Ocean Beach Volunteer Fire Company

Station 27 – 40 Kittiwake Avenue

Toms River Township Fire District No. 1
Ocean Beach (Barrier Island), New Jersey

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Ocean Beach Volunteer Fire Company is to protect life and property by providing professional fire suppression, rescue, and emergency services to the residents and visitors of Toms River Township. We are committed to preparedness, training, prevention, and community engagement while serving with integrity, dedication, and pride.

Overview

The Ocean Beach Volunteer Fire Company (OBVFC) was established in 1951 to provide fire protection and emergency services to the growing barrier-island communities of Ocean Beach and surrounding shore areas. Operating as Station 27 within Toms River Township Fire District No. 1, the company is staffed entirely by dedicated volunteers who continue a proud tradition of neighbors serving and protecting their community.

Strategically located at 40 Kittiwake Avenue, OBVFC protects a geographically unique and environmentally challenging response area along New Jersey’s barrier island coastline.

Founding and Early Development

In the years following World War II, residential development along the Jersey Shore expanded rapidly. Seasonal homes, narrow access routes, wooden-frame construction, and dense building patterns created elevated fire risk in Ocean Beach.

Recognizing the need for rapid, locally based fire protection in an isolated coastal setting, community members organized the Ocean Beach Volunteer Fire Company in 1951. From its inception, the department was structured to address the specific hazards of barrier-island living, where delayed response from mainland resources could result in significant property loss.

Growth and Expanded Responsibilities

As the community evolved, so did the mission of OBVFC. Today, the department provides a broad range of emergency services tailored to coastal and seasonal population demands.

Primary Response Duties

• Structural fire suppression

• Wildfire and dune fire response

• Marine and water rescue operations

• Storm and hurricane emergency response

• Mutual aid support to neighboring shore communities

The barrier-island environment presents distinctive operational challenges, including limited ingress and egress, high winds, saltwater corrosion, flooding, and seasonal surges in population. OBVFC maintains specialized training and equipment to meet these demands.

Modern Operations

Operating from its firehouse on Kittiwake Avenue, Station 27 delivers comprehensive emergency response capabilities, including:

• Engine and ladder company operations

• Marine rescue assets for bay and shoreline incidents

• Surf rescue and ATV equipment for beach access

• Storm response and disaster support operations

• Coordinated mutual aid response with surrounding departments

Despite modern apparatus, advanced protective equipment, and ongoing professional training, OBVFC remains fully volunteer. Members commit significant time to operational readiness, drills, and certifications to ensure compliance with contemporary fire service standards.

Community Role

Beyond emergency response, the Ocean Beach Volunteer Fire Company plays a vital role in strengthening community resilience.

Community Engagement and Support

• Fire prevention and life safety education

• Seasonal safety outreach for residents and visitors

• Storm preparedness and disaster mitigation support

• Standby coverage for community events and gatherings

• Assistance during coastal flooding and severe weather incidents

Given Ocean Beach’s seasonal population increases and coastal vulnerability, proactive education and preparedness remain central to the department’s mission.

Continuing Mission

For more than seven decades, OBVFC has safeguarded lives and property on New Jersey’s barrier island. Limited access routes, coastal flooding risks, hurricane exposure, and frequent marine rescue needs make a local, dedicated volunteer fire company essential to public safety.

Today, the Ocean Beach Volunteer Fire Company continues its mission with professionalism, dedication, and community commitment—upholding a legacy of volunteer service while adapting to the evolving demands of coastal emergency response.