> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.lambpage.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Lambertville Fire Department Asks Voters for Financial Help - URL: https://www.lambpage.com/lambertville-fire-department-asks-voters/ - Published: 2026-10-13T04:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-13T03:59:59.000Z - Author: David Vanadia - Tags: News The Lambertville Fire Department District 1, which is the only fire department that directly serves Lambertville, is asking residents to vote on a referendum that would allow them to spend a maximum of $7,500,000 on new engines and station improvements. ### What Does the Fire Department Do? The Lambertville Fire department handles car accidents, alarm activations, river rescue, and quick response EMS—as well as car, field, barn, and house fires within the Lambertville City limits. The department averages between 2-5 calls per day, but they have had as many as 15 in a day. The Lambertville Fire Department has answered 656 calls in 2026 thus far. ### Visit the Station for More Information You’re invited to [Grill Night](https://lambertvillefirestation.com/events/?ref=lambpage.com) where you can enjoy free hot dogs/hamburgers, learn about the department’s funding plans, and get your burning inquiries answered before you vote. ![folks gathered around a grill by the fire trucks at the station](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fa/bd/fabd45fd-ac8a-48c2-a258-906f3226b8a7/content/images/2026/10/grillNight.webp) Grill Night at the Lambertville Fire Department Grill Nights happen on **Friday, October 16, 23, and 30 from 6-9pm** in the parking lot at the Lambertville Fire Department, 230 North Main Street Lambertville, NJ 08530\. “Come ask questions,” said Lambertville Fire Chief Mike Barlow. “This isn’t just ‘we want shiny new toys.’ This is a need. We’re just asking for modest help.” ### Bottom Line The Lambertville Fire Department is not part of the city budget, so the city has a fire tax. If approved, the referendum could result in up to a $23/month tax increase, but that is a “worst case” number. The final amount is not yet certain, because the department plans to use bonding and financing if the vote passes. ### More Information The fire department recently held a town hall about the funding request. They published their [slide presentation](https://lambertvillefirestation.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Lambertville-Fire-District-Town-Hall-Presentation.pdf?ref=lambpage.com) online, which explains why they need the money. It does not, however, show exact quotes of how much the additions to the building will cost, or who will do the work, or what any interest rates will be. Chief Barlow said the department has met with contractors, developers, and manufacturers and the requested funding increase accounts for variables in market conditions so that the department can make adjustments to carry out the plans piecemeal, if need be. “It took almost five years for the department to put this referendum together,” said Chief Barlow, emphasizing that the $23 increase reflects the maximum amount a resident might be asked to pay. The fire department has [several reasons](https://lambertvillefirestation.com/referendum-faqs/?ref=lambpage.com) for this request. ### Needed: New Fire Trucks The Lambertville Fire Department is currently using dated fire trucks: one is 23 years old and the other is 36 years old. Older trucks break down more often and are costly to maintain. They want a new, up-to-date fleet, but fire truck prices are rising quickly. The fire department says waiting will only increase costs. ### Needed: Fire Station Improvements The fire station is in need of repairs, and some rearranging. Firefighters who work the night shift sleep on beds in the community room, which also gets used as a meeting and break room. Both men and women serve as firefighters, but the station has just one shower. An addition to the building will make room for additional showers, a kitchen, offices, storage, a gym, and a proper repair shop. (Many of the firefighters have mechanical or engineering backgrounds, so they save money by doing their own repairs onsite.) The building also needs HVAC and energy efficiency improvements. ### Staffing National standards recommend that Lambertville have 14 full-time firefighters, which it does not, but staffing isn’t part of the vote that is happening on November 3, 2026\. A vote about staffing is schedule for February 20, 2027. ### Vehicles Fire department vehicles get purchased through funding from fines, so those expenses do not impact tax payers and they are not part of this referendum. ### If the Vote Succeeds If the vote succeeds, the fire department can move forward with its planned improvements to the station and the purchase of new fire trucks. “If you vote yes in November,” Chief Barlow explained, “there won’t be changes right away. You won’t begin to see improvements until this time next year.” ### If the Vote Fails If the vote fails, the department will be forced to revote in February. It’s also possible they’ll end up having to petition to the Department of Community Affairs for forced funding, which the fire department doesn’t want to have to do. ### You Decide An informed decision is a good one, so stop by and ask questions. If you can’t make it to a Grill Night in person, read the [referendum information](https://lambertvillefirestation.com/educational-materials/?ref=lambpage.com) on the fire department’s website. ### Vote! ☑️ Election day is ****Tuesday, November 3, 2026.** Here’s what the question will look like on your ballot: > BALLOT QUESTION ([source](https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/20564/public-questions-website?ref=lambpage.com)) > Shall The Commissioners of Fire District No. 1 in the City of Lambertville, County of Hunterdon, New Jersey be authorized to expend the amount of $7,500,000 to (i) acquire three fire engines and all related apparatus equipment and (ii) undertake various capital improvements to the Lambertville Fire House located at 230 North Main Street, Lambertville, NJ, and issue bonds and bond anticipation notes and/or enter into lease purchase financing to fund such capital projects? > INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT > A yes vote will authorize the Board of Fire Commissioners to expend up to $7,500,000 to (i) acquire three fire trucks, including a Fire Engine Truck, a Fire Engine Tanker Truck and a Fire Engine Ladder Truck and all related apparatus equipment for such fire trucks and (ii) undertake various capital improvements to the Lambertville Fire House, including but not limited to, an addition to and renovation of the Fire House, renovation of the existing fire truck bays, HV AC, asphalt, curbing and sidewalk improvements, and associated site work, and to issue bonds and bond anticipation notes and/or enter into lease purchase financing to fund such projects.