Monmouth University and West Long Branch Fire Department to Host Fundraiser for Injured Firefighter

After Asbury Park firefighter Jason Fazio was injured while battling a blaze last month, the community and his fellow firefighters rallied around him.

Tomorrow, Feb. 12, the West Long Branch Fire Department in coordination with Asbury Park Professional Firefighters Local 384 will host a benefit for Fazio at Anacon Hall at Monmouth University.

Fazio is still in critical condition at St. Barnabas Burn Center in Livingston after sustaining injuries on Jan. 10, while fighting a fire on Main Street in Asbury Park. Fazio, a 17-year veteran of the Asbury Park Fire Department, was looking for victims when he was caught in a flashover which forced him to save himself by jumping out a second-floor window. Fazio suffered burns and fractures as a result of the incident.

Tomorrow's event will be a benefit training seminar for fireground operations and is set to begin at 8:50 a.m. Over 400 firefighters from 80 fire departments across five states are expected to be in attendance.

The event is $50 per person which includes continental breakfast, lunch, and access to all the day's training seminars. All the proceeds go to Fazio and his family according to West Long Branch Fire Chief Rich Cooper.

Fire Chief Cooper said the event had originally been scheduled as a fundraiser for the West Long Branch Fire Department, but Fazio's accident changed that.

"This event has been scheduled for about six months, but when accident happened, the group got together and quickly realized we needed to make this a benefit," Fire Chief Cooper said. "It's very special to us because of who it's for."

The event will begin with an opening ceremony and presentation of colors at 8:50 a.m. and will feature a performance by the the Pipe & Drums of the Atlantic Watch. The colors are being presented by the Fort Monmouth Fire & Emergency Services, IAFF Local F-103 Honor Guard.

From 9:10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.,  there will be a presentation  entitled Primary Search in Small & Large Square Footage Private Dwellings City of Camden by Captain Brian Emenecker, Squad Co.7.

From 10:30 a.m. to  noon, there will be a presentation entitled Incident Scene Management for Private Dwelling Fires by City of Trenton Fire Director Leonard Carmichael.

Lunch will be served from noon to 1 p.m. 

The next presentation, Fire Spread & Collapse Concerns for Taxpayer, Strip Mall & Store Fires, will be held from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jersey City Deputy Chief Mike Terpak will lead the presentation.

The final presentation of the day will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and will be Forcible Entry Tips and Tricks for Commercial Building Fires. The presentation will be led by City-Wide Tour Commander, Newark Deputy Chief John Riker.

For more information on the event or to make a donation to please contact Fire Chief Cooper at 732-496-1427 or e-mail truckefire@aol.com.