Flanders Firefighters Helping Santa Collect Toys, Visit Local Children During 2 Visits

FLANDERS, N.J. - Nov. 27, 2015 - PRLog -- The firefighters and emergency medical providers at the Flanders Fire Company #1 and Rescue Squad (http://www.flanders-fire-rescue.org) are getting ready to welcome Santa to town for his two annual visits before Christmas.

Santa will visit the Flanders firehouse at 2 p.m. Dec. 5, arriving on his Toys for Tots train, operated by the Morristown & Erie, Norfolk and Southern, and New Jersey Transit railroads. U.S. Marines will be working with Santa on the train to collect new, unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots program. The toys will be distributed to needy children for the holiday.

For the sixth year, Flanders firefighters are teaming up with the Marines and Santa to collect toys. People can leave the toys at the firehouse in advance or join firefighters meeting the train at the firehouse around 2 p.m.  Those meeting the train can talk with Santa and the Marines and take photos with him. Last year, firefighters and local residents donated about 800 toys.

“This is something everyone looks forward to doing all year,” said Kevin Dolan, association treasurer and the firefighter who coordinates Santa’s visits and the fire company’s participation with the Toys for Tots program. “Everyone has a good time and it serves kids in the community.”

Santa returns to town two weeks later on Dec. 19, when firefighters will escort St. Nick around town on fire trucks. Santa will stop and talk with kids. Firefighters and EMTs will continue to collect toys for the Toys for Tots program, picking them up along the way. Last year, an ambulance following Santa was full of toys by the end of the “Santa run.” Santa is happy to visit children with special needs if parents let him know by calling (973) 584-7805.

“The Flanders Fire Company #1 serves the community in a variety of different ways, not just responding to calls for help,” said Doug Fenichel, president of the Flanders Fire Company Association, the organization that handles the business affairs of the department. “Helping Santa is a way to have some fun and put smiles on the faces of local children.”

The Flanders Fire Company #1 and Rescue Squad has driven Santa around town since the 1960s, when members escorted Santa from a local airport to a local service club’s annual Christmas meeting. The route gradually expanded to cover more of the growing town. Today, the airport is gone – it was in the area of St. Andrews Court and Wright Court -- and the event has evolved into one anticipated by local children.

The Flanders Fire Company and Rescue Squad No. 1 provides fire protection and emergency medical services to residents and businesses in Flanders and, through mutual aid, surrounding towns. It is made up of about 45 members who receive training in fire suppression, rescue, hazardous materials response, homeland security issues and emergency medical services.

The fire company, which is always looking for new members, operates a fire engine, a tower truck, a rescue/pumper, a brush-and-foam truck, three ambulances, a multiple-casualty unit and a mass decontamination unit. In addition, the fire company offers public education services including lectures, demonstrations, training and a trailer that safely simulates a smoke-filled home. For information about membership, donations or public education, call (973) 584-7805 or click on www.flanders-fire-rescue.org.