Crime & Safety

VIDEO: Howard Commons Finds New Life as Training Site for Local Fire Companies

Firefighters from Eatontown, Oakhurst, West Long Branch, Monmouth Beach and Sea Bright spent Sunday performing drills at the old Fort Monmouth neighborhood.

While developers and local officials wrangle over how best to breathe new life into the , local fire companies are using a portion of the base to train for emergencies.

The area, earmarked for demolition by developers, provided a veritable playground for firefighters on Sunday to practice roof ventilation, ladder rescues and waterflow operations.

Fire companies participating were from , Oakhurst, West Long Branch, Monmouth Beach and Sea Bright. Local EMS companies also joined the day's training exercises.

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The highlight of the day for Patch was getting a lift in Monmouth Beach's ladder basket high over a building to check out roof ventilating exercises and we send thanks to Tim for putting up with our briefest of anxiety attacks. Our respect for firefighters rose significantly with the ladder that day.

Find out what's happening in Long Branch-Eatontownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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