NEWS FROM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2007:

LET US NOT FORGET STATION 44'S John Broomsmith (1962-2007), who suffered a fatal heart attack of the evening of Sunday February 3, 2007, having just graduated the Ocean County Fire Academy the two nights earlier on Friday, February 1st.

This is the dryer that caught fire Saturday January 6th at the...

Skyview Manor Motel.

Miss Jessica Paola.

Paul Zinskie.

THE HUGH J. BOYD JR. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEERLEADERS were issued new hooded sweatshirts by Station 44, The Seaside Heights Volunteer Fire Department.

STATION 44'S JOHNNY LASTELLA name will be on the ballot for one of the two available seats on the Seaside Heights Board of Education that are up in April 2007!

LONGTIME STATION 44 MEMBER Mayor Ken Hershey begins his 16th year as Mayor in 2007.

SHFD President Tony Vaz is seen with Fran Little.

Chris Vaz.

Lou Nardone.

SHFD Asst. Chief Billy Rumbolo and children Lauren and Stephen.

Installation Dinner at Station 44, 2006...

Line Officers and Executive Board members of the Seaside Heights Volunteer Fire Department were sworn-in on the evening of December 9th. From left to right: Chief James Samarelli, 1st Assistant Chief Billy Rumbolo, Lou Urcinole, 2nd Assistant Chief, Warren Harzer, 1st Lieutenant, Ken Roberts, 2nd Lieutenant, Lou Nardone, Dive Captain, Brian Hoffnagle, 3rd Lieutenant, Johnny LaStella, Vice-President, Tony Vaz, President, Guy Mazzanti, Treasurer, and Jessica Paola, Secretary.

In the early morning hours of December 9th, before the party, Station 44 was dispatched to a fire at 36 Sampson Avenue.

Greg Kohr was named Rookie of the Year.

Johnny LaStella was "Man of The Year"

Shaun Kenneth was named "Junior of the Year".

Ken Roberts was named, "Officer of the Year".

MANY STATION 44 PEOPLE including Chief James Samarelli, Billy Rumbolo, Rich Tompkins and Pete Smith were seen embarking the Crown Princess on the morning of October 18th for a ten day cruise to the Carribbean.

On the afternoon of October 14th, Station 44, The Seaside Heights Volunteer Fire Department hosted an open house for the community.

Chief James "Sam" Samarelli is seen at the open house .

Sherri Seiling and daughter Lili were seen at the Open House, as was...

Jessica Paola, and..

LOCAL BUSINESSMAN AND PHILANTHROPIST Thanks to Station 44's Greg Kohr, who watered the trees during the Community Tree Planting, October 14th.

SHFD Chief James Samarelli is seen getting a check from Maria Maruca of the Seaside Heights Business Improvement District.  The money came from the beer truck that was at the Seafood Festival in September.

Seaside Heights Community Day...

At the 2006 Seaside Heights Community Day, lines formed for food, cooked by...

Station 44 members like Lou Nardone, Jessica Paola, and Lt. Warren Harzer.

Pete Smith's Award-Winning Haunted Castle Fire Documentary now published on youtube.com!

STATION 44 WEBMASTER AND PHOTOGRAPHER PETE SMITH'S AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARY, produced in October 2003, is now published in it's entirety online, AND CAN NOW BE VIEWED FREE OF CHARGE courtesy of Pete's Channel on the extremely popular website youtube.com!


PROOF...Pete was presented this award plaque for "Best Research" in August 2004.

details that Pete was first to report, and...

Unique 3-D animation that allows viewers to re-visit the Haunted Castle in virtual reality!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO PETE SMITH'S WEBSITE, WHERE YOU CAN VIEW THE ENTIRE DOCUMENTARY FREE OF CHARGE!

NEWS & PERSONALITIES FROM AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2006...

CLICK THE ARROW BELOW TO BE CONNECTED TO A YOUTUBE.COM VIDEO OF THE 2006 RAFFLE FOR THE HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING...

KEEP SCROLLING DOWN!

