Meet Ship Bottom Fire Co. Volunteer Kevin Hayes

Waiting was the first firefighting challenge Ship Bottom Volunteer Firefighter Kevin Hayes faced.

“When I was growing up, I saw how much my father enjoyed it. I loved being around the firehouse with him, and I would help in any way I could,” remembered Hayes, 25. “It was not a matter of if I
would join, but when would I finally be old enough.”

The fourth-generation firefighter joined Forked River Volunteer Fire Company - where his dad, Jerry, volunteers – and earned his Firefighter I certification at age 18.

Firefighting has given him plenty of new challenges since, Hayes said, and that’s just how he likes it. He joined Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Company in November 2024 to help more people and learn new things. “I knew that becoming an island firefighter would teach me more about the fire service than I already knew,” said Hayes, who continues to volunteer with Forked River and is also a per diem firefighter in South Brunswick.

For example, responding to calls when the island’s streets were flooded and hydrants were harder to spot taught him that water could be drafted straight out of the street if necessary. “A lot of fire
fighting is just quick thinking and being able to adapt when the way you usually do something won’t work,” he said.

Hayes also loves the excitement. “I’ve always been an adrenaline junkie,” he said. “I used to play a lot of sports, but there are fewer opportunities to play as you get older.” Firefighting more
than makes up for it, he said, and anyone who enjoyed and misses the teamwork and adrenaline of sports would probably love firefighting as much as he does.

When Hayes, a full-time security guard for Ocean County, isn’t working, training, or responding to an emergency, he enjoys trying new restaurants with his girlfriend, Alex.

Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Company has immediate volunteer openings in a variety of roles. To learn more, reach out, or complete a volunteer inquiry form visit www.shipbottomfirefighters.org
.