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By Walter J. O’Neill, Jr.
One of the oldest and largest fire departments in Monmouth County is seated in the City of Long Branch. Nine fire companies with over 600 firefighters the Long Branch Volunteer Fire Department has a history and tradition that dates back over one hundred years.
Long Branch has a unique mix of volunteer and paid firefighters. The volunteers have three chiefs and the paid officers have a chain of command starting with a captain and several lieutenants and firefighters.
Each year the active members of the department select and elect someone to run for the position of Second Assistant Chief. The Atlantic Engine and Truck Company located on Broadway have nominated Anthony “Rock” Giurlando, Jr., as their candidate for 2015.
The Atlantic Engine and Truck Company in Long Branch have nominated Anthony “Rocky” Giurlando (right) as Second Assistant Fire Chief for 2015. He is pictured with his father, Anthony “Rocky” Giurlando, Sr., who was Chief in 1992, and his son Matthew.
The City of Long Branch changed it ordinance, 45-3.C(2) which governs the eligibility for persons to run for the position of chief and assistant chief of the fire department. This ordinance was adopted on November 26, 2013 and states that anyone wishing to run must submit their name to the chief of the department no later September 15. The chief then must certify by October 1 that said candidates have met all the necessary requirements.
Long Branch has established nine requirements for the position of chief. First, everyone is a certified firefighter 1 by the NJ Division of Fire Safety. Second, they have pump operations. Third, truck company operation. Fourth, aerial placement class. Fifth, instructor 1 certification by the NJ Division of Fire Safety (requirement for this certification takes effect 09-15-2016) Sixth to ninth all certifications by the NJ Division of Fire Safety; fire officer 1 certification, incident management level 1, incident management level 2, and incident management level 3.
Giurlando has all those certifications and has been a member of the Atlantic Engine and Truck Company since 1980, when he was the mascot. Eight years later he became an active member of the department. Currently he is serving his third term as President of the Atlantics.
“It is a family tradition to be a firefighter,” said Giurlando. “My father, Anthony ‘Rocky’ Sr., was chief of the department back in 1992. It would be a great honor to follow in his footsteps.”
The tradition is also on his mother’s side, as his grandfather Kenneth Wardell, was chief of the Long Branch Fire Department in 1949. He was a member of the Neptune Hose Company #1 on Branchport Ave.
If Giurlando is elected Second Assistant Fire Chief, he would be the fourth father-son combination of department chiefs. The first set was from the West End Fire Company. Richard B. Moore was chief in 1891 and 1892 and his son, William Moore was chief in 1909.
The second set was from the Oliver Bryan Fire House on Atlantic Ave. Edward W. Reid was chief in 1896 and his son, Edward J. Reid, in 1915.
Elberon Fire Company had the last pair of father-son chiefs. James Fay in 1897 and his son John L. Fay in 1924.
