There are also some 100 reservists and 75 members of the ladies auxiliary. In all, one in every 25 borough residents is directly affiliated with the Keyport Volunteer Fire Department.
"Without the high school football team and the fire department, this town would collapse," says firefighter Larry Stonerock.
John Merla, the fire commissioner and a borough councilman, talks glowingly of Keyport's spirit of volunteerism and community spirit on what is an otherwise somber day. Just hours earlier, he and hundreds of others attended the funeral of Frank G. Miele, a retired state trooper and the borough's first civilian police commissioner. Not surprisingly, he was also a volunteer firefighter.
"A lot of guys sacrificed their day for Frank," Merla says. "That's how deep things run in this community."
The fire department, led by Chief Tony Vecchio, is equipped with seven fire trucks, one for each fire company, and one for every fifth of a mile. There are the Lincoln, Raritan, Liberty and Eagle hose companies; Engine Company No. 1; Hook and Ladder No. 1; and Fire Patrol.
As many as 60 volunteer firefighters, sometimes more, will show up to help out at even the smallest fires.
Some townsfolk believe that it's not feasible or fiscally prudent for a borough of Keyport's size to have seven fire trucks, which last about 20 years and cost $300,000 to replace.
But don't tell that to Merla.
"More than 100 years ago, Keyport had a very bad fire and a lot of people lost their homes," he says. "You can never have enough."
"Generation to generation, people in Keyport like to give something back to the community," Merla says. "The fire department has some rich, deep roots in the borough."
The volunteers sacrifice countless hours from their private lives and their jobs. In return they receive a $75 annual clothing allowance and, more importantly, the reward of giving back to their community. Among their ranks are police officers, lawyers, doctors, plumbers, carpenters, teachers, and even a municipal court judge. Four active volunteers are women.
"This is one of the best organizations in the community," Merla says, "not just for firefighting, but for going above and beyond the call of duty."
from the Asbury Park Press
Published: March 16, 2000
