'Heroic' Morristown Firefighters Honored For Life-Saving Efforts

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Several Morristown Fire Department Tour 2 members were recognized for their life-saving efforts during a house fire, which resulted in the life of a Morristown resident being saved.

Firefighters Jesus Castano, Jonathan Prachthauser, Captain Thomas DeGroot, Alexander Cadena, Joseph R. SanFelice, III, and Sean Gaffney Christian T. Mussner, William D. Koller, Jonathan Prachthauser, Jr., and Mike Cirelli were named Valor Honorees at the annual 200 Club of Morris County awards ceremony, which recognizes outstanding service by first responders.

The 2023 Valor and Meritorious Awards Ceremony was held on Thursday, April 27 at Birchwood Manor in Whippany.

"This team of highly trained firefighters successfully navigated dangerous hoarding conditions in zero visibility to locate an unconscious woman. Thanks to them, she is alive today. We commend them for their bravery and their dedication to protecting the citizens of Morristown," the 200 Club of Morris County said.

The award stems from an incident on Oct. 18, 2022, where DeGroot responded to a call for a fire alarm activation on Elm Street. Upon arrival, members of the fire department worked together to evacuate tenants and report on conditions inside the building.

When the fire was discovered, entry was forced into the apartment, but hoarding conditions inside, combined with zero visibility due to heavy black smoke, made opening a window to vent the smoke impossible, officials said.

While performing a primary search, Koller discovered an unconscious woman in bed beneath some clothes that had fallen from a nearby rack and began removing her from the apartment. The responding life-support unit was informed that the woman was unconscious and unresponsive.

Once outside, Cadena began CPR on the woman, and she began breathing on her own before additional life-saving assistance arrived and took over her care.

"It is our opinion that without the quick action by these members, the victim would not have survived the fire," Sheriff James Gannon said.

Chief Robert Flanagan, who was also present at the ceremony, praised the local fire department, saying that while they do amazing work while on the job, they go above and beyond even more off the job.

"I just want to leave everybody here with one thing. This girl that came out of this house, she was gone, and everybody here had a part in bringing her back to life. But etched in my mind is you, Alex. This firefighter did not give up doing CPR; he kept doing it over and over again. Finally, after so many minutes, there was movement, and I just want to say that's etched in my head for the rest of my life," Flanagan said.