By BILL WICHERT

NEWTON — When volunteer firefighters Jon Card and Jean Kubala tie the knot on Saturday, a red truck will be waiting for them outside the church.

After clashing with town officials over using fire trucks for their wedding, the couple will travel to their reception on a retired Newton fire truck owned by Sue Schlesinger. Schlesinger, a resident and volunteer firefighter in North Caldwell, Essex County, will even be their chauffeur.

"They're both volunteers. They're both members of the department. It was a no-brainer," said Schlesinger, who met the couple through a mutual friend in the Newton department. "I'm hoping they have good weather. My fingers are crossed."

Card and Kubala had asked the Town Council for permission to use active Newton fire trucks as part of their wedding ceremony, but council members denied the request because that event would not be covered under the town's insurance policy. If an accident occurred involving the fire equipment, officials said taxpayers would be held liable to pay for any damages.

The town's insurance policy covers the use of fire equipment for parades and funerals of deceased firefighters, but a wedding is considered a personal use, officials said.

"The taxpayers would ultimately pay that bill," said Councilman Philip Diglio, who was invited to the couple's wedding. "I wish them nothing but the best. It had nothing to do with them personally."

The town's insurance agent, Mitchell Insurance Agency, contacted two companies specializing in one-day coverage, but one refused to cover the wedding and the other said it would grant general liability insurance without any replacement insurance, said Debra Lockwood, the town's Community Development Director.

Diglio said the town needs to explore ways to provide insurance that firefighters would pay for in case this type of conflict arises in the future.

"All I want to really see...a policy established and the people of the town are protected," Diglio said.

About nine other fire departments offered the use of their equipment, but Card said they took Schlesinger's offer since her truck still has "Newton, N.J." written on its side. "So it's still kind of like ours," he said.

Schlesinger, whose husband collects military vehicles, purchased the 1981 truck for $2,500 at a public auction in Sussex County three years ago and fixed it up. She typically uses it for parades and educational events at schools. Schlesinger also is a volunteer firefighter in Lebanon Township, Hunterdon County, where she stores the fire truck.

Dressed in her formal firefighter uniform, Schlesinger will drive Card and Kubala for 13 miles from St. Joseph's Church in Newton to the reception at the Beemerville Fire Hall in Wantage. The couple will sit on a bench directly behind the driver and passenger seats. Schlesinger is not charging the couple for the use of her fire truck, which she holds antique vehicle insurance on.

The Wantage location was chosen because Card has relatives in that fire department and his brother held his wedding reception there as well.

"We're glad we at least got something. The support has been tremendous. Jean and I are so grateful to all the other county firefighters," Card said. "It's a tradition that meant a lot to us. It's something you take pride in and you want (a fire truck) there."

Card, who has served in the department since 1996, was recently one of the firefighters and other emergency personnel who searched for victims after an East Clinton Street building collapsed last week. No victims were ultimately found.

"That building could have come down on us. It's one of the most dangerous jobs in the world," he said. "You're here sitting on the couch. The next thing you know, you're fighting for your life."

The couple was married on May 12, 2007