Holmdel’s Fire Coverage 2014-2024

CILU provides a synopsis of recent history based on published documents and taped municipal meetings (listed below by date):

On April 10, 2014, Holmdel Fire Company 1, which had been in continual operation since 1917, was suddenly disbanded when township officials removed Fire Co.1’s trucks from the Main Street (Rte. 520) firehouse. Fire Co.1 members reported that their trucks and equipment were removed by township police while the Fire Chief was called to a meeting. The Township Administrator denied this account. (See Holmdel Disbands Fire Co ). Some township officials stated that the firehouse was closed to standardize training, shorten response times, and save money, but others claimed allegations of Fire Co.1’s low membership, lack of training, and refusal to support neighboring towns during fires. Fire Co.1 officials refuted all these claims. (See Holmdel Disbands Fire Co 1 Over Missed Calls; Supporters Rally to Save Holmdel Fire Co 1).

A town-wide mailer about the changes to fire coverage in Holmdel only reached about one-third of residents, causing further confusion and controversy. Then-Mayor Patrick Impreveduto defended the changes by saying, “Committeeman (Greg) Buontempo has looked at this for a year. He spoke with our administrator and they came before the rest of us with compelling evidence for going in this direction.” (See Holmdel Disbands Historic Fire Co ). Residents, however, were upset that the Township Committee caused the closing of the Main Street firehouse before taking action to restructure the Holmdel Fire Department, leaving residents in the southern part of town at risk. (See Holmdel Volunteers, Residents Upset with Fire Company Disbandment).

During a public hearing on April 29, 2014, the Township Committee described its vision for an improved Fire Department with three operational stations in northern, central, and southern Holmdel. According to the new plan, every property in Holmdel would be within 2.5 miles of a fire station. The building housing Holmdel’s other company, Fire & Rescue Co.2, on Centerville Road in northern Holmdel, would remain while a new centralized fire station would be established in the unoccupied Office of Emergency Management (OEM) building on Crawfords Corner Road. This new station would be fully staffed at night, improving response times by 60%. A southern location at the Vonage property on Holmdel Road, approximately 100 yards from the Main Street firehouse, was portrayed as a third firehouse. It actually became a temporary storage facility absent climate control which held one of the relocated firetrucks. (See Holmdel Volunteers, Residents Upset with Fire Company Disbandment).

On December 22, 2015, a nearly completed residence under construction on Hop Brook Lane in southern Holmdel caught fire. It took two-plus hours for the fire to be brought under control and the structure was significantly damaged. (See Fire Engulfs Holmdel Home ). The home was less than a mile from the shuttered firehouse and across the street from the “new” Vonage location. Residents voiced concerns that the closure of the Main Street firehouse slowed down response times to this fire, but township officials disagreed. "Based on the timelines, I thought it was a pretty efficient response," said Township Committee member Pat Impreveduto. Mayor Eric Hinds stated that the firehouse closing “had zero impact to this situation…” Yet there were discrepancies regarding Fire & Rescue 2’s responses times. The Township Administrator stated that it took nine minutes from dispatch of the firefighters until the fire hydrant was hooked up. However, a neighbor’s surveillance camera showed that it was closer to 50 minutes until firefighters began to douse the flames. Talks between Fire Co.1 and township officials resumed in January 2016, but discussions were halted again ten months later after failing to reach an agreement. (See Did Closed Firehouse Slow Holmdel's Response).

Fire Co.1 offered to sell the Main Street firehouse to the town in February 2017 for $1.1M. When there was no definitive response from the town, the building was sold to JR Cruz, a Holmdel construction company. (See Holmdel Fire Co 1 For Sale; Holmdel Firehouse Sale Closes Door).

On Saturday, Jan 27, 2018, a building housing Neuhaus Realty Office on East Main Street was gutted by a fire. The building was unoccupied at the time and there were no injuries. It was later determined to be caused by arson. (See Fire Burns Through Holmdel Business; Realty Office Targeted By Former Resident).

About this time, some Holmdel residents saw a 10-25% increase in their homeowners’ insurance premiums. This resulted from a downgrade in their “ISO Fire Score.” ISO (Insurance Services Office) is the official company that rates fire department efficiency for each community. Protection ratings are calculated on a wide variety of factors not limited to equipment, training, location of services, etc. Holmdel’s ISO fire rating was downgraded beginning around February 2018 despite the township having been given a 12-month advance notice to make improvements. (See FAST Presentation 3/15/19 p1/3; FAST Presentation 3/15/19 p2/3; FAST Presentation 3/15/19 p3/3).

In May 2018, the Township Committee commissioned Fire Protection Consultant Harry R. Carter, Ph.D. to study Holmdel’s Fire Department Master Plan. He began collecting data and conducting interviews with the fire officials in August. (See Holmdel Commissions Fire Safety Study).

Another fire occurred on Saturday, September 1, 2018, destroying a home on Barrister Drive and injuring two firefighters. A few months later, on January 30, 2019, a fire occurred in a house on Blue Hills Drive. According to news reports for the Blue Hills fire, the response time was 21 minutes. No one was injured but the fire spread quickly due to high winds. The home was destroyed. Following this fourth devastating fire since the closing of the Main Street firehouse, the Township Committee, led by Committeeman Rocco Pascucci, pledged to make a concerted effort to recruit new firefighter volunteers and open a functioning, centrally located firehouse. (See Sept. 1 Blaze Sparks Discussion of Fire Safety).

