Fire Commissioner Candidates Tout Candidacy Ahead Of Elections

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — While candidates are lining up to run for mayor and council in Gloucester Township, there is another election taking place next week. Fire district elections take place on Tuesday, April 20.

Gerard Sprinitis and Dan Carosiello are running for the board of commissioners in District 5, where voting will take place from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Gloucester Township Fire District #5, 1781 Sicklerville Road in Sicklerville. They submitted the following information about their candidacies:

The Lambs Terrace Fire Company is a combination Career and Volunteer department which serves the southern end of town. We are two individuals who truly care about our community and feel we can contribute positive changes within the district. Families and neighbors need the assurance that their firehouse is running proficiently, allocation of funds are being procured properly, and budgets are being balanced accurately. This happens through experience, honesty, hard work, and trust in our management and team.

There are many reasons why we are running and our community needs answers. Both the career and volunteer staff have shared with us good ideas to help promote fire prevention and fire safety but do not have a voice in the department.

We want our staff and community to share their ideas and work together on implementing them. Fire departments have opportunities to exercise applying for Federal, State, and private grants for PPE and ‘life saving equipment’. This saves us as taxpayers money.

The two commissioners up for re-election hold all the titles on the board: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. In other districts these responsibilities are assigned individually. Our first order of business is to reduce this exorbitant cost and equally distribute the salaries and titles fairly.

Gerard Sprinitis
Born and raised in New Jersey by a hard-working blue-collar family. My father was a Vietnam Veteran and in the Teamsters Union as an over-the-road truck driver. My mother cleaned houses to help support our family. We were raised on the belief system of working hard, being honest, and if you are going to do something, ‘do it for the right reasons.’ After graduating from high school I served in the United States Navy on board the USS Constellation CV-64 with two deployments to the Persian Gulf during Operations Southern Watch. After active duty I also served two years in the NJ Army National Guard. During this time I received several accommodation medals and awards.

I hold a Masters in Business Administration from Rutgers-Camden. Over the last 20+ years working in Corporate America I’ve held Director titles in management and sales. I’ve worked for publicly traded companies such AT&T, Con Ed Communications, Lumen, Aviat Networks, and currently Rad Data Communications.

Responsibilities included working with budgets, cost analysis, margins, and generally accepted accounting practices. I am an active volunteer firefighter with Lambs Terrace Fire Company and honored protecting and preserving the life, property, and public safety of my community. I’m inducted into the Gloucester Township Citizen Appreciation Park and a recipient of the John D. West Award.

Dan Carosiello
Born and raised in New Jersey and raised by a single mother who dedicated her service as a firefighter. My family stems from a long lineage of being in the fire service. For as long as I can remember I always wanted to be a firefighter.

After high school I also joined the military serving in the United States Marine Corps with two combat deployments to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. I too have received several accommodations and medals. Since my military service I have more than 10 years of managing people and have worked my way up to General Manager responsible for managing 15 stores for Mr. Tire. Working with people, managing stores, developing ideas for cost savings are all responsibilities I face on a daily basis.

I have given more than 15 years of fire service to our community and currently hold the title of Lieutenant with Lambs Terrace Fire Company. I am honored and proud to say that I have seven ‘life saves’ and am a recipient of the Camden County Service Medal.

We understand the challenges that lay ahead of us. Through the support of the men and women of our community and those who volunteer their time and dedicate their careers, we are confident we will bring positive changes and momentum. The Military and Fire Service has taught us how to lead and be team players. Please help make a difference and vote for Gerard Sprinitis and Dan Carosiello.

For more information, visit www.District5vote.com and https://www.facebook.com/Carosiello-Sprinitis-for-Fire-Commission-106129371574340.