In 1922, The East Keansburg Fire became the 5th company to be organized in Middletown Township. The first meeting was held in the Day House, located on Thompson and Day Avenues. G. Helwig, J. Redfield, C. Rainer, H. Meyers, W. Lovejoy, W. Yahn and R. Yahn, elected A. Stalfa as their first president.

The first equipment purchased was a model "T" Ford, equipped with two 30 gallon chemical tanks. This was housed in an old garage located on Thompson Avenue opposite the present building site. The original members with the help ofnew members, built a cinder block station which is still in use. A short time after the completion of this building, a GMC and a Chevrolet truck containing four and two chemical tanks, respectively, were purchased.

After the installation of fire hydrants, an American LaFrance pumper truck was purchased in 1928, and in 1937 a Diamond "T" truck, a 500 gallon pumper equipped with a 450 gallon water tank was purchased. This pumper was one of the first units equipped with an auxiliary pump which enabled the truck to pump while on the move.

In 1952 another 500 gallon pumper was purchased, with a water tank capacity of 800 gallons to replace the LaFrance truck, which had been heavily damaged in rescue operations during a hurricane.

Both these pumpers served the community well during many "busy" years. During the early l960's, attention was given to remodeling and enlarging the fire station and expanding parking facilities. A 1947 Ward LaFrance was purchased as a back-up pumper to handle the increasing number of calls.

In 1966, East Keansburg purchased a new 1000 gallon custom Hahn pumper as their new attack truck, carrying the latest up-to-date equipment. In an ever increasing effort to up-date the capabilities of the equipment, in 1972 a 1250 custom Hahn was purchased, a twin of the 1966 pumper to be the supply pumper for the attack pumper.

Through the continued assistance of generous contributors, in 1978 a new, very much needed Dodge Brush Truck was added to round out the company fire fighting capabilities.

During 1978 the fire company was honored to have Joseph Mach complete 50 years of active service with the Middletown Township Fire Department and the East Keansburg Fire Company. His untiring efforts and the efforts of his fellow members have enabled the East Keansburg Fire Company to grow in their service to the community.

During the year of 1977, the East Keansburg Fire Company answered 244 alarms making the company the "busiest" in the Department. As the years pass, the alarms increase and demands become more severe; however, through the dedication and perseverance of the members, each new alarm is answered with a vigor to match the last.

The symbol of a fire department and the badge of a fireman is, the Maltese Cross. The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection and is worn as a badge of honor. Its story is hundreds of years old.
 

When a courageous band of crusaders known as the Knights of St. John, fought the Saracens for possession of the holy land, they encountered a new weapon unknown to European warriors. It was a simple, but a horrible device of war, it wrought excruciating pain and agonizing death upon the brave fighters for the cross. The Saracen's weapon was, fire.
 

As the crusaders advanced on the walls of the city, they were struck by glass bombs containing naphtha. When they became saturated with the highly flammable liquid, the Saracens hurled a flaming torch into their midst. Hundreds of the knights were burned alive; others risked their lives to save their brothers-in-arms from dying painful, fiery deaths.
 

Thus, these men became our first firemen and the first of a long list of courageous firefighters. Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow crusaders who awarded each here a badge of honor - a cross similar to the one firemen wear today. Since the Knights of St. John lived for close to four centuries on a little island in the Mediterranean Sea named Malta, the cross came to be known as the Maltese Cross.
 

The Maltese Cross is your symbol of protection. It means that the fireman who wears this cross is willing to lay down his life for you just as the crusaders sacrificed their lives for their fellow man so many years ago. The Maltese Cross is a fireman's badge of honor, signifying that he works in courage - a ladder rung away from death.