Fire Department · Combination
Long Branch Fire Department
Long Branch, NJ · Monmouth County
The Long Branch Fire Department protects this Monmouth County shore city with a combination model: a career Uniformed Fire Division of 25 firefighters working alongside a Volunteer Fire Division of about 30 active members. Career crews handle the majority of the department's roughly 1,600 annual emergency responses, backed by the volunteer companies.
The department carries deep local history. Long Branch holds the distinction of being the birthplace of the first organized fire company in Monmouth County, established in 1866, and its five stations house companies chartered as far back as the 1860s and 1870s.
Career firefighters are organized into four shifts supervised by a Battalion Chief, and the division is heavily training-focused, logging over 2,700 training hours in 2023 with multiple state-level instructors on staff. The volunteer side operates five active companies plus a Fire Police Unit.
The department's clearest published path to service is through its Volunteer Fire Division. Prospective volunteers receive free training, gear, and a background check, must pass a physical examination, and can apply using the PDF application on the department website or by emailing Joinlbfd@longbranch.org.
The 25-member career Uniformed Fire Division is represented by FMBA Local #68; the website does not detail a specific career hiring process, salary, or civil-service testing schedule.
Requirements
- Pass a physical examination (volunteer division)
- Complete a background check (provided free by the department)
- Complete required firefighter training (provided free)
Hiring process
- Submit the Fire Department Volunteer Application (PDF) or email Joinlbfd@longbranch.org
- Pass a background check
- Pass a physical examination
- Complete department-provided training and receive gear
Benefits
Volunteer members receive free training, turnout gear, and a background check. Career firefighters are represented by FMBA Local #68 (New Jersey Firemen's Mutual Benevolent Association).
How do I join the Long Branch Fire Department as a volunteer?
Submit the Fire Department Volunteer Application (a PDF form on the department website) or email Joinlbfd@longbranch.org to get started.
What are the requirements to become a volunteer firefighter?
Candidates must pass a physical examination and a background check. The department provides training, gear, and the background check free of charge.
Does it cost anything to become a volunteer firefighter?
No. Training, gear, and the background check are provided free to volunteer members.
What schedule do career firefighters work?
Career firefighters are organized into four shifts working 24 hours on duty followed by 72 hours off, supervised by a Battalion Chief.
Is there a union for career firefighters?
Yes. Career staff are represented by FMBA Local #68, the New Jersey Firemen's Mutual Benevolent Association.
How busy is the department?
The department responds to approximately 1,600 emergency calls each year, including alarms, fires, vehicle crashes, hazardous conditions, and rescues.