09/24/2025
Beachwood EMS extends our deepest condolences to our brothers and sisters at the Beachwood Fire Department on the passing of Past Chief Donald E. Wiesner.
We thank Chief Wiesner for his lifelong service and send our thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, and the entire Beachwood Fire Department during this difficult time.
Chief Donald E. Wiesner-
It is with profound sadness that the Beachwood Fire Department announces the passing of Past-Chief Donald E. Wiesner. Chief Wiesner was the epitome of a firefighter, dedicating his life to the betterment of the fire service and serving the Borough of Beachwood. Upon graduating from the West Orange (NJ) High School in 1952, Don enlisted in the United States Air Force where he was assigned to the Crash and Fire Rescue unit. Chief Wiesner was stationed in Anchorage Alaska where he also volunteered with the Anchorage Fire Department prior to being deployed to Korea during the Korean War.
When Don was away in the military, his family settled to Beachwood and while on a leave from the Air Force, Don answered his “first call” with the Beachwood Fire Department in 1953, volunteering to assist our members. After being discharged from the military, Don also settled in Beachwood, and he officially joined the Beachwood Volunteer Fire Department on September 7, 1956.
Don was an active volunteer fire fighter for over 62 years and held every rank within our department, serving as Chief from 1967 to 1973. Don consistently responded to the highest number of calls year after year. Don was also our Department historian and he made great efforts to preserve the history of the Beachwood Fire Company, the Borough of Beachwood, and the fire service in general. In addition to preserving Beachwood “antiques”, Don amassed a large personal collection of fire memorabilia, including hand pulled hose carts from the late 1800’s and a 1937 American LaFrance Fire Truck that he personally restored. Don has shared his collection with the fire department and has donated numerous pieces including his truck, to the New Jersey Fireman’s Home Museum. As a member of the Beachwood Fire Department, Don proudly represented this Department and the Borough of Beachwood, not only on many local and state levels, but throughout the world.
Don also served over 20 years on the Toms River Chemical/ Ciba-Giegy Fire Brigade where he moved up the ranks to Chief.
Don has represented our department in the following roles and assignments:
· Don served as an Ocean County Fire Coordinator for 33 years initially as a deputy, then as the longest serving Chief Fire Coordinator for Ocean County.
· Don was an instructor at the Ocean County Fire Academy, and the New Jersey State Fire College.
· Don represented Ocean County on the Board of Managers for the New Jersey Fireman’s Home for 24 years from 1972-1996 where he also maintained and contributed items to the New Jersey Fireman’s Home Museum.
· Don represented Beachwood on an international level when he toured the world as part of a People to People program for the fire service. Don trained with firefighters in Russia, China, Peru and Germany to name a few places. In each firehouse Don visited around the world, a Beachwood Fire Department patch is proudly displayed.
· Don was also a life member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the New Jersey State Fireman’s Association.
Don answered his final alarm tonight under the comfort and care of the New Jersey Firemen’s Home in Boonton NJ, surrounded by our Chief, fellow firefighters and the amazing staff of the Home.
Chief Wiesner has requested no viewing, instead a private ceremony and internment will take place at the New Jersey Firemen’s Home Cemetery.
