Burning Passion: Three Firemen, 150 Years of Service

Volunteer firefighters are a dedicated lot.

They have to be. They spend countless hours training and learning the proper techniques just to put their lives on the line for no pay.

Finding such dedicated people is not easy.

Finding ones that stick with it is even more difficult.

Finding ones with the desire to persevere as volunteers for 50 years is near-impossible.

Finding three people with such persistence is ... oh wait ...

... nevermind, the Hopatcong Fire Department has three guys like that now.

Martin Rosenbaum, Forrest Sutton and James Vanderhoof all have been with the department the past half-century. It's an accomplishment of which very few departments could boast.

"It almost never happens," said Mike Rahill, the department's current chief. "It's very, very rare because it's a lot of work being a volunteer."

Rosenbaum and Vanderhoof are with Company 2 and Sutton is with Company 3. All three still have the drive to contribute and perform whatever tasks they can to help, Rahill said. They not only share firsthand knowledge and experience with the other members, but they also serve as a reminder to the younger ones about the importance of dedication, he added.

"It takes away a lot of excuses," Rahill said. "They definitely do get our younger guys to think about how the job is about serving and being part of the community."

All three men said they have enjoyed serving the public all these years, as well as the camaraderie of the volunteers.

"I've enjoyed it all; otherwise I wouldn't have stayed," said Sutton, 72, who's been with the department 50 years after initially joining the department because his older brother and some friends were members.

Rosenbaum said the department has changed a lot throughout the years and is a lot more complex and business-like than it was when he joined 50 years ago. There's far more training and regulations and budgets involved now than there were then, he said.

One thing hasn't changed, though, and that's the joy of watching new volunteers learn the ropes, he said.

"It's a lot of fun to see the new kids come in," said Rosenbaum, 84. "They start with nothing and the fellas turn them into firemen."

Rahill said Rosenbaum is a good example for the new firefighters because "he's never too good to do anything. You give him an assignment and he does it."

Vanderhoof, 72, is the longest-serving member, with 51 years. He said he would recommend volunteer firefighting as a worthwhile pursuit, even though at times one's personal life is trumped by the personal dedication to the department.

"It's a good organization," he said. "You have to have it in your heart to want to give a little to the town."

Vanderhoof still has that heart and frequently is the first to answer a call and drive a truck to the scene, Rahill said.

"He's really an example for a lot of guys," he said. "Every time someone thinks he's done enough, you just point to him."

All three men said they would continue to serve for the foreseeable future. The closest any of them said they had to retirement plans was Sutton.

"Probably when I drop dead, I'll quit," he quipped.

Editor's note: Martin Rosenbaum was unavailable for a photo.