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While hundreds, or possibly thousands, of residents gathered to watch a 15-minute fireworks display, little thought was given to the hours of planning necessary for the event to be successful.

“I have been planning for this since my first day on the job, about three months ago,” Recreation Director Elizabeth Aguilar said.

Aguilar explained that the food vendors, which were new this year, helped pay for the disc jockey who played music on the waterfront at Lake Lefferts, Ravine Drive.

The vendors offered lemonade, funnel cake, steak and sausage sandwiches, ice cream and face painting.

“I am really excited that [the fireworks] happened and that there was such a nice turnout,” Aguilar said. “We are looking to expand next year.”

The recreation director mentioned the many meetings with representatives from the borough’s fire, police and public works departments.

Matawan Police Lt. Ben Smith said the department planned for two or three weeks to set up the barricades and personnel in order to have a safe event.

The force had 15 officers on patrol Sunday night including officers on foot and bicycles.

The fire in fireworks

Matawan firefighters were wetting down the ground and roping off an area where the fireworks would be shot off in order to prevent anything or anyone from catching fire, officials said.

Matawan Fire Department Chief Joseph Tamburello stationed firefighters and their equipment around the lake in preparation for any emergencies. The chief gave directions from the incident command trailer near the fireworks site, he said.

Matawan’s firefighters were joined by companies from Keyport, Union Beach, Aberdeen, Laurence Harbor and Sayreville.

The extra volunteers are a part of the mutual aid agreement put in place among area departments, Sayreville Chief John Dunne said.

“Being a volunteer firefighter is a brotherhood. We help each other out whenever we can,” Dunne said. Sayreville had one engine and five volunteers present.

Aberdeen Fire Chief Donald McNab said the agreement shows camaraderie among the different departments. Aberdeen sent one truck and a crew to operate it, he said.

Keyport Fire Chief Bill Vaughn said his department provided a truck that was also equipped for fire police work accompanied by six volunteers.

Keyport assisted Laurence Harbor in the crowd control and traffic direction, since its fire police unit was available for the event, he said.

“We make sure everyone is where they are supposed to be and that no one wanders off into certain areas for safety reasons,” Vaughn explained.

Laurence Harbor Chief Bob Foster characterized the agreement as a “big buddy system” that makes up for the lack of work force due to decreasing volunteer numbers.

In addition to crowd control, traffic safety and watching for flying embers, the trucks served as a way to light up the streets for pedestrians to return to their cars safely, Matawan Lt. Chris Lambros said.

Washington Engine Company’s sole female member, Shawna Lawrence, 16, was on duty as a junior firefighter as well.

While most girls her age would have been watching the fireworks from the lakefront, Shawna was patrolling the streets with her comrades.

“I’d much rather be on this side of things. It is more exciting and I feel helpful,” Shawna concluded.

All photos by Tim Kovach.