Today the Southard Fire Dept pauses to remember one of our fallen members who died in the line of duty, 27 years ago. John Hugo Somay, 15 Nov 1919 to 15 Nov 1993
John was a lifelong resident of Howell Township, and was a WWII Marine Corps. Veteran. He joined the Southard Fire Dept. #1 on May13, 1949 and rose through the ranks of the department ultimately becoming Chief in 1958-1959. One of the reasons John was so popular amongst the membership and community was his work as a machinist, he would always tell the membership, ”Why spend money on parts when we can build them”. And he did, fixing the fire apparatus many times with parts he made in his own garage. In later years, John became a Fire Police Officer for the department as well as the Monmouth County Fire Police.
When Howell Township was divided into five Fire Districts, on Feb. 20, 1960, John was elected as one of the Charter Fire Commissioners, and held that position for many years.
On Nov. 15, 1993, his 74th birthday, John packed his car with $386 worth of brand new fishing gear to enjoy his favorite pastime, fishing the rivers of upstate New York. Just before he was to leave for vacation, a brush fire was called in on Miller Road. John told his wife Teenie, “On the way back from the fire, I’m gonna fill up with gas and get some ice”. John never got a chance to do that. While directing traffic at the fire scene, John was struck by a vehicle and ultimately died due to his injuries.
I remember this day.. I was a member of the fire department then... It was a very very sad day
Yes I remember this day well, rest in peace John, your brothers are taken care of the department you loved and devoted your life to!
I remember John well, I helped Henery White working on John's house, a great man .from Robert Gans.
RIP John. Thanks for helping shape me when I was a young man.
I remember that day so vividly. I was on a different call, in another rig. My brother, Darren Schlosser, was on Johnny's call. So sad. His name is on the National Firefighters Memorial in Emmittsburg, Maryland.
A GOOD FRIEND and Fellow Marine, God Rest! 🙏🙏
I remember that day like it was yesterday. Was a really sad day for the fire service.
RIP John. Thank you for your service.🙏🧑🚒🇺🇸
Today all Howell Fire Companies participated in training at donated vacant houses on Oak Glen Road. Companies trained on tactics when firefighters fall through a floor, Roof Operations, hose stretches and rescue operations. Additionally we had All Hands Fire Training onsite providing training on Paratech Shoring for structural collapse or vehicles into a house. Thank you to all the agencies that participated today. Also thank you to all the instructors that prepared for the training and delivered it flawlessly.
Squankum Fire Company #1
Adelphia Fire Company
Ramtown Fire Company
Freewood Acres Firecompany
All Hands Fire
Tomorrow Morning from around 7:30am until about 1:30pm you can expect a heavy fire department presence in the area of Oak Glen Rd and Danella way [where the new development is going]. Several Howell Township Fire Companies are conducting a township drill on acquired structures. Please do not be alarmed and avoid the area if possible. There is potential that Oak Glen Rd will be closed to through traffic from Snowdrift Lane to Danella Way during some or all of this drill.
Howell Happenings NJ
Howell Patch
Howell Township Police Department
What's Happening Howell?
Howell Township Fire Bureau
If you're saying there's being firetrucks there then you can count on me being there 🤣🤣🤣🤣
This evening we were able to train in an acquired structure. Members trained on roof operations, wall breaching, and over hall techniques. Thank you to Oak Glen Developers LLC for allowing us to utilize these properties for training.
Thank you all for your dedication and continued training to keep us safe. Especially Danny Ryan and Scott Ryan.🧑🚒🧑🚒
Earlier today the Southard Fire Dept was dispatched along with Howell Township First Aid and Rescue Squad #1 for an overturned motor vehicle accident on Alexander Avenue. Upon arrival a single vehicle was found to have struck a utility pole and overturned. The driver of the vehicle was out of the vehicle due to a Good Samaritan. Units stood by until Certified Auto Mall cleaned up the scene and removed the vehicle.
I hope the occupants in the vehicle will be okay..
That’s the nice curve. The one after that is the mean one. Slow down!
Probably took that bend to fast. Dangerous curves
What is the speed limit in this area?
Sharon Gieser Pressey did you see this??
The Southard Fire Department now has an official "Retired American Flag Receptacle. We were honored when Jacob Grdovic of Troop 300 asked us if we would assist him in earning his rank of Eagle Scout. He did a great job and we could not be more proud of his efforts. We would like to thank him for allowing us to be a part of this hard earned and well deserved achievement. The receptacle is located outside our headquarters at 4611 US 9 in Howell. The bin is for retired American Flags only and is under 24 hour video surveillance. Thank you again Jacob, and congratulations!
Howell Happenings NJ
Howell Patch
Well done!
Such a great idea! Thank you!
Adam Jameson
Nice job... I actually have a few and wasn’t sure what to do with them... now I do!!! Will be dropping them off!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thank you and well done young man!
Great job Jacob!
Well done young man. 🇺🇸
Great job jacob!!
Awesome!! Well done!
I have some plastic American flags. Can we put it in there
Such a great idea! Great job, Jacob!
Well done.
Awesome job, Jacob!
Great idea!
Great job
Awesome.
That is great
This afternoon the Southard Fire Dept, Howell Township First Aid and Rescue Squad #1, and Howell Township Police Department were dispatched to a single vehicle motor vehicle accident on Ford Road. Upon arrival Chief 19-3-66, Chief 19-3-67, Chief 19-3-68 and Engine 19-3-75 attended to the vehicle and secured the scene while Howell First aid attended to the driver. JCP&L was notified and Certified Auto Mall cleaned up the scene.
