"Occupant Trapped!" A Fallen NJ Firefighter And The Scholarship (The Secret List)

All,

April 11, 2006: a single-family dwelling fire with confirmed indications of a victim trapped. Chief Danny Krushinski was in command and his orders were clear: "GO IN AND GET HER!"

At approx. 0600 hours, on that date, East Franklin NJ FD, and first alarm mutual-aid companies were dispatched to that dwelling fire with reported entrapment. PD on the scene confirmed it. Firefighters arrived with heavy smoke, they entered with a handline and attempted to locate the trapped victim. The victim was found. Firefighters continued to attempt the rescue when, at that time, the floor opened and Firefighter Foreman Kevin Apuzzio fell into the fire. He subsequently died of his injuries following valiant attempts by the firefighters to get him out. (Reports and videos below)

REMEMBERING TODAY & A SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Today is the 18th anniversary of the Line of Duty Death of Kevin Apuzzio.

Two years ago, in cooperation with the Kevin Apuzzio Memorial Foundation, friends and family established the Kevin Apuzzio Endowed Memorial Scholarship at Rutgers University. A flier for the scholarship is attached. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to students with emergency services experience as they work to complete their degree at Rutgers. They established and endowed this scholarship, most importantly, to forever preserve Kevin's legacy at Rutgers. They also wanted to pay it forward to future generations of volunteer emergency services personnel.

PLEASE SEE ATTACHED SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION.

BELOW: RELATED RESOURCES ABOUT THIS FIRE AND THE LOSS OF KEVIN:

Here is my personal reflection on the loss of Kevin:

https://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/go-in-and-get-her-remembering-a-heroic-lodd/

https://www.fireengineering.com/firefighting/firefighting-sometimes-we-must-take-risks/#gref

https://www.firehouse.com/home/news/10505492/commentary-go-get-her

NJ DEPARTMENT OF FIRE SAFETY LODD REPORT:

https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dfs/reports/eastfranklin.pdf