Ceremony recognizes those men and women serving and protecting, details incidents
PETERSBURG — Upper Township Committee honored its hometown heroes Feb. 25 during the 2nd annual Public Safety Recognition Ceremony.
“The ceremony tonight is about honoring those who put safety first, those of you who protect and serve our community to make it a better, safe place to live,” Deputy Mayor Victor Nappen II told the packed house.
Nappen, who oversees public safety as part of his duties, said he loves raising his family in the township.
“I feel safe every single day in Upper Township. Safety in Upper is not just a rule, it’s our commitment. And today we celebrate that dedication, teamwork, vigilance that keeps us all safe and secure every day.”
Jay Newman, chief of the Marmora Volunteer Fire Company, said the Public Safety Recognition Ceremony was created by the Upper Township Chiefs Association last year with the assistance of Upper Township Committee.
“The Public Safety Awards were started to honor those who go above and beyond the normal call of duty and to show Upper Township residents what our personnel can encounter on a daily basis,” Newman said. “They are truly extraordinary and deserve to be recognized.”
Motor vehicle
entrapment
— On Jan. 8, 2025, the Marmora, Seaville and Tuckahoe volunteer fire companies and Upper Township Emergency Medical Services were dispatched to Tuckahoe Road for a motor vehicle collision with entrapment. Deputy Chief Marc Hemby confirmed that a vehicle had left the roadway and struck the trees. Engine 1531 arrived under the command of Deputy Chief Mark Newman and began extrication operations. Upper Township EMS EMT Jay Newman entered the vehicle and began patient assessment and care. The patient was extricated from the vehicle in about 20 minutes, moved to the ambulance and transported for further evaluation and treatment.
Others involved: John Brittin, Jennifer Teasenfitz, Carol Raff, Russell Barham, Steve Becotte, Charles Garcia, Austin Green, Bruce Kratz, Robert Millar, Kurt Austin, Grant Nuss, Ryan Schaefer, John Simonson, Don Tomlinson, Sean Whelan, Michael Wiel, Craig Henderson, Paul Champion, Andy Ferrier, Ken Sharp, Ed Carter, Chris Geib, Sean Ferrier, Bill Wentz, Justin Hope, Kevin Kuperstein, Nick Mason, Justin Mason, Steve Endicott, Charles Wiel, Don Fancher, Matthew Blaker, Zoey Allegretto, James Lowe.
Structure fire
— On Dec. 22, 2024, numerous 911 calls reported a structure fire at 313 W. Quail Drive in Marmora. As firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, they learned that former volunteer firefighter Damien Stauffer, who was traveling in the neighborhood, observed smoke and fire coming from the residence. Stauffer entered the home, located the sole occupant and escorted him safely outside.
Fire on frigid day
— On Jan. 22, 2025, the Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company and Upper Township EMS were dispatched to a reported chimney fire. Deputy Chief Ed Carter identified a working exterior fire that appeared to be extending into the attic. The crews of Engines 2036 and 2040 knocked down the fire and brought the incident under control prior to the arrival of additional responding units. All operations were conducted under extremely challenging conditions, with temperatures at the time of the incident reported at 4 degrees.
Others involved: Andy Ferrier, Ken Sharp, Chris Geib, Justin Hope, Bill Wentz, Steve Endicott, Ralph Tiz, Nick Mason, Sean Ferrier, Kevin Kuperstein.
Youth struck
on E-bike
— On June 3, 2025, Upper Township EMS and the Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company were dispatched to the area of Tuckahoe Road and Route 610 in Petersburg for a youth struck by a motor vehicle while riding an electric bicycle. Tuckahoe fire personnel and the State Police arrived, providing scene safety and traffic control. EMS crews conducted a comprehensive evaluation and began treating the patient, determining that the extent of the injuries warranted transport to a pediatric specialty trauma center. A medical helicopter was requested to facilitate rapid transport. The patient was transferred to SouthSTAR and flown to Cooper University Hospital in Camden for definitive care.
Those involved: Paula Wiel, Lauren DiGiovanni, Thomas Burns, Mark Newman, Angel Anderson, John Brittin, Craig Henderson, Kevin Scarpa.
