Chief Jackson has been a lifelong resident of Berlin Township. He
and his wife Betty have been married since 1990 and have raised 3
children; Kasey, Kyle and Dominick. Joe is a fourth generation West
Berlin firefighter and Chief. Following in the footsteps of his
father, grandfather and great-grandfather he joined West Berlin Fire Rescue in 1985
and was elected Chief in 1995. Joe has just been re-elected Chief
of the Department for another 3 years serving thru 2009. Chief
Jackson has worked in Berlin Township for the last 19 years as a
Police Officer and is currently a Sergeant in the Patrol Division.
He is also assigned to the Camden County Zone 4 Swat
Team. In 2005 Mayor Magazzu appointed Joe to the position of
Emergency Management Coordinator. During Joe’s free time he enjoys
fishing, hunting, softball and ice hockey.
“I have no
ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a firefighter.
The position may, in the eyes of some, appear to be a lowly one;
but we who know the work which the firefighter has to do believe
that his is a noble calling. There is an adage which says that,
"Nothing can be destroyed except by fire." We strive to preserve
from destruction the wealth of the world which is the product of
the industry of men, necessary for the comfort of both the rich
and the poor. We are defenders from fires of the art which has
beautified the world, the product of the genius of men and the
means of refinement of mankind. But, above all; our proudest
endeavor is to save lives of men-the work of God Himself. Under
the impulse of such thoughts, the nobility of the occupation
thrills us and stimulates us to deeds of daring, even at the
supreme sacrifice. Such considerations may not strike the average
mind, but they are sufficient to fill to the limit our ambition in
life and to make us serve the general purpose of human society.
-- Chief
Edward F. Croker FDNY circa 1910
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