The Lakewood Board of Fire Commissioners along with Fire Chief Jonathan Yahr are proud to announce the creation of a new Rescue Company designed to enhance the Fire Department’s emergency response capabilities and provide specialized rescue services to the community.
This highly trained and dedicated unit will address some of the most challenging and complex emergencies, including hazardous materials (HAZMAT) incidents, structural collapses, trench rescues, high-angle and low-angle rescues, and confined space operations. The Rescue Company will be staffed by a skilled team of both career and volunteer members, exemplifying the department’s commitment to collaboration and excellence.
The creation of the Rescue Company was officially approved by the Board of Fire Commissioners during its most recent meeting held on January 13, 2025. The company is expected to begin responding to emergencies in the third quarter of this year. In preparation, team members are currently undergoing the necessary training to ensure readiness for the diverse and complex scenarios they may encounter.
“Our new Rescue Company represents a significant step forward in our mission to protect life and property,” said Chief of Department Jonathan Yahr. “By combining the expertise and dedication of our career and volunteer firefighters, we’re building a team that is prepared to respond to the most critical and complex emergencies.”
The Fire Department is well-positioned to launch this specialized unit, as it currently employs:
– 11 members trained in Rope Rescue;
– 10 members trained in Confined Space Rescue;
– 7 members trained in Trench Rescue;
– 10 Structural Collapse Specialists; and
– 16 Hazmat Technicians.
The Rescue Company will utilize state-of-the-art equipment and comprehensive training to ensure readiness for a wide range of technical rescue scenarios. Team members have undergone and continue to undergo rigorous training in accordance with national standards, ensuring the highest level of preparedness and professionalism.
“We’re incredibly proud of the collaboration that went into forming this unit,” said Township Committeeman and Emergency Services Liaison Meir Lichtenstein. “The creation of the Fire Department’s Rescue Company not only strengthens our emergency response capabilities but also underscores the vital role that both career and volunteer firefighters play in our community.”
The addition of the Rescue Company is a testament to the Lakewood Fire Department’s commitment to innovation, community safety, and the ongoing development of its members.
The Lakewood Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners, along with Lakewood Fire Department Fire Chief Jonathan Yahr, continue to seek individuals who have a desire to serve the Lakewood Community. Individuals interested in becoming volunteer firefighters are encouraged to visit the Fire Department website at www.LakewoodFD.org and submit the requested information expressing their interest through the “Join / Apply Today” link.
Are they getting another, different, kind of truck for this like other departments have for rescue teams in bigger cities?
yes
It seems like from what I read recently, they will be purchasing a rescue trailer, not the regular rescue truck you see in New York and other areas.
Lakewood’s Shidduchim Dept. Establishes New Rescue Unit for Current Freezer Detainees and Freezer Survivors
The Lakewood Board of Shadchanim along with Shidduch Chief, Alex Simchamacher, are proud to announce the creation of a new ‘Mezaveg Zivugim’ rescue unit designed to enhance the Shidduchim Department’s emergency response capabilities and provide specialized rescue services to Lakewood’s Freezer community, including past occupants of the Freezer, who’ve managed to survive the horrid months of Freezer detention.
The highly trained and dedicated Shidduch unit will address some of the Freezer community’s most complex and dire challenges, including the protracted and hazardous wait times that Freezer detainees are forced to endure before they are given official authorization to search for their barsherts.
“Our new rescue company represents a significant step forward in our mission to be mezaveg ALL of the Freezer detainees, many of whom have long given up hope of finding their true barsherts,” Mr. Simchamacher, the Shidduch Chief said. “By combining the askanus and expertise of our career and volunteer shadchanim, we’re building a team that is prepared to respond to the most complex situations ever known to the BMG Freezer Detainee community.”
Are they trying to fight lakewood first aid rescue squad?
I can’t tell if you’re trolling or if this is a serious question, so I’ll just answer it as a serious question.
Any ambulance company that calls themselves a rescue squad is just a manner of speech that they’re rescuing people by saving them from everyday stuff that needs an ambulance.
When a fire department has a rescue team it’s for major operations. If you’re so inclined, you can look up FDNY rescue operations and you’ll see that even though there is probably like 90 fire trucks and a lot of ambulances is that they only have five so-called rescue squads, one per borough, and they’re called in for the most highly trained crazy things.
Whoops. Apparently we have a lot more than 90 fire trucks.
Engines 197
Trucks 143
Squads 8
Rescues 5
Ambulances 450
Brush 10
Fireboats 3
Those 5 giant rescue trucks aren’t doing the same things as the 450 ambulances.
Actually Lakewood First Aid has a rescue truck and has always been the primary for vehicle rescues. I don’t know what ther capabilities are as far as some of the specialized rescue areas but quite a few of the volunteers over the years were quite knowledgeable.
Hatzolah also did basic rescue up until a few years ago with many of their members also serving on Lakewood or Howell which also dis rescues. Historically, Lakewood Fire Department never touched rescue and that only changed fairly recently.
i hope they are paying these specialized firemen a salary that makes it worth the effort, you get what you pay for!