When the people that fight fires lose their own house to one, it is a blow to morale. But officials worked at a feverish pace to sort out how the Nesco Volunteer Fire Company will find a new home and begin to rebuild.
"It's devastation to come to your firehouse and see it burned down," said Carmen Merlino, 53, Nesco's fire chief. "We're probably going to knock it down and rebuild at the same location where we are now."
Monday was spent getting appraisals from the Atlantic County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund that covers the loss.
The city had a $1,000 deductible and the insurance company will pay the rest of the damage, Township Deputy Mayor Kathy Chasey said. She estimated the loss of the building and equipment at about $1 million.
In the meantime, the 20-person Nesco crew will be able to latch on to other township fire companies, such as Elwood and Sweetwater, that will cover their area.
They also will use a warehouse down the street from the former Nesco firehouse to house the two remaining fire trucks that could be dispatched in the event of a fire.
"As soon as we get them checked out and in service we have a place we can house them," said Merlino, a Nesco member for 29 years. "People can respond to fires from a warehouse."
The firehouse, which was built in the 1920s and was a hub of community activity, is a gaping loss for Nesco. The township held a critical stress debriefing session Monday night to console firefighters.
"It was a labor of love for those individuals for years," Township Fire Chief Gary Franklin said, explaining how other local companies will lend equipment to the homeless Nesco unit.
"There are some things these guys need to work off their minds. We need to get them back fighting fires as soon as possible," he added.
While the city plans to rebuild the fire station, some things are irreplaceable. The company lost its prized 1925 Ford Model T pumper.
"The Model T was priceless," Chasey said of the famous truck that was used in parades.
The firehouse also had a hall for weddings and parties, a polling center and a kitchen.
The Fire Department remains confident that despite the saddening blow, there will be no loss of fire protection in the community.
"Coverage for the township will not change," Merlino said.
Two firefighters who suffered from smoke inhalation were the only injuries from the blaze. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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