While other local organizations have taken the time to honor the members of the North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue for their acts of bravery and courage in the line of duty since the regional was formed in January, 1999, the NHRFR itself never had the opportunity to honor its own.
There were other pressing matters at hand, like ironing out a uniform procedure policy or trying to ratify a unified contract within the rank and file and superior officers. The contract has yet to be approved and is currently in the hands of a state-appointed arbitrator.
And when the tragedy of the World Trade Center terrorist attack occurred on Sept. 11, it forced the focus of all attention toward rescue efforts for quite some time.
So while the NHRFR always planned to honor its own, with the initial awards presentation originally planned for last fall but postponed due to the tragedy of Sept. 11, the opportunity never fully came about for any awards presentation.
That was, until last Tuesday, when more than half of the NHRFR’s 300 members received some sort of an award, medal or citation for their countless acts of heroism and bravery since the initiation of the regional serving North Bergen, Union City, West New York, Weehawken and Guttenberg more than three years ago.
Chief Edward Flood recalled the days of Sept. 11 in his address to the men, before presenting the awards at Schuetzen Park in North Bergen.
“The events of Sept. 11 caused us all to focus on the darker side of the human spirit, yet we were able to provide comfort, stability and safety to others,” Flood said. “We recognize the quality of life that our firefighters provide, and we’re proud and privileged to be here today to recognize their efforts.”
Assemblywoman Joan Quigley, filling in for scheduled speaker Rep. Robert Menendez, who was called to Washington, D.C. at the last minute before the ceremony, recognized the efforts of the NHRFR’s members in the light of the Sept. 11.
“Much of New Jersey has looked to you as a model of response since Sept. 11,” Quigley said. “What you all did personally and as a group will never be forgotten. Everywhere I go in the state, people want to recognize what you did on that day. They salute you as heroes.”
Added Quigley, “But it’s not just the terrible events. The response to calls is magnificent every day, whether it’s a big business along the waterfront, a grandmother who is stuck in a burning building in Union City, or a newborn needing help on Boulevard East. You do it with little regard for your personal safety and only the highest regard for others and your comrades. If others were as responsible and worked as well as you, this area would all be a better place.”
NHRFR Co-Director Jeff Welz said that the awards presentation was three years in the making because the NHRFR had to work on getting a unified awards criteria throughout the five different municipalities.
“There were some distinct differences in each town’s criteria,” Welz said. “We felt we should have one program to follow, so we formed a valor awards committee that went over the criteria. It was a blend of some of the old programs, what levels of action called for what medal. We brought both unions in to serve on the committee, so it took a period of time to get it going.”
Added Welz, “But now, we have a unified criteria and it will be an annual event. We recognized the commitment of the work, but we just needed the right program to put it all together.”
Regardless, nothing was going to diminish the efforts of those honored, who were present with their family members looking on with pride and adoration.
“I received like six awards,” said Mike Voicu, who received two medical service awards for helping to save the life of a baby in 1999 and helping to save the life of an elderly man in 2000. “It’s a great feeling to be recognized by your peers. What we do, we do day in and day out. We’re not looking for awards. But something like this is a great morale booster for each and every one of us. It’s a great honor. I’m a bit overwhelmed by it all.”
Captain William Lemonie, who also received his fair share of accolades, including a unit citation for saving lives, agreed.
“We don’t even need to be recognized, because we’re just doing our job,” Lemonie said. “But it is a good feeling when you are recognized. It was good that they went back to the beginning of the regional and recognized everyone and I’m glad they took the time to recognize everyone. It wasn’t an easy thing to do. I think they did a good job in putting it all together.”