Mailers are going out to at least 15,000 borough residents who are considered to be a good fit for the town's volunteer fire department.
But unless the department sees an incredible response, chances are their centuries-old all-volunteer model will be hosed.
The department in March received approval to hire up to six paid members, according to Bob Gregory, director of emergency and safety services for the town.
"Our plan is not to get rid of volunteerism," Gregory told New Jersey 101.5. "The issue is the declining number of volunteers. We just don't have as many people as we used to coming out to volunteer for the fire department."
The trend, Gregory said, sometimes left firefighters without a driver or with a short crew, and the department would have to rely on mutual aid.
"Our goal is to get some career staff in the firehouse, kind of around the clock, so we ensure that we have drivers available," Gregory said.