South Orange Fire Department Presents 2011 Valor Awards

Nine of South Orange’s bravest were honored with a ceremony at Monday’s Board of Trustees meeting.  The (SOFD) presented the 2011 Valor Awards which awards certain firefighters who have gone above and beyond the call of duty during the period of October 2010 - November 2011. 

The 2011 Humanitarian Award went to firefighter Heston Anderson.  Anderson was in a hotel in Atlantic City at a convention when he encountered a hotel guest in distress.  The victim was bloody and disoriented.  As other guests were stepping over the guest, Anderson stabilized the victim until EMTs arrived. 

“The actions of Firefighter Anderson showed that this job does not end when we take off the uniform,” said SOFD Captain Dan Sullivan.  “It did not matter that Firefighter Anderson was off-duty and in another jurisdiction.  Firefighter Anderson saw someone in distress and hjs instincts and training kicked in and helped someone in need.”

The 2011 Accommodation Award went to the entire SOFD Second Platoon.  The group presided over numerous motor vehicle accidents in the past year.  The specific one that the group was recognized for involved an elderly couple that had an accident near .  The crew had to remove two doors to extract the couple, who suffered various lacerations, from the car.  Once removed, the couple was able to be treated and transported by the .

“During these types of incidents, a coordinated approach is needed between all department members,” said Sullivan.  “Due to the positive outcome of these vehicle extrications, all of the victims were quickly removed and treated successfully by emergency medical services.”

The SOFD Second Platoon includes Captain John Shoemaker, Lieutenants Jeffrey Walsh and Richard O’Brien and Firefighters Kenneth Bomensatt, Michael Commins, Heidi Monsees and Michael Paschite.  Each received a plaque commemorating them.

Village President Alex Torpey, also an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for the South Orange Rescue Squad, talked about his first hand knowledge of the work that the SOFD does.

“To get a chance to work alongside you guys as an EMT, you get a first hand view of how competent and qualified our fire department is and our police department and other departments that actually go out on these emergencies,” said Torpey.  “To actually see people do the job they talk about and do it so well is a totally different sight.”

In addition to the awards, SOFD Chief Jeffrey Markey also pointed out other ways that the department has gone beyond the call of duty. 

During the snow storm on December 26, 2010, the department assisted in the rescuing of residents who were trapped in cars.  The department hosted the residents at the fire house until they could return home.

During Hurricane Irene, the SOFD assisted in various roles, including pumping water for South Orange and other communities that needed it.

Markey also made note of the cooperation that the South Orange Police Department, South Orange Rescue Squad and the Department of Public Works had with the fire department throughout the year. 

To conclude the ceremony, Markey discussed the pride he has for the men and women that work for him.

“It’s easy for me as Chief of the department to preside over the people who work for me,” said Markey.  “They make my job a lot easier and I love them dearly.  They are very good at what they do.”