LAKEWOOD, N.J. – The ongoing rivalry between Lakewood’s long-established emergency service organizations and the newer Hatzulas Nefashos group has intensified after the township approved a yearlong municipal fuel subsidy — excluding the new agency from participation.
Under agreements passed by the Township Committee, Lakewood will provide free gasoline to several volunteer emergency and safety organizations, including Chaveirim of Lakewood, the Lakewood Civilian Safety Watch (LCSW)/Shomrim, Hatzolah of Central Jersey, and Lakewood Search & Rescue. Each organization will be eligible for up to $2,400 in fuel per month through the Department of Public Works, to be used exclusively for official volunteer operations.
The total annual cost of the program could reach roughly $115,000 in municipal fuel allocations. Township officials described the move as a cost-control measure designed to assist recognized volunteer groups that provide essential community services.
However, the newly formed Chaverim Hatzulas Nefashos, which has been expanding its footprint in Lakewood and Jackson, was left off the list.
Township officials did not specify why the group was excluded, saying only that the program reflects “existing organizations currently recognized under the township’s volunteer support structure.”
As part of the new arrangement, all fuel usage will be logged and reviewed by the police chief to ensure accountability and confirm the gasoline is used strictly for authorized emergency or safety activity. The agreements will remain in effect from January 1 through December 31, 2026.
A similar plan to recognize Lakewood’s EMS service is being pushed in Jackson wher Eli Shem Tov, a candidate for mayor in the township has told many members of the community he would also like to see Jackson Township officially recognize the Lakewood based volunteer EMS and community service groups.
Shem Tov announced his plan at Jackson Day in the fall of 2025.
The exclusion of Hatzulas Nefashos has reignited tensions in Lakewood’s ongoing “Hatzolah war,” a yearslong dispute over territory, recognition, and resources between Hatzolah of Central Jersey and the newer emergency medical group. Hatzulas Nefashos has accused local officials and rival organizations of attempting to block its operations through informal political and community pressure.
Fuel management and accountability have also been a sensitive issue in nearby Toms River, where members of the now-defunct Silverton EMS face court proceedings for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars in gasoline from township reserves without a valid operating agreement.