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Residents and firefighters urge review after volunteer applicant denied membership
Summary
A retired firefighter said his application to Colts Neck Fire Company No. 1 was disapproved; multiple residents and officers called the decision a loss for community safety and urged the committee to examine Executive Fire Council governance and volunteer processes.
A retired firefighter who has served 31 years told the Colts Neck Township Committee on Feb. 11 that his application to join Colts Neck Fire Company No. 1 was disapproved and asked the committee to explain the denial and the broader volunteer-recruitment process.
The speaker described professional experience in high-density firefighting and said he had volunteered previously in Colts Neck. He read a Feb. 4 letter from Fire Company No. 1 informing him the company had voted to disapprove his application and asked the committee for transparency about how the town approaches volunteer recruitment and transfers between companies.
Multiple residents and active firefighters responded during public comment, praising the applicant’s record and urging a fuller review of the Executive Fire Council (EFC) and fire-company processes. "Scott Dupri is a good guy…what they did to him is a slap in the face to every citizen in Colts Neck," said firefighter Chris Quincan, who identified himself and described 35 years of service. Quincan urged the committee to use its authority over the EFC to ensure operational leadership consists of firefighters and to address governance problems he said have hampered volunteer retention.
Committee members and the liaison to the EFC said they heard the concerns and would follow up. Committeewoman Bus (EFC liaison) acknowledged the issue and agreed to report back at the next meeting, and another committee member asked for a more detailed report on the circumstances surrounding the application denial.
Why it matters: Committee members and residents said volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention directly affect public safety and response capacity. Several speakers warned that continued volunteer shortfalls could force structural changes to how fire protection is staffed and financed.
What happens next: The committee asked the liaison and appropriate staff to look into the matter and provide an update at a future meeting; no formal action or disciplinary steps were taken on Feb. 11.
