A volunteer, by definition, is an individual who willingly offers to undertake a task. In New Jersey, 75.7% of firefighters, including those on Long Beach Island, are volunteers. The U.S. Fire Administration, of which all five volunteer fire companies serving LBI are members, reports 53% of its membership is volunteer firefighters.

Read that again and why volunteerism among first responders on LBI is significant should be obvious. Still, there are some figures missing – like the percentage of volunteer emergency medical personnel, which is not considered an essential service in the state, versus paid paramedics.