BEACHWOOD, NJ - On June 22, 2024 the Beachwood Vol. Fire Department held its annual awards dinner and celebrated our 102nd year of service at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Toms River.

We paid tribute to our past members and recognized members for outstanding service for 2023-2024.

Members Alison Smith and Jonathan Kobus were ceremoniously sworn in as they had completed their probationary period as new members in 2023-2024. They were presented copies of our Department's oath.

Each year we present two awards for exceptional service to the administrative side and the firematics side of the company. Assistant Chief Dennis Allen was the recepient of the 2023 President's Award, and Lieutenant Joseph Gugger recieved the 2023 Chief's award. They were presented with certificates and citation bars.

The Department also recognized Firefighters Dominick Roselli and Robert Tapp, along with Pine Beach Fire Department Captain Joseph Diehl, who were involved in a respiratory emergency incident involving an 18-month-old child.

On the evening of June 9, 2024 a family drove to our firehouse with their child in respiratory distress. Upon arrival, the father ran into traffic on Beachwood Blvd., waving down a vehicle to stop, which happened to be Firefighter Tapp in his personal vehicle. The father advised FF Tapp that his baby was not breathing. FF Tapp pulled into the station and contacted dispatch. The father and mother’s shouts for help alerted FF Roselli and Capt. Diehl, who were at FF Roselli’s home, which is next door to our station. FF Roselli and Capt. Diehl quickly came to the scene where FF Roselli took control of the baby and took immediate active intervention to clear the baby’s obstructed airway and get him breathing again. Capt. Diehl calmed the parents while FF Tapp contacted police and paramedics who responded to the scene. The actions and teamwork of these firefighters saved this child’s life.

FF Roselli was presented with the Department’s Life Saving Award and citation bar. FF Tapp and Capt. Diehl received Merit certificates for their actions. Pine Beach Fire Chief Juan Alicia received the award in behalf of Capt. Diehl.

?Outstanding job gentlemen!

Congratulations to all of our award recipients.