In a township that receives fire suppression services from three distinct fire districts (Jackson Twp Fire District #2, #3 and #4), it is inevitable that citizens might be a bit confused which one is theirs. That is why Jackson Twp. Fire District #3 (which provides the funding for Fire Station #55) is taking the final weeks before the February 21 referendum to educate its citizens what it covers and where they vote.

Fire District #3’s coverage area includes the Brookwoods, Winding Ways, Westlake Golf & Country Club, Saint Aloysius.  “If Fire Station #55 is your fire company, Jackson Twp. Fire District #3 is where you vote on Feb. 21 for the Proposed 2026 Fire Budget,” stresses Frank C. Hruschka, Commissioner in Fire District #3.

There are many reasons to vote this year. Fire Station #55’s 911 emergency calls have jumped by 33% in just two years because of population growth in the coverage area, with 1513 911 calls in 2025. Fire Station #55 operates as a combination department of both paid and volunteer firefighters. With demand continuing to rise and just 7.17% of the Township’s tax budget allocated to the fire district, leadership developed a shoestring, essentials-only budget designed to sustain 24/7/365 emergency response while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

The proposed 2026 fire district budget covers the following:

• Retaining three career firefighters by covering their salaries and health insurance cost increases (36%), ensuring uninterrupted 24/7/365 coverage. It also includes funding for a part-time Fire Bureau inspector to help reduce fire risks through prevention and inspections.
• An architectural evaluation to assess permanent, safe overnight sleeping options for firefighters. Firefighters currently sleep in a conference room.
• Compliance with new state training standards and the replacement of firefighter turnout gear to meet updated safety requirements.
• Ongoing maintenance on aging fire apparatus and support vehicles to ensure they remain reliable and ready to respond when emergencies occur.
• Approval of the budget supports the planned consolidation of fire districts 2 and 3. Without it, daily operations efforts could be compromised.

A Confusing Referendum Question with an Indiscernible Impact on Taxpayers

Ballot questions are never that easy to follow, and this year’s is no exception. The ballot reads: ““Shall the Board of Fire Commissioners be authorized to expend $6,529,175.42 in 2026 with $6,120,664.12 the amount to be raised by taxation?” If approved by voters, the tax impact of the 2026 Proposed Budget will cost the average homeowner $3.50 per month.

“This cost impact amounts to the price of a cup of coffee in order to ensure we have firefighters ready and able to respond whenever the call comes in,” says Hruschka.

Demand for emergency services reached a record high in 2025. The trend, however, has been evident over the past two years, driven by rapid population growth, and in 2024, Fire Districts 2 and 3 implemented a shared coverage agreement for weekends, which later expanded to include holidays. In 2025, that partnership was further expanded to provide 24-hour coverage in both districts.

“This vote affects how fire protection will be delivered in our community,” added Hruschka. “We want residents to have clear, factual information about what’s in the proposed budget and why it matters before they cast a ballot.”

How to Vote by Mail or after Shabbos on February 21

Jackson Township Fire District #3 took unprecedented steps in 2025 to ensure voters who practice Shomer Shabbos are given extended access to voting by getting the Board of Elections to approve in-person voting until 10 PM since the statewide voting day falls on Saturday.

Therefore, there are two ways to vote:

Residents may vote either by mail or in person. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked by Feb. 21 to be counted. Ballot request forms are available at  https://tinyurl.com/4hydyjn9 (scroll to “VOTE BY MAIL” for the ballot application).

In-person voting will be held Saturday, Feb. 21, from 2 to 10 p.m. should citizens which to vote after Havdalah. The location for in-person voting Jackson Fire Station #55, located at 113 N. New Prospect Road in Jackson.

Residents are encouraged to visit www.jacksonfiredist3.org/budgetupdate/  for additional information about the proposed 2026 budget.

[Press Release]