Sea Bright Firefighters Honored at County Ceremony

Monmouth County officials held a solemn ceremony on Oct. 6 to pay tribute to 44 firefighters who died in the line of duty.

They also saluted current firefighters who have distinguished themselves with bravery, including some from Sea Bright's fire and police departments. 

“No matter what time of day or night that alarm goes off, you answer the call to serve,” Freeholder John P. Curley told the firefighters and their families at the ceremony led by the Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office, according to a release. “Some answered that call and never returned home. Today, we honor their memories and continue our pledge to never forget.”

“Our coastal and Bayshore communities felt the brunt of Sandy and these responders worked tirelessly to assist their residents. We are grateful for your service,” Fire Marshal Henry A. Stryker III added in a release.

2013 Award Recipients

Valor awards were presented to:

• Chief Brian Prochnow, Adelphia Fire Company #2, Howell

• First Assistant Chief Robert Tice, Adelphia Fire Company #2, Howell

• Firefighter Shimon Miller, Adelphia Fire Company #2, Howell

• Lieutenant Andrew Murphy, Sea Bright Fire Department

• Firefighter Jacob Simon, Sea Bright Fire Department

• Firefighter Tom Gavin, Deal Fire Department

Certificates of recognition were presented to:

• Patrolman Chris Fisler, Sea Bright Police Department

• Patrolman Nicholas Vaccaro, Deal Police Department

• Captain Mike Nevitt, Keyport First Aid

• First Lieutenant Dan Neff, Keyport First Aid

• EMT Connor Daukshus, Keyport First Aid

• EMT Darnell McDonald, Keyport First Aid

• EMT Jessica Walling, Keyport First Aid

• EMT Amanda Wycoff, Keyport First Aid

Unit Citations were awarded to:

• Sea Bright Fire Department

• Keyport Fire Department

• Morganville Independent Fire Company, Marlboro

• Oak Shades Hose & Chemical, Aberdeen

• Holmdel Fire Company #1

• Holmdel Fire Company #2

• Cliffwood Volunteer Fire Company, Aberdeen

• Union Beach Fire Company

• Union Hose Fire Company, Union Beach

• Union Gardens Fire Company, Union Beach

• Harris Gardens Fire Company, Union Beach

Special recognition was given to Monmouth County Department of Public Works & Engineering employees, who were credited with efforts to rescue more than 350 residents in Union Beach, Belmar and Lake Como.

They are: Joseph M. Grasso, Michael J. Rigby, Marc J. Metzinger, David T. Milmoe, Ronald J. Boyce, Nicholas I. Killmer, Daniel Adler, David G. Hanisch, Kenneth A. Fahnholz, Gary Fread and Donald Holmes.