The Island Heights Volunteer Fire Company has provided 100% volunteer fire and rescue services to the Borough of Island Heights and surrounding communities since 1895. Island Heights volunteers are alerted to all calls for service within Island Heights and the Money Island section of Toms River at all hours of the day, while also covering the eastern section of Toms River with the East Dover Volunteer Fire Company during business hours. Station 53 provides mutual aide to a much larger portion of the Township of Toms River and several barrier island (oceanfront) municipalities on general and multiple alarm working fires.

In addition to fire suppression, the company provides a highly trained water rescue team which is equipped with an abundance of state-of-the-art surface, underwater and ice rescue equipment. The Island Heights Volunteer Fire Company is a fully-independent non-profit organization which is funded entirely by donations and fundraising efforts.