April 21, 2021
ALLENTOWN – UPPER FREEHOLD TWP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–On April 19th, 2021 Upper Freehold Township held a very small ceremony where 3 New Firefighters were sworn in by Business Administrator Dana Tyler at the fire station. After the new personnel were sworn in each Firefighter was “Pinned” by a close family member. The “Pinning” is the placing of the Firefighter’s Official Badge of Service on their uniform for the first time, as they begin their service for our community. Due to COVID-19 restrictions the event was limited to immediate family of the 3 Firefighters, co-workers, and representatives from local fire departments.
Firefighter Scott Royle took the position of Captain, charged with oversight of the Fire & Emergency Services for Upper Freehold Township and The Borough of Allentown under the direction of The Township Committee. Captain Royle comes to us with 18 years of experience at various agencies in Monmouth County. He is a US Navy Veteran and worked in the private fire investigation industry prior to coming to us. He continues to volunteer with the Matawan Fire Department and is a great asset to the town.
Firefighter Nick Brown a resident of Eatontown, NJ. He volunteered with Eatontown Fire Department, Tinton Falls Fire Department, & Eatontown Emergency Medical Services before coming to Upper Freehold Township. He has been a firefighter since 2015. He worked Per-Diem for South Wall Fire Rescue since 2019 and with us since early 2020, before being offered a spot as a full-time firefighter.
Firefighter Blake Nebbia grew up in the Upper Freehold Twp. and Allentown area. He has lived here for 17 years. He joined Hope Fire Company 9 years ago and has work extremely hard to get to this spot. Firefighter Nebbia is a graduate of Allentown High School and worked for Upper Freehold School District till he was offered a full-time position. He also worked Per Diem with Ewing Township as a firefighter.
Fire Service Representatives present: (L to R): Hamilton Battalion Chief Ferdinand Mather, Hope FC Chief Joe Petrella, UFT Firefighter Nebbia, Robbinsville Firefighter Ryan Frank, UFT Firefighter Brown, UFT Firefighter Jakob, Captain Royle, & Hope FC President Alex Nebbia (Children Sadie Royle & Kevin O’Donnell 3rd) Firefighters (L to R) Ryan Frank (Robbinsville Fire Department), Blake Nebbia, Kevin O’Donnell (child), Nick Brown, Matthew Jakob, Scott Royle, & daughter Sadie Royle Firefighter Blake Nebbia being “pinned” by his Girlfriend Madison Mather (L to R) Madison Mather (Girlfriend), Firefighter Blake Nebbia, Valerie Nebbia (Mother), Todd Nebbia (Father), HFC President Alex Nebbia (Brother) (L to R) Firefighter Nicholas Brown, Sabrina Perez, Kevin O’Donnell, Kevin O’Donnell 3rd, & Dana Tyler, Upper Freehold Township Administrator (L to R) Ms. Sabrina Perez (FF Brown’s Fiancé) Firefighter Nicholas Brown, Kevin O’Donnell 3rd, & Kevin O’Donnell (brother in-law) Captain Royle being “Pinned” with Family. Captain Scott Royle with his wife Tracey & daughter Sadie