Beers Honored For Fire Service

CREST HAVEN ¬– Albert Beers has, in over 67 years of fire service, seen many homes and businesses go up in flames. As Cape May County fire marshal, he was in charge of finding the causes of those conflagrations.
On Sept. 12, Beers was lauded by members of the Cape May County Fire Prevention and Protection Association at the New Jersey Fire Safety Commission meeting in West Cape May and with a resolution passed by freeholders Sept. 10.
The resolution noted that Beers, born in Wildwood Crest, has remained there throughout his life.
A World War II veteran of the Army Air Corps with four years of service, Beers flew in B-17s and B-24s and recorded some 44 combat missions over Germany. For his service Beers received the Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters.
He and his friend Al Stokes opened Wildwood Linen Supply in the early 1950s, and he continued to work there until his retirement this year after 63 years.
Beers joined Wildwood Crest Volunteer Fire Department on Jan. 12, 1947 and remains an active member serving as the company’s safety officer. He rose through the ranks from firefighter, lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and chief of the company for seven years.
Throughout his life, Beers continued to seek further education and received all inspection licenses. While doing so, Beers attended college and received his Bachelor of Science, master’s degree and doctorate.
He became a fire official in Wildwood Crest and spent 27 years at that job, from 1986 until 2013.
Beers became Cape May County Fire Marshal in 1986 and remained in the post until 2012 with 26 years of service to the county. He still serves on the Cape May County Board of Appeals, and remains a member of the State of New Jersey Training and Education Committee. In addition, he worked as fire sub-code official for the Joint Construction Office of the Wildwoods.
Making the recommendation to freeholders for Beers’ honor was Lewis Ostrander, North Wildwood fire official.
The resolution further noted, “The members of the Cape May County Fire Prevention and Protection Association are all better firemen and people for being able to share with him in all of his accomplishments.”