Long Branch official says temporary fire response to West Long Branch halted after MOU talks stalled

Long Branch — A Long Branch official told the City Council on July 23 that the city briefly provided emergency response to certain “high‑hazard” calls in West Long Branch while officials there considered a memorandum of understanding; the response stopped after West Long Branch officials decided not to proceed.

Vincent Lepore of 33 Ocean Terrace told the council the Long Branch government carried out a “sinister attempt” to take over West Long Branch’s volunteer fire department and described the episode as a threat to West Long Branch residents’ safety. Lepore said West Long Branch officials and residents opposed the proposal and that local volunteer status would be preserved.

In response, a Long Branch official (identified in the transcript as a city staff member) said Long Branch had been invited to a West Long Branch council meeting in May after two incidents raised concerns about local fire response, including one the staff member described as school children…