I am pleased to honor President Walter Lata of the Budd Lake Volunteer Fire Department as this week’s #NJ07 Hometown Hero. President Lata, from Mount Olive, New Jersey, has shown exceptional dedication, pride, and commitment to the fire service department, going above and beyond serving as the Department President. President Lata responds to over 90% of the department’s 600 emergency calls annually. On top of that, he is a seated chauffeur playing a critical role in ensuring apparatus operations and emergency response readiness.
President Lata frequently takes it upon himself in his own personal time and often at his own expense to improve the department and its facilities to benefit all members. His dedication stems beyond emergency response and the firehouse. He is actively involved in community events and constantly looking for opportunities to represent and promote the department in a positive way. His unwavering commitment to service, tireless work ethic, selflessness and pride in the department and community make President Walter Lata a true Hometown Hero.
