MB Fire Company Images …
Always ready and brave —
The Monmouth Beach Fire Company — first organized in 1905 — actually predates the borough by a year. The borough is very fortunate to have these firefighters around — for their skill and sacrifice. I have been a proud company member since March 1982. Presented here are some distinctive MBFC images from various times, places and sources.
I claim no ownership of the images — I just track them down and post them. Sources provided will be credited. Check back for updates and I’m always looking for more photos. My e-mail is HERE.
“Santa” and Monmouth Beach firemen deliver toys, Christmas 1973. The borough fire company started distributing Christmas morning presents in 1946. Quality, gift-wrapped toys are home-delivered by “Santa & Elves” to all borough children (Infant to Grade 4).
“Santa” and Monmouth Beach firemen deliver toys on Christmas Day, 1973. Firemen-brothers Ed and Tony Moro each volunteered to serve as “Santa” for over 25 years.
“Santa” and Monmouth Beach firemen deliver toys on Christmas Day, 1973. Borough firemen have been paying “Santa” for 75 holiday seasons now.
Fire at Monmouth Beach Cold Storage plant (“The Freezer”), January 1972. Owned by the Johnson family since 1912, the business packed and stored fish for distribution in the NYC-Philadelphia area. Storage capacity was 1.5 million pounds of fish. The family sold the business in 1977 and planet closed in 1982.
Monmouth Beach Cold Storage plant fire, January 1972. For years, “the Freezer” on Riverdale Avenue offered steady employment for local teens willing to work hard and stink of fish. During a rush some 40 guys were needed. Frank P. Joyce, Sr. served as the plant’s chief refrigeration engineer for 42 years. Born in Norway, he was a longtime Long Branch resident and father of four sons. He died in August 1971.
Parade & Party — Early support for borough firemen. APP story, July 1910.
Monmouth Beach Borough Hall (l) and Firehouse (r) at Beach Road and Willow Avenue, 1950s. Most of the property was owned by Jemima Cook. Born in England, she came to Monmouth Beach in 1867 and lived in town until her death in November 1913 at age 93. Her husband, Jonathan, the original Beach Road property owner, had died in 1876. The town acquired the land from her estate in 1917.
Borough Hall (l) and Firehouse (r) on Beach Road, 1930s.
Monmouth Beach firehouse, 1910. The original firehouse was built on the corner of Beach Road and Borden Street in 1906. It was moved to its present location in 1919.
Monmouth Beach firehouse on Beach Road under renovation, November 2022. The 116-year-old building was badly damaged in Superstorm Sandy 10 years ago. The $1.5 million upgrade is being done by Shorelands Construction.
MB Fire Company Temporary Garage on Robbin Street, October 2022. The company’s front-line firetrucks will be stationed here while the main firehouse on Beach Road is rebuilt.
MB Borough Hall and Firehouse on Beach Road, 1950s.
MB Fire Company Line Officers, 2012.
MBFD Sutphen 100+ Tower Ladder truck at MBBP, October 2022.
MB Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary members at the firehouse on Beach Road, October 2015.
Gone Glory — this Ocean Avenue mansion was a total loss to fire, 1940s.
River Avenue home is engulfed in flames, 1958.
MBFC members during their “Annual Dinner” at Borough Hall, December 2021.
Enjoying a Mack Fire Truck ride during the MB Firemen Fair held at the MBBP, Sept. 2022.
Big Pitch — Mayor Sidney Johnson plays the dunking booth game during the MB Firemen’s Fair held at the firehouse on Beach Road, August 1973 (Dan Hennessey Photo).
Borough firefighters outside the Monmouth Beach firehouse on Beach Road, 1950s.
Borough firefighters are ready for Christmas Day toy distribution to town children, 1950s.
MBFC Field Day Team, 1990s.
Monmouth Beach Firehouse on Beach Road, 1934.
MB firehouse on Beach Road, 2012.
MB firehouse, 1910s.
MB firehouse, 2016.
MB firehouse, 2017.
MB firehouse, 1940s.
MB firehouse, 1980.
MB firehouse, 1955.
MBFC and MB First Aid Squad buildings, 1984.
MB Firehouse, 1938. The first aid squad building would fill the next door vacant lot — but not for another 35 years.
MB firehouse (r) and borough hall (l) on Beach Road, 1930s.
Beach Road looking east, 1905. Firehouse on left.
MBFC: Model ‘A’ Ford Hose & Chemical Fire Truck, 1930.
Mack Fire Truck rolls along during the American Bicentennial-Monmouth Beach Celebration Parade, July 1976. Acquired by the MBFC in 1948, the 500-gallon pumper is still on line today.
Monmouth Beach firehouse, 1941.
