Firefighters honor fallen comrades & commitment

In a solemn memorial service held at Firefighters Park, Union Beach, on Oct. 1, firefighters from around Monmouth County remembered the 54 firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Added to the list of those who are honored this year are 14 firefighters - seven of whom were members of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service - who died fighting wildfires. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

"Fire has been a major factor in shaping our environment for many years," Monmouth County Freeholder Theodore J. Narozanick said. "But as New Jersey has grown and become more populated, wildfires have posed a bigger threat to lives and property. When you think about the thousands of acres that sometimes burn all at once, the efforts to extinguish them are nothing short of superhuman.

"As a former fire chief in Englishtown and on behalf of my fellow firefighters in Monmouth County, I congratulate the New Jersey Forest Fire Service on its 100th anniversary and pay solemn tribute to those who made the supreme sacrifice fighting wildfires, or any fire for that matter, in order to protect lives and property of others. They are heroes, one and all."

"Today we honor the bravest of the brave and honor our brother firefighters who have answered their final alarm and made the supreme sacrifice," Monmouth County Fire Marshal Timothy Smith said. "As long as they are in our hearts and minds, they will never be forgotten."

Following a ceremony that included the laying of a wreath in honor of the fallen firefighters, the Monmouth County Fire Marshal's Office presented unit citations and certificates of special recognition.

In addition, the Fire Inspector of the Year award was presented to Gary Weiss, Manalapan's fire prevention and protection inspector.

A special presentation, a fire helmet, was given to Narozanick in recognition of his support of the fire service over the years.

"There is one position Ted has not held and that is fire marshal," Smith said. "I am proud to designate Ted as honorary Monmouth County fire marshal."

Unit citations were awarded to:

+ Adelphia Fire Company, Howell, for the teamwork and expertise demonstrated while performing rescue operations on Nov. 12, 2005, resulting in the successful rescue of a boy who had fallen into a 35-foot-deep well foundation.

+ Southard Fire Department, Howell, for teamwork and expertise demonstrated while performing rescue operations on July 21, 2006, rescuing two residents trapped in their house that was caused by downed electrical wires.

Certificates of special recognition were awarded to the Ramtown-Howell Fire Company, Howell, for emergency medical service performed on Nov. 4, 2005, at the Howell Pop Warner youth football complex on Old Tavern Road, and a separate incident at a home on West Shenandoah Road on March 25, 2006. In both instances lives were saved.