Fire protection for the approximately 93,000 Lakewood citizens comes from the Lakewood Career Fire Department and the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department, dedicated people who are always here for the town, seven days a week, 24 hours a day, holidays, weekends, and workdays; and like the post office through rain, sleet, or cold weather only in more dangerous circumstances.
Both departments recently participated in training at Ocean County Fire and First Aid Training Academy, Waretown, to hone their skills. Forty-two Lakewood volunteer and career firefighters worked with four instructors from the training company Fire Fighter University, made up of exchiefs and firemen from New York City, Newark, and Jersey City fire departments, who provide training seven days a week for fire departments, such as Lakewood.
Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein said, “Our Fire Department continues to pro actively train so as to be ready to protect our town. We are so grateful for their constant dedication.”
Lakewood has a two-pronged approach to firefighting, a combination fire department made up of career firefighters and volunteers. The career firemen handle incidents, such as oven fires, CO calls, and smaller calls. When there is a more serious fire, the career fire fighters put out a General Alarm, and the entire fire department and all volunteer firemen respond.
“This works out well for the entire town of Lakewood, not only helping people but keeping taxes lower,” said Chief McNamara. “Most towns with 100,000 people have just a career fire department with a budget of around $25 million. We operate on an eighth of that, a $3-4 million budget. We owe a special thanks to our devoted and hard-working volunteers.”
According to Chief McNamara, about 50-60 active firefighters and fire police members make up the Lakewood Volunteer Department, founded in 1888. The volunteer fire stations are located on 119 First Street, 1350 Lanes Mills Road, 976 New Hampshire Avenue, 300 River Avenue, and 733 Cedarbridge Avenue. Fire Chief Todd Stark’s office and the Lakewood Fire Police are at 40 Clover Street. Two paid “Career” Lakewood Fire Stations, #74 at 735 Cedarbridge Avenue and #74-1 at 800 Monmouth Avenue, cover Lakewood, one on each end of town.
Chief McNamara says, “We can always use help.” You can download an application here. [TLS]
I would like to publicly thank the LFD and the figefighter who responded to an oven fire in our house on Friday, right before candle lighting time for Shabbos Chanukah. Things were so hectic at the time that we never got the firefighter’s name. The oven fire went out while we were calling the fire dept. but they had to come down anyway. A huge fan was turned on right outside our front door which magically took away all the smoke and smell in time for Shabbos. I can only imagine what was going through this firefighter’s mind while he was checking out our house and setting up this fan and we were lighting more fires in the menorah and for Shabbos! He didn’t say a word and was so pleasant throughout. Thank you sir and I salute the whole fire dept for their dedication to our town. I only wish it wouldn’t have been such a hectic time and I could have offered you some potato kugel!
As a frum firefighter I have found volunteering for the Lakewood fire department very rewarding. There is no better feeling then making a difference in our community. At station 67 where I am a member I have found a second family that would put their lives on the line for me and vice versa. If you think you have what it takes or have any other questions feel free to give me a call me at 732-228-8799
Thank you commissioner Loigman in leading the effort to restructure the fire Department and put it on the path for financial stability.
Dovid: All questions should go through the chiefs. You as a new firefighter are still new to the department and need that knowledge that others above you have gotten. I feel that if there are questions they should be directed through the Fire Department Chiefs. This way the understanding is clear and conscice of the workings of a fire company and the fire department as a whole.
I know its easier to get people to call you but what happens when they call you for an emergency..what will you tell them next? Simple have all questions directed towards the Fire Chiefs, and any emergent issues should be called through 9-1-1 FIRST Do Not Wait..Thanks LFD for what you do, Every day.
What I believe Dovid meant is that if people have questions specifically regarding the dynamics of being a frum firefighter they can call him. I’m glad he offered and I appreciate his service to our town.
A while back, people claimed that they would launch an extensive recruiting campaign to bring in more volunteers. Why has that not happened yet?
