CHATHAM, NJ – The Chatham Emergency Squad (CES)’s new and upgraded headquarters will officially be open for use on June 1st, 2025, at 45 Spring Street. The goal created in 2018 to upgrade the headquarters could not have been possible without the generous support of the Chatham community.
The CES has been serving for over 80 years and has never charged for any of its services. It is a 100% all-volunteer agency. The equipment, buildings, high school, professional, and retired volunteers are all donated or volunteered from the generosity of the Chatham community. And 45 Spring Street was no different.
In 2018, CES Captain Bryan McGookin said, “We saw other squads in nearby towns shutting down due to dwindling volunteer numbers. We knew we had to act proactively to make sure that didn’t happen here in Chatham.”
Due to the issue they saw creeping in, the Needs Assessment Committee was created. They established that in order to keep their current volunteers and bring in future volunteers, they needed to create a better working, training, relaxing, and resting environment. The volunteers give so much time and effort to being in the CES; they deserve a space that would help them.
In the spring of 2021, the CES launched its fundraiser campaign for the upgraded 45 Spring Street CES Building with a goal of reaching $1.7 million. A quick three years later, in the year 2024, the goal was met because of the support and donations from the Chatham community.
Construction at 45 Spring Street began in the spring of 2023 and reopened to members of the CES on May 27, 2025.
The new facility comes with the upgrades of training spaces, room for overnight shifts, and modern amenities; these new improvements will help them be even better at serving the Chatham community.
“This isn’t just about a building,” said project member and CES member Steve Davenport. “It’s about creating a sustainable future for the squad so we can keep serving this community for decades to come.”
Now that the new CES building is here, CES is very excited to have its ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on Sunday, June 1st from 1-4 p.m.
“We happily invite everyone to join us and see what they made possible,” Nicole DiMaggio, CES President, said. “This new building is a testament to the strength of our community and the bright future of emergency services in Chatham. If you’ve ever considered joining CES, and we’re always open to new members, now is a great time to get involved.”
The CES could always use more donations of generosity or volunteers to add to their team, so please visit their website at www.chathamemergencysquad.org.