Motorcycle crash
— On June 29, 2025, at about 5 a.m., Upper Township EMS was dispatched to Old Tuckahoe Road in Petersburg for the report of a motorcycle down in the roadway. EMS located the victim in the roadway, unresponsive, with a debris field from the motorcycle scattered across the scene. The patient was moving his extremities but was not verbally responsive. While being secured, the patient became combative, requiring coordinated efforts to restrain and protect both the patient and personnel. The patient was then lifted onto the stretcher, fully secured and loaded into the ambulance. AtlantiCare advanced life support personnel arrived on scene and began further evaluation and treatment.
Those involved: Anthony Lamanna, Lauren DiGiovanni, Samuel Yourstone, Elizabeth Picardi.
Drug overdoses
— On July 12, 2025, at about 8:45 p.m., a caller reported multiple individuals experiencing suspected drug overdoses at a rest area on the Garden State Parkway. The driver of a bus traveling on the parkway was alerted by a passenger regarding a possible overdose. The driver pulled over into the rest area, where two passengers exited the bus and collapsed nearby. Upper Township EMS and Seaville Fire Rescue were dispatched. Chief John Brittin of Upper Township EMS began administering life-saving treatment alongside Seaville Fire Chief Perry Coker and Deputy Chief Brian Allegretto. Additional units arrived, including Seaville Fire Rescue’s First Responder Engine, two Upper Township BLS ambulances, AtlantiCare paramedics and the State Police. Multiple doses of naloxone were administered in combination with assisted ventilations. Both individuals regained consciousness on scene and were transported to the hospital in stable condition.
Others involved: Charles Wiel, Sean Kruger, Kevin O’Brien, Robert L. Lane, Justin Laielli, Matthew Jefferson, Zoey Allegretto, Paula Wiel, Pam Jones, Ryan Schaefer, Dan Berglund, Elizabeth Picardi, Matthew Guido.
Rescue below cliff
— On July 21, 2025, Upper Township EMS and the Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company responded to a rescue assignment in the area of West Sunrise Road. Initial reports indicated that a female subject had jumped from a 15-foot cliff into shallow water, suffering a leg injury. Upper Township EMS Chief John Brittin and Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company Deputy Chief Ed Carter arrived to the area of Julie’s Pit and proceeded on foot to reach the patient. Brittin descended the cliff face to conduct a trauma assessment and applied splinting to the injured leg. Personnel carried the patient about 200 feet for safer extraction. The patient was subsequently carried out of the pit and transferred to the rear of UTV 20. Responders accompanied the patient during the half-mile transport over rough terrain to the ambulance. The patient was then transferred to the ambulance crew and transported to the hospital.
Others involved: Sean Ferrier, Andy Ferrier, Nick Mason, Ralph Tiz, DJ Young, Pam Jones, Lauren DiGiovanni
Trapped after crash
— On July 26, 2025, the Marmora, Seaville and Tuckahoe volunteer fire companies and Upper Township EMS and AtlantiCare paramedics responded to a motor vehicle collision with entrapment at the intersection of Route 9 South and Delores Avenue in Palermo. Responders found a two-vehicle head-on collision, with both vehicles remaining in the roadway. One patient was found lying on the ground, a second patient was ambulatory near the vehicle and a third was severely entrapped in the driver’s seat of the second vehicle and unconscious. An additional ambulance from the Ocean City Fire Department, an additional medic unit from AtlantiCare and a medical helicopter were requested, and an OCFD engine company responded to establish and coordinate the helicopter landing zone. Patients were transported by ambulance and aeromedical helicopter to various local hospitals for treatment.
Those involved: Timothy Brittin, Lauren DiGiovanni, Debbie Dore, Pam Jones, Jay Newman, Russell Barham, Mark Newman, Ed Kooker Jr., John Barlow, Michael Wiel, John Chester, Grant Nuss, Brian Baughman, Christopher Barham, Joshua Kooker, Kurt Austin, Charles Garcia, Bruce Kratz, Kevin Rafael, Kasey Ruf, Joseph Repici, James Haggar, Keenan Murray, Nick Foglio, Bryan McCloud, Michael Carmody, Willaim Wasekanes, Charles Wiel, Steve Schaffer, Kevin O’Brien, Ryan Couse, Anthony Lamanna, Sydney Allegretto, Scott Wood, Thomas Henrich Sr., Zoey Allegretto, Ken Sharp, Chris Geib, Ralph Tiz, Steve Endicott, Justin Mason, Sean Ferrier, David Allison, Heather Malia, Ashley Hess, Scott Mensinger, JeffSTAT pilot Clint Hay, Cathleen Vandenbraak, Ryan Monaghan.