Way to go dovid Bender! I’m joining in your honor!
hey kudos…
how can you thank one man.. there are hundreds of men and women working every day to bring out the best of the LAlKEWOOD FIRE DEPT I am insulted buy your message and your intent to create a a divide among the LFD
How is the fire commissioner restructuring the Lakewood Fire Department? Is he teaching them to hone their skills or how to operate their equipment? I keep seeing these comments from you about Commissioner Loigman putting the Fire Department on a path for financial stability…I have never heard or seen proof that the Lakewood Fire Department was getting financial advice from a Commissioner nor have I seen evidence that their was any nefarious things taking place! Where is the proof that one commissioner is putting the whole system on a path to financial stability ?? Can you please explain further because I am confused!!
According to my research the Lakewood Bd of fire commissioners do not control the finances of the Lakewood Volunteer fire department! They do handle the Lakewood Fire District which oversees equipment, vehicles and buildings for the career and volunteer depts. and staffing for career firefighters! So when you make these statements that “a” commissioner is single handedly restructuring the fire dept, you need to be more precise as to which entity you are speaking about! You can’t say LFD for everytime you write about the fire issues!
I attended the last commissioner’s meeting in which Mike Delia was given a proclamation for 50 years of service from the Mayor, so I would say the voters surely approved of his work for the last few years! I guess his work to improve the Lakewood Fire Department has gone unnoticed!
The commissioners read a letter from the Fire Chief and the Career Captain in regards to restructuring and hiring of 6 more firefighters! I think that is who is leading the effort to restructure the Lakewood Fire Department!
@ #4 Lakewood Guy,
I don’t think Dovid meant people should be calling him for emergencies or how the department runs. Sometimes someone wants to know about joining and may be more comfortable feeling it out with a friend, rather than calling the chief to chat him up about joining. Of course, for an emergency dial 911.
Terrific organization!! Thank you LFD!!
Lakewood guy:
1) JBW and Be Nice hit the nail on the head. I was commenting if anyone had questions on joining and what it is like to be part of the organization. There aren’t a lot of frum members and I want to change that.
2) If there is an emergency everyone knows (or at least should know) to call 911 and not me.
Why does everything have to become an argument!!
Thank you volunteers for all youdo. At any time, any weather you guys come running down. Its not that people don’t appreciate what you do they just don’t realize what it means as a volunteer to drop and run.
You guys have to run a campaign explaining how the department works and how it affexts all of your lives, as in drop and run in the midst of something.
I think if they would realize they would look at you guys differently.
Again, thanx for all you do for this town. As a volunteer (not for the fd) I know w hat you go through and understand the sacrifice. So again, thank you!
To all those that can’t seem to stomach the facts. You could all convince yourself otherwise but the fact is that since commissioner Loigman was elected the finances have ben much more stable and taxes don’t just go up for the fun of it.
If you were at the meetings you would know it wasn’t larry. All the FD is a stripped down budget which makes it harder to operate. There are many volunteers that are threataning to quit over it. With all the love seen above I hope the budget gets passed this year. If not we are looking at a growing paid department which will be even more expensive.
Kudos: What are you talking about?? When were the finances not stable?? Oh yeah!! The budget has been voted down yearly and the District has forced the Fire Department to operate with less money, answering more calls with even less personnel !! BY THE WAY…THE TAXES HAVE NEVER GONE UP BECAUSE OF “THE FUN OF IT”!
You should be banned from speaking here and giving the Taxpayers of Lakewood FALSE information! I cant wait to see what you have to say in the very near future when the DISTRICT has to hire even more than 6 firefighters…because its coming!! TAXES will go up exponentially to operate a Full time career staff!!
Seriously,are you serious? Let me just put it this way. If Loigmanhad been a commissioner with more time in prior to the other chairman of the board and administrator suddenly retiring I guarantee you as well as every township taxpayer that there would not have been a 80k check written out to ones self without going through the proper procedures being conducted. And there would not be all types of legal circumstances occurring as well. All these evident occurrences are from someone from the inside whipping the fire department into shape. Its apparent that you are of the old gaurd and cannot stomach the facts as they are. You seriously, are either not accepting the truth or seriously missing out on certain pertinent facts. Start coming to more meetings if you need to be more informed. As far as anothe commissioner getting a plaque for 50 yrs.of service does not express that he did a good job.Sorry I am not attacking that person I congratulated him personnelly. Either way Kudos to Mr.Loigman esc.for a job well done from a taxpayer.