The Toms River Fire Department proudly reflects on its significant accomplishments over the past several years. Through innovative programs, dedicated service, and a constant commitment to public safety, we continue to protect the growing community of Toms River with efficiency, skill, and integrity. As the fire budget vote approaches, we urge our residents to understand the critical importance of continued support and funding for fire services.
Rising Call Volumes: Meeting the Community’s Needs
Our volunteers have risen to the challenge of steadily increasing call volumes, demonstrating their dedication to serving Toms River residents during emergencies. In 2024 alone, our department responded to a record number of incidents nearing 3000 calls for service, including residential fires, motor vehicle accidents, hazardous materials situations and storm related emergencies. Each response is a testament to the selflessness of our volunteer firefighters, who sacrifice their time and risk their lives to protect their neighbors. The rising demands on our department underscore the need for the continued investment in training, resources, and staffing to ensure we can meet the growing needs of our community.
Recruitment and Retention: Growing Our Volunteer Team
Recruitment and retention remain top priorities for our department as we face nationwide challenges in maintaining volunteer numbers. Thanks to grants, advertising campaigns, and an active social media presence, we’ve successfully increased awareness of volunteer opportunities. Through these efforts, we’ve added approximately 50 new volunteers to our ranks, strengthening our ability to serve the community effectively.
Our innovative strategies include hosting recruitment drives, participating in public events, and leveraging media outlets to highlight the rewarding experience of joining the fire service. Additionally, we’ve expanded training programs and support for our members, offering incentives such as leadership development courses, specialized certifications, and mentoring opportunities to attract and retain dedicated individuals.
Modernizing Our Fleet and Equipment
To maintain operational readiness and ensure the safety of our volunteers and residents, we’ve made significant investments in our fleet and equipment. Recent acquisitions include state of the art fire
engines, ladder trucks, and rescue vehicles equipped with cutting-edge technology. These advancements enhance our ability to respond to emergencies more efficiently and safely. For example, updated personal protective equipment (PPE) provides superior protection during dangerous fire department operations.
Upgrading Emergency Communications
One of our most significant advancements has been the upgrade the fire departments emergency radio system to a P25 digital trunked radio system. In cooperation with the township, this new radio system replaces an aging VHF system approximately 40+ years old. This modern communication platform ensures clear, reliable communication among first responders, increases radio coverage and improves coordination during multiagency responses by operating on the same bandwidth as the Ocean County radio system and other mutual aid partners.
Public Information and Community Engagement
Our department’s strong public information initiatives have significantly strengthened ties with the community. Through our strong social media presence, we’ve reached thousands of residents with critical updates, fire prevention tips, and safety messages.
Public education remains a cornerstone of our mission. In the past two years, we’ve conducted fire safety programs for schools, senior centers, and community organizations, empowering residents to take proactive steps in protecting their homes and loved ones. These efforts have contributed to a noticeable decline in preventable fire incidents.
Emergency incidents and media coverage can sometimes be misinterpreted. Reports from our fire dispatch center are based on initial information provided by callers, which can be incomplete or inaccurate. Third-party sources, such as social media, may share premature details that do not reflect the complete or verified situation. We encourage residents to rely on official updates for accurate information.
Looking Ahead
As a volunteer organization, we are immensely proud of the dedication and hard work of our members. However, meeting the growing demands of our township requires continued support from our community. This includes funding for apparatus and equipment, training programs, and recruitment initiatives to ensure we can maintain the high standard of service our residents deserve.
We will continue to adapt and innovate to meet the evolving needs of Toms River, ensuring the safety and well-being of our community for generations to come. For more information about our initiatives or to learn how to join our team, follow us on social media or visit our website at trfire.org.
