To continue the next generation of volunteer firefighters in Toms River Fire District No.1, fathers Andrew Goresh and Michael Wartel passed down their love of the fire service onto their sons, Daniel Goresh and Salvatore Wartel.

Andrew & Daniel Goresh – East Dover Fire Company No. 4

As a child, Daniel “Dan” Goresh, 35, was fascinated with the fire service due to his dad’s involvement at East Dover Fire Company No. 4, one of four stations in Toms River Fire District No. 1.

“Even though I was young, anytime I could go down to the fire house and help, I would,” said Dan.

When he was old enough to start the junior firefighter program at 16, Dan joined and has been involved in the volunteer fire service ever since.

Meanwhile, his dad, Andrew “Andy” Goresh, 68, had no prior experience or family members in the fire service, but he decided to give it a try in 1987. At the time, he was playing organized softball and his wife, Sharon, thought it was taking up too much of his spare time. Andy read a newspaper article that day about how badly volunteers were needed at local fire companies.

“I showed the article to her and said, ‘What about me doing this?’ and she said, ‘Why not? Anything would be better than all the time you spend with softball.’”

“If only she knew how much time volunteering would take,” said Andy.

Creating Lifelong Memories

Since joining East Dover, Andy’s experienced an incredible journey. Starting out on the executive side, he served as vice president and president of the fire company. Then he moved to the firematic side, serving as second lieutenant and rising through the ranks to chief in 2008 and again in 2019.

Currently, Andy serves as a one of the safety officers and now takes orders from Dan, who is captain.

“In a normal father-son relationship, the son is usually taking orders from the father,” said Dan, but despite the role-reversal, they cherish the experience of volunteering together.

“My dad died when I was 9 years old, so I did not get to do much with him,” said Andy. “Doing anything with Dan is just a dream come true for me.”

A memory that sticks out to Andy is when Dan was a lieutenant and responded to a structure fire. He was first on the scene and called command. While at work, Andy could only listen to Dan for a while on the radio, and when a senior officer arrived, he still let Dan run the job.

“Afterwards, so many people from both our company and other town companies came up to me and complimented Dan on his composure and the way he ran the job,” said Andy.

Typically, Andy and Dan go to calls together all the time; however, when one of them makes the truck and the other doesn’t, Dan says they joke around and make fun of each other.

“I like that I can share experiences with him,” said Dan. “We do things and see things that most people will never get to do or see.”

Sparking a Career in Fire Service

In Dan’s 15 years in the fire service, he has served as driver operator and lieutenant. In addition to be being captain, Dan is an instructor with Toms River Fire Training Center, but his love of firefighting doesn’t stop there. Dan received a Dual Bachelor of Science in fire science at the University of New Haven in Connecticut. He concentrated in fire administration and fire investigation with a minor in criminal justice.

“I credit being a member of East Dover, along with my father and mentors, for guiding me to achieve this milestone,” said Dan, who currently works as the captain of emergency services at Rutgers University. “Knowing I could take my knowledge, skills and abilities, and put them towards being paid and making a career out of something I loved to do made it an easy decision.”

Andy could tell that firefighting was a career in the making for Dan.

“I have been able to see him grow so much, both as a person and a firefighter,” said Andy. “When I see him teach new members and spend time with them explaining concepts and tactics, it just amazes me his ability to get across complex material so easily.”

Similar to his son, Andy has seen many junior firefighters start at East Dover and become career firefighters.

“I am proud of all of them that have gone onto great careers and hope to think I may have helped them in some small way to get where they are,” said Andy. “If you are looking to be a career firefighter, the volunteer fire company is the place to start.”

Volunteers Receive Training and Gear

Toms River Fire District No. 1 provides all its volunteers with top-tier training and gear.

“We are very fortunate in Toms River Township. Our Fire Commissioners provide our members with the best personal protective equipment, and we have a Fire Academy that is very highly regarded in the state of New Jersey,” said Andy.

In addition to regular trainings at East Dover’s station, volunteers take classes at Toms River Fire Academy and Ocean County Fire Academy at no charge. The equipment they use is continually evaluated to ensure volunteer firefighters are using tools that are both cost-effective and firefighter friendly.

“The education you can pursue is only limited by the time you care to invest in your future,” said Andy.

He has worked in customer service most of his life, and says the volunteer fire service is a large cross section of people from all levels of education and economic status.

“Nothing compares to the range of talent like a volunteer fire company,” said Andy. “To utilize all these people and their separate abilities that they bring to the table is probably the most satisfying skill I have learned over the years. Like a great conductor that brings together many instruments to create a beautiful symphony, it is what anyone would hope to be able to achieve.”

If any community members are interested in firefighting, Andy and Dan encourage them to give it a try.

“If you are looking to be a part of something bigger than yourself there is no better place,” said Dan.

Michael & Salvatore Wartel – Ocean Beach Fire Company No. 3

Michael Wartel, 63, and his son, Salvatore Wartel, 27, both joined Ocean Beach Fire Company No. 3 in 2017 to gain experience in water rescue for both the bay and the ocean.

Michael was interested in firefighting at a young age. He has been a volunteer firefighter in the Township of Lyndhurst for over 43 years, and he even made Township history by being the youngest appointed firefighter at age 19. At the age of 18, Salvatore followed in his father’s footsteps and became a firefighter there as well.

With a passion to serve the community, Michael was a police officer and ranking officer with the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office. Salvatore again followed in his dad’s footsteps, earning a degree in national security. He currently works as a police officer in Lyndhurst.

Although their main home is in Lyndhurst, Michael and Salvatore visit their shore home numerous times throughout the month and are able to serve their second community in Toms River.

“I learned many water and beach rescue skills that I never had exposure to at my northern fire department,” said Michael. “I have become very proficient in my boating skills, operating our fire/rescue boat.”

Similarly, Salvatore loves the beach atmosphere and combining ocean and bay rescue with traditional aspects of firefighting.

Working as a Team

Salvatore and Michael both recall the structure fire on Sixth Terrace in Ortley Beach as memorable because it was their first call together with Ocean Beach Fire Company.

“Together, we both made a strong interior attack on the fully involved portion of the home,” recalls Michael, who says working with his son is a feeling like no other.

“I get to mentor him and sometimes he even teaches me. We work side by side protecting people and their property, and hopefully changing their lives for the better,” said Michael. “There is no better feeling than watching your pride and joy becoming a stronger man and sometimes someone’s hero.”

Michael says Salvatore’s exceptionally strong character, will and courage make him a great firefighter.

“He is also community oriented and has a strong yearning to help his fellow man without any thoughts of himself. A quality he gets from his dad,” jokes Michael.

In return, Salvatore jokes that his dad is his personal chauffeur to calls.

“Besides that, it’s amazing having a role model with many more years of experience and someone to always talk shop with,” said Salvatore.

More Volunteers Are Needed

Comprised of four stations, Toms River Fire District No. 1 is seeking firefighters, junior firefighters, administrative members and seasonal volunteers to join the team. According to Michael and Salvatore, volunteering is worth it.

“You will be taught a set of skills that you will carry for life,” said Michael. “Sometimes it’s in your DNA and sometimes it’s acquired, but there is nothing more rewarding than volunteering to help others extinguish a fire, or rescue someone from the water that may go unhelped without our help.

Ultimately, volunteers are joining a group dedicated to saving lives and property, all while serving their community and making lifelong friends along the way.

“Being a volunteer firefighter can be very rewarding and is also an awesome way to stay connected with the community and make friends,” said Salvatore.

To learn more about volunteering in Toms River Fire District No. 1 or sign up, visit www.TRfire.org.