Mayor Wilda Diaz Swears in Fire Chief David J. Volk
PERTH AMBOY, NJ - Mayor Wilda Diaz swore in David J. Volk as Chief of the Fire Department at an afternoon ceremony held at City Hall on Friday, March 27.
Volk has been involved with Perth Amboy's emergency services for 29 years, joining the Fire Department's Volunteer Division in 1980. A 21-year veteran of the department's Career Division, he was hired by the city as a firefighter in 1987 and has served as Battalion Chief since January 2008.
"Chief Volk has had a long and successful career going back to when he joined the Fire Department as a volunteer in 1980," said Mayor Diaz. "For 29 years, he has demonstrated his dedication to his profession and his love for our city. I thank him for his continued service to the City of Perth Amboy and for taking on his new responsibilities as Chief of the Fire Department."
The Fire Department has 55 full-time firefighters and a Volunteer Division staffed by more than 60 members. Additionally, the department includes an Emergency Medical Services Division. The department responds to an average of 6,000 emergency incidents a year ranging from fires and emergency medical calls to rescue and other emergency-type incidents.
"It has been a privilege to serve the City of Perth Amboy for almost 30 years, and I am honored to assume the position as chief," said Chief Volk. "The Fire Department and its many dedicated members are proud to serve the city, and we look forward to continuing to work with Mayor Diaz and her administration."
Appointed as the department's initial Training Officer in 1991, Chief Volk was promoted to Lieutenant in 1999, Captain in 2003 and Battalion Chief in 2008. He has headed the department's Division of Administration and Training since his promotion to Captain. In addition, he also serves as the Program Administrator for the City of Perth Amboy Emergency Medical Service and Deputy Coordinator for the municipal Office of Emergency Management.
Chief Volk was the recipient of the 1997 Valor Award and 1998 Team Effort Award from the St. Barnabas Burn Foundation, as well as a Valor Award from the Professional Firefighter's Association of New Jersey in 1998. He received a commendation from the Proprietary House Association as well as a Joint NJ Legislative Resolution for commanding the fire department response to a broken water pipe that occurred at the Proprietary House in January 2003. The actions of the department at that incident were responsible for saving numerous historical documents and articles from irreplaceable damage. He has also received commendations from the Perth Amboy Municipal Council, Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and Congress.
Chief Volk has served as an Assistant Fire Bureau Chief for the Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management and Fire Marshall's Office since 1998, as well as a staff instructor for the Monmouth County Fire Academy.
Chief Volk resides in Perth Amboy with his wife Susan and daughters Brittany and Courtney.
For more information about the City of Perth Amboy, please visit: www.ci.perthamboy.nj.us.