Knowing of a need for fire protection in Shamong Township a public meeting was held at the Indian Mills School auditorium on February 12,1942. There was 32 residents in attendance from Shamong. Mr. Walter McClain, the President of the Burlington County Firemen’s Association, who was from Medford Township was present. Also present was Arbury Evans Chief of Union Fire Co. of Medford Township and Chief Richard Salter of Waterford Township fire company Camden County. Mr Calton Taylor and Mr Granville Prickett of Medford were also present. These men were there to give advice and answer any questions about the running of a fire company. A motion was made and seconded to organize a fire company with the assistance of Mr McClain and the other gentlemen and would be called the Indian Mills Volunteer Fire Company No. 1.

The Indian Mills Volunteer Fire Company was incorporated in 1942. A copy of the resolution passed by the Township of Shamong on March 10,1942 recognizing the Indian Mills Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 as the official fire company for Shamong Township. Our first chief was Henry Wright. Chief Wright appointed Thomas Gardner Jr. as First Assistant Chief and Raymond Crain as the Second Assistant Chief on February 19, 1942 and the following officers were elected February 12, 1942. President Hobart Gardner Vice President Forrest Jennings, Recording Secretary William D. Miller, Financial Secretary Charles Cramer, Treasurer Lewis Schrider Jr. Trustees were George Weigel, A G Bishop, Thomas Gardner Jr.

Our first building was a 24 X 24 cinder block building and they paid 18 cent each for the cinder blocks. It was constructed March of 1942 and it still can be seen next to the present fire station. On March 5, 1942 the committee on Repairs and Supplies reported on the purchase of a siren for $ 500.00. Said money would come from the Township Civil Defense. On March 21, 1942 Volunteers were asked to help in the erection of a tower for the new siren. Our first fire truck was purchased March 5, 1942 used for $1200.00./ The first reported fires were May 2, 1942 a four room one story cabin at Atsion Lake was a total loss and three persons died. No alarm was turned in and the cabin was loss before it was discovered. The fire occurred between 2 and 6 AM. On May 10, 1942 there was a chimney fire at William Goodman’s home on Atco Road. Membership was growing on February 4, 1943 the following applications for active membership being voted favorable were Melvin Crain, Philip Chappine, Stanley J. Rowe, Mayor Stanley Giberson, Harry Simons Jr. John Abrams, and John Wells. The Fire company continued to grow and in 1970 a new 4 bay building was constructed adjacent to the first building on Willow Grove Road.

In 1992 the fire company along with some concerned citizens , added a First Aid Squad. This was the birth of the Shamong EMS. For many months they stored the Ambulances at the garage at the Indian Mills School on Indian Mills Road. After the addition of the EMS Squad it was decided that the building once again needed to be enlarged. In 2000 after several years of planning and permitting we broke ground for the new 2 bay addition to the existing building. After almost a year of construction we now have a 7 bay Fire and EMS building with much needed offices and a nice meeting room.

Fire Chiefs of the Indian Mills Vol. Fire Co (Deceased*)

Life Member Events

Life Member Dinner
June 6, 1959
Indian Mills Deer Club

Life Member Installation Dinner
January 12, 2008
Shannon Caterers

Testimonial for Chief Henry Wright & Life
April 4 1970
Medford VFW

Life Member Dinner
April 28, 1979
Indian Mills Fire Station