American inventor Charles Kettering was only partially correct when he said “every father should remember that one day his son will follow his example instead of his advice.” At least in the case of Mike and Dante D’Antonio, who serve side-by-side on the Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Co.
“Volunteering is bigger than oneself and there is a great amount of satisfaction that comes from it,” Dante, 24, said, noting the importance of helping others was instilled in him at a young age. His father, Mike, served in the U.S. Army for 21 years before spending a half-dozen years as a member of the Upper Darby, Pa., auxiliary police force. In 2012, Mike joined the Ship Bottom fire company because he wanted to lend a helping hand in a community he felt a strong connection with, despite his part-time living status.
After working his way to fire police captain, he recruited Dante to the fire police team in 2019. Not long after joining the fire police, Dante became a firefighter, earning his firefighter 1 and 2 certifications. Recently, he passed the national exam to become an emergency medical technician.
“We both get to share something that not everyone gets to experience, and we can grow and become better first responders together,” Dante said, adding, “It’s nice to be able to relax with family and friends at the end of the day, but there has to be people around that are willing to help others. If there isn’t, then no one gets to enjoy that time.”
And while Dante calls Ship Bottom home all year, Mike, 64, comes to town every weekend to help make a difference.
“Ship Bottom has been here since 1922, and if there is anyone thinking about joining, please contact us and give it a try. The fire company will pay for the training, uniform and all of your education,” Mike said.
For those who may not be interested in fighting fires, there are opportunities to join the water rescue volunteers and put their lifesaving skills to work, safeguarding Ship Bottom and Brant Beach, and offering mutual aid to Surf City.
In addition, teenagers can join as junior firefighters, learning the ropes of fire calls, hose operation and ladder assistance, potentially leading to an active firefighter role upon turning 18. Individuals looking to help bring calm and order to stressful situations can join the fire police and help direct traffic and crowd control at the scene of emergencies. For those interested in non-firefighting roles, Ship Bottom welcomes administrative volunteers who can get involved with fundraising, event support, truck maintenance and more.
Last summer, the fire company launched a new website dedicated to recruiting volunteers. It is using a $441,600 federal grant aimed at earmarking funds directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighters to grow or sustain the number of trained individuals in their communities.
The website, shipbottomfirefighters.org, will remain active during the four-year drive and is for individuals who want to learn more about the fire company as well as seasonal and year-round opportunities to serve the local community. Funding for the campaign comes from Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, which falls under the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Additionally, Ship Bottom was one of eight Southern Ocean County volunteer firefighting services earlier this year to learn it would receive funds from New Jersey’s second round of grants aimed at providing the company with personal protective equipment.
On Long Beach Island, Barnegat Light Volunteer Fire Co. #1 received $27,000; Beach Haven Volunteer Fire Co., $35,000; High Point Volunteer Fire Co. in Harvey Cedars and Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Co., $75,000 each; and Surf City Volunteer Fire Co. and EMS, $65,000.
On the mainland, the Barnegat Township Volunteer Fire Co. received $65,000 while Ocean Township firefighters in Waretown received $50,000 and the Stafford Township Volunteer Fire Co. received $70,000 grant.
At that time, Ninth District legislators lauded local fire companies and personnel for providing “essential life-saving services to the community and, therefore, should be provided the necessary resources to carry out their responsibilities to safeguard the public and protect property in the most effective manner possible.”