James Earl Jones’s voice once boosted Hudson City Fire Department recruitment

HUDSON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Hudson residents may recall a familiar voice from local fire department recruitment ads—a voice that brought a cinematic touch to community service calls. James Earl Jones, known for his iconic deep voice, once lent his talents to the Hudson City Fire Department in the late 1990s, voicing ads that encouraged young people to join the department’s apprenticeship program.

“The Hudson City Fire Department is looking for a few good young people to join the firefighters’ apprenticeship program. These will be young people who understand that giving something extra to the community is a way of getting something extra out of life,” Jones said in the ad, his unmistakable voice delivering the message with gravitas.

Jones’s dedication to community causes, it seems, was not limited to the big screen. Residents shared memories of the legend’s involvement in local projects, recalling his work for Poughkeepsie Day School in radio spots.

“It seemed like he was just happy to use his voice, especially for things he liked and supported,” one Hudson resident remarked, reflecting the admiration felt for Jones throughout the area.

The news of Jones’s involvement with the local fire department ads has brought a mix of excitement and nostalgia to the community.

“Wow, no way! That’s amazing!” exclaimed one surprised resident upon learning the news.

Former Hudson City Fire Department Chief Tony DeMarco, who took over in 2017, spoke about the recruitment challenges faced by volunteer departments like Hudson’s.

“Recruitment is a struggle for every volunteer fire department all over the country. I guarantee, at the time, his voice probably gave us a bump in recruitment,” DeMarco said.

Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson, who grew up hearing the ads, admitted he didn’t realize it was Jones at the time.

“I thought maybe it was someone who just sounded similar. It’s really awesome that it was actually him,” Johnson said.

The mayor also offered his condolences to Jones’s family, adding a personal note from the city.

“We send our condolences and thank you for all the amazing entertainment over his career. We appreciate you here in Hudson just a little bit more now that we know this,” Johnson said.

James Earl Jones’s contributions to Hudson may have been small compared to his global impact, but for many in the community, his voice will be remembered for inspiring the next generation of firefighters.