Nearly one year ago, one man was killed and another seriously injured in a tragic construction accident at Coda Kitchen and Bar in Maplewood Village. The men were construction workers building an internal staircase, when a wall collapsed, trapping them in debris. Guo Tai Chen, 51, of Flushing, NY, was killed.
Shortly after the accident, co-owners Bradley Takahashi and Luke Finn issued a statement thanking “…the dozens of emergency workers who came to our aid” and said they would “never forget their bravery, professionalism, and compassion.”
Last week, ten of those emergency workers — six Maplewood firefighters and four Maplewood Police officers — were honored for their actions that day at the 200 Club of Essex County Valor Awards Luncheon at Mayfair Farms in West Orange.
In addition to providing financial support to family members of Essex County police and firefighters killed in the line of duty, The 200 Club also annually pays tribute to those who commit acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.
“Had it not been for the extraordinary efforts [of the firefighters and police officers], an already tragic event could have been worse,” said 200 Club Executive Committee member Ira Cohen in presenting the awards. “They entered an unstable building collapse scene and worked relentlessly in a precarious confined space at great personal risk in an effort to save the two trapped victims.”
On May 30, 2014, during construction at Coda a portion of the ground and a wall gave way, trapping both men beneath dirt and debris. First on the scene were Maplewood police officers, Sgt. Vincent DeCicco, Officer Rodney Tannenbaum, Officer Henry Wasielewski and Officer Kraig Huncken.
The first to reach the men, Tannenbaum and Wasielewski saw one was trapped in debris, unresponsive and with severe head wounds. The second man was partly trapped but conscious and breathing. With their bare hands, the two officers tried to free the man, aware of the imminent danger of further walls collapsing. Sgt. DeCicco and Officer Huncken supported the two officers and monitored the structure.
Maplewood Fire Department Platoon #2, under the command of Deputy Chief Joseph Callaghan, arrived and took over the rescue operations. Firefighters Dennis Wuest and Joseph Alvarez of Tower Ladder #31 assessed the situation, with Capt. (now Deputy Chief) Michael DeMartini coordinating radio communications from the basement.
Once Engine #32’s Capt. Kevin Hayes and Firefighters Richard Salkowski and Michael Amato arrived and determined Chen had not survived, they turned their efforts to free the second man.
Using temporary struts to secure the floor above, they used their hands and a digging tool to free the semi-concious man. Rescue #36 transported him to UMDNJ Trauma Unit. He later made a full recovery.
The Valor Award recipients receive a cash award, an engraved medallion, and a ribbon to be worn on their uniform. The 200 Club contributed $1,000 on behalf of each department to their selected charities, the Police Unity Tour, Inc. and the Saint Barnabas Burn Foundation.
In addition to the individual awards, Fire Chief Michael Dingelstedt and Police Chief Robert Cimino accepted plaques on behalf of their respective departments.
“I’m very proud of the efforts of our officers and firefighters for thier brave actions and lifesaving efforts during the building collapse incident,” said Maplewood Police Chief Robert Cimino. “I congratulate all of the award recipients.”
“Additionally, the successful mitigation of this incident illustrates the dedication, training and perseverance of the firefighters and police officers who serve the Township of Maplewood,” said Maplewood Fire Chief Michael R. Dingelstedt.