SHFD members Lou Nardone and Randy Cabral are seen at the beer truck, which again raised funds at the annual Seafood in Seaside festival.

A bad accident was filmed on the night of September 3rd, on Route 37, just over the border into Dover Township.

The roads were shut down in both directions for over an hour.

Station 44 visits Sumner Avenue and the Boardwalk...Twice!

The sign at Sonny's & Ricky's arcade at Sumner Avenue and The Boardwalk was the scene of a fire on the afternoon of Sunday August 6th, 2006.


If you look closely, you can see the removed bulbs near where the arrow is pointing.


STATION 44'S OWN DAVID HIBELL is credited with reporting the fire, which was extinguished before disaster could happen.


AND DURING THE EVENING OF FRIDAY AUGUST 26TH, STATION 44 WAS DISPATCHED TO A FIRE IN THE SIGN OF NEIGHBORING JR'S!


Station 44's Matt Semeraro is seen with the thermal camera at the JR's sign fire, which was also quickly reported and WAS YET ANOTHER DISASTER AVERTED BY STATION 44!

The SCUBA team needed water...

 
After a two hour rescue call on the hottest day of the year!

IN EARLY AUGUST 2006...Not only did Station 44 extinguish a fire in the wall of the rear bungalow at 205 Grant Avenue , but they also...

TECHNOLOGY NOW PERMITS ONLINE VIDEO OF STATION 44 EVENTS!

NEW AS OF AUGUST 24TH, 2006: VIDEO FROM THE SUBMERSION CALL IN LAVALLETTE AND THE REPORTED STRUCTURE FIRE AT CASELA'S ON JUNE 30TH IS NOW ON OUR RECENT FIRES PAGE!

C

STATION 44 PERSONALITIES AND NEWS AS THEY WERE SEEN APRIL-JUNE 2006.......

 

Greg Kohr, owner of Kohr's The Original Frozen Custard is ALSO a member of Station 44.

SEASIDE HEIGHTS-LIFER AND STATION 44 MEMBER BRIAN HOFFNAGLE has also been hired to work in the Water Department at Public Works.

Shaun Kenneth and Sam Watson, Station 44 Junior members. Sam (right) has recently moved on.

GORGEOUS STATION 44 WIFE Carmela Tompkins, who has been working the Shiseido line at Macy's for years.

Newest member of Station 44's SCUBA team, Tommy King, with Jack-Buster Smith. And he is not the only Tommy to pose with Jack....

so does Station 44 old-timer Tommy Reutter, who loyal readers know turned 90 last summer.

Station 44 Lady, Miss Jessica Paola. Jessica's brother is..

MANY SHFD44.COM FACES WILL BE THERE on the October 18th-27th Cruise of the Crown Princess, which leaves New York and sails to the following ports of call: Grand Turk, Ochos Rios, Grand Cayman, and Port Canaveral.

Aa+ for Aaron...

CONSIDER THE ENTIRE COAST OF SEASIDE HEIGHTS SAFE now that Aaron Deluca has been named Dive Captain of the SCUBA team of Station 44, The Seaside Heights Volunteer Fire Department. Aaron is very qualified for the job because for the last five years he has been enlisted in....

The United State Coast Guard, under the umbrella of the Department of Homeland Security.

GOOD DEED DOER, loyal readers will remember Aaron was Santa's helper, and visited Hurricane Helen Christmas Eve.

10-YEAR VETERAN Aaron (who is a loyal Ocean County Gazette reader) has been with Station 44 since he was 16. He joined in 1996, was once named ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, and is now 4460, the Dive Team Captain.

ASSISTANT DIVE TEAM CAPTAIN LOU NARDONE is in charge when Captain Aaron Deluca is underway (on-duty) with the U.S. Coast Guard.

SHFD44.COM WEBMASTER PETE SMITH had previously been afraid of fire, heights, and the ocean but HAS LEARNED TO ADJUST as he gains experience serving as a photographer with the Station 44 and the SCUBA/Rescue Team.

The elite SCUBA team has 17 members, including...

Brian Dardis, and...

Billy Rumbolo, and...

