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POCHUCK VALLEY
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Sussex, New Jersey 07461 973 875-6233 Quietly nestled in the rolling hills of Sussex County, the Pochuck Valley Fire Department is a totally volunteer fire department. It primarily provides fire protection to the Northwest section of Vernon Township, New Jersey. The name "Pochuck Valley" is derrived from its valley location in the small range of mountains known as the "Pochung Mountains". Residents of that area were call pochuckers and hence the origins of the name.
Originally founded by a small group of local residents hanging out at "Derrick's General Store" at Independance Corners on County Route 565.
Their dreams of starting a fire department were turned to reality with the incorporation of the department in 1962.( a list of our charter members can be found elsewhere on this site ) They were truely our "Founding Fathers" and they will always be remebered.
Our membership today consists of approximately 30 volunteers of varying ages. Even the oldest active fireman in the county is a member and yes he does respond to every call in his own capacity. All members are thoroughly dedicated and highly trained. Their professionalism and willingness provides the best service possible to the community. New members are always welcomed and needed. Training and equipment are provided to those interested. All members are required by law to maintain their degree of proficiency, and follow strict OSHA and NFPA standards. Continual training and drilling is a must to assure the standards the department has set over the years. Many of the requirements for membership are set forth on the membership information page for those interested. There is alot of time involved and those interested in joining should read carefully and discuss with any officer what is truely involved. We drill on Monday nights. Some of which are work details for the trucks and the building. It is the best time to come around to see and talk to us. While our primary area of fire coverage is within our district, it is not unusual to see our department and our trucks in outer lying areas. We constantly are on automatic dispatch with the other departments in town, and respond just as promptly to even Highland Lakes, Vernon, or McAfee sections as our own. We also provide "Mutual Aid" to the surrounding communities such as Sussex, Wantage, Hamburg and Franklin. Our department also crosses the state line to neighboring Pine Island,NY and Unionville, NY for the same reasons.
The department through out the year holds many fund raisers and public support is desperately needed in many ways. Primarily our biggest source of public income is the door to door mailing in our district. There are also many functions such as a "Pig Roast" and a "Chicken BBQ" that the public is cordially invited to attend and share with us in our efforts. We have and are supported by our "Ladies Auxilary". They come out to the scene and provide needed refreshments and aid when the alarm goes off. The few dedicated women that we rely on are also in need of members. Further information on becoming one of their members can be obtained by addressing their President, "Peggy Cosh" at our departments address at the top of this page.
Enjoy our site and thank you for coming. We're around and easily contacted by either phone or Email. For those that need a quicker response, there is a contact form on the site. Please use it for comments too if you like. We'd like to hear from you.
Our "Sister Companies" in Vernon, NJ
Our Affiliations and Associations
Our Operating Frequencies
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