This page is dedicated to those who have gone before us.

When I am called to duty, God wherever flames may rage,
give me strength to save a life, whatever be its age.
Help me to embrace a little child before it's too late,
or save an older person from the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert to hear the weakest shout,
and quickly and efficiently to put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me,
to guard my neighbor and protect his property.
And if according to your will I have to lose my life,
bless with your protecting hand my loving family from strife.

December 15, 2024

Chief Gary Burgin

Chief Burgin joined the Delaware Gardens Volunteer Fire Company, No. 1 on September 20, 1973, Following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather, uncle, and cousins and represented the third generation of the Burgin family to serve Delaware Gardens, dating back to 1925. Chief Burgin rose through the ranks of Lieutenant, Captain, District Deputy Chief and was appointed District Chief in 1989. During his tenure as District Chief, Chief Burgin would serve three annual terms as Chief of the Pennsauken Fire Department. Chief Burgin worked as a schoolteacher prior to his appointment to the career service in 1983, where he would serve in assignments at Station 4 and the Fire Prevention Office. In 1995, Chief Burgin was appointed as the Construction Official for Pennsauken Township and held a dual role until his retirement from the career service in 2004. Chief Burgin would go on to serve as the Construction Official in a civilian capacity for another seventeen years. After retiring from the career service, Chief Burgin would serve as Station Captain and Battalion Chief of the reorganized Pennsauken Fire Department and was active in the department’s training programs. Chief Burgin’s passion for service was not limited to Pennsauken Township, having been a forty-three-year Instructor at the Camden County Fire Academy and Camden County College, Past President of the Camden County Fire Chief’s and Fire Officer’s Association and Marine Firefighting Instructor with Tri-State Maritime Safety Association. Chief Burgin was a man of deep faith and a devoted parishioner of Temple Lutheran Church in Pennsauken, dedicated member of the Saint Joseph’s Carpenter Society and Past President of the Pennsauken-Merchantville Rotary Club.

May 28, 2024.

Bob Bartosz, legendary fireman and photographer

Bob found the passion of photography at a young age and applied it documenting the bravery and brotherhood of firemen in their heroic duties fighting fires. From a young age and through his senior years, it was common to find Bob at the local firehouse or rushing to the scene of a fire, camera in hand or fire helmet on his head. This blending of photography and fire fighting service continued for the rest of his life. At the age of 17, Bob was appointed the official Fire Photographer for Camden County. Then ten years later, he became the Fire Photographer for the City of Camden Fire Department, and eventually bestowed with the rank of Honorary Battalion Chief in the Camden Fire Department commemorating his decades of service. Bob did not experience firefighting only from behind the camera lens. After serving as a Camden County Police Officer for a decade, Bob joined his local Pennsauken Volunteer Fire Department, Company No. 2 and began decades of service fighting fires. Bob joined a group of like-minded Camden County police, fire, and rescue squad leaders in the development and formation of what would become the Camden County Hero Scholarship Fund, having the purpose of rendering financial and educational assistance to the surviving spouse and children of County law enforcement officers, firefighters, or emergency medical personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. During the early years of the Fund, a photograph taken by Bob of his two children and police officer and fireman comrades served as the inspiration for the organization’s logo.

November 8, 2017

Chief Gene Dannenfelser

Gene Dannenfelser dedicated his life to public service as a firefighter, arson investigator, and peer counselor. The fire service was his calling and his passion. Starting as a junior firefighter in Bergenfield, New Jersey, he eventually became a firefighter at the Haddon Heights Fire Departmentat the age of eighteen, where he rose through the ranks, serving as chief of the department for five years. One of Gene’s many accomplishmentswas the development of the Haddon Heights Fire Department Explorer Program, a program to introduce teenagers to the fire service. In 1983, he joined the Camden County Fire Marshal’s office, holding the position of CFM2-Deputy Fire Marshal, where he was recognized for both valor and meritorious service before retiring in 2007. His many titles included the Southern Region Director of the New Jersey Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, NJFMBA Local 111 State Delegate, NJFMBA Local 500 Southern District Vice President, and President of the Camden County Hero Scholarship Fund, an organization he was proudly affiliated with since 1992. He was a man who spent his life investigating fires, continuing to learn and educate. Gene was a sounding board for fire investigators still working in the field long after his retirement.

Gene was selfless, an inspiration, a class act, a role model, and a hero.

