

The men and women who take the oath to protect and serve do not stop when they aren't on duty. It is a calling that requires a great deal of bravery, courage, and kindness to accomplish and it takes a special kind of person to dedicate their life to protecting others. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was affected by the horrible tragedy.

07/07/2024

On July 7, 1980 the Fire Company approved the purchase of a used vehicle that would be our first Chief's car. It was a 1968 Ford Country Squire station wagon. The Fire Company had it lettered and gave it the identification of Car #6.
The vehicle was equipped with both Franklin Township and South Brunswick Township radios along with a Scott Air Pak, bolt cutters, axe, Halligan bar, and two Fire extinguishers. The vehicle was kept at the firehouse and used by the Chief for response to calls as well as transportation back and forth to meetings. This was the first Chief's vehicle in service in the area. It was retired in 1983.

07/01/2024

CONGRATULATIONS to Hector Arroyo-Quintana, Timothy Clark, and Omar Elnajjar for their successful completion of Firefighter I certification from the Mercer County Fire Training Academy. They participated in 200 hours of training in the classroom as well as practical "hands on" training. They trained in all aspects of firefighting as well as Hazardous Materials and Incident Command.
We are really excited to welcome them as fully certified members.
Congratulations on a job well done!

06/30/2024

On Saturday, June 29 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm our volunteers attended the Kingston Presbyterian Church Blueberry Festival. During this social event we spoke with visitors, showed off a few of our emergency vehicles and answered questions while encouraging fire safety planning for their home.

06/30/2024

Last night (June 29) at 22:07 we were dispatched for an MVC on Main Street (Route 27, near Urban Spice) with an overturned vehicle and possible entrapment. Upon arrival it was determined that the victim had been removed by Paramedics. Crews secured and stabilized the vehicle and assisted with cleaning up the debris. Responding were Chief 39, Deputy Chief 39, Engine #5 ( Engine 39-5), and Rescue #2 (Rescue 39-2).
Crews returned to the station at 23:50.

06/28/2024

At 09:53 today (June 28) we were dispatched on the Second Alarm for a structure fire on Benjamin Griggs Drive in the Franklin Park Fire Company area of Franklin Township Fire District #2.
We responded with Deputy Chief 39, South Brunswick Engine #1, and Engine #5 (Engine 39-3).
Engine #5 (39-3) operated on the hydrant supplying water to the scene. The crews assisted with extinguishment and overhaul.
This was the first fire for Hector Arroyo-Quintana and Omar Elinjjar since graduating from the Fire Academy.
We returned to our station at 13:45.

06/27/2024

At 7:00 pm on June 26, 2024 the Officers and Members of Kingston Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 gathered for a graveside service as we remembered Life Member Dennis B. Shennard whose End of Watch was June 26, 2021. Dennis’ death was caused by a cardiac event shortly after he completed a training evolution at Middlesex County Fire Academy in Sayreville, NJ.

06/26/2024

On this date (June 26) in 2021 our Fire Company had our "darkest day" in our 100 year history. On this day we suffered the "Line Of Duty Death" of Firefighter and Life Member Dennis B. Shennard. Dennis died from a medical emergency while participating in a "Live Burn" drill at the Middlesex County Fire Academy in Sayreville, New Jersey. Dennis had served our Fire Company for 52 years. He was extremely active and has truly left a void in our Company. On this anniversary of his passing, we lift up his wife Patti and his son Dennis II, both who are Life Members of our organization.

06/19/2024

 100 years ago today (June 19, 1924) our Fire Company had its first drill with our recently delivered American LaFrance Chemical Engine. The drill was held at Bertrand Gulick's barn. The records record that "A good time was had by all". The members were very pleased with how the new apparatus (or as some said "new machine") operated.

06/17/2024

At 16:55 today (June 16) we were dispatched along with the Kendall Park Fire Company to assist the Monmouth Junction Vol Fire Department on a First Alarm structure fire on Cotoneaster Court. The fire went to a Second Alarm. Our crew was assigned as the R.I.C. (Rapid Intervention Crew).

We returned to our station at 18:25.
We responded with Chief 240, Deputy Chief 250, Engine #5 (245), Rescue #2 (242), and Utility #7 (247).

We thank Montgomery Township Volunteer Fire Company #2 for covering our station while we operated at the fire.

We are always looking for volunteers to join our ranks. If interested please reach out to us at info@ kingstonfireco.com.

06/11/2024

100 years ago today (June 11, 1924) our first fire truck was delivered on a flatbed railroad car to the Kingston train station. It was a 1924 American LaFrance Type 3 Triple Tank Chemical Engine on a Brockway Torpedo Chassis. The purchase price was $4,000.00.
The Engine was ordered on March 26, 1924 and delivered 78 days later. Pretty Amazing! The Engine was kept in the Kingston Garage since the Fire Company did not own any property. This Engine was kept in service until 1947.

