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The Asbury Park Veterans of Foreign Wars [VFW] Harold Daley Post #1333 honored two of the city’s emergency responders at a Veteran’s Day ceremony held there Tuesday.

Firefighter Paul Annunziata was named the 2014 Asbury Park Firefighter of the Year, and Officer Johnny Washington was named the Asbury Park Police Department’s Officer of the Year.

It has been a decades-long mission of the VFW to honor those who serve in local communities, according to Post Commander Lou Parise, and that tradition was renewed at the Harold Daley Post seven or eight years ago when he assumed leadership of the post.

“We’re very proud and I think it is good for the people of the community to honor those that serve so close to home,” Parise said. “Just as we pay tribute to the men and women in the military, we are happy to honor them and give them our tribute.”

Washington’s excellence in the area of patrol, his performance and commitment in the area of narcotics, weapons related investigations, and street and gang intervention, has provided excellent service for the community of Asbury Park, said Officer Michael Casey, the department’s communications officer.

Most recently, Washington [shown at right] showed controlled force in his response to a domestic violence incident that escalated to a life threatening situation. His quick reaction enabled him to save the lives of civilians and his fellow officers.

“He’s a good guy and a well-respected member of the police department,” Casey said, adding that new recruits often reach out to Washington for guidance.

In his 16 years on the force, Washington has also successfully developed a strong relationship with the city’s youth, Casey said.

“He is a senior officer that brings a lot of experience to the department — he’s a go-to guy we rely on with a can-do attitude,” Casey said.

Annunziata is a six year veteran of the Asbury Park Fire Department, according to Fire Chief Kevin Keddy.

Besides his certification as a firefighter and EMT, he serves with the department’s Special Operations Team, is a certified Hazardous Materials Technician and is also certified in structural collapse, Keddy said. He was accepted as a member of New Jersey Task Force One last year.

Annunziata [at left] is a United States Marine Corps veteran. He served in the first Gulf War and received many commendations during this tenure. Upon his completion of duty, he worked as a New Jersey State Corrections Officer at the East Jersey State Prison in Rahway, New Jersey for ten years before ultimately deciding to pursue his childhood dream to become a firefighter.

Most recently, Annunziata was instrumental in rescuing an elderly woman from fire and heavy smoke conditions in a blaze that broke out in her apartment in the 15-story Munroe Towers building. With the help of a thermal imaging camera to guide, Annunziata and Captain Nielsen found the woman hiding under the bedcovers. Annunziata wrapped her in blankets and brought her out of the apartment.

“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.

“You can see why we veterans and the citizens of Asbury Park are appreciative of their service,” Parise said.

Both received commemorative plaques and a small cash reward for their nominations.

The two will go on to complete at the county and then state level. If selected on the statewide level, the nomination moves to the national level.

Over the years, a number of the Asbury Park nominees have not only won the post nomination, but also went on to achieve county and state accolades, Parise said. One won a national title, he said.

[Photos provided by the Asbury Park Police and Fire departments.]

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