Police, firefighters, township employees helped with fire, rebuilding

On Jan. 16, 2022, my home at 2 Center St., West Milford, caught on fire and I lost almost all of my possessions and my entire life’s mementoes and keepsakes.

This was the most devastating event of my life.

Within minutes, the West Milford Police Department and West Milford Fire Department were on the scene to help. The most important thing was that no one was injured.

The police officers (and all of the members of P.B.A. Local 162) were there for me every step of the way and helped me make it through this life-changing ordeal.

All of the personnel from the West Milford Fire Department and the Fire Marshal stayed at the scene along with the members of the Police Department to make sure the home and my valuables were secured.

My State Farm Insurance agent, Thomas Ziegenbalg, was there that evening to see what I needed to help get me shelter and secure my belongings.

I now had to deal with repairing my home and this is where the West Milford employees really stepped up to the plate. I cannot thank the following departments enough, and it includes all of the department heads and office personnel: the West Milford Police Department, Fire Department, Building Department, Zoning Department, Health department, Tax Department and the Administrator’s Office.

They helped me every step of the way for the next two years until I was back in my home. I could not have done it without the support and guidance of our town’s employees.

We have the most dedicated and caring employees and volunteers of any town in the country bar none.

I am so very proud to be able to say that I live in West Milford, New Jersey.

Dennis Shanahan

West Milford