In addition to the Firefighter of the Year award, Captain Antonio Nuzzi of Engine Company #4 and ex-Captain Joseph Tessorero of Truck Company #2 also received the Class III Meritorious Award, given to members of the department who demonstrate unusual personal risk to help preserve or protect the life of another. The firemen were chosen for both honors because of the heroic effort they showed during a house fire in January 2002.
On Jan. 3, 2002, just before 6 a.m., a fire broke out in a Carrol Avenue home. An elderly couple was trapped inside. Nuzzi and Tessorero risked their lives to save the trapped couple. Both the man and woman were rescued from their burning home, though the man later died at an area hospital.
Engine Company #4 was nominated for a Unit Citation Award, which is given to members based on, among other things, the company's overall operation, teamwork and cooperation. Accepting the award was Nuzzi, Lt. William Alverez, Ff. Anthony LaCroce, Ff. Michael Scala and Ff. Timothy Waring.
Six members received the department's Pre-hospital Save Award for their combined efforts to successfully resuscitate an unconscious man after being called to his home on Washington Avenue just before midnight on May 15, 2002. The six men are Chief Robert Petry, First Assistant Chief Joseph Garofalo, Ex-Chief Edward Donoghue, Lt. William Grace III, Ff. Lance Palma and Ff. Michael Zervos.
Next, awards were given to one outstanding member from each company for service to their company. Company Recognition Awards went to ex-Captain Michael Jursak of Engine Company #1, ex-Chief Ronald Mastrangelo of Engine Company #2, Honorary Chief Walter Weltner of Engine Company #3, ex-Chief Richard Sullivan of Engine Company #4, Ff. Joseph Piccione of Truck Company #1, ex-Captain Brendan Cussen of Truck Company #2, and Ff. Raymond Rizzatti of Rescue Company #1.
Finally, Florence Beusmann, the former president of the department's Ladies Auxiliary, received Department Recognition for 51 years of service.
Recipients of the awards were determined based on service to the department in 2002. Prior to this year, awards were given out during the department's annual dinner.
