Port Monmouth Fire's Facebook Helps Keep Community Connected

In Port Monmouth, power is a luxury. 

The area is one of the hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy in Middletown, according to Lt. Dave Aguirre with the Port Monmouth Fire Company. 

After the firehouse filled with about four feet of water, contaminating and destroying about 90 percent of their gear, the first step was to get the station somewhat operational, Aguirre said.

After that, firefighters are helping each other and residents deal with their losses. 

“When we’re not at the firehouse, we’re at another guy's house helping clean it up,” Aguirre said.

The firehouse is operational, Aguirre said, but until power is restored to the area, which could take up to 14 days, it will not be fully operational.

Aguirre said they are running on a skeleton crew. Even still, they are there to answer residents’ questions. 

Aguirre said he still is waiting to hear if FEMA will conduct water, ice and food drops closer than the sporadic ones at Holy Family on Route 9 and Monmouth Park.

He said the best way for residents to keep up with the relief efforts is through the department’s Facebook page.

“We try to post updates when we hear them,” Aguirre said. “Our Internet is crippled, power is a luxury right now. (Facebook’s) really the only way we can spread the word. Our best bet is the Facebook app on cellphones.”