Established 1929

Our History

1. 1929The company is established.
2. 1985Spring and fall Roast Beef Dinners appear in county fire association records.
3. 2010A federal grant supports operations and safety.
4. TodayVolunteers serve from 116 Blakes Ln.

Established in 1929, the Port Republic Volunteer Fire Company has protected Port Republic and helped neighboring communities for nearly a century. The city's first firehouse on Blakes Lane closed in the 1960s and still stands beside the active station. The Port Republic Heritage Society is working to turn the old building into Heritage Hall, a home for local records and artifacts. City fire company profile · First firehouse history · Heritage Society

In January 2003, Port Republic joined a four-county response when fire destroyed the Nesco firehouse in Mullica Township. Closer to home, at the Groff's Junkyard fire on Clarks Landing Road, Port Republic and neighboring crews laid large-diameter hose and drew water from portable tanks supplied by tenders. Crews set up fill sites at local lakes to keep water moving to the scene for several hours. Nesco response · Clarks Landing Road response

Today, the all-volunteer company responds from 116 Blakes Ln. Members answer calls for fires, vehicle extrication, and natural disasters, and prepare through regular drills, joint training with neighboring departments, and equipment maintenance. The company also brings neighbors together for its Roast Beef Dinners in May and October. Company membership and operations

Beyond the call

A place in Port Republic life

The spring and fall Roast Beef Dinners go back at least to 1985. That year, the Atlantic County Firefighters’ Association calendar listed Port Republic dinners on May 27 and October 12. The city newsletter advertised both a spring and a fall dinner again in 2023. Today, neighbors still pick up takeout dinners in May and October to support the company. 1985 association minutes · Spring 2023 city newsletter · Fall 2023 city newsletter

The city’s records also capture smaller moments of service. In December 2012, the City Council thanked the company for helping with Santa at the tree lighting. In June 2022, the mayor and interim school superintendent thanked volunteers for helping clear trees and branches at the school. December 2012 council minutes · June 2022 council minutes

Company milestones

Investing in volunteers and mutual aid

In 1984, the city adopted the ordinance naming Port Republic Volunteer Fire Company No. 1. In 2010, the company received a $118,890 federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant for operations and safety. In 2019, the City Council adopted an ordinance establishing a Length of Service Awards Program to recognize qualifying volunteers. Fire Company ordinance · 2010 grant announcement · Length of Service Awards ordinance

The company hosted the Atlantic County Firefighters’ Association’s October 2022 meeting, which drew representatives from 21 departments and companies. In February 2025, the county fire coordinator reported that Port Republic volunteers were refurbishing the Tender Task Force Alpha trailer for regional use. October 2022 association minutes · February 2025 association minutes