Chester Firefighters Honored For 'Meritorious Service'

CHESTER, NJ - Deputy Chief William Taquinto and Firefighter Craig Wallenstein were honored last month at the annual 200 Club of Morris County Award presentation at the Birchwood Manor.

Taquinto and Wallenstein each received the 2019 Meritorious Award for their courageous efforts at a house fire in November of 2019.

The nominations are submitted through the appropriate channels within each public safety agency. The 200 Club of Morris County accepts nominations specifically and solely from the representatives.

The top award is an act of Valor is an extraordinary event in which a person put his or her own safety aside. It is an act of extraordinary courage, which went beyond the call of duty. Very often, one's life is at risk, officials said.

The Meritorious Award is a second level of recognition, which differs from Valor in that a person has performed an extraordinary act, but their actions did not necessarily place their well-being or life at risk. Meritorious awards recognize individuals whose professional or volunteer activity rises above the expected norm for their profession, officials said.

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