Dr. Carter’s Fire and Emergency Services Study Report was released to the public in early 2019. The scope of his work included a review of firehouse locations, equipment, staffing and recruitment methods, and overall response times. The report described deficiencies in Holmdel’s fire protection including a sharp drop in volunteers in recent years from 60 to approximately 35. It also outlined a lack of adequate training, telecommunication breakdowns, two firetrucks in need of replacement, and long distances from the Centerville station to homes in southern Holmdel, in which expected response times could far exceed the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) recommended on-scene and operating time of 12 minutes. Dr. Carter’s findings were consistent with those of the ISO. (See 2019 Fire & Emergency Services Study -Holmdel).

The report advocated for a centrally located fire station to cut down on response times for southern Holmdel. It recommended that the unused OEM building be upgraded to house both first aid and fire response. While the report also urged aggressive campaigning for new volunteers, it noted that Holmdel’s demographics would not provide an adequate volunteer force. At least a partial professional staff was advised. (See 2019 Fire & Emergency Services Study -Holmdel ). Mayor Hinds, who was originally against hiring professional firefighters stated in April 2019, "I am extremely supportive and proud of our volunteer firemen…If our volunteers are behind it, we will spend the money (on a paid daytime unit). If they are not behind it, I will not get behind the idea." (See Bell Works Firehouse Plan Tabled).

Committeeman Pascucci investigated options for renovating the OEM building on Crawfords Corner Road. He also explored other sites for a centrally located firehouse. One plan included placing the firehouse on the Bell Works property in exchange for approval to construct 195 rental mini apartments (approximately 700 square feet) at Bell Works. (See New Holmdel Firehouse Behind Bell Works). This idea was quickly abandoned in the Spring of 2019 when the Township Committee approved a $5M bond ordinance for a new firehouse, $800k of which was allocated for a new firetruck. The bond was later amended for another $500k. (See New Holmdel Firehouse Behind Bell Works; 4-16-2019 Budget Mtg -$5M Firehouse ).

A fire that occurred on October 13, 2019, at the Holmdel Executive Center office complex at 960 Holmdel Road was extinguished quickly. There were no injuries. A charging laptop was later determined to have caused the fire. (See Holmdel Fire Damages Office Building).

After considering numerous sites for a firehouse for more than a year, the Holmdel Township Committee voted unanimously at the February 11, 2020 meeting to approve a two-acre site on Crawfords Corner Road near the Post Office. This location would be centrally located to give the fire company timely access to all parts of town. In addition, it would allow the First Aid Squad more space to store its equipment in the OEM building which had also been used for Fire Department equipment. (See Holmdel Chooses Firehouse Site Near Parkway ).

Another fire occurred on August 22, 2020, at a residence on Holmdel Road close to Indian Hill School. The fire spread mainly because of issues with low water pressure. The occupants evacuated without injury but there was major damage to the structure. (See Holmdel Structure Fire Reported).

One month later on September 21, 2020, the Township Committee approved the architectural plan for the new firehouse. (See Township Committee Approves Proposal for Firehouse). There was a ceremonial ground-breaking on October 6, 2020, at the Holmdel Municipal Complex on Crawfords Corner Road. Designed by Arcari and Iovino Architects, it would be 10,600 square feet with three zones: work/life (a lounge and kitchen), response readiness (training rooms and storage), and a three-bay garage. (See Holmdel Firehouse Specs ).

(See sketch below). The construction contract was awarded to Pharos Enterprises in South Amboy, NJ for $4.1 M. It would take about 18 months to complete. (See Ceremonial Groundbreaking on New Firehouse).

In the meantime, training and recruiting efforts with Fire & Rescue Co.2 have been improving. A major upgrade to their radio system was performed and the 40-member department had seven new volunteers with more in consideration. Cooperation between township officials and Fire & Rescue Co.2 regarding plans for the new firehouse has boosted morale. (See Holmdel Breaks Ground on New Firehouse).

At the December 2023 Township Committee meeting, it was announced that the Insurance Services Office (“ISO”) will be upgrading Holmdel’s community fire rating which had been downgraded in 2018. Holmdel residents should be seeing a decrease in their homeowners’ insurance in the near future.

https://www.app.com/story/news/local/communitychange/2020/02/20/holmdel-chooses-new-firehouse-site-near-parkway/4805166002/

Holmdel received delivery of a 2021 Pierce Enforcer pumper truck in March 2021. The truck’s capacity of 750-gallons can pump up to 2,000 gallons of water per minute. It can seat up to six firefighters.

The Holmdel fleet now includes three Class A pumper trucks and one ladder truck. (See Holmdel Acquires New Fire Truck).

References

2014

Ø 4/11/14 News Article: Holmdel's Fire Co. is Closed

Ø 4/15/14 News Article: Holmdel Disbands Fire Co

Ø 4/16/14 News Article: Holmdel Disbands Historic Fire Co

Ø 4/17/14 NJ TV News Report: Holmdel Volunteers, Residents Upset with Fire Company Disbandment

Ø 4/17/14 News Article: Supporters Rally to Save Holmdel Fire Co 1

Ø 4/28/14 News Article: Holmdel Fire Co Makes its Final Case

Ø 4/30/14 News Article: Holmdel Fire Co Loses its Longtime Role

Ø 5/2/14 News Article: Holmdel Disbands Fire Co 1 Over Missed Calls

Ø 5/8/14 News Article: Disbanded Fire Co. Could Return