Water rescue
— On Aug. 4, 2025, the Marmora Volunteer Fire Company and Upper Township EMS were dispatched to the area of the Beesley’s Point Sea Doo for a water rescue. Responders requested Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company’s marine vessel to assist with operations. It was determined that a female operating a wave runner had been thrown from the craft. Marine 20 and Rescue 20-74 responded. Ocean City Police communications was able to provide GPS coordinates directly to the Marine 20 crew, significantly narrowing the search area. The victim was located in the water and safely brought aboard. Paramedic Lauren DiGiovanni of Upper Township EMS was transported to Marine 20 and began assessing the patient. The patient was conscious but suffering from multiple injuries and had been submerged for an unknown period of time. The patient was transported to the dock, where crews transferred the patient into an ambulance.
Others involved: Justin Hope, Kevin Kuperstein, Chris Geib, Steve Endicott, Sean Ferrier, DJ Young, Andy Ferrier, Ed Carter, Ken Sharp, Thomas Burns, Anthony Lamanna.
Bathers in distress
— On Aug. 10, 2025, Bobby Fields and daughter Bethanne Fields were with their family at the beach in the Whale Beach section of Strathmere when they observed two bathers in distress. Bobby Fields used a surfboard to reach the swimmers, guiding one back into waist-deep water, where Bethanne assisted in helping the individual safely to shore. Bobby then returned to aid the second swimmer, working in coordination with nearby surfers to bring the individual safely back to the beach. Upper Township beach EMT Sean Brannon evaluated both patients, who declined further medical intervention. The Upper Township Beach Patrol, under the supervision of Capt. Andrew Tobiasen, responded with eight lifeguards.
Disabled watercraft
— On Aug. 23, 2025, at about 1 p.m., the Upper Township Beach Patrol responded to a highly dangerous situation involving a disabled personal watercraft and its operator in the waters off Strathmere. Ocean conditions were significantly elevated due to Hurricane Erin, creating strong rip currents and hazardous surf. Officers observed a swimmer in the ocean near Corson’s Inlet State Park. Due to the heightened risk of rip currents, beachgoers had been restricted to knee-deep water. The swimmer proceeded about 200 meters offshore, prompting Capt. Andrew Tobiasen to deploy a personal watercraft to instruct the individual to immediately exit the water. Lt. Meredith Steel was directed to respond via Polaris through the state park entrance, accompanied by Lt. Grace Steel and Lt. Blake Boffa, to position at the shoreline and assist upon the swimmer’s exit. As the watercraft, operated by lifeguard Corson Durst with guard Mike Parsons riding as rescue support, made its way toward the inlet, guards observed an unoccupied watercraft drifting about 500 meters offshore, with its operator floating about 20 feet away. Approaching the inlet, Durst and Parsons observed the disabled watercraft and distressed operator. The individual reported that he was unable to climb back aboard, had swallowed water and believed his personal flotation device was failing, causing him to fear he was drowning. The guards secured the victim onto the rescue sled and navigated to shore through extreme hurricane-driven surf conditions. Tobiasen requested the response of beach EMT Sean Brannon, while guards Will Schlucter, Chase Brown and Lorna Connell moved to the water’s edge to assist with patient recovery. Meanwhile, the lieutenants operating the Polaris cleared all bathers from the State Park waters before responding to assist at Williams Avenue. Brannon conducted an on-scene evaluation and provided necessary care until the patient was stable.
With the medical emergency under control, attention turned to the disabled watercraft, which was drifting out to sea. Lt. Meredith Steel coordinated with SeaTow to have the craft recovered and transported to a boat ramp. The patient later reported that he had been operating his jet ski through the inlet when he entered the ocean and was immediately struck by heavy surf, causing the craft to overturn.
