Livingston's 51 volunteer firefighters responded to 1,229 emergency calls in 2025 — and they're asking residents to chip in so they can keep showing up.
The Livingston Volunteer Fire Department kicked off its 2026 summer fund drive Tuesday, seeking tax-deductible donations to cover training, equipment and community programs. Fund Drive Chairman Craig Dufford said the "ever-increasing demands of a rapidly evolving community like Livingston" mean volunteers have to stay sharp on advanced firefighting and emergency response techniques — work that doesn't stop just because it's unpaid.
That 1,229-call total breaks down to 21 general fire alarms and 1,208 miscellaneous emergency service calls, plus mutual aid runs into neighboring towns. Three volunteer deputy chiefs and the 51 firefighters operate under a full-time chief and assistant chief, on call 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The department says this volunteer model saves every residential and commercial property owner in Livingston real money on municipal taxes and insurance premiums, though it hasn't put a specific number on those savings.
Beyond answering calls, LFD volunteers attend weekly in-house training drills, state- and county-coordinated firefighting and disaster response programs, hazardous materials courses, and yearly first aid and CPR recertification — all on their own time, on top of jobs and families. The department also awards scholarships to three Livingston High School seniors each year, hosts an open house during National Fire Prevention Week, and runs fire safety education at local elementary schools, businesses and civic groups throughout the year.
Residents can donate by credit card at livingstonfire.org, via Venmo at @livingstonfiredepartment, or by mailing a check payable to "LIVINGSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT" to Jodi Solotoff (PIP Printing), 465 West Mt. Pleasant Ave., Livingston. The department also encourages donors to check whether their employer offers a matching gift program — a simple way to double the impact of a single donation.
