Woodbridge honors officers and volunteers for Nov. 3 apartment fire rescue

Mayor John McCormick presented proclamations recognizing six police officers and volunteer responders for a Nov. 3, 2024 rescue at the Woodbridge Terrace apartment complex.

The mayor said the Woodbridge Police Department Communication Center dispatched all available units to a structure fire that had engulfed several occupied apartments. Sergeant Scott Horvath, traffic investigator Adam Kaswick and officers Steven Doyle, Andrew Katarski, Alexander Rebello and Jared/Aaron Jarrett established a perimeter and initiated evacuation procedures, the mayor said.

"So the scene was very hectic. We arrived on scene. There was multiple fire departments on scene," Sergeant Scott Horvath said, describing locating an elderly woman and her son on a back second-floor balcony and the decision to deploy two ladders and a Reeves rescue basket because the resident could not safely climb down.

Council members and former officers praised the teamwork and training that enabled the evacuation. A former officer thanked the responders and reflected on split-second decisions that service personnel must make. Council remarks emphasized the difficulty of night rescues and the professionalism of cross-trained police, firefighters and EMTs.

The council presented a proclamation to each of the six named responders; the mayor noted the township also recognized regular charitable work by first responders during the holidays. No formal policy action or funding decision was associated with the awards; the presentation was ceremonial.

The council moved on after the recognition to routine business and public comment.