The citizens of Keasbey, a small and struggling enclave in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, are experiencing the benefits of strong public safety three years after five full-time professional fire fighters were trained and put to work.
Professional Fire Fighters of Keasbey Fire District Number 4 have received ample training, equipment, and resources to serve their community, that sits between the New Jersey Turnpike and Staten Island. The investment has paid off in improved response times, showing their neighbors what well-trained and available career fire fighters can accomplish.
“These fire fighters are doing an excellent job and demonstrating that strong public safety practices can strengthen communities,” said David Hines, president of the Woodbridge Township Professional Fire Fighters Local 290 and vice president of the Professional Fire Fighters Association of New Jersey.
For example, in July 2024, Keasbey fire fighters were first on the scene when a fully engulfed tractor-trailer threatened a nearby warehouse. Within minutes, they initiated water and successfully contained the incident, preventing further damage.
Before the new hires, the Keasbey Fire Department consisted entirely of volunteer fire fighters tasked with protecting an industrial region bordered by freeway overpasses, and some residential areas. Still, like many outer-urban communities, the entire Township of Woodbridge is discovering the limits of relying on volunteer fire fighters.
“The IAFF members in Keasbey provide a valuable public service to the citizens. They prove their worth daily in keeping the citizens safe and are ready to respond immediately. We applaud the town of Keasbey for seeing their value and hiring the members,” said James Slevin, IAFF 1st District Vice President.
The IAFF members in Keasbey provide a valuable public service to the citizens. They prove their worth daily in keeping the citizens safe and are ready to respond immediately. We applaud the town of Keasbey for seeing their value and hiring the members.
1st District vice president james slevin
The ranks of volunteer fire fighters nationally have declined 25% since 1984, while the U.S. population has grown 40%.
Hines noted that the best way to protect and strengthen communities always starts with investing in career fire fighters. “There simply will not be enough candidates willing and able to step up and volunteer,” he said.
Hines said Local 290 has a good relationship with Woodbridge Township officials and is working to ensure that future commercial development plans include the well-trained and dedicated career fire fighters of Keasbey.
Current commercial development plans call for constructing two massive state-of-the-art warehouses on 12.5 acres where numerous homes and the Keasbey firehouse are located. Hines said there had been discussions about building a new firehouse for Keasbey, though nothing has been confirmed.
Other options are being considered, including merging Keasbey with other fire districts. As development plans continue, Local 290 is determined to ensure township leaders and developers understand the essential value of a strong and well-trained staff of career fire fighters.
“For the Keasbey fire fighters, this is their home. They take pride in protecting their neighbors and businesses. Keasbey officials should take pride in their professional fire fighters because that’s how strong communities get built,” Hines said.
The Keasbey fire fighters actively engage with the community through annual back-to-school initiatives, providing backpacks filled with essential supplies for local students before each academic year begins.
Additionally, Keasbey fire fighters participate in a free summer camp program. Once a week, fire fighters visit the camp to introduce children to firefighting equipment, provide educational demonstrations with trucks, and allow supervised hands-on experience with the water booster, creating memorable learning experiences while teaching fire safety.
The fire fighters also participated in “Read Across America,” an annual reading motivation and awareness program initiated by the National Education Association on March 2, Dr. Seuss’s birthday, to encourage children and teens to celebrate the joy of reading.
We are so thankful for the training and support Local 290 has provided to help us become full-time career fire fighters. We are in a position now to protect our neighbors and serve as positive role models in this community.
Keasbey Fire fighter devin schelmety
“We are so thankful for the training and support Local 290 has provided to help us become full-time career fire fighters. We are in a position now to protect our neighbors and serve as positive role models in this community,” said Keasbey fire fighter and Local 290 member Devin Schelmety. “We at Keasbey take pride in coming into work daily and are committed to serving alongside our brother and sister fire fighters.”
