The Maplewood Fire Department presented its annual Valor Awards at Tuesday’s Township Committee meeting.
Chief Michael Dingelstedt and Deputy Chief Joseph Callaghan conducted the ceremony. The list of awardees is here:
Group citation: FD Joseph Alvarez and Dennis Wuest, Captains Kevin Hayes and Rick Salkowski, Deputy chief Mike Demartini were honored for their valor in the collapse of a wall at Coda Restaurant that killed one man and seriously injured another.
“These men combined their capabilities that day in order to save the life of a fellow human being,” said Callaghan. “That is the ultimate goal of this — to save lives.”
Callaghan noted that the incident is used by several national training associations as a model for how to respond to building collapses — “a testament to a successful operation in the face of great danger.”
Civilian award: Sophie Kessler, an 11-year-old resident who is “truly civic minded” and contributes to the community in many different ways, including by donating teddy bears to be put in ambulances for children headed to the hospital. Kessler is “a special young person…who is concerned about other children in their time of need,” said Callaghan.
Sophie Kessler receiving her Valor Award
Administrative awards: Firefighters Alan Bamdas and Deputy Chief Walter Nugent (IT), and Firefighter Joseph Alvarez (training).
