Ship Bottom Fire Hosts Volunteer Ignite Night on Friday, Oct. 11

Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Company will on Friday, Oct. 11 host an open house with a mission to match potential volunteers with an emergency or non-emergency role that’s just right for them: Volunteer Ignite Night. Local residents are invited to stop by the firehouse at 2006 Central Avenue between 4 and 7 p.m., meet volunteers in a variety of roles, share a meal and conversation, tour the station, and discover a fulfilling and exciting way to help their neighbors.

“We always need emergency volunteers – firefighters, water rescue and fire police. But we also have a tremendous need for people who are good at planning events, maintaining vehicles and buildings, fundraising, accounting, and so much more,” said Ship Bottom Fire Chief Todd MacLennan. “Come talk with us about your time and interests and how you can use them to help your neighbors in a volunteer role you’ll love.”

No prior experience is needed to volunteer in any role. Training and gear are provided.

“Come by and meet some of the crew – you’ll find a really good-natured, committed, and solid group of people,” said new firefighter Parry Gosling, who retired in 2022 from a financial services career on Wall Street. “I have no shortage of activities or hobbies to stay busy, but I wanted to give back to the community, and I also missed being part of a team.”

Firefighter and EMT Joseph Shreve works as a fire marshal and volunteers with two mainland fire companies during the week, but he enjoys the Ship Bottom community and volunteers here on weekends. He loves using Ship Bottom’s retrofitted military Humvee to reach people who need help right on the beach. “We can immediately provide patient care, including oxygen, while we transport the patient across the sand and out to the street to an ambulance.”

Christina Harlow, an Administrative Volunteer who works in IT, knew fighting fires wasn’t for her, but she’s found many ways to help out the fire company. She has worked on the department website, sold t-shirts, staffed tables at events, and processed donations. “Whatever I can take off their hands so they can do the firefighting,” she said. “I even try to check the mail for them.”
She enjoys the work and also the people she has met through the firehouse. With a remote job and a love of surfing, she moved to LBI a couple of years ago and knew no one. That’s no longer the case. “Getting to meet so many people in the community has been really
nice,” she said.

Every new emergency volunteer helps ensure that whenever someone needs help, there will always be someone to provide it, said Firefighter and Fire Company Vice President Duane Watlington. Those like Harlow who would rather run an event or help with the business aspects of the fire company do essential work while allowing emergency volunteers to focus on response and training.

“If you have time to give, we need you,” Watlington said. “Come get an introduction to the firehouse and meet the volunteers. We can figure out the details together.”

Can’t make it, but still want to find the Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Company role that’s your perfect match? Visit shipbottomfirefighters.org for more information. Click the “Join Us” button, fill out the form, and a volunteer will get back to you soon.