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

In February of 1925 discussions begin for a second fire truck for the Fire Department.  Members visited the Monsey, New York Fire Department and reviewed their  Sanford Apparatus.   In July, with the new truck  not having the support of the Beachwood Commissioners,  the Fire Department circulated a petition throughout the town for the second truck.  In October of 1925, the petitions are presented to the Borough Commissioners and they agree to purchase a second truck.  The truck was a Sanford Model 500 Pumper equipped with 1000 feet of hose, 500 GPM Waterous Pump and a 320 gallon booster tank, Sanford Truck Serial #508.  The truck was delivered to Beachwood on February 7, 1926.

In 1924 discussions for a better fire alarm system began.  It was claimed that one switch operating the siren on top of the fire house was insufficient.  At the April 4 1924 fire department meeting a “Radio Donation” committee was formed for the purposes of raising funds to cooperate with the Borough for the purchasing of an Automatic Fire Alarm System through the town.  A raffle was to be held and by October 3rd, $1488 had been raised for the project.  The fire department voted to spend $1200 on the system, with the remaining funds to be provided by the Borough Commissioners.  On November 7, 1924 specifications for the systems were put out for sealed bid. The system was to be 16 alarm boxes ran through town along with alterations to the present siren and controls.  On December 12 the project was awarded to George Grim for the cost of $1389.00.  On March 20, 1925 the project was near completion and the Fire Department voted to purchase an additional call box to be installed in front of the fire house.  This would be designated “Call Box #1”.  On April 3, 1925 the fire department created a resolution formally presenting the alarm system to the Borough Commissioners.​

At the October 18, 1923 meeting of the fire department it was reported that the automatic response to fire calls in Toms River would no longer be needed and we would respond only on “Signal 8 and a Long Blast or on special request by telephone or messenger.” A letter of thanks was sent to Toms River for allowing us to train with them.
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​​​​ A New Alarm System... A New Truck... and A New Fire Company ???

In the early morning hours of October 14, 1923, the fire department had its first structure fire when the home of William Waters located on Neptune Avenue near the Pennsylvania Railroad, burned to the ground.  Mr. Waters, a former Beachwood police officer and Associate member of our fire department, had built a fire and gone into the yard to attend to chores when he observed flames through the roof.  Mr. Waters rescued his wife and children by pulling them through their bedroom window.  Mr. Waters issued a card of thanks for the help and kindness saying “It makes a fellow feel that he ‘belongs’ when a community rises en masses with offers of help in a sudden calamity.”

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Factory Illustration of the Sanford Model 500 Fire Apparatus 

On December 18, 1925 the firehouse was decorated and the sirens were blown in celebration of a parade passing through town marking the official opening of Route 4 to Atlantic City.  On July 4, 1926 the Fire Department and town held a big celebration to recognize the 150th Anniversary of the United States Independence.   Speaking of "Independence".........  

The October 15, 1926 Fire Department meeting was a contentious one when it was learned that due to a  rift within the Department, one member, F.E. Christiansen,  attempted to form a second fire department in Beachwood.  The second company was to be named "The Independence Fire Company".  When Christiansen tried to solicit current members to break from Beachwood (Company #1) and start the Independence Company (Company #2), a huge fight broke out at the meeting.   Ultimately, the idea of a second company was dropped and all parties resolved their differences.  It was officially noted in the November 5, 1926 minutes that "the idea of Company # 2 has been dropped with no further action, and THIS ACTION IS TO BE TAKEN WITHOUT CASTING ANY REFLECTION ON THE INTEGRITY OF THESE MEN INVOLVED."  Obviously some serious debate took place for the Secretary to make this notation in all capital letters.