BEACHWOOD – The Beachwood Volunteer Fire Department is mourning the loss of Past Chief Donald E. Wiesner, who dedicated more than six decades of service to the fire service locally, statewide and internationally.
Wiesner, who first answered a call with the department in 1953 while on leave from the U.S. Air Force, officially joined in 1956 and went on to serve in every rank, including chief from 1967 to 1973. Known for consistently responding to the highest number of calls, he was also the department’s historian and a passionate preserver of fire service memorabilia, much of which he donated to the New Jersey Firemen’s Home Museum.
Beyond Beachwood, Wiesner served as an Ocean County Fire Coordinator for 33 years, rising to become the longest-serving chief coordinator. He instructed at the Ocean County Fire Academy and the New Jersey State Fire College, and represented Ocean County on the Board of Managers for the New Jersey Firemen’s Home for 24 years. His dedication also took him abroad, where he trained with firefighters across Russia, China, Peru and Germany through a People to People exchange program.
Wiesner, a life member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association, also spent more than 20 years with the Toms River Chemical/Ciba-Geigy Fire Brigade, where he rose to the rank of chief.
He passed away under the care of the New Jersey Firemen’s Home in Boonton, surrounded by fellow firefighters and staff. In accordance with his wishes, there will be no public viewing; a private ceremony and interment will be held at the Firemen’s Home Cemetery.
Ocean County Chief Fire Marshal Dennis Allen and the county Fire Marshal’s Office extended condolences, calling Wiesner “the epitome of a firefighter” whose impact reached far beyond his hometown.
