Red Bank Welcomes 2013 Fire Chief

The borough welcomed a new command at the helm of the Fire Department at the annual reorganization meeting Tuesday.

Mayor Pasquale Menna swore in Thomas Doremus as chief, Thomas Welsh as first deputy chief and Joseph Lauterwasser as second deputy chief in front of the firefighters' family and friends in a packed municipal courtroom.

Menna said it was with "great pleasure" to welcome Doremus, 29, as chief. Doremus, who also is a borough police officer, is a fifth generation firefighter. Welsh and Lauterwasser also continue the firefighting tradition in Red Bank, as both are second generation firefighters. 

Welsh, a former chief, is "the anchor, the rock" of the department, Menna said. The mayor was equally complimentary of Lauterwasser, saying he "brings to the table the same type of dedication, integrity and strength," as his father.

Doremus served as first deputy chief in 2012, and Welsh served as second deputy. Doremus succeeded Chief Josh Sanders and will serve for one year.

The Red Bank Volunteer Fire Department is comprised of six companies — Navesink Hook & Ladder, Relief Engine, Independent Engine, Liberty Hose, Union Hose and Westside Hose — a fire police company and the First Aid and Rescue Squad.

For more reorganization coverage, see:

• 'Red Bank is Thriving' Mayor Says
• Returning Councilmen Vow to 'Continue the Progress' in Red Bank

For more news and updates about Red Bank and Shrewsbury, subscribe to our free newsletter, "like" us on Facebook or follow @RedBankPatch on Twitter.