Veteran Hammonton Firefighter Collapses Fighting Blaze

HAMMONTON, NJ- A veteran Hammonton firefighter who collapsed at a structural fire earlier this month is slowly recovering at Atlanticare Mainland in Galloway Township, said Lt. Joseph Lizza.

John Warren Jr., 70, was providing water supply assistance to firefighters inside a home in the 200 block of Union Road on Feb. 14 when they noticed a water pressure decrease and found Warren collapsed on the ground, unconscious and unresponsive, he said in a post on the department's Facebook page.

Chief Sean Macri, Captain Jim Day, Captain AJ Berenato and Hammonton dispatcher Ryan Finn began giving Warren cardiopulmonary resuscitation. He was taken to the hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.

Warren has since been moved to a step-down intensive care unit and is listed in stable condition, Lizza said.

"The concept of a brotherhood/sisterhood is routinely espoused within the fire service, and through this challenging event, the strength of the Hammonton Fire Department has shined," he said.

Fire department members have been visiting Warren daily.

Warren has served in the department for 40 years. He has served in a number of leadership positions and is currently the treasurer on the Hammonton Independent Volunteer Fire Company, Station 2.

"The Hammonton Fire Department once again gratefully acknowledges the support and assistance provided by neighboring first responders as well as the care being provided daily by Atlanticare doctors and nurses," Lizza said. "Our continued thoughts and prayers go out to our brother firefighter and his family."

Logo: Courtesy of Hammonton Fire Department