Volunteers Honored for Life Saving, Length of Service

The firefighters of Toms River Township are official.

This weekend, fire officers from Toms River Township were sworn in for the 2012 year.

The event, which also presented Valor Awards to several members, was held at s Auditorium.

Members of Toms River’s , were in attendance to take their oaths as Fire Officers for the coming year. Presented by the Toms River Joint Fire Officers Association and the Toms River Board of Fire Commissioners, Districts 1 and 2, the ceremony hosted by former Chief John H. Lightbody who spoke throughout the evening.

Two keynote speakers were present during the ceremony. The first speaker was firefighter Jason Fazio of the Asbury Park Fire Department. Fazio was involved in an accident on the morning of Jan. 10, which was also the day of his 41^st Birthday. He was transported to St. Barnabas Center in Livingston were he was treated for third degree burns on over 50 percent of his body.

 “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: it’s a brotherhood like no other, the fire service,” said Fazio in his opening comments. Fazio then went on to talk about what they have as part of their preparation. “Training is a vital part of reacting and overcoming situations. You have to train.”

“It’s the proudest profession and the brotherhood beyond no other,” said Fazio. “You guys got a good club down here.”

Fazio was cited for saving the life of an Asbury Park Middle School Administrator who suffered a heart attack in 1997 and received a Fire Department Individual Meritorious Commendation in 2001 for heroic actions, according to the master of ceremonies notes.

The second keynote speaker was Fire Chief Kevin Keddy of Asbury Park. Keddy also spoke to the fire officers and told them about the day’s events and what happened after the accident.

All officers who were to be sworn in for the next year were given their oaths to say aloud after the keynote speakers. All members were brought on stage to take the oath and receive individual awards like Firefighter of the Year Award. Station # 28 elected Daniel Goresh, who has been in the fire service with Toms River since 2003 and become a regular firefighter in 2007.

“I received the Firefighter of the Year Award for Station 28,” said Goresh. “Each year they choose somebody who has been going above and beyond from each station.”

Goresh was asked about how he feels to receive the award after the ceremony. “I feel very good about it. I mean I’m not the one who goes around looking for credit…I’ve been a volunteer firefighter, I do it just because I want to. Congratulations to everybody else who one tonight. Every year it just keeps getting better and better and its just a good night all together.”

Among the Valor Awards given during the evening was the Award for Merit, which was bestowed on five firefighters who were involved in 9-1-1 call on in response to a possible drowning of a 9 year-old in a backyard pool. The Distinguished Service Award was given to Dana Mitchell of Silverton Fire Co. for all of her dedication as well as the Life Saving Award given to Lt. Richard Clifton of Berkeley Underwater Search and Rescue for his efforts on March 1, helping to extricate the driver of a burning vehicle.

The fire department's annual event "was put together to recognize the dedicated service of all our fire fighters, as well as any acts of heroism, acts above and beyond the call of duty that may occur during the fiscal year,” said Lightbody. “Tonight we recognized over 63 fire fighters for length of service.”

Ligthbody made reference to a number of members who have served in intervals of five years, including Robert Clark of Silverton Fire Company for has given 45 years of service and Frank Donnelly who has devoted 30 years of service to Toms River with an additional 30 years service elsewhere.

“We like to recognize that we saw many fire fighters here today that launched their careers in the fire service; albeit Fire Suppression, Prevention, Protection and Investigations. I was one of those who launched my career (in fire service) so I have a lot of admiration and respect for what they do in Toms River Township.”

Lightbody also said that each station has five officers, consistent of the Chief, Assistant Chief, Captain and two Lieutenants from each station who have to oversee 50 fire fighters from their respected stations or about 300 fire fighters in Toms River Township. They are to begin their terms starting in January.

The event began with the firefighters being led into the auditorium by the Shamrock and Thistle Band, which consisted of drums and bagpipers. After which the National Anthem was sung by Elizabeth Ritacco soon to be followed by the introduction of the Fire Commissioners. Toms River Council President Maurice “Mo” Hill then addressed the audience briefly.

Lightbody spoke about the merit awards given to several members of the Toms River Twp. Fire Service. Lightbody said that the individual who was being rescued on July 14 of this year ultimately passed away from her injuries, but efforts of the fire service were able to get a pulse after the 9-1-1 call. The family later donated her organs so that another could live.

“It takes a lot of effort to put the event together, “said Lightbody. “There’s a representative from each department on the committee. This event is planned a couple months ahead of schedule and I want to thank everyone who helped. Everyday we leave our house we face the perils of fire. And with that we need to come home safe.”

Check out our photo gallery from the event here.