Our History
Since 1962, the Gordons Corner Fire Company has protected the lives and property of Manalapan Township. What began as a grassroots effort by local neighbors operating with a single borrowed engine has grown into a modern, multi-station volunteer fire company. For over 60 years, our members have answered the call 24/7/365 - built on a foundation of community, pride, and selfless service.
- 1962 Charter
- 1967 Main House
- 1976 Starting Service
- 1988 Brush Truck
- 1997 Engine 26-1-73
- 2000 Quint 26-1-91
- 2002 Station Renovations
- 2012 Jubilee & Rescue/Engine 26-1-80
- 2017 Light Rescue Engine 26-1-74
- 2020 Tower Ladder 26-1-90
- Present Present Day
Our Story
In the spring of 1962, a small group of new Manalapan residents from the Holiday North development met to address the urgent need for dedicated fire protection in the township's rapidly growing northwestern section. On March 19, 1962, both new and long-time residents officially signed the charter establishing the Gordons Corner Fire Company.
Initial operations were purely community-powered:
First Fleet: A single borrowed fire engine parked in the Chief's driveway.
Emergency Communications: Carl Clemenick, owner of the Gordons Corner Market on Route 9, hosted the emergency fire phone in his family's living quarters and mounted the alarm siren on his property. The Clemenick family maintained a continuous watch to sound the siren whenever calls came in.
First Headquarters: Mr. and Mrs. William Voss offered the temporary use of their concrete building on Wickatunk Road to house the company.
Our Story
Through donated time, materials, and volunteer labor, members built the original Main House on Tennent Road from the ground up, providing Gordons Corner Fire Company with its first permanent home base.
Our Story
As suburban development accelerated across Manalapan Township, the company expanded its operational footprint by constructing and dedicating a satellite firehouse on Pease Road to ensure rapid response times across the district.
Our Story
To effectively combat wildland and off-road brush fires in developing areas of the township, the company acquired a specialized 1988 4x4 Brush Truck equipped with a 250-gallon water tank.
Our Story
Upgraded primary structural firefighting capabilities with the delivery of Engine 26-1-73, a 1997 Class A pumper featuring a 2,000 GPM pump and a 750-gallon water tank.
Our Story
Strengthened truck company operations with the acquisition of Ladder 26-1-91, a 2000 Quint featuring a 75-foot aerial ladder, 2,000 GPM pump, and 750-gallon tank.
Our Story
Both the Tennent Road Main House and Pease Road Substation underwent extensive modernization and expansion projects to accommodate larger modern apparatus, upgraded equipment, and expanded administrative facilities.
Our Story
- The Gordons Corner Fire Company celebrated 50 years of continuous, 24/7 volunteer emergency service to Manalapan Township. The Golden Jubilee milestone honored founding members from 1962, decades of community support, and the generations of volunteer firefighters who built and sustained Fire District No. 1.
- To mark the 50-year anniversary and meet the evolving operational demands of the Township, the department expanded its heavy extrication and rescue capabilities with the arrival of Rescue Engine 26-1-80 (a 2012 model featuring a 1,500 GPM pump, a 750-gallon water tank, hydraulic rescue tools, and specialized stabilization equipment).
- The Jubilee was commemorated with a community anniversary celebration, formal departmental ceremonies, and special ad journal publications documenting five decades of department history.
Our Story
Placed Light Rescue Engine 26-1-74 into service (2017 model with a 1,500 GPM pump and 750-gallon tank), providing versatile first-due response for motor vehicle accidents and structural calls.
Our Story
Modernized aerial rescue capabilities with the delivery of Tower Ladder 26-1-90, a 2020 Mid-Mount Aerial Platform featuring a 100-foot reach, 2,000 GPM pump, and 300-gallon tank to serve modern commercial and high-density residential structures.
Our Story
Today, the all-volunteer Gordons Corner Fire Company continues to operate out of two stations (Tennent Road and Pease Road), responding 24/7/365 to fire, rescue, and hazardous conditions across Fire District No. 1.