Livingston, N.J. -- The Saint Barnabas Burn Foundation presented seven New Jersey firefighters with the prestigious Valor Award and honored more than 50 additional firefighters during the 22nd Annual Valor Awards held on Thursday, October 29, 2009, at Mayfair Farms in West Orange, N.J.

Each year, the Burn Foundation, established in 1987 to support The Burn Center at Saint Barnabas, New Jersey’s only certified burn treatment facility, recognizes firefighters, policemen, and additional health care professionals from throughout New Jersey for their heroic endeavors on and off the line of duty. Honorees are nominated by respective departments and selected by a committee of peers.

Recipients of the 2009 Valor Award included Firefighter Alan Dowling of the Wanamassa Fire Department; Captain Nicholas Morley and Firefighters Alexandre Lima and Broden Swanson of the Irvington Fire Department; Firefighter Peter Mancini of North Hudson Fire & Rescue; Captain Daniel McNamara of the Jersey City Fire Department; and Firefighter Leslie Titus of the Mansfield Township Fire Department.

Alongside the prestigious Valor Award, awards honoring Valor Honorable Mention, Team Effort, Humanitarian and Community Service celebrated and paid tribute to various community firefighters, police officers and civilians whose courageous act of assistance substantially changed the outcome of various emergency situations in the state of New Jersey.

Honorable Mention went to firefighters from Colonia, Jersey City and Newark Fire Departments and Team Effort Awards were presented to Irvington, Newark, Maplewood, Paterson and Rockaway Township Fire Departments. The Raymond Terpanick Police Valor Award honored Detective Robert Borger, Camden Police Department; Investigator Joseph Gurcik, Camden County Prosecutor's Office, and Detective I. David Lawyer, New Jersey State Police.

The Civilian Award went to Angelica Mercado who on November 20, 2008, saved the life of a truck driver whose oil tanker flipped and was burning on the New Jersey Turnpike. When the burning driver staggered out of his truck, Ms. Mercado was there and used her coat to put out the flames, save his life and drive him to the hospital. The Humanitarian Award was presented to Ed Segall from the Sandy Hook Friends of Saint Barnabas for his continued support.

The Saint Barnabas Burn Foundation provides supportive services and counseling to burn victims and their families treated at The Burn Center at Saint Barnabas. In addition, the Foundation’s educational programs teach burn awareness, prevention and fire safety to thousands of people of all backgrounds throughout the state of New Jersey. To learn more, or make a donation, please call 973-322-4344.

Date: November 3, 2009

Saint Barnabas Contact: Samantha Anton, 973-322-5425

site link:

http://www.saintbarnabas.com/hospitals/saint_barnabas/press/2009/valorawards.html