Freehold Borough Firehouse Opens Its Doors to the Public

Residents will get a chance to explore the Freehold Borough Firehouse during the department’s first open house. Equipment, trucks and fire suits and gear will be on display at the firehouse, 49 W. Main Street, on Sunday, Oct. 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“October is National Fire Prevention Safety Month. A lot of the firehouses in the area normally do it but this is the first time we’ve ever had an open house here,” said Councilman Jaye Sims, who is a firefighter with the department. Sims and his brother, Reginald Sims, also a firefighter, discussed opening the firehouse to the public and approached Freehold Borough Fire Department Chief Ryan Bailey about spearheading event.

The Freehold Borough Fire Department is comprised of four fire companies and 92 volunteer members. The department fielded 598 calls in 2010 and has responded to 451 calls thus far in 2011, according to Reginald Sims. The open house will give residents an opportunity to see the department’s equipment and hear firefighters discuss what they do, he said.

“We’ve never had a situation where the public could come to firehouse and look at what we’ve actually purchased and had the equipment described to them. In fact, our new thermal imaging cameras have just come in, so the public can see that,” Reginald Sims said. “The community has been gracious with donations so we’d like to show them some of the things we’ve done to upkeep the buildings to supplement what the borough has given us (to purchase equipment).”

The event will also feature a fire safety trailer provided by the Monmouth County Fire Prevention Association in conjunction with the Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office. The trailer includes different props to teach children about fire safety. In addition, children will get a chance to use fire hoses, with assistance from firefighters, to knock down simulated flames on small, mock houses, Jaye Sims said.

Ptl. Sean Healey of the Freehold Borough Police Department was able to obtain a donated car, and firefighters will demonstrate the equipment used extract people from a vehicle involved in an accident, according to Jaye Sims.

Furthermore, residents will get a rare look at the backroom of the firehouse during the event. Members of the public have only been given access to the room, which contains artifacts and items commemorating the department’s history, when a firefighter was present. During the open house, former Chief J. Nolan Higgins will give tours of the room and discuss the history of the department.

In addition, the fire department will give out 120 free smoke detectors equipped with batteries donated by the New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs, Reggie Sims said.

Refreshments at the open house will be provided by Downtown Freehold, the area business partnership.

For more information on the Freehold Borough Fire Department, call its non-emergency number at 732-462-0164