| The officers and members of the Willingboro Fire Department congratulate Firefighter Mark Robertson on his retirement following 40 years of combined full-time and volunteer service to Willingboro Township and the Willingboro Fire Department. We extend our best wishes to him for a happy retirement.
BIOGRAPHY
On Sunday, November 1, 2026, Firefighter Mark Robertson is retiring from the department after a combined 40 years of service, with the last 22 years as a career firefighter. He comes from a family of firefighters, with his late stepfather John, who was a long-time volunteer firefighter and past fire chief in Florence, NJ, and his brothers Michael and Brian, who also started as junior firefighters in Willingboro and eventually went on to become career firefighters in Evesham, NJ.
Mark grew up in Garfield Park East and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1988 and from Burlington County College in 2004 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Fire Science.
He started with the department in June of 1986 as a 16-year-old junior firefighter at the former Station 163 on Garfield Drive where he eventually served as a captain. He also served at the former Station 162 on Sunset Road and served as a lieutenant.
In August of 2001 he was appointed as the department’s fire chief. He helped lead the department through the tragedy of September 11th and was the incident commander at a fatal explosion at the former High-Temp Metals facility on Beverly-Rancocas Road. He also helped with the department’s addition of four career firefighters in September of 2001, and due to declining staffing, started the transition of reassigning personnel from three firehouses into one. Mark was the last volunteer fire chief in the department’s history.
Mark is a life member of the Willingboro Fire Company and Willingboro Emergency Squad. During his time with both departments, he has been a recipient of several awards for his work at operational incidents and for administrative duties. Mark was instrumental in establishing the department’s website and served as its administrator for many years. He is also a life and exempt member of the New Jersey State Fireman’s Relief Association.
In 1999 Mark was hired as one of the first career firefighters for the Westampton Township Fire Department. From 2002, until his hiring in Willingboro, he was also a volunteer firefighter in the Mount Laurel Fire Department’s Duty Crew Program.
Away from the firehouse Mark is a staff instructor at the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center where he has served since 1996. From 2001 until 2018 Mark worked at the training center in the capacity of Senior Fire Instructor where he oversaw the Officer/Leadership Development programs for several years and then oversaw the usage of the Fire Training Grounds.
Since being hired as a career firefighter, Mark has been proudly involved in the Burlington County Professional Firefighters Association – IAFF Local 3091. He stays active by participating in union meetings, conferences, and by attending union functions and fundraisers. Mark currently serves on the union’s Executive Board as the treasurer.
For over 15 years Mark has served as a volunteer for the annual National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial Weekend. Each year the foundation sponsors the official national tribute to all firefighters who died in the line of duty during the previous year. Thousands attend the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He serves on the Operations Staff as part of the Food Services Team along with several hundred other firefighters from throughout the country who perform various duties throughout the weekend.
Mark is the father of an adult son, Mark Jr., and plans on living locally after his retirement. He is an advocate for shelter animals and has provided a home for several rescued animals throughout the years. He is a fan of all Philly sports teams and regularly travels to Philadelphia Eagles away games, including Super Bowl LIX in 2025.
Mark would like to thank all of department’s past and present personnel, his family, friends, and all of those who have supported him throughout his career. |