This group helps plans Water Safety Day, featuring Station 44's SCUBA team, TO BE HELD Wednesday July 19th in Seaside Heights.

Kimberle Rolle-Samarelli now Executive Director of the New Jersey Amusement Association...

WIFE OF STATION 44'S CHIEF, KIMBERLE ROLLE-SAMARELLI HAS BEEN NAMED THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW JERSEY AMUSEMENT ASSOCIATION.

Tow Truck ride for Station 44's Bull...

Pete was scheduled to ride in SHFD's Military Surplus vehicle The Bull during last Tuesday's drill.

But Chief Samarelli couldn't get it started once it got out of the garage.

NO LUCK!

 AFTER A DEAD BATTERY WAS RULED-OUT, a tow truck carried the 8,000 pound vehicle away

 STATION 44 PERSONALITIES AND NEWS AS THEY WERE SEEN JANUARY-MARCH 2006...

CHIEF JAMES SAMARELLI completed his first three months in the position.

Aaron Deluca was happy to see his photo made the Ocean County Gazette.

PAST SHFD CHIEF Rich Tompkins, representing years of experience at Station 44, and...

PROBIE Eli Oliveri, representing new-comers.

George McKelvey (left, with Rich Applegate.) on a call.


Debby Rumbolo (left), is the manager of the new Commerce Bank in Ortley Beach. She is wife of...

Billy Rumbolo, Past SHFD Chief.

Brian and Amy Dardis, recently married by SSH Mayor Ken Hershey. Brian and the Mayor are Station 44 members.

Marc Boucher from the SSH DPW, and Station 44.

Reece Fisher, Assistant Fire Chief, seen in his office.



Station 44 member Mike Rumbolo and dog Buddy, (with Linda Brasier.) at the Seaside Heights Borough Hall.

BIG BOY...James Samarelli Jr., son of Station 44's Chief, turned one year old on December 30, 2005.

3 Surfers Rescued in Seaside Heights...

Station 44, The Seaside Heights Volunteer Fire Department was called to service on the afternoon of December 29th to a report of 3 surfers in distress.

Lt. Warren Harzer led an heroic team including....


Matt Semeraro, and...

Former SHFD Chief Billy Rumbolo, and...

Christian Dreyer, who all helped bring the surfers to safety.


Fire at the SHPD?

Station 44 Fire Chief James Samarelli (with Matt Semararo) was at police headquarters in January when a smell of smoke was reported.

Station 44 members check out the situation.

Lou DiGuillo and Billy Rumbolo, Station 44 members and also the heads of Public Works discovered that a blown light fixture ballast was the culprit.

Re-construction continues at Babe's Corner Store, destroyed by fire in December 2004.....

The new Babe's Corner Store is rapidly nearing completion.

Loyal shfd44.com readers should remember the old Babes....

which was destroyed by an enormous explosion and fire in December 2004.

Photos from the March 12th, 2006 fire on the 200-block of Blaine Avenue are now available on our RECENT FIRES page!

NEVER BEFORE SEEN PHOTOS...

OF THE GREAT BOARDWALK FIRE OF 1955 are now available on our SHFD44 HISTORY PAGE. 

Santa rode along on Station 44 Firetrucks as he traditionally does on Christmas Eve to visit young and old in Seaside Heights. Here Santa is seen with SHFD firefighter Aaron DeLuca, and 'Hurricane Helen' Piccolo, who recently returned to Seaside Heights after her mobile home in Florida was destroyed by Hurricane Wilma.

Santa is seen here with the Tompkins grandchildren.

And Santa is seen here with the Grachien family of Carteret Avenue.

LET US REMEMBER....

Past Chief John Sodl, Jr. who has passed on at 67.

Goodbye Oceana Motel, Hello more condos...

 
Firefighter Randy Cabral joined Station 44 for a "smoke house" at the Oceana Motel which is slated for the wrecking ball to make room for even more new condos.

4405's ladder was extended for the drill, and at its base was...

Rich Tompkins, SHFD President.

2005 Labor Day Coin Toss...

Many of the members came out in support of the coin toss.