MB firehouse and trucks, 1950s.
MB firemen on Christmas Day, 1940s.
MBFC Memorial Day services, 1950s.
MBFC Mack Fire Truck. Mayor G. Henry Mihm (l) and ex-Chief James Maney (r) inspect the company’s new 500-gallon pumper. Long Branch Daily Record, April 1949.
Mayor Sidney Johnson was a longtime member and supporter of the MB Fire Company, 1977.
The MB Firemen’s Fair dunking booth is busy, 1970s.
MBFC “Wet Down” for its new Sutphen 100+ Tower Ladder — seen here on display at the firehouse on Beach Road. May 1988 (Jack Flaherty Photo).
Mayor Lou Sodano (r) with MBFC chief officers (Kevin Keddy, John Schulz and Tim Somers) at Tower Ladder dedication ceremony, May 1988 (Jack Flaherty Photo).
Fire Chief Tim Somers at the Tower Ladder truck dedication ceremony, May 1988 (Jack Flaherty Photo).
MBFC “Wet Down” for its new Sutphen 100+ Tower Ladder, May 1988 (Jack Flaherty Photo).
1988 MBFC line officers at the “Wet Down” for the new Sutphen 100+ Tower Ladder, May 1988 (Jack Flaherty Photo).
Mayor Lou Sodano with his wife Joan at the MBFC “Wet Down” for its new Sutphen 100+ Tower Ladder, May 1988 (Jack Flaherty Photo). It was under Sodano’s administration that the new fire truck was acquired.
MB Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, 1970s.
MB Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, 2000s.
MB Fire Company members prior to delivering toys on Christmas morning, 2021. Gift-wrapped toys are home-delivered to all borough children, infant through Grade 4. The MBFC is one of the few, if only, area organizations to deliver toys on the actual holiday. The tradition dates to Christmas Day 1946.
Monmouth Beach Fire Department vintage member badge, 1905.
The beginnings of the MBFD Ladies Auxiliary. Long Branch Daily Record, February 1909.
MB Firemen’s Fair at MBBP, Sept. 2021.
First Monmouth Beach Firemen’s Fair ad, 1937. Prior to the first fair held in 1937, the fire company’s main fundraiser in the early years was an annual “Summer Dance” held from 1905 to 1936. Fred Cook was a longtime committee chairman.
MB Firemen’s Fair at MBBP, Sept. 2021.
MBFC Grave Decoration Detail, 1970s. From left: Mike Heath, Bob Koch, Tom and Dan Hennessey.
MB Fireman’s Fair ring-toss game, 1970s.
MBFC Mack Fire Truck during town Halloween Parade, 2018.
Firemen Father & Son: Dick and Dickie Keller tend bar during a MBFC Annual Dinner party, 2000s.
MB Fire Company team in action, 2020.
MBFC Line Officers, 1990s.
“Super Santa” — MB fireman Harold “Skeets” Peterson distributes gifts to kids on Christmas Day, 1950s. Harold had a remarkable record of public service — WW II US Navy vet, 4-term borough commissioner, fire company chief (1952), and successful businessman (seafood biz). He died in 2008 at age 92. He and his wife, Dorothy, raised six kids in town: Harold, Jr., Barbara, Nancy, Judy, Janet, and Marjorie.
Ladies Auxiliary of the Monmouth Beach Fire Company logo, Founded in 1956.
MB Fire Company patch/logo, 1970s.
MBFC celebration, 1970s.
MB Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary 5th Anniversary: from left: Myrt Marsh, Anita Maney, Helen Marsh, Harriet Miller, Alice Johnson, Mary DeMarco and Val Dougherty, 1960.
MBFC line officer, 1950s.
Victorious MBFC Field Day team in Sea Bright, mid-1970s.
MB firefighters battle house blaze on Valentine Street, 2020.
Ground-breaking for MB firehouse addition, 1980s.
MB Firemen’s Fair, 1973.
MB Firemen’s Fair, 2010s.
Clarence Cook Museum-Building dedication at MBFC, May 1989.
Clarence Cook Museum-Building, May 1989. Clarence was the first chairman of the MB Firemen’s Fair committee in 1937.
Vivian Johnson’s Nightclub in Galilee on fire, 1935.
St. Peter’s Church of Galilee on fire, 1955.
St. Peter’s Church of Galilee on fire, May 1955.
St. Peter’s Church of Galilee on fire, May 1955.
St. Peter’s Church of Galilee on fire, May 1955.
MBFC members, 2005.
MBFD Line Officers, 2005 (Jack Flaherty Photo).
MBFD members, 1910.
MBFD Hook & Ladder, 1910.
MBFD Hook & Ladder, 1910.
MB tower 100-foot ladder truck, 2010s.
