Volunteer Woodbridge Firefighter Todd Howell Honored For 60 Years Of Service

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — On Saturday night, the Woodbridge Volunteer Fire Company presented an award to Todd Howell for 60 years of volunteer service as a Woodbridge firefighter.

Howell, born in 1940 and 85 years old, became a Woodbridge volunteer firefighter in 1965, at the age of 25. He held many positions in the town's volunteer fire department including chief of the department, president of Woodbridge Fire Co. #1, first and second assistant chief, as well as truck captain and many leadership roles in the administration of the Woodbridge Firemen's Relief Association. He was also a Fire Commission for many years.

But Howell is most known for a rescue he made decades ago, in 1968, when he and other firefighters saved the life of a three-year-old girl who was nearly killed in a house fire; the girl had to be hospitalized in critical condition. The house fire started on the 500 block of Barron Avenue and Howell and other firefighters had to enter and search the burning home three different times until they found the girl.

Being a firefighter is in Howell's blood: His grandfather and his great-grandfather served the Woodbridge community as firefighters. His father was Ray Howell, owner of Woodbridge Lumber Company.

The award Saturday night was presented by Woodbridge Volunteer Fire Company President Ronald Leminelle and Chief Michael Hapstak. Howell also received a proclamation from 1st Ward Councilwoman Sharon McAuliffe.

“Todd has been an integral part of the fire department through his 60 years with the department. He has built a legacy of dedication, leadership and service that has been woven into the fabric of the department by his tenure as a line officer, administrative officer and fire commissioner," said volunteer Fire Chief Michael Hapstak. "He continues to serve in vital roles to this day. He is our department’s historian, with knowledge that extends beyond his own years of service to the early years of the department when his grandfather and great-grandfather served in the 1910s and 1920s. We thank him and honor him for his duty to the department and to the residents of the fire district, and wish him all the best as he continues with unwavering service to our community.”

And Volunteer Fire Company President Ronald Leminelle said:

“While Todd has a very distinguished record as a firefighter, he has also been extremely active in the administrative side of our company. He has been on our Executive Board for over 20 years. Todd has been Treasurer since 1990 and served in numerous other roles over the years including President.”

Here is the story of how Howell saved the three-year-old child:

From the Leader-Press, Woodbridge, NJ December 11, 1968
Howell, Local Fireman, Credited With Rescuing 3-Year-Old Child

WOODBRIDGE — Today, everyone is talking about the heroism of a volunteer fireman — Todd Howell, 113 Schoder Avenue, son of Ray Howell, owner of Woodbridge Lumber Company.

Three times the brave fireman went into a burning home on Barron Avenue yesterday until he finally found and rescued a three-year-old girl, who is in critical condition at Perth Amboy General Hospital.

Interviewed at the scene, Todd said: “Please don’t give me the credit. The credit belongs to the entire fire company. It was not a one-man operation.”

But the fact remains that Todd did go into the house, enveloped in flames, three times and although he had the backing of all the men in Woodbridge Fire Company who did their part as a team, Todd placed his life on the line.

The alarm was turned in at 1:14 p.m. by someone at Woodbridge Junior High School who saw smoke emerging from the small house at 516 Barron Avenue. In no time, billows of black smoke were spiraling skyward and yellow flames had enveloped the house occupied by Mr. and Mrs. George Vetter and family and owned by Fred Kaufman, owner of Slumber Sue Pajama factory in the rear of the house.

Playing on Porch

In the house at the time were Mrs. (Shirley) Vetter, 40, and her three-year-old daughter, Tracy. Mrs. Vetter was in her kitchen and Tracy was playing on the sun porch in the front of the house. Police said Mrs. Vetter had placed a blanket over the porch door to keep the draft out. She looked up suddenly and saw the blanket in flames. She rushed out to get the child, but police theorized that the youngster had somehow started the fire and hid because she feared punishment.

Meantime Mrs. Vetter ran to the rear of the house believing the child had gone there, but could not find her. By that time the whole house was a mass of flames and filled with thick black smoke. Somehow the mother made her way outside, but not before she suffered burns about the hands and face. She cried out that the child was in the house.

The first time Howell entered the burning frame dwelling, police said, he had on oxygen equipment but had to turn back as the equipment proved defective. He went in a second time, called for the child, received no answer. The smoke and flames forced him out again but he begged to be allowed to go back a third time. This time they tied a rope around him and brother firemen held it, in case he needed assistance. Howell said he was just about to give up when there was a blast of fresh air; the smoke parted and he saw the little girl crouched under the kitchen table — a fact that probably kept her alive. As Howell brought the child out, the crowd watching the fire became still. An inhalator was brought into play by the police and the Woodbridge Emergency Squad and as the child started to cry, she was scooped up by one of the police officers and carried in the ambulance and rushed to the hospital with a police escort with sirens screaming. Mrs. Vetter was given first aid by the Emergency Squad at the scene and then taken to the hospital.

In Intensive Care

Little Tracy, at press time, was in the intensive care unit at Perth Amboy General Hospital and according to hospital authorities was being treated for extensive burns, smoke inhalation and cuts. Mrs. Vetter is in fair condition and was admitted for further treatment.

The Vetters have three other children: Melody, 11; Dawn, 14; and George, 16. They were not at home at the time. Mr. Vetter works for the City of Newark and serves as chaplain for the Disabled American Veterans Chapter.

At press time tonight, the house was still smoldering. It is burned beyond repair.

Reporters at the scene remarked how well the firemen and police worked as a team. The firemen, especially, were commended for an outstanding job. Women at the scene began to cry when they learned the child was alive.