Is that right in front of mom’s house?
Thank you so much for all you do!
As we get into the season of giving, there is no better way to give back than to protect your community. Find out more on how you can volunteer today at southardfire.org/become-a-member/
This afternoon Southard Fire was dispatched to a two vehicle motor vehicle crash at the corner of Friendship Road and New Friendship Road. Chiefs 19-3-66, 19-3-67, 19-3-68 and Engine 19-3-75 responded to the scene. Upon arrival, Engine 19-3-75 was requested to remove the drivers door of one of the vehicles to assist with removing the driver. Howell Township First Aid and Rescue Squad #1 and Howell Police EMS Dept provided patient care and transported. Units cleared the scene shortly after.
Every intersection on New Friendship from ShopRite to Friendship is a disaster waiting to happen . Makes you wonder what was wrong with the planners. Prayers for those involved in the accident.
Hope everyone is ok
Praying for those involved. That corner is really bad... between the overgrown trees/ shrubs and the cars parked close to the corner, the sight line is horrible.
I hate that turn. You have to stick way out to see and sometimes cars parked on the road block your view.
Maybe it’s time to do something about this turn. The cars parked on the street make it impossible to see something coming until you’re all the way pulled out into the oncoming lane. Hope everyone is ok.
That intersection is horrible! Idk how many times people just pull out in front of you bc they can't see...and forget going from NF to friendship you have a floor it to get to 35 40 once you Realize you just cut someone off not intentionally...and forget friendship they fly down that street...something needs to get done!
Great job done by all our Hero's.🥰🧑🌾🧑🚒
Hope everyone is okay
🙏 all involved is ok
This morning the Southard Fire Department partnered with the Farmingdale Fire Department for some valuable training in search and rescue tactics. Crews practiced Vent-Enter-Search scenarios which can be critical to civilian rescue during an actual fire. Once completed with that station, crews trained on "The Pittsburgh Drill" which is a downed firefighter scenario where the rescue team follows a hose line to the downed firefighter, they must then secure the firefighter with a rescue rope and work together to remove them back through the obstacles which includes a tight tunnel, a steep wedge, and a wall breach prop. Crews from both departments did excellent, and we look forward to training together again soon.
Thanks for the invite, Great morning of training! Looking forward to another event soon.
Last evening we were fortunate enough to attend Monmouth County’s Tribute in Lights that shined bright for all first responders, showing appreciation to those we lost and to those who continue to work tirelessly to keep us safe and out for harm’s way. The colors included Red 🔴 for our firefighters, Blue 🔵 for our police officers, White ⚪️ for EMS and hospital workers and Green 🟢 for our military. We will always remember, and never forget.
Eric Goodman
Where did this take place, would have loved to see it
Beautiful!!! Thank you!!!
Today we honor those lost in that faithful event on 9/11, and the 2,753 people lost that day. Of those the 343 brothers and sisters in the Fire service lost that day. The 23 NYPD officers lost that day. And the 37 Port Authority officers lost that day. Remember all of those we lost, especially those that walked up those stairs as so many were running down. Remember that sometimes what we do shouldn’t be based on what we get out of it, but how it can help those around us. Never Forget.
🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸Thank you🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸 God Bless America 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸Never Ever Forget🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸United We Stand🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸
The Southard Fire Dept wishes to welcome Brett Hebrew as our latest career firefighter to be hired at the department. Firefighter Hebrew was a per diem firefighter who exemplified what we want from our firefighters. Additionally, he has been a member of Glendola Fire Company in Wall Township, serving as their Vice President for numerous years. Last evening he was sworn in with his family present at our monthly Board of Fire Commissioners meeting.
We welcome him to the company and look forward to working with him for many years to come.
Thank you everyone! So glad to be here.
Congrats and thank you
Welcome
Congrats!!!
Congratulations
Congratulations Brett. Best of luck. Welcome to our great community
Congratulations Brett.
Congratulations!
Thanks guys! So happy to be here, doing what I love.
Congrats and good luck!!!
Awesome, congrats Brett!!!
Good luck and stay safe!!
Congratulations
Congrats and good luck!
The Southard Fire Dept wishes to extend our heartfelt condolences to the Doyle family as well as the Lakewood Police Department, Lakewood,NJ Fire Department, as well as BERT - Station 85, Berkeley Emergency Response Team on the loss of our friend Chief Larry Doyle. Larry was instrumental in the formation of our Hazmat Team in 1992. He assisted us with countless hours of training and guidance. He was one that most would call the salt of the earth. He was a friend, mentor, and genuine person.
Rest In Peace Chief, thank you for all you have done for all the agencies you responded with, we got it from here.It’s been a sad day for the Lakewood Police Department.
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Det. Larry Doyle #189 (Retired).
Det. Doyle was hired by the Lakewood Police Department in September of 1980. After 25 years and 4 months of service he retired in December of 2005.
Det. Doyle spent many years in our Patrol Division where he made numerous arrests and helped train newly hired Officers.
In 2002, he earned the rank of Detective and conducting numerous investigations involving burglary, theft and stolen cars.
Det. Doyle was also our resident expert regarding Hazardous Materials Training. Something he had vast knowledge in due to his time with the Fire Service.
Law Enforcment, Firefighting and his Family were his passion.
May he rest in Peace. Thank you for your many years of service🇺🇸🚒🙏🙏.
Southard Fire would like to congratulate CPL Pavlick on his retirement. He has always been a true professional while on countless calls with our membership. We wish him nothing but the best in his future endevours.
Training exercise this evening at the substation for water flow. It is non stop preparation to protect the town.
