THIS PAGE CONTAINS THE COMPLETE TEXT OF LEGAL NOTICES ISSUED BY GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP FIRE DISTRICT #2. NOTICES ARE POSTED FREE OF CHARGE FOR THE REQUIRED POSTING PERIOD.
Important Notice Regarding Legal Advertisements
Effective March 1, 2026, Gloucester Township Fire District #2 will publish legal notices on this website in accordance with New Jersey law. This website is now the official platform for legal notice publication, and replaces publication in the Camden Courier-Post and other newspapers to satisfy statutory public notice requirements.
Legal notices will be posted for a period of at least one week, after which they will be available for viewing for at least an additional year by clicking on the folder titled Archived Notices.
Fire District Election Official Results:
Pre-Election Posting:
The annual fire district election will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 2pm to 9pm in the banquet hall (rear entrance) of the Chew Landing Fire Department, 43 Somerdale Road, Blackwood, New Jersey 08012. Residents will be asked to elect one fire commissioner and to vote on two public proposals.
Proposal #1: Shall the Board of Fire Commissioners, Gloucester Township Fire District #2, be authorized to raise the sum of $2,915,397.90, for the operation and maintenance of the Fire District for the 2026 fiscal year.
Proposal #2: Should the Board of Commissioners of Fire District #2 in the Township of Gloucester be authorized to increase the amount to be raised by taxation in the Fire District annual budget by 7.83%, or $228,179.88, as provided by N.J.S.A. 40A:40-45.45, notwithstanding that its amount to be raised by taxation will exceed the two percent (2%) increase limitation.
Note: The increase amount in Proposal #2 is included in the amount listed in Proposal #1. If the referendum passes, the fire tax for fire district #2 residents will increase by an average of $36.00 per year, or $3.00 per month.
Below are additional details regarding the referendum. Residents with questions or seeking additional information are welcome to contact Fire District Administrator William Robb at 856-282-3370 X125.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this referendum about?
The Fire District is asking voters to approve a referendum to exceed New Jersey’s 2% property tax levy cap. The additional funding would be used only to hire two career firefighters to increase the firefighter staffing of Squad Company 88, our shared 24/7/365 career staffed fire truck. Squad Company 88 has been in service since 2018, and the cost of the program is shared equally with Gloucester Township Fire District #4. Squad Company 88 responded to 1,354 calls for service in 2025. The additional firefighters will help to ensure that each of Squad Company 88’s shifts are staffed with a minimum of four firefighters.
Why does the Fire District need more firefighters?
On most days, Squad Company 88’s firefighter staffing levels fall below what is considered safe and effective for emergency operations. Since Squad Company 88 currently has only four firefighters per shift, our staffing is reduced to three any time a firefighter is on leave, sick or attending training. Fires, vehicle accidents, rescues and medical emergencies require multiple tasks to happen at the same time. Without enough firefighters on the fire truck, those tasks can be delayed—putting residents and firefighters at greater risk.
Why are four firefighters per shift important?
A minimum of four firefighters per fire apparatus is the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) industry standard for safe fireground operations. This staffing level allows firefighters to:
- Begin fire attack immediately
- Search for and rescue people trapped in fires
- Establish proper emergency incident command and scene safety
- Perform critical support tasks without waiting for help
How does adequate firefighter staffing improve safety for residents?
- Fires can be extinguished faster
- People suffering from medical emergencies receive quicker, more effective care
- Property damage and a person’s risk of injury or loss of life are reduced
Simply put, adequate firefighter staffing leads to better outcomes for everyone.
How does this affect firefighter safety?
Firefighting is dangerous work. Too few firefighters on a scene increases the risk of injury or death. Proper firefighter staffing ensures:
- No firefighter works alone
- Dangerous firefighting tasks are performed more effectively
This protects the people who protect our community.
Why are career firefighters needed?
Full time career firefighters provide reliable, consistent staffing 24/7. While volunteer firefighters remain vital to our fire department, there are unfortunately not enough of them to provide a reliable, consistent response to fires and other emergencies. Career firefighter staffing ensures that the community always has enough trained fire personnel on duty when emergencies happen.
Why is a referendum required?
New Jersey law limits the amount that a fire district can increase taxes each year to 2%. Adding two additional career firefighters exceeds that limit. A referendum is the only legal way to raise the funds needed without cutting existing services or equipment.
What will it cost the average homeowner?
Approving the referendum will cost the average homeowner $3.00 per month
What happens if the referendum is not approved?
- Firefighter staffing levels will remain below the NFPA’s minimum safe staffing standards
- Squad Company 88’s effectiveness could suffer
- Firefighters and residents will face increased risk
Thank you for taking the time to review this important information.