Hoboken Fire Fighters Receive Award for Service

Hoboken officials and fire fighters attended an the annual Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey and International Association of FireFighters Valor Awards banquet on Thursday at the PNC Arts Center Reception Hall in Holmdel.

Hoboken fire fighter Andrew Frey described the events that awarded Hoboken's finest with the valor awards. 

Captain Joe Schisani for his life saving efforts while off duty at his local pool.  

Captain Schisani noticed a female at the bottom of the pool and jumped into retrieve her and with the assistance of a life guard performed life saving CPR techniques until paramedics arrived. Captain Schisani was able to get a pulse prior to their arrival and then assisted paramedics in getting the victim transported to a hospital.  

Firefighter Ian Metcalfe while off duty and surfing at the Asbury Park beach was flagged down by police to assist in retrieving a drowning boy in the ocean. Using his surf board he paddled out to sea and was able to place the boy on his surfboard and brought him to the shore where he assisted police with CPR until a pulse was gained. Once paramedics arrived Firefighter Metcalfe assisted in getting the boy to the hospital.  

The following members received a Unit Citation for their efforts in saving the life of a construction worker who fell onto scaffolding at 513 Willow Ave. sustaining internal bleeding and life treating injuries. With no other means to get the victim down the members used high angle rescue equipment and packaged the unconscience victim to a backboard and lowered him to waiting EMS personnel who transported the male to the hospital.  Their quick action and skilled training were honored for this effort.  The members are:  Captain James Wallington, Captain Lou Turso, Captain Ray Martinez and Firefighters Chris Curko, Frank Daliani, Jr., Michael Hayes, Andrew Maroney, Larry Kolmer, Arnold Alfano and David Turner.