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Long Branch honors Officer Ivan Guzman with life‑saving award after house fire rescue
Summary
At its Dec. 10 meeting the Long Branch City Council presented a life‑saving award to Officer Ivan Guzman for his Nov. 18, 2025 rescue of a trapped homeowner; presenters described Guzman's repeated entry into a smoke‑filled house and his improvised use of a soaked garment to protect himself while removing the victim.
The Long Branch City Council on Dec. 10 presented a life‑saving award to Officer Ivan Guzman for his actions during a Nov. 18, 2025 house fire on Van Cort Avenue.
Charles Shirley, the city's business administrator and director of public safety, described Guzman's response as "very heroic," saying Guzman was first on scene, attempted to reach an upstairs victim and, after initial attempts were thwarted by smoke and heat, soaked an article of clothing and reentered the structure to bring the trapped person to safety.
Captain Silverio, the officer in charge who summarized the body‑cam footage, told the council Guzman "immediately runs up the steps" and crawled into a dense smoke layer, returned downstairs to wet a jacket and "drags this gentleman out to safety." Captain Hazel (patrol commander) read the official commendation that praised Guzman's "bravery, determination, resourcefulness and professionalism" and noted the rescue occurred within two minutes of Guzman's arrival.
Councilmembers and attendees praised Guzman for his actions. The certificate presented to Officer Guzman was signed by the mayor and Anita Fowke (as recorded in the transcript). The council said Guzman's conduct "exemplifies the meaning of public service at the highest level," and officers and officials thanked him publicly during the meeting.
