Gas Shortage Causes Concern For Tri-Boro Emergency Responders

Lines of cars have waited hours on major highways for motorists to fill their tanks and generators with gas. But the high fuel demand has not only tri-boro residents worried, but emergency responders concerned as well.

Kinnelon police Lt. John Schwartz said only one gas station was open in town Thursday morning, but that the station was no longer serving regular customers because they had a limited supply of gasoline being given to emergency response vehicles only. Schwartz said Florham Park responders drove all the way to Kinnelon to get gas.

"The fuel shortage, for emergency vehicles, is quite a bit of a concern," Schwartz said.

Schwartz said Morris County set up a fuel depot for emergency vehicles in Denville to fill up. The Kinnelon vehicles are working on approximately 1,000 gallons of gasoline and Schwartz said there was a diesel delivery Thursday morning for Department of Public Works vehicles and firetrucks.

Bloomingdale police Chief Joe Borell said he was beginning to get concerned about the gasoline shortage as well before a delivery was made in the borough Thursday morning.

"We were a little concerned and had about a two-day supply of gas," Borell said. "It no longer is an issue for us."

Schwartz did have advice for residents looking for gas as well.

"If you have to leave and go to work, try to go to a [gas station] in the area where you go to work. These lines are at least an hour, two hours long," he said.

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