Burn victim
— On Aug. 30, 2025, Upper Township EMS responded to an urgent care facility in Marmora for a burn victim. The patient had spilled hot coffee onto his lap and was suffering from second-degree burns involving the genital region and both inner thighs. Recognizing the severity and sensitive location of the injuries, the crew requested aeromedical transport to a specialized burn center. EMS initiated burn care while preparing the patient for transport. AtlantiCare paramedics arrived to provide advanced life support care during transport to the designated landing zone. The patient was transferred to the JeffSTAT 4 flight crew for transport.
Those involved: Jennifer Teasenfitz, Timothy Leeds, Bjorn Seljvold, Suzanne Lang, James Gray, Rob Lee, Erica Hartman.
Fall victim
— On Sept. 30, 2025, Upper Township EMS was dispatched to a home in Tuckahoe for the report of a fall victim. EMS personnel encountered an unresponsive patient locked inside a second-floor bathroom. The crew forced entry through the door and found the patient to be pulseless and not breathing. CPR was initiated inside a very small bathroom with limited room. When EMS put out the call for assistance, State Police troopers stepped in without hesitation.
Those involved: Lauren DiGiovanni, Jay Newman, State Police Trooper Rohrer, Trooper Briggs, Trooper Pappas, Trooper Alvarado, Trooper Smith.
Trapped driver
— On Dec. 7, 2025, the Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company, other fire companies and Upper Township EMS were dispatched to a reported motor vehicle off the roadway. Responders located the vehicle on its side over a ditch with the driver entrapped. Rescue 20-74 secured the vehicle in its precarious position, allowing extrication efforts to begin even before the next arriving apparatus reached the scene.
Firefighter Nick Mason played a critical role in the success of the operation, anticipating the needs of the extrication team, proactively staging and positioning tools as crews worked. His ability to read the movements of the team and remain one step ahead significantly enhanced the efficiency and flow of the rescue operation. The coordinated efforts resulted in the safe removal of the patient from the vehicle and transfer for further medical treatment.
Others involved: Andy Ferrier, Ed Carter, Bill Wentz, Sean Ferrier, Justin Hope, Kevin Kuperstein, Steve Endicott, DJ Young Jr., Bill Jenkins, Bill Geib, Mark Newman, Timothy Leeds, Rob Lee.
Vehicle rollover
— On Dec. 19, 2025, the Seaville, Marmora and Tuckahoe volunteer fire companies and Upper Township EMS were dispatched to Route 9 South and Ortlieb Lane for a motor vehicle crash with rollover and possible entrapment. Seaville Fire Chief Perry Coker located a vehicle overturned in a ditch. A utility pole was down with low-hanging wires in the immediate area, creating an additional hazard and necessitating roadway closure. The occupant was found sitting in the overturned vehicle, complaining of severe leg pain. Engine 1932 was assigned to stabilize the vehicle and mitigate hazards. EMT Angel Anderson began medical evaluation while firefighters worked to remove doors to create a controlled extrication pathway. AtlantiCare Medic 8 began providing advanced life support care. Paramedic student Noah Staashaught entered the vehicle alongside Anderson to assist in delivering treatment, with a focus on pain management to support the patient throughout the extrication process. The patient was removed and transferred to the awaiting ambulance.
Others involved: Brian Allegretto, Charles Wiel, Joe Devine, Richard Bellwoar, Robert E. Lane, Sean Kruger, James Sampson, Chip Blackledge, Kevin O’Brien, Anthony Lamanna, Ryan Couse, Caitlyn Schaffer, Scott Wood, Matthew Blaker, Matthew Jefferson, John Brittin, Craig Henderson, Paul Champion.
Unconscious person
— On Dec. 31, 2025, Upper Township EMS was dispatched for a report of an unconscious person and a civilian providing CPR. EMS personnel took over chest compressions and initiated further resuscitative efforts. Riding along was Upper Township Rescue Squad junior member Caitlyn Schafer, who demonstrated composure, maturity and professionalism well beyond her experience level. Schafer stepped in where assistance was needed. Under the direction of EMT Anthony Lamanna and EMT Eric Shane, she followed instructions, anticipating the needs of the crew and ensuring critical equipment was readily available. She assisted with gathering and setting up necessary tools, helping maintain organization during a high-stress and fast-paced resuscitation effort. The crew specifically noted that her calm presence and attention to detail helped keep operations running smoothly.
– STORY and PHOTOS by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
