Message from Craig Farnsworth, Chief

I consider it an honor to be the Fire/EMS Chief of the Westampton Township Emergency Services, an organization comprised of outstanding members who are the department’s most important resource. Our members regard serving you, Westampton citizens, as their top priority.

In 2022, the Department accomplished the following major milestones:

• Awarded a FEMA AFG Grant in the amount of $151,000 for new stretchers for our ambulances.

• Utilized Federal Grant monies to purchase a new Ambulance that will better serve our community’s needs.

• Utilized Federal Grant monies to purchase Lucas Automatic CPR devices.

• Awarded FEMA Grant for Hazmat Training over two days.

• Awarded New Jersey Grant for purchase of PPE.

• Renegotiated our Shared Service Agreement with Eastampton Township for EMS that will reduce our financial burden.

• Ordered a new 100-foot Ladder to replace the 2012 Ladder that has become unreliable and unsafe.

• Replaced a 2006 Ford Explorer with a pick-up for the Fire Marshal’s Office.

• Promoted one firefighter/EMT to Lieutenant to oversee the Fire Marshal’s Office.

• Hired three additional full-time Firefighter/EMT’s.

• Conducted our first ever full-time Firefighter Academy with Medford Township Fire Department.

• Conducted EMT refresher training for our employees in-house.

• Reviewed 2018-2022 Five Year Strategic Plan. The Department has met or exceeded 4 out of 5 goals.

In 2022, the Department faced the following challenges:

• The passing of Founding Member Anna Hustus following a fire at her residence.

• The passing of Retired FF/EMT Matt Davis following a battle with job related cancer.

• Multiple full-time employees out for extended periods of time at the same time for various reasons.

• Increase in on-the-job injuries.

• The ladder truck being out of service due to mechanical issues for extended periods of time.

• Increased call volume and employee burn-out.

• Multiple calls for service at one time. Sometimes up to 4 or 5 at once.

• Over reliance of mutual aid by neighboring towns.

• Failure from neighboring towns to meet and come up with viable solutions to reduce call volume or properly compensate Westampton Township for our services.