“Strong And Steady” Firehouse Named After Former Chief

John Risk poses with loved ones in front of the firehouse that now bears his name. (Photo courtesy Deborah Davis)

  BERKELEY – Firefighters do what they do without looking for thanks or acknowledgement. So former Chief John Risk was stunned when the Manitou Park Fire Company named a substation after him in honor of 50 years of active membership.

  He thought he was coming out for the annual family picnic. Everyone was gathered at the building on Fort De France Avenue in Holiday City. They were all in their uniforms, despite the heat.

  Risk knew he was going to get recognition for his 50 year benchmark, but he didn’t expect this. First he got plaques from Berkeley Mayor Carmen Amato and South Toms River Mayor Gregory Handshy. He was given a ribbon for his 50 years – the first one in the company’s history (and hopefully not the last).

  “Don’t go anywhere,” said fire company President Stephen Holmes, who was running the ceremony. Risk, not wanting too much praise, was ready to sneak into the background.

Former chief John Risk thanks his supporters who came out to the dedication. (Photo courtesy Deborah Davis)

  Holmes explained how Risk was instrumental in getting the substation started in 1976. He was just 19 when he joined. In 1977 he became the second chief in the company’s history. He shepherded the group through good times and challenges. He had also been treasurer for decades and “he wouldn’t give it up and we wouldn’t let him,” Holmes said. To honor his dedication in a number of roles he had – chief, trustee, president – they named the building after him.

  Risk started to shake his head as he realized what was going on just before Holmes said it. He looked on in disbelief as they revealed an engraving on the building with his name on it.

  It will forever be known as the John Risk Fire Station. Some supporters of the fire company wore shirts with the slogan “Strong and Steady,” which is something he’s been known to say.

  Risk himself was practically speechless. He tried to deflect the praise and share it with the many firefighters who volunteered alongside him for those five decades. “I look back on the battle it took to get here, and those who helped along the way.”

  “It takes a unique individual to wake up in the middle of the night, rush out of bed, leaving their family behind, to fight fires,” Amato said.