Saturday, June 27, 2009 - The Island Heights Volunteer Fire Company would like to thank all who came and supported Summerbrew 2009. The event attracted a record number of people, surpassing 1,150, and kicked over 50 kegs of nearly 30 types of beer. Both bands as well as the pipes and drums kept the crowd on its feet until nearly midnight, when the festivities came to an end. A special thanks goes out to the Island Heights Police Department for a large showing to monitor the event. We look forward to seeing you all next year!

Friday, June 26, 2009 - At approximately 0900 hours, Station 53, in addition to a number of stations on the north side of Ocean County, was alerted for a large area search in South Seaside Park. Utility Unit 5304 responded to the beach and its crew, aboard Seaside Park Unit 4506, assisted in searching Island Beach State Park in its entirety. Upon the release of the crew from Island Heights, the search was still ongoing. 5304 cleared the scene after approximately 5 hours.

Monday, June 8, 2009 - The Island Heights Volunteer Fire Company extends its deepest sympathies to the Camburn family and Toms River Fire Company No. 2 for the passing of ex-Chief Ernest Camburn, father of IHVFC ex-Chief John Camburn and grandfather of IHVFC ex-Chief Doug Camburn. Ernest was an ex-Chief and life member of the Toms River Fire Company No. 2.

Saturday, June 6, 2009 - After many hours of cleaning and polishing the apparatus, members of the IHVFC boarded Engine 5301, Chief 5300, Utility 5304 and Antique Engine 5321 and traveled to Holiday City to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Manitou Park Volunteer Fire Company. Following a judging session of the apparatus, a parade and several hours of good food, fun and competitions, the IHVFC walked away with 4 trophies:

• Best Appearing Overall Company
• 2nd Place Best Appearing Engine 6-11 Years Old
• 2nd Place Best Appearing Company-Owned Antique
• Tug-of-War Championship

The Island Heights Volunteer Fire Company congratulates the men and women of the Manitou Park Volunteer Fire Company on their 50 years and wishes a safe 50 more.

Photos: Kathy Camburn

Sunday, April 26, 2009 - At approximately 2130 hours, an engine from Station 53 was requested to cover Station 44 (Seaside Heights) while they and other barrier island companies fought a fire at The Sawmill restaurant and bar on the boardwalk. Shortly after arriving at Station 44, Engine 5311 and Chief 5300 were called to the scene to assist. The crew assisted with overhaul and was released around midnight. Meanwhile, a full crew remained in Island Heights throughout the duration to cover any incidents in town.

Photos: www.app.com

Friday, April 24, 2009 - Friday evening, the membership of Station 53 hiked up their sleeves and participated in the townwide Earth Day clean-up. The company was responsible for cleaning up the block on which the firehouse is located, as well as all of Memorial Field. Trash was picked up, several trees were planted, the playground was touched up and the baseball field received a much deserved overhaul. The night was a perfect segway into a gorgeous weekend.

Photos: Ex-Chief Robert Wilber Jr.

Thursday, April 16, 2009 - Shortly after 0400 hours, Station 53 was alerted to a possible structure fire on Admiral Avenue near the border of Island Heights and Toms River. Within minutes, Chief 5300 and Engine 5301 arrived on scene to find a working basement fire in a well-insulated, single-story dwelling. Chief 5300 established the command and directed entry with an attack line to the basement. The crew from Engine 5301 quickly made entry into the dwelling and through zero visibility made their way through the house and into the basement. With the assistance of the thermal imaging camera, the crew was able to locate and knock down the bulk of the fire. Engine 5311 arrived shortly after and secured a water supply for 5301. While the crew was operating in the basement, it was found that the fire had burned through the floor of a first floor bedroom. The bedroom had been occupied by two children in cribs who were removed by occupants of the house. All occupants were able to escape unharmed after being awoken by a functioning smoke alarm. Both Island Heights Safety Officers operated on the scene, 2nd Lieutenant 5340 operated as the initial "Basement Division" officer and Captain 5320 operated as the "Accountability" officer. Toms River Companies 1 & 2 also operated on the fireground while East Dover Ladder 2865 stood by as the rapid intervention team. Units from Island Heights operated on the fireground for approximately three hours.

Photos: Ex-Chief Robert Wilber Jr.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 - At approximately 2300 hours, Station 53 was alerted with IHPD to a possible structure fire on Lake Avenue. Within minutes, Chief 5300, Engine 5311 and Engine 5301 were on the scene of a small outside fire with extension to the exterior of the house. The crews (with the assistance of the homeowner and IHPD) quickly extinguished the fire, checked for extension and ventilated the structure. Units cleared the scene in under an hour.

Thursday, February 5, 2009 - At approximately 2200 hours, firefighters from Toms River Companies 1 & 2 were alerted to a structure fire, possibly a fire in the kitchen on Point O' Woods Drive. Lieutenant 2630 (Company 2) arrived reporting heavy fire from the first and second floors, followed closely by Chief 2500 (Company 1) who established command. While units began getting a knock on the fire, command requested an additional two engines, bringing Engine 5301 and the Chief. The crew from Island Heights went to work opening up the room of origin, extinguishing any remaining fire and checking Exposure Bravo. Units from 53 cleared the scene in just under two hours.

Photos: www.tr2fd.com

Sunday, January 25, 2009 - At approximately 1430 hours, Station 53 was alerted to a person through the ice at the end of Ocean Avenue. IHPD reported one iceboat operator whose apparatus had broken through the ice within 50 yards of the bulkhead, which was confirmed by Chief 5300 who established the "Island Heights Command". Assistant Chief 5310 arrived shortly thereafter and was designated "Operations", establishing verbal contact with the victim. Water Rescue 5304 and Engine 5311 quickly set up for ice rescue operations, deploying two rescuers onto the ice with about a dozen other fire department personnel operating as tenders and performing other land-based operations. The rescue of both the victim and his iceboat were effected in approximately ten minutes. The Island Heights First Aid Squad evaluated the victim as a precaution, who was released at the scene. All units cleared in just under one hour.

Sunday, January 18, 2009 - With winter in full swing bringing temperatures well below freezing to the Jersey Shore, Station 53 has taken much advantage of the frozen Toms River and Barnegat Bay to conduct numerous ice rescue training evolutions throughout the month of January. Under the direction of Assistant Chief/Ice Rescue Instructor Balfrey and Fire Chief Parks, members have suited up and deployed onto the frozen water, refining skills and techniques in both slow-paced evolutions as well as real-time simulated incidents. These training opportunities also allowed for interdepartmental training with the East Dover Volunteer Fire Company. With temperatures continuing to drop, Station 53 urges all to use caution around these frozen bodies of water.