Newark city officials and Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose hosted the Newark Fire Division’s Award Ceremony, today at St. Lucy’s Roman Catholic Church in Newark.
Honorees include Newark Firefighter Paul Leber, who was injured during a December 30th fire at 10 Park Avenue. At 9:12 p.m., members of the Newark Fire Division responded to a two-alarm fire at Velez Tire Shop in which Leber, a 10-year veteran, became disoriented inside the building. Members of Engine 7 and Rescue 1 went back into the building with other firefighters and rescued him. Leber was initially transported to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx for treatment. He continued his recovery at Kessler Rehabilitation in West Orange and was released on February 1st.
Other NFD honorees include: Battalion Chief Joseph Sperli; Battalion Chief William Weidele; Captain Steven LaPenta; Captain Ernest Lunetta; Captain Daniel Iberer; Firefighter Robert Illis; and Probationary Firefighter Evan West. Honorees from the Fire Department of New York include Fire Chief James E. Leonard and Captain Gary Miller of the Family Assistance Unit. Dr. Martha Meredith Masters, Medical Director-EMS of Newark’s University Hospital, will also be honored.
“Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day and their bodies, minds, hearts and souls into protecting us,” Mayor Baraka said. “They deserve to be honored, not only when they are injured, but on every day of the year. We are blessed and honored to be here with Firefighter Leber, one of Newark’s bravest. And we are grateful to FDNY Fire Chief James Leonard and his staff, as well as Dr. Masters and her team at University Hospital for their outstanding service in supporting an injured member of the Newark Fire Division.”
“I am grateful that this is a day of celebration instead of a day of sadness,” Director Ambrose said. “I’m proud of Firefighter Leber for never giving up. He’s a fighter and represents the best of the Newark Fire Division. And there are not enough words to thank the firefighters who risked their lives to save his. What I love about this ceremony is that we also have the opportunity to honor our brothers from FDNY and the Director of EMS of University Hospital. These exceptional individuals went above and beyond for the sake of our beloved firefighter Leber.”