New Jersey lawmakers sign off on legislation to establish a permanent firefighter museum

(Photo by Todd DeFeo/The DeFeo Groupe)

The New Jersey Assembly signed off on a bill to establish a permanent New Jersey museum and memorial honoring the history and sacrifice of firefighters.

Assembly members agreed with state Senate amendments to the legislation, A-5075/S-4001. The bill, which appropriates $200,000 to help fund the museum and its projects, now heads to Gov. Phil Murphy’s desk.

The bill removes the New Jersey Fire Museum from Department of Environmental Protection oversight and creates an independent commission to take over those responsibilities. Since 2015, the fire museum has displayed its donated memorabilia in a private warehouse Upper Freehold Township provided, but the state has not allocated funding or found a permanent location for the museum.

“A commission that is committed to New Jersey’s firefighting history will be in a better position to procure a stable home for the museum, which will provide more opportunities to engage and educate the public,” Assemblyman Ron Dancer, R-Ocean, said in a news release. “From preserving historic fire equipment to honoring our fallen heroes, the museum serves an important mission and deserves a dedicated space.”

Under the bill, the museum and memorial can manage its own affairs by adopting rules for its governance, using state offices, hiring staff and entering into state contracts for the museum and its projects. The commission can address the budget and oversee the museum’s expansion and development.

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Sightseers’ Delight started publishing in June 2016. The site, published by The DeFeo Groupe, collects and curates content about places where historical events large and small happened. The site builds off the legacy of The Travel Trolley, which launched in June 2009. The site aimed to be a virtual version of the trolley tours offered in so many cities.