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Heroes Recognized by Hopewell Township

by Mary Galioto

At the Hopewell Township Committee meeting Monday night, several first responders serving the community were awarded and recognized for their heroism.

Hopewell Township Chief of Emergency Services Matthew Martin and Police Chief Lance Maloney (photo credit: Michael Chipowsky)

Hopewell Township Chief of Emergency Services Matthew Martin and Hopewell Township Police Department Chief Maloney presented Life Saving Awards, as well as Awards of Merit and a Letter of Letter of Appreciation.

Life Saving Awards

Chief Maloney presented the Life Saving Awards by sharing the details about the incident at approximately 8am on November 20, when Officer Mark Panzano and Detective Louis Vastola responded to a Mine Road address for the report of a 21 year old man suffering from cardiac arrest. Officer Panzano arrived on location within minutes and found the victim’s mother performing CPR in an upstairs bedroom. The unresponsive victim was moved to the floor and Officer Panzano utilized the defibrillator that indicated that a shock was necessary. Once a shock was delivered, Officer Panzano continued performing CPR.

(left to right): Detective Louis Vastola, Officer Mark Panzano and Emergency Services Specialist Dave Vandoren (photo credit: Michael Chipowsky)

Detective Vastola and Hopewell Fire Deputy Chief William Mullen then arrived on scene to assist. Detective Vastola took over chest compressions while Deputy Chief Mullen utilized a bag mask and oxygen to provide respiration for the victim. Three additional defibrillator shocks were administered by Officer Panzano. Here the victim was then transferred to Capital Health Systems Paramedics, Hopewell Valley Emergency Services personnel, and the Hopewell Fire Department Emergency Medical Unit who continued emergency treatment and transported the victim to a local hospital where he was admitted, treated, and later released. Those individuals were Emergency Services Specialist Ashley Coble, Emergency Services Specialist David VanDoren, Emergency Services Specialist Matthew Peck, and Firefighter/EMT Dylan Talarick.

“Through their quick actions and cooperative effort with each other and responding emergency personnel these officers were able to provide life saving assistance to this victim and place him under the care of more advanced medical personnel,” said Chief Maloney. “The gentleman that suffered the medical emergency after extensive rehab is at home now and the family is very appreciative of everyone here.”

Hopewell Fire Deputy Chief William Mullen, Firefighter/EMT Dylan Talarick, Emergency Services Specialist Matthew Peck, Emergency Services Specialist Dave VanDoren, Emergency Services Specialist Ashley Coble with Deputy Mayor Julie Blake(photo credit: Michael Chipowsky)

Township Deputy Mayor Julie Blake distributed the Hopewell Township Police Department Lifesaving Award to Detective Louis Vastola and Officer Mark Panzano, and the Hopewell Township Fire District Life Saver Award to Emergency Services Specialist Ashley Coble, Emergency Services Specialist David VanDoren, Emergency Services Specialist Matthew Peck, and Firefighter/EMT Dylan Talarick.

Awards of Merit and a Letter of Letter of Appreciation

Chief Maloney and Chief Martin also presented Awards of Merit and Letter of Appreciation regarding a call on December 15, 2017 at approximately 5:56pm, when Officer Robert Voorhees and Officer Michael Peterson responded to a Pennington Harbourton Road property for the report of a dog that fell through the ice in a pond. The dog was unable to get out of the pond on its own. Officer Voorhees and Officer Peterson, along with Hopewell Valley Emergency Services and Pennington Fire Company personnel arrived at the scene to assist the dog’s owner. The dog, later identified as Nisel, was observed frantically swimming around in the pond trying to find a way out. After assessing the situation, the responders formulated a plan to rescue the Nisel.

Officer Michael Peterson , Officer Robert Voorhees and Emergency Services Specialist Dave VanDoren with Nisel and her owner

Officer Voorhees volunteered to be fastened to a rope and crawled out on the edge of the ice towards Nisel. She swam toward Officer Voohees who grabbed her by the collar. Officer Peterson and Emergency Services Specialist David VanDoren then pulled Officer Voorhees to safety.

“Due to their quick actions, disregard to their safety and cooperation with each other and other emergency personnel, they were able to rescue Nisel from the pond and reunite her with her owner. For their actions, Officer Voorhees and Officer Peterson are awarded the Department’s Award of Merit and Specialist David VanDoren, a Letter of Appreciation from Police Department,” said Chief Maloney.

Mayor Kevin Kuchinski said, “I want to thank all of the first responders here for tirelessly putting their lives on the line, both to our residents and resident canines.”

Public Works Department

The Committee also recognized Public Works Department George Snyder. “I want to publicly recognize one of our employees for an award he received from the Public Works Association of New Jersey, Region 5, late last year,” said Mayor Kuchinski. “George, who had just joined our Public Works Department just at the end of last year, had been presented with the Outstanding Service Award for his tremendous efforts and distinguished accomplishments. We are glad to have you on board and congratulations.”

 

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