Eatontown to Provide Fire Services for Hurricane-Displaced Fort Monmouth Residents

Eatontown has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide fire services for Hurricane Sandy-displaced Fort Monmouth residents.

Oceanport has also signed the same agreement to provide fire services for temporary residents on its side of the property.

The New Jersey State Police will provide police services and the Monmouth Ocean Hospital Service Corporation (MONOC)  MONOC will provide first aid response, Eatontown Mayor Gerald Tarantolo said.

The Eatontown Council unanimously approved a resolution to enter into the agreement last month.

Tarantolo said the agreement will begin this month when residents begin moving into the McGill Circle area of Fort Monmouth which is comprised of 42 units in 21 duplex buildings. FEMA is still finishing the renovations on these buildings, but they should be completed "shortly," Tarantolo said.

There are more units that are being renovated in Oceanport and some that are already occupied by displaced families.

Tarantolo said the Eatontown units are expected to be occupied for 12-18 months.

"For that duration, we will assume the responsibility of providing fire services," Tarantolo said.

The agreement between Eatontown and FEMA runs through Dec. 13, 2013, but can be extended, according to the resolution.

Tarantolo said Eatontown also has a mutual aid agreement with Oceanport and would help out with a fire that occurs on the Oceanport portion of the fort.

Eatontown will be paid each time it responds to a fire at the fort.

The borough will be paid $500 for a 1-hour response call and $250 for every 30 minutes thereafter, the agreement states. The borough will also be paid for any mutual aid it provides to Oceanport.

Eatontown's Police and first aid can also be brought in as a backup if necessary, but the borough would have to paid for these services as well.