FORKED RIVER FIRE DEPARTMENT

The history of the Forked River Fire Department began on a Sunday morning, the spring of 1928. It all started when a house on Main Street, just south of Lakeside Drive caught on fire. The closest fire companies, located in the townships of Barnegat and Toms River had a response time of half an hour. While the house burned, nothing could be done, Leopold Gille was observed pacing back and forth with his head bowed; hands behind his head and repeated ?if we only had a fire company!?

Following the fire, Edward Brown and Chester Treloar recruited local residents to pursue the creation of a fire company. Township Committeeman Dan Wilbert advised them that the fire company could not be formed unless permission was approved by the residents. Chester Treloar then had legal papers drawn up by Percy Camp Esq. and presented them to the Township Committee.

On December 7, 1928, with sixty-three members present the first meeting took place at Community Hall. The organization was named ?Forked River Volunteer Fire Company of Lacey Township? and the first officers elected were Chief Chester Treloar, President Malcolm Dunn, Vice President Edward Brown, Secretary Fred Barkalow and Treasurer John Irving Grant.

On April 12, 1929, under the leadership of Chief Chester Treloar and President Malcolm Dunn, the department became incorporated. The first fire apparatus was purchased from Hahn Motors in Pennsylvania. It was delivered in August at the end of a three-day carnival and stored in a garage until a firehouse could be built.

The Ladies Auxiliary was established in 1929. On July 19 their first meeting took place ay Fidelity Hall with eighteen members present.  The first officers elected were President Lillian Cranmer, Vice President Mrs. DeLori, Secretary Helen Wilbert and Treasurer Agnes Gray. The women played a big part in the development of the Fire Company by helping out with fund raisers, such as oyster dinners, shooting matches and carnivals.

In 1929, despite the United States entering into the Great Depression, the members of the Forked River Fire Department and the Ladies Auxiliary pushed forward in establishing a fire company. The most difficult task was building a firehouse. Due to economic times, the members decided to purchase the Fidelity Hall building on Route 9  from Al Grant for a nominal amount of money. It was relocated to Station Drive during the winter by using a combination of horse, logs and ice. Once complete, the Township of Lacey appropriated a budget of $800.00 for maintenance, insurance and utilities.  

In 1930, there was a need to transport equipment and manpower to fire scenes. Forked River'ssecond fire apparatus came into service when the Ladies Auxiliary purchased a 1926 REO Speedwagon Hose Cart.

In May of 1930, Ocean County saw its worst series of forest fires ever recorded. On Sunday, May 4th, a forest fire started just north of Whiting, by the Blue Comet train traveling through the Pinelands. The wind drove the fire directly into Forked River causing widespread panic. Mutual aid was called in and fire trucks were staged in different parts of town to protect structures from flying embers. The fire nearly destroyed the township burning 30,000 acres all the way to Barnegat Bay. The Presbyterian Church and thirty structures were lost.

In the forties, when the men went to fight in World War II, women found that their role and responsibilities had changed.  To help protect the residents of Lacey Township, the women had joined the Ambulance Corp causing the Ladies Auxiliary to dissolve. It wasn't until 1957 when Stella Wilbert had re-organized with a group of twenty-six to bring them back. On June 5, 1957 the first re-organization officers were President Bertha Trelvar, Vice President Dorothy Buntain, Secretary Dorothy Grant and Treasurer Rene Clayton.

The current location of the Forked River firehouse was built in 1962, on a lot donated by James L "Dub" Parker in the late 1950's. The adjacent lot was purchased from Harold Tilton for $16,000 and the lot behind the museum was donated by the Township of Lacey. Six years later, after working weekly Bingo games, the mortgage was paid off. On October 12, 1968 a triple celebration was held for the burning of the mortgage, the department's 40th anniversary and a housing for a 2000 gallon Great Eastern Tanker.

Today, a long line of traditions continue as members of the Forked River Fire Department strive to provide the highest quality of service and protection to our community through training, preparedness and prevention.