Asbury Park firefighter named state Firefighter of the year
Accolade awarded by New Jersey American Legion
Asbury Park firefighter Paul Annunziata was honored earlier this month for his harrowing rescue during the March 2014 fire at Monroe Towers.
The recognition came from the New Jersey American Legion Firefighter of the Year award held in Wildwood June 11.
“Firefighter Annunziata’s actions are a credit to the Asbury Park Fire Department and the fire service for his courageous efforts and diligent performance of his duties on this morning which had a successful outcome,” Asbury Park Fire Chief Kevin Keddy said.
Annunziata [shown above] is credited for rescuing an elderly woman, unable to walk, from her smoke filled bedroom. The woman had been recently released from the hospital and was using blankets to shield herself from the smoke, Keddy said.
With the aid of Captain Nielsen’s direction while he used a thermal imaging camera, Annunziata was able to wrap the woman in sheets and bring her to safety. She was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where she recovered fully recovered from smoke inhalation.
Annunziata also was honored by the Local VFW post and the County.
He joined the Asbury Park Fire Department as a firefighter/EMT on July 1, 2008, Keddy said. He also serves on the department’s Special Operations Team and is a certified hazardous materials technician. He is certified in structural collapse and is a member of the New Jersey Task Force One, since February 2013.
“It is people like Firefighter Annuniziata who serve unselfishly with courage, professionalism, and pride, that make us all safe in our community, state, and in our country,” Keddy said.
Annunziata is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served at Camp Pendleton, California from 1992-1996. He is a veteran of the 1st Gulf War and received many commendations during this tenure. He worked as a New Jersey State Corrections Officer at the East Jersey State Prison in Rahway for ten years before pursuing his childhood dream of becoming a firefighter, Keddy said. He also is a member of American Legion Post #346 in Neptune.
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