Seaside Heights, N.J. – Successful water rescues begin long before an emergency call comes in. According to Nick Farrell, Water Rescue Captain of the Seaside Heights Fire Department, the foundation of every rescue is an understanding of the water and its power.
“The most important skill is having knowledge of and respect for the water,” said Farrell. “It’s like I always say, the water always wins.”
This mindset drives the department’s year-round volunteer training program. While beachgoers enjoy the ocean during the summer months, members of the Seaside Heights Fire Department’s Water Rescue Team spend countless hours preparing for emergencies where every second counts.
“When the pager goes off for a swimmer in distress, it’s imperative that we get out there as quickly and safely as we can,” he said.
The department begins water rescue training each spring and continues throughout the summer with weekly drills that include open-water swimming, jet ski and boat operations as well as rescue training. As temperatures drop and the summer season fades away, the team transitions to cold-water and ice rescue training, preparing volunteers to respond to emergencies year-round.
Training Put to the Test on First Date Gone Wrong
The department’s training has prepared members for countless real-world emergencies.
“We train like it’s the real thing,” Farrell said. “We put the guys through different types of scenarios so they’re ready for a little bit of everything.”
One nighttime rescue in particular has stuck with Farrell throughout his water rescue career.
A young couple had gone swimming after hours – following what Farrell believes was their first date – when they became caught in dangerous surf after a nor’easter swell. A bystander walking the boardwalk heard them calling for help, though they could not be seen in the darkness.
“We got there in under 60 seconds,” said Farrell. “I swam out through some pretty heavy surf to retrieve the male. The rip current was so strong that another crew launched a rescue jet ski to help bring us back to shore.”
While the woman was able to reach a nearby sandbar and walk herself to shore, rescuing the man presented more of a challenge to the volunteers.
“It was a near drowning,” said Farrell.
Fortunately, both the man and woman involved in this incident were safely brought back to shore. Farrell believes that this rescue serves as a powerful reminder of why realistic, hands-on training is essential to preparing volunteers for emergencies, especially those in which time is of the essence.
Seaside Heights: Committed to Readiness
The department’s commitment to training is reflected in the number of water rescue calls it responds to each year. In 2025 alone, the Seaside Heights Fire Department responded to more than 60 bay and water rescue calls and completed more than 50 rescues. As more residents and visitors continue to enjoy the borough’s beaches each year, Farrell claims that staying prepared has never been more important.
“We’re seeing more people coming to the beaches, so we want to stay on our A game,” said Farrell. “Even after the lifeguards go home for the season, people are still coming down and going in the water.”
While the department’s central mission is to save lives, Farrell said watching members become confident rescuers has been just as rewarding.
“The most rewarding thing for me as captain is seeing these guys grow,” he said. “We start them off walking, and now they’re running. It’s rewarding to see them use the tools we’ve taught them to go out and perform rescues.”
For Farrell, the countless hours spent training all boils down to one goal: getting people home safely to their families.
“Somebody’s life really depends on it,” he said. “I think of it like it’s one of my family members out there. I treat everybody the same, and I would want someone to do the same for my family member as I’m doing for somebody else’s.”
Farrell said the team’s success comes not only from training but can also be accredited with the bonds formed amongst its members.
“The water rescue team is a unique group,” he said. “We take pride in what we do, we’re very close, and the camaraderie is strong. We’re tight knit like family.”
The Seaside Heights Fire Department prides itself on inclusivity and welcomes volunteers who share the common goal of making a positive impact and being part of something greater than themselves.
“We always welcome anyone who’s interested in ocean rescue,” Farrell said. “Not many fire departments have the opportunity to do this kind of work.”
About Seaside Heights Fire Department
The Seaside Heights Fire Department is a volunteer organization committed to protecting residents and visitors through emergency response, water rescue and public safety services. Visit https://joinseasideheights.org/ to learn more about volunteering and get started today.
Editor’s Note: To schedule an interview with the Seaside Heights Fire Department, contact the Communication Solutions Group at (215) 884-6499.
