Crime & Safety
Freehold Township Fire Department Holds Santa Run
Firefighters escort Santa through town and throw candy canes to kids for an annual township tradition.
For over 40 years, sirens and fire trucks have heralded the holiday season in Freehold Township. No, firefighters aren't responding to a rash of emergency calls: East Freehold Fire Company and Independent Fire Company #1 are escorting Santa through town.
The Freehold Township Fire Department's annual Santa Run took place on Saturday, Dec. 18, with East Freehold Fire Company visiting the residential streets on the east side of Route 9 and Independent Fire Company #1 visiting the west. Santa and his firefighter helpers wave from the truck and toss candy canes to children who gather to watch.
"It's nice to let them see us on their street for something like this and not an emergency," East Freehold Fire Company Chief Nick Palumbo said.
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Many firefighters in the company were once those children waiting to see Santa ride by on a fire truck, Palumbo noted.
A snowstorm cut the Santa Run short last year, but usually the fire companies drive through every street in their district, according to Palumbo.
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"We get calls during it if we haven't hit a street yet," Palumbo said.
Township residents aren't the only ones who get excited about the annual tradition: the firefighters enjoy their roles, as well.
"It's great to see the little kids' reactions," said Rick Frascati, a member of East Freehold Fire Company.
Firefighter Mike Murphy, also of East Freehold Fire Company, agreed with Frascati. "It's good for the community," Murphy said.
One member of the company traveled across the country to be a part of the Freehold Township Fire Department Santa Run. Danny Rehberg has been on leave from the East Freehold Fire Company while serving as a lance corporal in the Marine Corps at MCAS Miramar in San Diego.
"I've been in (the Santa Run) every year for the last seven," Rehberg said.
During the 2010 Santa Run, Jeff Lane, Nick Whelan and Frank Gymesi donned the Santa suit for East Freehold Fire Company.
"I like seeing the kids smile," Lane said. "I hope to be (playing Santa) again next year."
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