Union Beach Fire Department

06/08/2024

It's so hard to believe that it's been 10 years since we lost our brother, Robert "Hawk" Meyer. Hawk made the ultimate sacrifice on June 8, 2014 while battling a four-alarm structure fire in Union Beach. He was a beloved member of Union Hose Fire Company, as well as Belford Engine Company with the Middletown Township Fire Department.

Hawk, your courage and dedication have not been forgotten. We will do our best to ensure that your memory lives on in the Union Beach Fire Department and the Union Beach community for many years to come.

05/17/2024

If you've ever been in this situation and wondered why the fire department continued to respond, take a look at the information below.

"Why did you still come to my fire alarm when I requested that you cancel?"

There are several reasons why the fire department may still respond even after a cancellation request:

Safety Protocol: We treat every alarm activation as a potential emergency, especially since many of these systems are designed to detect smoke, indicating a possible fire. Responding when your fire alarm goes off ensures that we can quickly assess the situation and determine if there is indeed a threat to safety.

Investigation Strategy: Even though most alarm activations turn out to be benign, there's a small percentage we have responded to where there has been a genuine emergency. Even after homeowners have requested to cancel, we have arrived on scene to find fires inside homes. By arriving on scene and conducting an investigation, firefighters can ensure that no potential risks are overlooked.
Response Times and Delays: Sometimes there can be a delay between the cancellation request and its communication to the responding units. In cases where we are already en route with quick response times, we may arrive before the cancellation request is relayed to us.

Overall, while it may seem inconvenient or unnecessary at times, the fire department's priority is always to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Our proactive approach aims to prevent potential emergencies and mitigate risks, even if it means responding to situations that turn out to be harmless in the end.

05/11/2024

It's that time of year again: Grilling Season! 🔥

Whether you're on camp grounds, in a public park/picnic area, or at home grilling, please remember to be safe!

A few tips to get you started...
🌭 ▪︎ If you are using a gas grill, check the gas tank hose for leaks at the beginning of the season.
🥔 ▪︎ Keep your grill clean. Grease build-up can cause unwanted flare-ups which will turn your desired medium-rare steaks into charred hockey pucks in no time.
🥩 ▪︎ Keep your grill a safe distance from your home, camper, or other structure, and away from any trees or brush.
🌽 ▪︎ Always keep a fire extinguisher or garden hose easily accessible.
🍔 ▪︎ Never leave your grill unattended -- fires can quickly get out of hand.

We'd love to stop by for a bite to eat, but if we attend your BBQ we want it to be by invitation, not a 911 dispatch!

Check out more grilling safety tips from the NFPA to help keep your family and property safe this summer.

Outdoor grilling is popular throughout the year. Learn how to be careful around the grill to prevent fires, burns, and property damage.

05/06/2024

Today would have been Jack Pinto's 18th birthday. 💙❤️

Jack was one of the 26 victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings that took place in Connecticut in December 2012. The playground at Firefighters Park in Union Beach was built in his memory and dedicated in April 2013 through the NJFMBA's 'The Sandy Ground: Where Angels Play' project.

Jack loved the NY Giants and was laid to rest in his Victor Cruz jersey. His obituary remembered him as "an incredibly loving and vivacious young boy, appreciated by all who knew him for his lively and giving spirit and steely determination." 🤍

04/26/2024

With broken hearts, we announce the untimely passing of Shawn Gibbons.

Shawn was a member of the Union Beach Fire Company and held the position of secretary on the company's executive board. He was always the life of the party who could easily command the attention of an entire room with his energy and lively spirit. Shawn was a great friend and deeply loved by all who knew him.

In a final act of kindness and generosity, Shawn donated his organs and saved the lives of several people who were desperately awaiting organ transplants.

We send our most heartfelt condolences to his wife, Michele, his children, Sean and Kaylyn, and all of his family and friends.

We will miss Shawn forever and always do our best to honor his memory.

04/22/2024

🤍🖤🤍🖤

04/16/2024

This past weekend, 10 members of the UBFD attended a 16-hour Swiftwater Rescue Operations course provided by All Hands Fire Training.

The course covered shore-based rescue operations, planning for water emergencies, moving water dynamics, medical conditions, self-rescue and fundamental rescue techniques. The members participated in physically demanding in-water activities, all of which helped build upon their skill set to safely and efficiently conduct water rescues in our community.

Thank you to All Hands Fire for providing this valuable training. Great job to the members for successfully completing this rigorous course!

04/15/2024

The Union Beach Fire Department was dispatched shortly before 7pm yesterday, April 14th, for a reported shed fire at a residence on State Street.

While en route, 65-66 reported a large column of smoke coming from the area. Due to the amount of smoke, as well as the number of calls received by dispatch reporting a working fire, a box alarm was requested. The chief arrived on scene and reported a fully involved shed fire in the rear of the address with extension to the back of the house, as well as the neighbor's garage. The first arriving ladder company immediately went to work and performed a search of the house involved to check for any occupants. Two hose lines were stretched and the fire was quickly extinguished. The department and mutual aid operated for approximately two hours before returning to service.

Thank you to the following fire departments, who provided mutual aid, for their quick response: Keyport, Hazlet, Keansburg, Cliffwood, Middletown, Matawan, Marlboro.

04/03/2024

🌧 WEATHER ALERT - Wed., 4/3/24 🌧

03/31/2024

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter!!

03/10/2024

🚧 🚨 🚧 🚨 🚧 🚨 🚧 🚨 🚧

Folks, we cannot stress this enough...

DO NOT attempt to drive through floodwaters.

If there is a barricade up, it's there for a reason!

We get it... it doesn't look 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 deep and you're almost certain you can make it. You're wrong -- it is and you can't.

Turn the car around and find an alternate route.

03/09/2024

ℂℍ𝔸ℕ𝔾𝔼 𝕐𝕆𝕌ℝ ℂ𝕃𝕆ℂ𝕂𝕊
ℂℍ𝔼ℂ𝕂 𝕐𝕆𝕌ℝ 𝔸𝕃𝔸ℝ𝕄𝕊

Check out the following information from NFPA.org for a few helpful tips when checking your smoke & CO alarms this weekend!

▪️ Smoke alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.

▪️ Smoke alarms with any other type of battery need a new battery at least once a year. If that alarm chirps, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.

▪️ When replacing a battery, follow manufacturer’s list of batteries on the back of the alarm or manufacturer’s instructions. Manufacturer’s instructions are specific to the batteries (brand and model) that must be used. The smoke alarm may not work properly if a different kind of battery is used.

02/27/2024

Union Beach Fire Co. #1 has two fundraisers coming up this weekend on Friday, March 1st and Saturday, March 2nd. Friday's is also a training/information seminar!
See the flyers below for details.

02/27/2024

Today we remember hometown hero, Brian M. Connelly.

Cpl. Connelly was serving with the 40th Engineer Battalion, Task Force 1-6, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division when he was killed in action in Operation Iraqi Freedom on February 26, 2009. He was 26 years old.

We will always admire his dedication to serving his country and are forever grateful for his sacrifice. 🇺🇸

12/28/2023