Firefighter William F. Gerace

Gibbsboro Fire Company No.1 Inc., April 28, 2017.

July 4 2002

Deputy Chief John D West

Deputy Chief John D. West‚ Sr. ‘Westy’ was a 12-year career firefighter/emt. with the Camden County Fire Marshals office‚ and a volunteer serving over 23 years with the Mt. Ephraim Volunteer Fire Dept. John along with Chief John Sylvester and FF Thomas Stewart (GCFD) died on the morning of July 4‚ 2002 while attempting to rescue three little girls from their burning home. John or ‘Westy’ best known on the fire grounds and around town‚ was also a Fire Investigator and K-9 handler for Camden County and a K-9 handler for the ATF. John and his partner Raider were one of 46 K-9 teams‚ the 1st. Federally certified team in N.J. Westy worked for the Camden County Fire Marshal’s office where he was a Licensed Fire Official/Fire Inspector‚ a New Jersey State Fire Instructor Level II‚ who also trained in confined space and high angle rescue. He was an instructor at the Camden County Fire Academy. John was a member of many organizations‚ the Camden County Municipal Detectives Assoc.‚ International Assoc. of Arson Investigators‚ the U.S. Police Canine Assoc.‚ C.C. Fire Chief’s and Officers Assoc.‚ N.J. State Juvenile Arson Task Force‚ Life Member of the State Firemen’s Assoc‚ N.J. Fireman’s Exempt Assoc. and the N.J. State F.M.B.A. Local 111. Deputy Chief West received multiple awards during his time in the fire service‚ Professional Firefighters of NJ- Meritorious Service Award‚ Camden County Fire Chiefs- Class IV Valor Award‚ Camden County Prosecutors Service Award. and Camden County Detectives Assoc.- Meritorious Service Award.

July 4, 2002

Chief James Sylvester

Jim was a born leader and friend to all that knew him. His family described him as a loving husband‚ brother and son. His friends described him as loyal‚ dependable‚ thoughtful proud‚ caring and accountable. Jim had the ability to identify each person’s strengths and weaknesses. He allowed each person to capitalize on their strengths while at the same time helping them focus to improve their weaknesses. Jim’s focus was always on his family‚ friends and the Fire Department. He was always there to lend a hand whenever and wherever needed. His goal‚ though never obtained‚ was to become a career firefighter. But he never lost sight of the importance of being a volunteer. He was also the ultimate leader‚ allowing others to shine and was never shy about telling others of the accomplishments of the Department. It was this focus and drive that allowed for‚ with assistance from others‚ the consolidation and reorganization of the Mount Ephraim Fire Department. His achievements include being Chief of the Mount Ephraim Fire Department‚ with prior service to Mount Ephraim Fire Company #2‚ holding the positions of Chief., Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, Captain and Lieutenant. Jim was also a New Jersey Certified Emergency Medical Technician. Jim also held the position as Board Member for the Camden County Fire Chiefs Association and was an Instructor at the Camden County Fire Academy.

‘When good men die‚ their goodness does not perish’.

July 4, 2002

FF Thomas Stewart

FF Thomas Stewart (GCFD) died on the morning of July 4‚ 2002 while attempting to rescue three little girls from their burning home. FF Thomas Stewart was a career Firefighter & EMT with the Gloucester City Fire Dept and was also the owner of Tom Stewart III Remod-eling Inc. and a former Corrections Officer for the Camden County Sheriffs Dept. Firefighting was his job‚ saving lives and helping those in need was his job‚ but we never thought that giving his life would also be part of his job.

He died a hero‚ but it doesn’t make it any easier.

January 8th, 2004

Lt. Les Gant Jr.

Lieutenant Les Gant, Jr. served the Winslow Township Fire Department at our Station 25-7 (Sicklerville). Les was inspired by his father who had served 50 plus years as firefighter, Les himself had served as a dedicated volunteer firefighter for over thirty years. This began as a junior firefighter in the Runnemede Fire Department at the age of 16. After, he then served the Magnolia Fire Company. Les then relocated and served in the Winslow Township Fire Department. Les was always involved in activities to improve the department, mentor younger members and especially took pride in the preparedness and cleanliness of fire apparatus. Certainly one of a kind and is sorely missed by many. We will always keep his memory alive. We do so by issuing an award named after him recognizing leadership qualities at all levels in our Department.