The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders joined firefighters, their family members and other first responders to honor the 50 firefighters who died in the line of duty in Monmouth County at the Fallen Firefighters Memorial and Medal Awards Day.
The ceremony was held on Oct. 6 at the Monmouth County Fire Academy, Howell, to honor the fallen, as well as medal award recipients, according to a press release.
“We are here today to honor those who have gone above and beyond what is already an extreme call of duty and to celebrate their acts of courage,” Freeholder Deputy Director Pat Impreveduto said. “This ceremony also serves as a reminder of all of those brave men and women who went into a fire and gave their lives. These fallen firefighters are gone, but not forgotten.”
The memorial and the awards ceremony was headed by the Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office. The commemoration included the placing of a wreath in honor of the 50 firefighters from Monmouth County fire companies who died in the line of duty, according to the press release.
As each name of the fallen was read, they were honored with the ringing of a bell and a red carnation placed at the foot of the flag pole with a salute offered by family members and firefighters.
“This ceremony gives us the opportunity to reflect on the lives that have been lost by brave and selfless individuals,” Impreveduto said. “These heroes and their relatives are a part of our Monmouth County family and have inspired the next generation of passionate individuals to save the lives of residents.”
Impreveduto and Fire Marshal Fred Migliaccio awarded Unit Citations, Medals of Valor and Fire Prevention Inspector of the Year for rescue and firefighting efforts during the past year.
A list of award recipients is as follows:
• 2019 Medal Day Recipients, Medal of Valor Class II, Firefighter Scott Eack, Hazlet Fire Company;
• Unit Citation, Union Beach Fire Department; Matawan Borough Fire Department; South Wall Fire Rescue, Fire District No. 3;
• Certificate of Recognition, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Communications Division; 911 Communication Center, Public Safety Telecommunicators;
• Fire Prevention Inspector of the Year 2019, Ryan Dullea, fire official, Belmar, Lake Como, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights.
