JULY 17, 2011 JOHN D. SPECK
The Long Branch Fire Department regretfully announces the passing
of Brother Firefighter and beloved Ex-Captain John D. “Jack” Speck of the
Independent Engine & Truck Co. No. 2.
Captain Speck joined the Independent’s in 1943, was elected
to the line officer ranks in 1949 rising to Captain in 1953. He was conferred Life Member status in 1983
and became a 60-year Life Member in 2003.
He was active on many company committees, served with distinction as the
Company’s Representative to the Fireman’s Relief Association, was the company’s
Senior Chaplain for many decades, and distinguished himself as Company Secretary
for 29 years from 1957-1986 and was the father of Ex-Chief Daniel T. Speck. After 68 years of honorable service to the City
of Long Branch, Captain John D. Speck answered the final alarm on 16 July 2011.
Funeral Service information is as follows:
Visitation will be at the Damiano Funeral Home, Franklin
Avenue, Long Branch on Monday, July 18 from 4 to 8 PM with Firefighter’s
services at 7:30 PM. Funeral Services
will be held at 10 AM, Tuesday, July 19th at Damiano’s with interment
to follow at Woodbine Cemetery, Oceanport.
Members are asked to assemble at Damiano’s no later than 7:15
PM Monday for the Firefighter’s Services.
JUNE 2010 TWO COMPANY MEMBERS PASS AWAY
The Long Branch Fire Department regretfully announces the passing
of Brother Firefighters Charles Cook and Stephen Megill of the
Independent
Engine & Truck Co. No. 2.
4/3/10 INDEPENDENTS HOLD "FIRST" EASTER EGG HUNT
The first of a new series of planned family events, the Family Easter Egg Hunt was hosted by the Independent's and held at the Branchport's. More than 40 people attended and the kids had a blast! Special thanks to the Independent Fire Auxiliary for there organization and execution of a fine event and also to the Branchports for allowing the use of their firehouse and property.
Congratulations to our own Independent Engine & Truck Co. No. 2 Captain Brian J. Valentino who will be
honored as "Firefighter of the Year" of the City of Long Branch at a dinner to be held at the Elks Lodge on
Saturday, April 24th. Tickets are available from the Elks at
732-890-0139 or through any company officer.
3/6/10 CENTENNIAL GALA
The
Independent's celebrated their 100th Anniversary at their Centennial
Gala, held at the Shadowbrook on March 6, 2010. Three firefighters were
honored as 60 year life members and many more were honored as 50 and 40
year life members. Firefighter Lee Durland was honored as the first
ever "Captain John I. Landa Firefighter of the Year" and the Inaugural
Founders Award was posthumously awarded to the Charter Members.
1/26/10 EX-CAPTAIN AND LIFE MEMBER JOHN LANDA (1927-2010)
The Long Branch Fire Department regretfully announces the passing
of Brother Firefighter and beloved Ex-Captain John Landa of the Independent
Engine & Truck Co. No. 2.
Captain Landa joined the Independent’s in 1950, was elected
to the line officer ranks in 1966 rising to Captain in 1969. He was made a life member in 1990 and became
a 60-year Life Member this year. He was
currently active on several company committees, and was Chairman of the Board
of Trustees. When his health would
allow, he remained a vigilant and active member of the Fire Police and was designated
the company’s Senior Fire Police Officer in 2008. His tenacity and devotion to the city and the
fire department, along with his unmatched response record, warranted his
selection, at the age of 75, as “2002 Firefighter of the Year”
Funeral Service information is as follows:
Visitation will be at the Damiano Funeral Home, Franklin
Avenue, Long Branch on Friday, January 29th from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM
with Firefighter’s services at 7:30 PM. Funeral
Services will be held at Noon, Saturday, January 30th at Damiano’s with
interment to follow at Woodbine Cemetery, Oceanport.
Members are asked to assemble at Damiano’s no later than
7:15 PM Friday for the Firefighter’s Services.
ANNUAL RECERTIFICATION CLASSES UNDERWAY
The LBFD's recertification classes will be held on January 9, 16 and 23 at 0800 hrs at the new Gregory School. During these classes, firefighters receive refresher training in topics ranging from the dangers of bloodborne pathogens to new techniques in handling hazardous materials incidents to awareness of autism. This annual training is part of the many hours of continuing education and training that both volunteer and career firefighters are required to participate in every year.
LONG BRANCH FIRE DEPARTMENT WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE
The Independent Engine & Truck Co. No. 2 invites each city
fire company to participate in a Department-wide Weight Loss Challenge—with the
goal to lose weight, get healthier, build department pride and spirit and to have
fun.
The contest will run from February 1 until June 30.
Each company may field one team. Teams must have at least three
firefighters (active, honorary and/or social).
Participants may join at any time.
Individual cash
prizes will be presented to the top three individuals with the greatest
percent loss of weight and a single cash prize will be presented to the
team with the greatest average percent loss of weight. Prize amounts will be determined by the total
number of participants.
Each participant will be given a year’s 24-hour Key Club
membership to the Pearl Street Gym and a contest shirt. Gym membership is good for one calendar year.
THIS IS NOT A
FUNDRAISER – All proceeds will be returned to the participants in gym
fees, shirts and prizes.
Entry Fee: $150 per participating firefighter
How
to Enter: Companies
(or participants) must submit a list of team members to any Independent line
officer along with a check totaling $150 per participant (made payable to the
Independent Engine & Truck Co. No. 2).
Participants will be notified of weigh-in dates.
Note: While family members may
not participate in the contest, Pearl Street Gym will offer a special one year
rate to firefighters’ families members of $150 per person. Call
Capt. Brian Valentino for additional information on family memberships.
SEBASTIAN TOMAINE BECOMES CITY'S 125TH FIRE CHIEF
Our very own Sam Tomaine was sworn in as Chief of the Department on 01 January 2010. Chief Tomaine previously served as Chief in 2002--the first time any member of the department has served two, non-consecutive terms in office.
FATHER-SON FIREFIGHTERS EARN DOUBLE HONORS
Firefighter Lee Durland was honored at the 2009 Training Division Graduation on 19 December 2009 when he was awarded the John Rowell Award for being the most promising firefighter within two years of graduation from the Monmouth County Fire Academy. His son, Firefighter Matt Durland was honored at the same graduation ceremony for being valedictorian of his graduating class from the Monmouth County Fire Academy. Lee's name will be etched on the Rowell Plaque which is on permanent display at City Hall. For his achievement, Matt was presented a leather fire helmet by the Fire Chiefs.
