Manchester Township Professional Firefighters FMBA Local 81

10/14/2026

The members of Local 81 offer our deepest condolences to The Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company. You will never be forgotten chief. Rest easy ❤️

**In Memoriam: Chief Brian Flanagan**

The firefighters and EMTs of the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services join our community in mourning the sudden and tragic passing of Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company Chief Brian Flanagan.

Chief Flanagan dedicated many years of service to his community, exemplifying the commitment, leadership, and selflessness that define the fire service. His loss is deeply felt by all who serve alongside our fellow first responders.

Please join us in extending our heartfelt condolences to Chief Flanagan’s family, friends, and the members of the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company during this difficult time.

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragic loss.

**Rest easy, Chief. Thank you for your years of service and dedication to the community.** 🕊️🚒

09/20/2026

Local 81 extends our deepest condolences to Chief Keating, his family, and the members of Silverton Fire Company Station 29 following yesterday’s tragic loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Chief Keating’s loved ones, his fellow firefighters, and everyone affected by this heartbreaking event. Everyone please keep the Keating family and Tom’s River Fire Department family in your prayers.

07/16/2026

🚒 Smoke in the Area – No Cause for Alarm

You may notice a smoky haze and the smell of smoke throughout Manchester Township and surrounding towns. This is the result of smoke from the Canadian wildfires moving into our region and is not due to a local fire emergency.

While the smoke may reduce visibility and affect air quality, there are no known large-scale fires in Manchester Township causing these conditions at this time.

If you see:
🔥 Visible flames
🏠 Smoke coming from a building
⚠️ Any other emergency or suspicious condition

Please call 911 immediately. Never assume someone else has already reported it.

Stay safe,
FMBA LOCAL 81

07/04/2026

PSA:

If you have purchased combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors manufactured by Treatlife Technologies and sold on Amazon, please replace them immediately. For further information, please visit the link below.

Consumers should contact Treatlife Technology to receive a full refund. Consumers should continue using the recalled detectors until they purchase and install a replacement detector. Once a new detector is installed, consumers should write “recalled” on the recalled product, remove the batteries...

05/05/2026

Congratulations to our brothers in Wall Township for taking the progressive steps forward to provide a better service to the community!

04/07/2026

Preparing more meals at home? Remember to always "Stand by your pan!" Avoid distractions. Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling. If you have to leave the room, even for a moment, turn off the stove’s burners.

02/18/2026

We will be selling saint Patrick’s day shirts and hoodies until march 4th 2026! If you would like to purchase one please use the link below!

10/14/2025

On 10/10/2025 Manchester Township Fire Department (FMBA LOCAL 81) and Manchester Volunteer Fire Company No.1 responded to this incident. Both Crew’s worked fast and efficiently to ensure the structure was stable prior to assisting the occupants with getting out of the vehicle and away from the structure. Crew’s operated for approximately 90 minutes before turning over the scene to the Manchester township building department.

Accidental Acceleration Sends SUV into Silverwoods Residence

On Friday, October 10, 2025, at approximately 3:50 p.m., members of the Manchester Township Police responded to the Silverwoods Community for a report of a vehicle that struck a residence. Upon arrival, officers located a 2011 Toyota Highlander with extensive front-end damage, which caused significant damage to the residence. The driver and passenger of the Toyota had to be extricated from the vehicle by first responders at the scene.

The investigation revealed that the driver of the Toyota was attempting to park in a parking space and accidentally accelerated into a tree and then into the residence. Inside the residence, a female was lying on her couch and was thrown across her living room area as a result of the impact. Emergency responders at the scene were able to rescue the woman inside the affected residence.

The driver of the Toyota, 63-year-old Steven Makowsky, and passenger, 67-year-old Joan Thompson, both of Manchester, NJ, reported no injuries at the time of the crash. The female within the affected residence, 66-year-old Rosemarie Sherman, was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ, for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Assisting at the scene were Emergency Medical Technicians and firefighters from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services, Manchester Township Volunteer Fire Department, Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department, Lakehurst Volunteer Fire Department, Manchester Township Building Inspector, and Priced Rite Towing.

The investigation into this crash is ongoing; however, improper parking and pedal misapplication appear to be the primary contributing factors. The crash is being investigated by Ptl. Brendan Brush of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit.

10/07/2025

Congratulations brothers! Always great to see a neighboring department making progress to better serve the community!

09/29/2025