Liberty Township, Mountain Lake Fire Company at odds over fire truck driving incident
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Warren County) — The Liberty Township Committee and the Mountain Lake Fire Company have issued conflicting public statements following township action taken against a volunteer firefighter after an April 2025 emergency response.
The Township Committee said Friday that the matter stems from an April 24, 2025, mutual aid response to an incident off Alphano Road, during which a Mountain Lake Fire Company vehicle passed another emergency vehicle on Hope Road while responding. Township officials said video footage reviewed by the committee shows the maneuver occurred on a curve in a no-passing zone and caused two oncoming vehicles to leave the roadway to avoid a collision.
After reviewing the footage, the Township Committee said it determined the fire apparatus was not operated with the “due regard for the safety of others” required under state law. Township officials said their concern was heightened by statements made by the driver during a meeting, in which he suggested emergency warning lights permitted deviation from standard traffic laws provided no accident occurred. Township officials said the driver serves as an acting trainer for fire company vehicle operators.
Based on those findings, the township imposed a five-year restriction preventing the individual from operating any fire company vehicles. The committee also announced plans to revise the municipal code governing the fire company to establish clearer standards for emergency vehicle operation, including additional training requirements.
“Our priority is for the safety of our residents and the traveling public,” the Township Committee said in its statement. “The Township fully recognizes the value and dedication of all emergency service volunteers. Holding members accountable will ensure that their traditionally well-respected reputation is maintained.”
In a written response, Mountain Lake Fire Company Chief Peter Hubert on Monday disputed the township’s characterization of the incident and the disciplinary action taken. The fire company said the Township Committee acted without a substantive internal investigation and stated that the New Jersey State Police, which reviewed the incident, did not issue any traffic summonses. The fire company said the township did not reference that outcome in its public notice.
The fire company also disputed the township’s description of the incident as a “wood pile fire,” stating the call had been upgraded to a potential structure fire involving possible life-safety concerns. According to the fire company, that escalation justified the maneuver to allow an engine to pass a tanker that was first in line for what was initially dispatched as a brush fire.
The fire company further stated that video footage shared publicly was incomplete and did not include all contextual information or audio commentary. It described the five-year driving restriction as excessive and said it would effectively end the volunteer’s service, a claim the township has not addressed directly.
Chief Hubert also raised concerns about a subsequent township warning that further violations could result in the fire company losing municipal affiliation, insurance coverage, and access to township-owned equipment.
“We are your neighbors. We are your volunteers,” Hubert wrote. “We charge into fires for free. We are not politicians. We need your support to continue our 75 years of service without unnecessary political interference.”
Township officials said they remain confident the matter can be addressed collaboratively while ensuring public safety. No timeline for ordinance changes or further action was announced.
