Intensive Training Programs for Firefighters
Toms River Fire has a training center that is one of the three state-approved fire training facilities in Ocean County. Learn more about our facilities, program, and registration process:
About Our Facilities
The Administration Building is the main building on the training center grounds. It houses the offices for the fire training center directors and several classrooms, all of which are capable of holding separate courses. Two of the classrooms are separated by a collapsible partition that, when opened, will hold many students in one classroom.
Training Areas
On the west side of the Administration Building, you will find an indoor training area. This garage‑like room has three overhead garage doors for fire apparatus that is needed for training along with bleachers for students to sit during indoor training sessions.
The area provides a location to enhance hands‑on skills including donning PPE, SCBA preparation, ropes and knots practice, and salvage and overhaul.
The main fire training building offers 4 floors of training including 4 different areas for “live fire” training utilizing Class A burn materials. Multiple rooms, floors, stairs for search and rescue, a stair tower for high rise training and plenty more.
Additional Training Areas:
- Maze building for SCBA training with both beginner and advanced levels for training.
- Large open area for extrication training with an enclosure housing bleachers for students observing and/or rehabilitation.
- Propane props with a vehicle and a 100 lb. cylinder
- Dumpster for outside Class A burns
- Expansive area for Tech Rescue training, trench, collapse, vehicle crash, multiple scenarios
About Our Facilities
The Administration Building is the main building on the training center grounds. It houses the offices for the fire training center directors and several classrooms, all of which are capable of holding separate courses. Two of the classrooms are separated by a collapsible partition that, when opened, will hold many students in one classroom.
Training Areas
On the west side of the Administration Building, you will find an indoor training area. This garage‑like room has three overhead garage doors for fire apparatus that is needed for training along with bleachers for students to sit during indoor training sessions.
The area provides a location to enhance hands‑on skills including donning PPE, SCBA preparation, ropes and knots practice, and salvage and overhaul.
The main fire training building offers 4 floors of training including 4 different areas for “live fire” training utilizing Class A burn materials. Multiple rooms, floors, stairs for search and rescue, a stair tower for high rise training and plenty more.
Additional Training Areas:
- Maze building for SCBA training with both beginner and advanced levels for training.
- Large open area for extrication training with an enclosure housing bleachers for students observing and/or rehabilitation.
- Propane props with a vehicle and a 100lb cylinder
- Dumpster for outside Class A burns
- Expansive area for Tech Rescue training, trench, collapse, vehicle crash, multiple scenarios
Introductory Firefighting Training
Due to state mandates and firefighter safety considerations, Toms River firefighters must pass an NJ State Level 1 and 2 Firefighter 300 hours of introductory training.
Our state-certified fire instructors conduct the training. The Firefighter Level 1 and 2 course is held annually at the training center along with many advanced courses each semester, as well as state-mandated annual training.
Training Course
Registration Process
Registration for the training center is open to Toms River, Ocean County, and out‑of‑county firefighters. Registration for any course listed may be done through the registration form below. All registration forms must be approved by the chief prior to submission. No walk‑ins will be allowed to attend any class.
Training Center Emergency Closings
If the training center is forced to suspend operations (inclement weather, natural disaster, etc.), a notice of closing will be available through the following methods:
- Email Notifications
- Pager Announcements
- Radio Stations
- Call Toms River Fire Dispatch Center at (732) 349-2285
Every effort will be made to reschedule suspended classes at the earliest available date. Students will be informed of the rescheduling when the class meets next.
Training Center Emergency Closings
If the training center is forced to suspend operations (inclement weather, natural disaster, etc.), a notice of closing will be available through the following methods:
- Email Notifications
- Pager Announcements
- Radio Stations
- Call Toms River Fire Dispatch Center at (732) 349-2285
Every effort will be made to reschedule suspended classes at the earliest available date. Students will be informed of the rescheduling when the class meets next.
Directions to the Toms River Fire Training Center (TRFTC)
From the North
Option 1:
Exit 89B toward Brick/Lakehurst onto RT-70 West
Turn right toward New Hampshire Ave/CR-623.
Turn right onto New Hampshire Ave (CR-623).
Continue on New Hampshire Ave (CR-623).
Turn left onto Church Rd (CR-620). About 1.5 miles on Left
Option 2:
Exit 89A to Toward Brick onto Rt-70 East
Turn Right onto Shorrock , will turn into Beaverson Blvd.
Make a Right onto Brick Blvd(CR-549), will turn into Hooper Ave.
Make a Right onto Church Road(CR-620) about 1.5 miles on right.
From the South
Take the Garden State Parkway north to Exit 83. Take Lakewood Road (State Highway Route 9) north approximately three miles to Route 9. Turn right onto Church Road and follow the road east under the Garden State Parkway. The training center is on the left about ½ past the parkway.
From the West
Take Route 70 east to New Hampshire Avenue. Turn right onto New Hampshire Avenue and travel south for approximately three miles to Church Road.
Toms River Fire Training
Center Staff
- Director Richard Gorman (848)-992-2973 [email protected]
- Deputy Director Carlton Seaman (732)-496-1998 [email protected]
- Chief Instructor Michael J. Cocco (908)-309-9745 [email protected]
- General Email: [email protected]
- Craig Bierbaum
- Roger “Joe” Brown
- Dave Burns
- Joseph Catapano
- Doug Foley
- Dana Foster
- Richard Gabriel
- William Giordano
- Daniel Goresh
- Richard Gorman
- Christopher Hansson
- Rich Heroy
- William Ihrig
- Matthew Janora
- Jason Kaye
- Christopher Kazoun
- John Keating Jr.
- Robert Krohn
- Ryan Lavigne
- Nick McGinley
- Lenny Minkler
- Michael Montero
- Ian Monzo
- John Novak
- Ed Ruhl
- Ken Taylor
- Rick Tutela
- Connor Wells
- Chris Whitam
- Matt Yezzi
- John Lonergan
- Kevin Britton
- Kyle Reid
- Jim Gillespie
- Chris Vicidomini
Drop Us a Line
Speak with one of our representatives for questions about our training.