Hopewell Township’s recognition of first responders coincides with the anniversary of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City and at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11, 2001
By John Tredrea
First responders and community volunteers were honored at Monday night’s Hopewell Township Committee meeting.
"We know you do it every day and don’t expect thanks, but this is our day, each year, to say ‘thank you,’" Mayor Vanessa Sandom said.
The committee passed a resolution designating Sept. 11 as Recognition Day. The measure salutes "all our brave men and women who daily put their lives on the line as First Responders."
First responders include police, firefighters, emergency medical service (EMS) personnel and Public Works employees. About 20 uniformed first responders, men and women, attended the ceremony.
The committee’s recognition of first responders coincides with the anniversary of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City and at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11, 2001. Hundreds of firefighters, police and EMS personnel lost their lives in the line of duty that day.
"We appreciate the time and effort you put into first responding in Hopewell Valley," Committeeman Mark Iorio said to the volunteers. "I am constantly in awe of what you do and what your uniforms represent."
Last September, township officials voted to proclaim that Sept. 11 of every year would be Recognition Day for all "first-call" responders and community service volunteers. Thus, the tradition began.
On hand for Monday’s ceremony were: David Pinelli, chief, Pennington Fire Company; Bill Naylor, president, Pennington Fire Company; George Meyer, chief, HTPD; Mandy Grey, HTPD patrol officer; Matthew Martin, chief of Emergency Services, HTFD No.1; John Ferner, HTPD patrol officer; Michael Cseremsak, HTPD sergeant and Hopewell Township fire commissioner; Thomas Puskas, HTPD lieutenant; JD Moore, specialist, Hopewell Valley Emergency Services; Joshua Wilson, specialist, Hopewell Valley Emergency Services; Cindy Orlandi, captain, Pennington First Aid Squad; Heather Orlandi, EMT, Pennington First Aid Squad; Dr. Allie Freeman, EMT, Union Fire Company & Rescue Squad; Andrew Kintzel, deputy chief, Union Fire Company & Rescue Squad; Eric Burd, chief, Union Fire Company & Rescue Squad; Seth Revkin, captain, Fire Police, Union Fire Company & Rescue Squad; William Springer, chief, Hopewell Fire Department; William Mullen, assistant chief, Hopewell Fire Department; Gene Jack, EMT, Union Fire Company & Rescue Squad; Timothy Lang, chairman, Hopewell Township Board of Fire Commissioners; Donald Kintzel, treasurer, Hopewell Township Fire Commissioners; Michael Chipowsky, vice chairman, Hopewell Township Fire Commissioners and past president, Union Fire Company & Rescue Squad; and Matthew G. Martin, chief of Emergency Services, Hopewell Township Fire District No. 1.