MBFD Line Officers, 1950s.
MBFD officers, 1950s.
Channel Club Tower 6th floor fire, 1985.
MB Firemen’s Fair, 1972.
MB Firemen’s Fair, 1972.
MB Firemen’s Fair, 1972.
Good Cookin’ at the MB Firemen’s Fair: Al Jones, Ernie Brina, John Keller and Dickie Keller, 2000s.
Police Chief Dick Keller in dunking booth at MB Friemen’s Fair, 1970s.
MB Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, 2003.
MBFC executive officers, from left: Carl Mason, secretary; Harry Tober, president; and Charlie Schulz, treasurer, 1980.
MB fireman Donald Ritz, 1965.
Pete’s Inn after fire, 1931.
MB School Halloween Parade, 1952.
KIm Guadagno and Dave Stickle at 2012 fire department officer swear-in ceremony.
APP story on the worst fire in borough history, December 1929.
MB firemen in action at Wharfside Manor, 2017.
MBFC ’48 Mack Fire Truck, 2017.
MB firemen battle a Sea Bright fire, 2019.
MB fire, 2000s.
MB Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, 1970s.
MBFC 75th Anniversary celebration, 1980.
MB Fire Company members honored for 50 years of service: Sidney Johnson, Jr., Burt Barham, and Louis Ferrugiaro, 12/18.
Hurricane Sandy flood in MB Firehouse, 2012.
MB firemen at Field Day, 1947.
Boat fire near Manahasset Creek in MB, 2018.
MB Firemen’s Fair “Ride on the Mack,” 2015.
MB Fire Company celebration, 1950s.
MB Fire Company bowling team, 1960s.
Shoreland’s boathouse fire, 1965.
MB Fire Company Field Day team, 1931.
MB Fire Company ex-chiefs, 2005.
MB Fire Company ex-chiefs, 2005.
MB Fire Company ex-chiefs, 2005.
MB Fire Company ex-chiefs, 2005.
MB Fire Company ex-chiefs, 2005.
MB firmen celebrate New Year’s Day, 1950s.
Channel Club Tower fire, 1985.
Walter Mihm preps for annual dinner for MB Fire Company, 1970s.
MB firetruck, 1960s.
MB Fire Company junior firemen get instruction, 1950s.
MB Fire Company Field Day champs, 1976.
MB Fire Company members work on firehouse addition, 1959.
MB Fire Company 50-year members, 2005.
MB firemen deliver toys on Christmas morning, 2017.
MB firefighters battle a blaze on Seaview Avenue, mid-2010s.
MB firehouse and fire truck, 1960s.
MBFC Mack Fire Truck, mid-2010s.
MB Fire Company line offers sworn in by Mayor Sue Howard and Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, mid-2010s.
MB firefighters battle a blaze on River Avenue, January 2015.
MB firemen, 1945.
MB Fire Company-MB First Aid memorials on Beach Road, 2017
MB firemen deliver Christmas Day gifts, 1940s.
MB firemen delivering Christmas morning gifts, 1950.
Andy Cancalosi and Russ Springs at the gaming wheel for MB Firemen’s Fair, 1970s.
MB-American Bicentennial Celebration: Parade, July 1976.
MB-American Bicentennial Celebration: Parade, July 1976.
MBFC Executive Officers – From left: Treasurer Charles Schulz, Secretary Carl Mason, VP Bob Ruland, and President Harry Tober, 1980.
MBFC’s 1974 Hahn firetruck, 1980.
MBFC’s 1963 Hahn firetruck, 1980.
MBFC’s 1954 Dodge firetruck, 1980.
MBFC Hahn firetruck dedication: From left: Mayor Sidney Johnson, Commissioners Harold Peterson and Ed Feste, MBFC Chief John Brazas and MBFC President Frank Introcaso, 1974.
MBFC members set to deliver toys on Christmas morning, 1940s.
MB Fire Company ex-chiefs, 1980.
MB Fire Company ex-chiefs, 1980.
MB Fire Company ex-chiefs, 1980.
Rev. W. Winfield West, MBFC Chaplin, 1980.
MB firemen and friends at MB Inn for World War II service farewell, early 1940s.
MB Firemen’s Fair, 1980s.
Ladies Auxiliary of the MB Fire Company, 2005.
MB firemen on their new firetruck, 1920s.
MBFC officers John Brazas and Mike Heath thank Jay W. Ross (l) for a sailboat donation, 1970s.
MB Fire Company members, 1980.
MB Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary members aid firefighters, 1950s.
Fire at the home of Dr. Schwartz on River Avenue, 1958.
MB Firemen on Christmas morning, 1950s.
MBFC 25th Anniversary party, APP, October 1930.
