PARSIPPANY, NJ - For most, it was a typical Thursday evening in Parsippany as Labor Day weekend prepared to close out the official end of summer. But for two of Parsippany's fire departments, it was crunch time—with just about 36 hours to go before entering a yearly competition against other local departments at the Boonton Fire Department's 134th Annual Parade and Inspection.
With the parade scheduled for a 1:30 PM kickoff on Saturday, August 30th, many—if not all—of our township’s emergency service volunteers will be part of this annual event, heading down Main Street with their apparatus and fellow members in attendance.
As with any competition, a lot of time and effort goes into preparation. The goal: to claim that first-place trophy, add it to the collection, and, of course, earn bragging rights among fellow volunteers. During my visit to Lake Hiawatha Fire District #4 and Mount Tabor Fire District #1 on Thursday evening, firefighters were hard at work preparing for the inspection that take place on Saturday morning. During this inspection, judges methodically go over the apparatus with a fine-tooth comb—checking for cleanliness from top to bottom and ensuring equipment is up to date and functioning properly. Even a dirty cabinet that might have been overlooked could be the difference between bringing home a trophy or returning empty-handed.
In speaking with Fire Chief Colantoni from District #4, he emphasized that while the goal is to win a trophy, this time of year is also critical for ensuring that all equipment on their various apparatus is fully functional in case of an emergency. Often, during this deep annual clean, equipment issues are identified in advance, allowing them to be fixed or replaced—enhancing firefighter safety and ensuring the job gets done when seconds count. For others, it’s about the tradition of preparing for the parade, working alongside fellow firefighters, and proudly bringing home that trophy year after year.
At District #4, long-time firefighter Dave Hess—who’s served for over 50 years—spent much of the day preparing the trucks. He’s attended countless parades over the decades. Also on hand were Firefighter Brian Dohm and his son, Junior Firefighter Charles Dohm, who has been helping out long before becoming an official member of the department. With so many familiar faces, it was great catching up with many of them and seeing how dedicated they are to preparing for the big day.
While at District #4, Parsippany Rescue and Recovery also stopped by to fill air tanks that were running low. Despite being a separate department, these volunteers work together daily. While speaking with the firefighters at the North Beverwyck Road base station—garage doors fully open—it provided a great opportunity for the community to stop by and engage with the crew.
Across town at Mount Tabor District #1, firefighters were taking a well-deserved dinner break upon my arrival. They were working on Squad 12, a 2018 Pierce Enforcer, which they’ll also be entering into competition. With a full spread of food from Tabor Pizza, the team refueled before heading back to work into the evening. After the short break, they resumed preparations, ensuring the vehicle would be ready for judging. With most of the equipment removed from the vehicle, a lot of work lay ahead to get everything in top shape for Saturday morning’s inspection.
It’s important to note that despite countless hours of preparation, all the hard work can be undone in an instant if an emergency call comes in. Trucks may be pressed into service just hours—or even minutes—before the event. Driving through a rainstorm, removing equipment, and muddy boots on spotless floorboards are all real possibilities. But that’s what the job demands—equipment that’s always ready when the call comes.
While I was able to catch District #1 and District #4 in action, other organizations in town were also preparing—or will be—on Friday evening, often burning the midnight oil well into the early morning hours. If you pass by any of our local firehouses on Friday night, there’s a good chance you’ll see our hard-working volunteers giving it their all before the big day. Be sure to stop by, and thank them for their service and wish them luck. While not everyone may be focused on the competition, many still prepare their apparatus to shine bright as they roll down Main Street in front of the cheering crowd.
On Saturday evening, if you happen to see our emergency services parading through town, there’s a good chance their hard work paid off—and they were victorious. Best of luck to all of Parsippany’s emergency service organizations entering the competition, and most importantly, thank you for keeping our community safe.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, all our organizations are always looking for new members and will always speak to potential new members who want to give back to the community.