Beachwood Fire Department- 745 Beachwood Blvd. Beachwood NJ 08722  Phone # 732-349-0014  Fax# 732-505-4515

On April 6, 1923, Mayor Collins resigned as "Acting Head" of the Fire Department and Peter Ward was elected as the first Chief of the Department.  On May 12th, Chief Ward orders the department to be at the New Firehouse on May 13th for a drill and cleanup of station.  May 18, 1923 fire department members are issued keys to the new station, upon receipt of a 25 cent deposit.  The new Fire House is in service.  While construction of the building was taking place, the Fire Department met with the officers of Toms River Fire Companies # 1 and # 2 and agreed that Beachwood would respond to all calls in Toms River to provide assistance and for training. 

1924:   1st Row L-R: Fred Cristianson, John Nolze, Harry Russell, Clarence Coryell, Peter Ward, Joe Knowles, Gil Eber, Warren Burnett

2nd Row- Frank Mc Craig, John Fischer, John Payne, John Polsan

​​​​ A New Fire House & the Early 1920'S

On November 29, 1922, notice is given to bidders for the construction of a new Fire House and Borough Hall.  Temporary improvement bonds in the amount of $6,500 had been approved for the project.  On January 27, 1923 the bids were opened and the Borough buys the six lots from the Fire Department that we had previously purchased for the project.   The plans call for a 25 X 40 foot, concrete two story building with a hip roof design.  Water closets would be located on the first and second floors with hot water heating.  The first floor would be for the fire department and the second floor for Borough officials.  On February 4, 1923 work has begun on the new building and fire department responds to drill a pump cassion for the building to help save the Borough money on the building project.

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1923:   Borough Information Card- from Clarence Coryell Collection

At the March 16, 1923 fire department meeting, Secretary John Payne writes a manuscript about the fire department's formation to be placed in the cornerstone of the new Fire House and Borough Hall. On March 18th the corner stone was laid in the new building in front of a crowd of approximately 100 people from Beachwood and Toms River.  The American Legion Band of Toms River played the Star Spangled Banner and Reverend R.S. Nichols offered prayer.  Mayor Collins spoke to the crowd, as did Wanda Lohr who made the original push for Beachwood's Fire Department.

Chief Ward establishes a fire watch that will be manned six days a week for the purpose of being ready to respond to alarms.  It was also decided by the Fire Department to fine the apparatus drivers $1.00 each time they fail to have the fire apparatus ready to respond to calls.  The fire department purchases a log book to maintain a record of fire calls and drills.

On July 4, 1923 the Fire Department held a celebration that included a Parade and Dedication of the new Fire House and Borough Hall.  Fire Departments from the Naval Air Station, Toms River Company #1, Toms River Company # 2 and Lakehurst attended.  Toms River Company # 1 was awarded a silver cup for Best Appearing Company.  Competitions were held in the afternoon that included running, swimming, hose-laying and tug-of-war to name a few.  Prizes were awarded for the events and a dance was held at the Auditorium (the old Borough Hall).

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