OCEAN GATE – As a member of the borough fire department, Ron Smith has devoted his time to helping people during very difficult situations. Now he needs help.
The Ocean Gate Fire Department recently created a GoFundMe to assist Smith who was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia.
Smith is the sole provider for his household, which includes a wife and four children, and at the current time is unable to work. His friend and fellow firefighter Lieutenant Alex Martinez stated that additional fundraisers are being considered and that the GoFundMe was just the first step in helping the family pay some of their bills.
Smith joined the Ocean Gate Fire Department in 2020 and in March, he finished firefighting classes to gain his certification as a firefighter. Firefighting is a family tradition for him.
According to the GoFundMe page, his father and grandfather were also firefighters and he sought to join them as a third-generation firefighter.
Martinez and his fellow firefighters miss Smith’s presence in the firehouse and at calls but for now they want to see him fighting to get better and they want to help with that in whatever way they can.
Smith and Martinez speak on the phone several times a week. He is allowed only one visitor in the hospital each day, and he says he’s very grateful for all the support he’s received so far.
Smith was described as a devoted family man who misses seeing his wife and children. According to the latest update on the GoFundMe page, he is expected to be able to be released from the hospital by the end of May. At that time, he will start outpatient care.
To donate to his GoFundMe click here!
