New Hope Eagle Fire Company Appoints First Paid Chief

The New Hope Eagle Fire Company announced on Tuesday the appointment of the first paid chief in its 201-year history.

Gary F. Breuer, who has extensive experience in emergency services, will begin the job on Monday, February 5.

The fire company serves New Hope Borough and a significant portion of Solebury Township.

As the new chief, he will lead a team of volunteer officers, firefighters, and first responders who collectively answer over 400 calls annually.

In a statement, the fire company said it conducted a national search before selecting Breuer.

“The Eagle Fire Company is one of the oldest volunteer fire companies in the nation and has a dynamic and growing volunteer membership-and decided to create this new leadership structure to ensure its commitment to remaining a strong volunteer service organization through enhanced training, leadership development, and community engagement,” the statement said.

Breuer’s 40-year career in emergency services includes roles as a firefighter, rescue technician, swift water and marine rescue technician, emergency medical technician, and police officer.

Breuer is currently the per-diem deputy chief of the Lambertville Fire Department and serves as a leader with the New Jersey State Police’s Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 1, a team that responds to Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) requests during disasters.

Additionally, Breuer is a chief instructor at the Hunterdon County Emergency Services Training Center and actively responds with the West Amwell Volunteer Fire Company and the Remington-Raritan First Aid and Rescue Squad. He served for 20 years as a police officer in Hunterdon County.

Breuer, a graduate of Hunterdon Central High School and the College of New Jersey, resides in West Amwell with his wife and children.