06/09/2024

Yesterday (June 8th) evening at 19:46, we were dispatched on the First Alarm, along with the Monmouth Junction Volutneer Fire Department to assist the Kendall Park Volunteer Fire Company for a structure fire on Beryl Court. This Fire would go to a Second Alarm. Our crews assisted with extinguishment, ventilation, and overhaul. Chief 240, Deputy Chief 250, Engine #5 (245) and Utility #7 (247) made the response. Montgomery Township Volunteer Fire Company #2 covered our station while we were on the call. We returned to our station at 23:59.

06/08/2024

Kingston Fire Company made a special visit to the students at Ying Hua School on Friday, June 7.

Ying Hua Intermissions School invites us for their field day to rain down some cool water. E243 emptied 750 gallons, and the children had a blast.

06/05/2024

On this day (June 5, 1982) we dedicated our new 1982 Hahn Engine. It was a 1250 G.P.M. pumper with a 750 gallon water tank. It had seating for five firefighters. This was the first engine that was purchased by South Brunswick Township Fire District #3 for use by the Fire Company. It was sold in 2017.
The dedication included a motorcade with neighboring Fire Departments, with refreshments being served at the firehouse for all the residents of the community as well as those Fire Departments who attended.

We are always looking for citizens to volunteer with us and serve our community. If you are interested please contact us through our website at www.kingstonfireco.com

05/27/2024

We pause today to remember those men and women who have given their lives to secure and protect our freedoms and liberties. We also remember and pay tribute to Frederick Donaghue Jr., the only member of our Fire Company to be "Killed In Action" while serving in our Nation's Armed Services. Corporal Donaghue of Company B, 310th Engineers. U.S. Army made the "Supreme Sacrifice on April 22, 1945 at Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy.
We will never forget his sacrifice
along with all those who have made the "Ultimate Sacrifice" for our Country.

05/26/2024

The Officers and Members of Kingston Volunteer Fire Company No . 1 are thankful for the many who have served to preserve our freedoms and remember those who gave their all.

05/25/2024

The four-person crew rotates the station they are based at each day and provides the ability to respond to emergencies immediately

05/21/2024

Seventy-five years ago today (May 21, 1949) we celebrated our 25th Anniversary with a dinner. Members gathered and reminisced about the founding of the Fire Company and shared stories of the first 25 years.

05/21/2024

Saturday, May 18, firefighters from Kingston trained on basics of hose evolutions at the YingHua School on Laurel Avenue. Under the direction of Captain Cheng-Yu Lee, members were evaluated and the team was provided feedback by our Line Officers.

05/20/2024

The Ladies Auxiliary hosted a 5 year old boys birthday party Saturday, May 18.
As always we assisted them by showing those in attendance the fire trucks and teaching those in attendance fire safety facts. A firefighter always gets dressed in full turnout gear to show the young folks what a firefighter looks like up close.
The Auxiliary does a great job with these fire- themed parties.

05/19/2024

05/15/2024

South Brunswick Police recognized Cheng-Yu Lee for his life saving efforts on August 9, 2023 for a fellow basketball player at South Brunswick High School who suffered cardiac arrest. His quick action treating the fallen player resulted in a life saved - Captain Lee was prepared for taking action through training received as a volunteer firefighter with Kingston.

We are always looking for citizens to volunteer with us and serve our community. If you are interested please contact us through our website at www.kingstonfireco.com

05/13/2024

Please join us on Tuesday, May 14th at 7:30 p.m. at the firehouse as the Kingston Historical Society presents a program on the 100 years history of the Kingston Volunteer Fire Company Number 1.

We also encourage you to stop by at the Kingston Locktender’s House, 39 Old Lincoln Highway to see the new exhibit.

100 Years of Volunteers, the Kingston Volunteer Fire Company #1.

05/13/2024

New public display by Kingston Historical Society has opened at Kingston Locktender’s celebrating 100 years of volunteers. On Tuesday, May 14 at 7:30 pm a presentation at the Kingston Firehouse will be presented by local Historian George Luck, Jr and is open to the public.

100 Years of Volunteers-Opens A new display “100 Years of Volunteers-The Kingston Volunteer Fire Co.” is now up in the Lock-Tender’s House. On the left the display shows a section from the 1924 KVFC Certificate of Incorporation. The rest of the display is divided into the three “objects for ...

05/11/2024

50 years ago today (May 11) we celebrated our 50th Anniversary with a parade down Main Street followed by refreshments for everyone. Chief James McDonald Jr. led the Fire Company, while Mary Slovinsky led the Ladies Auxiliary. 80 units participated in the parade.