Toms River Prepares for Fire Risk on Rebuilt Barrier Island

When the Seaside Park boardwalk erupted in flames the afternoon of Sept. 12, more than 400 firefighters battled the blaze under less-than-optimal conditions, including Superstorm Sandy-damaged firefighting infrastructure.

Firefighters eventually relied upon a massive pump brought down from Union County to draw water from Barnegat Bay which was used in lieu of traditional fire hydrants.

Could the same happen in nearby Ortley Beach or the township's northern beach neighborhoods?

It's unlikely, officials say.

The township started work on a plan to upgrade the firefighting infrastructure in its island neighborhoods in 2011 and expanded the project in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, preparing for an influx of new, larger construction that could have tested the previous systems.

"We're upgrading the old 4 inch mains anywhere from 6 to 8 to 12 inches depending on the location," said Jim Mercready, Toms River's Director of Fire Prevention.

All of Ortley Beach was previously outfitted with 4 inch mains, while modern fire supply lines are designed to use 5 inch lines – effectively, lowering the water pressure normally used to fight a fire.

"We know that the landscape there is going to change," Mercready said. "In five years, there are going to be much bigger structures there than there were in the past, 42 foot buildings."

Larger homes built close together will be required to have side walls that can resist flames for an hour, Mercready said.

"So if the adjoining house is on fire, it would allow the fire department enough time to, basically, protect that exposure dwelling," he said. "It wouldn't readily burn as if it had a zero rated wall."

In many north beach neighborhoods, a plan was put in place with New Jersey American Water in 2011 to replace, reposition and add fire hydrants. Work was scheduled for fall 2012, but was put off in the wake of Sandy. Since the recovery effort has started, seven new hydrants have been installed and on some blocks, their positions have been moved.

"We've repositioned quite a few fire hydrants to make them more useful," said Mercready, mainly moving them from street ends to the middle of streets where necessary.

As for the area's current risk, most fire hydrants are operating normally, Mercready said, though the Route 35 reconstruction project – which comes with traffic detours and work on water and sewer lines – could conceivably have an effect on firefighting.

But the big picture plans are for a wholesale upgrade of the island's infrastructure.

"We want to make sure we build into place a good system," said Mercready.