Lou Urcinole says, "Thank you and have a great day."

Mr. Thomas Ruetter, member of Station 44 since 1938, was given this special plaque by Chief Rumbolo to honor his 90th birthday.

Read the Mayor's proclamation...

News from July 2005....

Pictures from the ARSON at 461 Hiering Avenue are available on our

STAY OUT, STAY ALIVE in Seaside Heights.

 Earlier in the day of June 19, 2005,  the day a man drown off the shoreline of Seaside Heights AFTER THE LIFEGUARDS GOT OFF DUTY.

CHIEF RUMBOLO AND ASST. CHIEF SAMARELLI OF STATION 44, THE SEASIDE HEIGHTS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT took active roles in the search.


SHPD Patrolman Justin Cherry looks for the troubled swimmer.

Station 44 Line Officers Mike Rumbolo(left) and Lou Urcinole(middle), seen with SHFD Fire Department President and Seaside Heights Councilman Rich Tompkins.

A Coast Guard Helicopter, and....

a cutter searched, but found nothing. The body of the swimmer washed up a few days later in Berkeley Township.

Station 44, The Seaside Heights Volunteer Fire Department had a coin toss on Memorial Day Weekend. Shown here is Eli Oliveri, junior member of Station 44.

Station 44 Raffle Booth Open!

President of Station 44 Rich Tompkins was at the Boardwalk Raffle Booth cleaning up before the big Easter Weekend.

The Great Gas Leak of March 2005!


A large gas line in front of the new Royal Sands Condos broke during the late afternoon of March 21, 2005, with a loud hissing sound that could be heard blocks away. Station 44 firefighters were right on scene, despite a risk of imminent explosion.


Station 44 and  SHPD emergency vehicles kept crowds at a safe distance.


Chief of SHFD Billy Rumbolo(far right), with Assistant Chief James Samarelli Sr.(center) and Point Pleasant Beach Firefighter Vincent Storino (far left) check the scene.


Suddenly, the hissing stopped, and Station 44 packed up their gear. As quickly as it began, it was over.



Thanks to the Point Pleasant Beach Fire Department, which provided mutual aid.


One of Point Pleasant Beach's bravest is Anthony Storino, brother of Vincent, whose family owns Casino Pier/Breakwater Beach in Seaside Heights. 

Rest in Peace Mr. Paul Rumbolo

 

Mr. Rumbolo had 7 children and 13 grandchildren. Two of his sons are Fire Chief Billy Rumbolo as well as 2nd Lieutenant Mike Rumbolo, two of SEASIDE HEIGHTS BRAVEST.

Future Firefighter in Seaside Heights Christened....

MILLION DOLLAR BABY James Samarelli, Jr., son of the Assistant Chief of Station 44.

Godfather Rich and lovely wife Carmela and beautiful daughter Kara.


Station 44 lifetime member Joe Paola, lovely wife Heather and son Jake.


Life-long friend Chief Tommy Boyd of The Seaside Heights Police Department wished well to Kim, Sam and James Jr.

News from January and February 2005...
Santa raffles off the Harley....

This beautiful Harley Davidson Motorcycle with a fire-engine red paint job, was raffled off by Santa on Christmas Eve, Friday December 24, 2004.

For over 50 years, Santa Claus has been escorted around the Borough of Seaside Heights via the Station 44 fire trucks on Christmas Eve. Borough children were delighted to see the big guy on the big night.

Christmas Eve is a family event in Seaside Heights thanks to Station 44!

The LaStella family welcomed Santa Claus...

as did Seaside Heights Councilwoman Joann Duszczak's family.

Future Station 44 Firefighter?  Welcome James Samarelli, Jr.

James Samarelli, Jr. was born December 30, 2004. Dad is...

James Samarelli, Assistant Fire Chief of Station 44, with lovely wife Kim.

Babe's Explosion and Fire, big story of 2004!

The enormous explosion and fire at Babe's Corner Store, Friday, December 17, 2004 was the most dramatic fire of the year, rivaled only by....


the VFW fire on June 19th.

Delicious food was served.