In the morning of 30th August 2025 marked the end of an era as the last volunteer duty crew concluded their service with the Mount Laurel Fire Department (MLFD). Earlier this year, department leadership and volunteer staff made the difficult decision to retire the volunteer firefighter program—a program that has been a cornerstone of the community for over a century.

Volunteer firefighters have been protecting Mount Laurel long before the department was formally established in 1953. The Masonville Fire Company, founded in 1913 on land donated by the Haines family, was the first organized fire service in the township. Three decades later, in 1943, the Fellowship Fire Company was formed with a single pumper donated by Masonville.

Fellowship’s first firehouse stood on Oregon Avenue before moving to Church Road, and later, in the 1970s, the company operated the Birchfield substation on Elbo Lane—the very site of today’s MLFD headquarters.

Over the years, countless volunteers gave their time, energy, and dedication to protecting their neighbors. Many contributed hundreds of hours annually to training, response, and leadership, ensuring the success of the volunteer program. Some former volunteers have already transitioned to neighboring departments or serve as stipend firefighters elsewhere, while others have retired from active service.

The department also hopes that a number will continue their legacy by joining MLFD’s career service in the years ahead.

The photos shared today represent only a fraction of the history of Mount Laurel’s volunteer fire service. They serve as a lasting reminder of the unwavering commitment and community spirit that defined generations of volunteer firefighters and helped shape the department as it exists today.