As a powerful storm swept through Lakewood, emergency services in Lakewood went into overdrive.
Aside from the police, EMS, LFA and DPW crews who worked in difficult conditions, what stood out, were members of the Lakewood Fire Department and Central Jersey Chaveirim who worked around the clock to assist residents and keep the community safe.
In preparation for the severe weather, the Lakewood Fire Department placed two additional crews in service to bolster coverage across the township. The added staffing included one volunteer crew and one career crew, strategically positioned to help ensure faster response times as conditions worsened.
Over a 72-hour period beginning Sunday at 12:00 p.m., fire department crews responded to 125 calls for service, including 72 calls on Sunday alone. Crews managed the significant call volume despite challenging weather conditions, with both volunteer and career members operating continuously throughout the storm.
Since Shabbos, Central Jersey Chaveirim has responded to approximately 1,700 calls for assistance, along with 102 equipment requests. In addition, volunteers provided over 250 urgent rides for residents in need, including critical transportation during severe weather conditions.
Chaveirim members also assisted during widespread power outages, helping patients who rely on electrically powered medical equipment to ensure they had access to necessary electricity and support.
In one particularly serious incident, volunteers responded to a call in which a child was stuck under an igloo structure, as previously reported by TLS.
Due to back-to-back snowstorms, many roadways developed significant potholes, causing severe damage to vehicles throughout the township. Chaveirim volunteers responded to numerous related calls, assisting stranded motorists and helping residents navigate the hazardous conditions.
Thank you to all Chaveirim members and First Responders!!! We don’t take it for granted that we have you to rely on!!
Wow! We are so lucky to have so many departments out there to help us! Before I even mention the Fire Dept and Chaveirim I must first say; thank you very much to Lakewood DPW for your excellent work throughout the storm making sure the streets are all properly taken care of! Thank you the LPD, EMS, LFA, Hatzolah for all of your contributions to ensuring everyone is safe, healthy, and taken care of during the storm! Thank you very much to Chaveirim for doing a great job by the storm responding to all sorts of calls and servicing our community during such a crazy time! (And btw. without you the LFD surely would’ve had many more calls to respond to!) Thank you to the Lakewood Fire Dept for your excellent job during the blizzard especially Engines; 1, 2,3, and 5 and Ladder 5 for your constant coverage!! I’m sure this will go down as one of your most busiest days of 2026! All of you keep up the great work!!!
Wow! During the storm it was gehinom out there ; 20 hours of high winds, snow coming down in buckets blowing in their faces like needles, and they’re not Eskimo’s whom could take that; regardless they all did an excellent job with their full heart.
When was the pic of the ladder and pickup with the plow taken?
Why wasn’t my first comment posted?
bh the town square was once again cleared in no time, so the loiterers have where to drink bear, while many turning lanes are still partially covered near the shoulders