Warren First Responders Honored For Heroic Efforts During Ida

WARREN, NJ — The Warren Township Committee honored first responders for their heroic actions on Sept. 1 during Tropical Storm Ida, when more than 50 people were rescued from vehicles, homes, businesses, and other locations.

The first responders honored were from the Warren Police Department, Fire Department, Rescue Squad and Warren CERT team.

Plagues, recognitions and awards were given out to the first responders during the Oct. 14 committee meeting.

"I can tell you, we all lived through Sandy and it was a brutal storm but arguably this created more damage than Sandy did," said Warren Mayor George Lazo. "And it was to my surprise. I was shocked at the damage."

Warren Fire Chief Mark Russo said volunteers and responders were out past 1 a.m. in the morning responding to water rescues. The fire department stopped counting the water rescues when they hit 50.

Warren Police Chief William Keane spoke about the officers and a township resident, Scott Rose, who helped tremendously with rescues.

"Scott Rose volunteered his vehicle, life, time, and effort to assist us in the high water recovery since we didn't have the equipment with boats or his military vehicle," said Keane. "We can't thank him enough. He may have saved some lives."

Keane noted the township experienced unprecedented flooding and within three hours, hundreds of 911 calls were fielded by dispatchers for trapped motorists and fast-moving rising waters.

Along with Rose, Warren officers were also honored for wading into waist-deep water fast-moving water to remove families from stranded vehicles.

"In one instance officers rescued someone holding onto a tree in a fast-moving high water area of town by wading in to remove her," said Keane.

"The officers and Mr. Rose acted selflessly and courageously during this event and responded to these calls for service without hesitation. Their actions undoubtedly saved the lives of numerous civilians," said Keane.

Here is a list of all those who were honored:

• Ofc. Bryan Horst
• Ofc. Jeffrey Sohler
• Ofc. Luke Masterson
• Ofc. Adam Bergman
• Ofc. Dylan Cote
• Ofc. Anthony Campanelli
• Sgt. Robert Ferreiro
• Civilian (plaque)
• Scott Rose (resident)

Police Dispatcher

• CO Michael Kull
• CO Stephen Schumacher

Fire Companies

• Mt Bethel Fire Company
• Mt Horeb Fire Company
• Community Fire Company
• Washington Valley Fire Company
• Berkeley Heights Fire Dept (Boat usage)

Fire Fighters

During Hurricane Ida, they responded to numerous calls in town for people stranded inthe water or trapped in their vehicles.

• George Cooney
• Warren Cooney
• Dante Verdun
• David Dante
• Logan McNulty
• Robbie Tucker
• Johnny Schipani
• Jim Mitchell
• Ryan Valentino
• Brian Burkhardt
• Andy Childers
• Aram Kachidurian
• Parker Puglisi
• Chief, Mark Russo

Rescuers Plaques

On Sept. 1, they responded to a water rescue on Blazier Road with a woman stuck on top of her vehicle in the floodwaters. The members and supporting crew were able to make a safe and successful water rescue.

• Larry Chan
• Adam Pilla
• Dan Pepe (All of Mt. Bethel Fire Company)

On Sept. 1, they responded to more than 50 water rescues for people stuck in their vehicles in the floodwaters. The member and supporting crew members were able to make safe and successful water rescues.

• Jack Haiken
• Derek Reedman (both of Mt. Bethel Fire Company)

OEM

• Lauren Nelson
• Kathy Dalton
• Andy Logan, CERT Captain
• Laura Lamson
• Deepa Rao
• Lynn Nakashian
• Jane Asch

Rescue Squad Certificate of Appreciation

Running calls during the storm and running an evacuation shelter for rescued motorists

• Stacey Choy, Crew Chief
• Victoria Appicie
• John Fogarty
• Shaina Fogarty
• Ryan Presgraves
• Nicole Ling
• Jason Ross

Department of Public Works

Awarded a certificate of appreciation for the crew members' work during and after the storm to clear the aftermath including damaged walls and clogged drains.

"They worked around the clock and are still working on it," said Gary DiNardo.

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