On Thanksgiving afternoon, many career firefighters across the state were preparing a holiday dinner.  Some, with family members inside the firehouse. 

Such was the case in West New York when a full assignment was transmitted for a fire reported at Bergenline av. and 53rd St., with people trapped.  Flames were venting out of the windows of a mixed occupancy corner building.  Fire suppression duties were established and successful rescues executed. 

While operating on the roof of Exposure “D,”  and within minutes of the initial alarms, an explosion occurred.  Firefighters were “vaulted' some 15-20-feet in the air.  

Firefighter Lou Jester Isip suffered a compound fracture to his right ankle, broken left ankle, broken ribs and a head injury.  Firefighter Rembert Amistad suffered  lower body injuries. 

Despite their severe injuries, the two firefighters teamed up and crawled over to aid their captain who had also suffered a severe lower leg injury.  Firefighters Isip and Amistad proceeded to pull their captain off of the collapsed section of the roof to a safer area where they awaited fellow firefighters climbing an aerial ladder to assist them down to safety.

At the Hudson County 200 Club's 38th Annual Valor Awards Luncheon, April 24th, Firefighters Isip and Amistad were awarded the 200 Club Valiant Teamwork Award, in recognition of their “gallant efforts and heroic actions.”  

“These two firefighters displayed the highest level of gallantry and courage while risking their own lives to rescue a Brother firefighter under the most hazardous conditions, and while suffering intense pain from their injuries, and acted above and beyond the call of duty within the finest traditions of the fire services.”