NJ LODD just reported.

[gmattox]

The Courier News of Bridgewater is reporting a 21 year old firefighter died this morning at a house fire in Franklin, NJ. The 75 year old homeowner was also reported dead. More information as it comes. http://c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060411/FRONT01/60411001

:(

[gmattox]

NJ.com is reporting the firefighters name is Kevin Appuzio, 21 of the East Franklin Fire Company. More info - http://www.nj.com/newslogs/starledger/index.ssf?/mtlogs/njo_ledgerupdate/archives/2006_04.html#129991

[PFire23]

RIP Firefighter Appuzio

My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and department.

[PumpOperator]

As a former resident of Somerset Nj, My prayers are with him and his fire department.

[gmattox]

From East Franklin's website, Kevin Appuzio's profile page -

http://www.station27.com/profile.php?id=10490&profilepath=profile.php&PHPSESSID=aa2544ca2f08d643f1f8 6c1fd54dded8

They have a guestbook, I am sure they would appreciate thoughts and prayers of their fellow firefighters.

[einsteinareya]

21-year-old, so young
R.I.P. brother

[gmattox]

An ABC news report out of NYC with pics of the scene.

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=traffic&id=4074185#

[DrParasite]

Franklin Township, N.J., firefighter Kevin Apuzzio died in a house fire the morning of April 11, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.

Apuzzio, 21, was a volunteer with the East Franklin Fire Department and a paid-part time EMT with Rutgers University Department of Emergency Services, where he also was a student in the Livingston College studying criminal justice. He had been with Rutgers DES since 2002 and was in the graduating class of 2006.

A prosecutor's report states that a biker placed a 9-1-1 call at approximately 6:12 a.m. reporting the house fire Apuzzio's department responded to.

When fire units arrived at the house, owner William Scott was on the porch and said his wife, Betty, was still inside the house, the report stated.

Apuzzio then joined other firefighters and located the woman in a back room. While transporting the woman out of the house, the floor gave way, sending the firefighters and Scott into the basement, trapping Apuzzio.

Apuzzio was later pronounced dead at the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J.

Betty Scott was pronounced dead at the scene while her husband was taken to the hospital for treatment along with four firefighters.

Firehouse.com is monitoring this story and will provide more information as it becomes available.

http://cms.firehouse.com/content/article/article.jsp?sectionId=39&id=48677

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

Truly tragic. Rest in peace Brother.

[DrParasite]

Young firefighter killed in four-alarm fire
21-year-old Kevin Appuzio died trying to save an elderly resident
WABC

(Franklin Township - WABC, April 11, 2006) - A 21-year-old firefighter died after being trapped the basement of a blazing home in Franklin, N.J., while attempting to rescue an elderly resident.
Newscopter Seven is live over the scene.

Officials tell Eyewitness News Kevin Appuzio, a volunteer with the East Franklin Fire Company and a paid firefighter for Rutgers University, was covered in soot when he was pulled form the basement of of 36 Whittier Avenue just after 7:30 a.m. He was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where he was pronounced dead.

Appuzio apparently fell into the basement during an interior collapse of the blazing Cape Cod-style home. He was trapped for 90 minutes while the house burned above him.

The firefighter was attempting to rescue a 75-year-old female resident when he died. Her condition was not immediately known.

Firefighters with the Community Volunteer Fire Company in Franklin were hoisting a flag at half-staff earlier today in honor of their fallen comrade.

Appuzio also was a Rutgers student, according to Community member Lt. Tom Hannan, who worked with Appuzio at Rutgers on the 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. shift.

"He was a young and eager guy. His future was ahead of him," Hannan said. "He loved eveything about fires and firefighting."

Three other firefighters were injured during the firefighting efforts. Their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=traffic&id=4074185#

[Engine58]

R.I.P... my condolences to his family and fellow firefighters

[arhaney]

Rest in Peace, Brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and brother firefighters in this time of need. :(

[Lewiston2Capt]

Rest in peace brother. My sincere condolences go out to the East Franklin Volunteer Fire Company, the Rutgers community, his Family and friends.

[gmattox]

Just to clarify, Community is another Franklin Township Station. Kevin belonged to East Franklin Fire Company, also in Franklin Twsp.

[ircmaxell]

He was a good guy. Dedicated and motivated. It just such a shame that this happened...

[BFDNJFF]

RIP BROTHER :(

God Bless Him and His family in there time of need.

[SteveDude]

What a terrible waste of this Young Brothers life...Rest in peace.

[len1582]

Another dark day for us all.

[FFTide]

Myself and the Possumtown Volunteer Fire Company send our deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers to Kevin, the Appuzio family, and all his brothers at East Franklin. As your neighbors across the river I can assure you this death has been felt very deeply here as well. God speed brothers and rest in peace brother Appuzio.

[Maverick9110E]

as do myself and the Jefferson Township Fire Company #1. RIP brother!

[NDeMarse]

Rest In Peace brother!

[NYSmokey]

RIP Brother. My prayers and condolences go out to his family and the firefighters that were lucky enough to work with him.

[beastie35]

Such a tragic loss, rest in peace brother. Family and Friends will be in my prayers tonight.

[KEEPBACK200FEET]

Rest In Peace Brother, you made the supreme sacrifice.

[eastendldrco]

God Bless...In my prayers..

[Shoreman22]

I had the misfortune of hearing it unfold over the scanner. They were very aggressive in trying to get to the trapped resident. You could hear the terror in the IC's voice when the "fireman down" transmission was made. My heart goes out to Appuzio's family at home and to his bigger family at the station. He made the ultimate sacrifice. Hang in there, guys.

[DrParasite]

Taken from http://www.station27.com

OUR FAMILY GRIEVES
Firefighter Kevin Apuzzio (1984-2006)

4/11/2006
-
It is with deep regret and sorrow that the East Franklin Volunteer Fire Department announces the passing of firefighter Kevin Apuzzio, 21, who was killed in the line of duty this morning.

Shortly after 6AM this morning Somerset County Communications received a 911 call reporting a structure fire with entrapment at 36 Whittier Avenue. Members of our department arrived within minutes finding a fire in a single family dwelling and confirmed that there was an occupant trapped. Firefighter Apuzzio led a crew of 4 firefighters inside the structure with a charged hoseline to affect a rescue. During the rescue attempt the first floor of the structure collapsed and Firefighter Apuzzio became trapped inside the building. Firefighter Apuzzio was removed from the building and was transported to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The other four members of his crew are currently being treated for injuries including burns and smoke inhalation. The incident is currently under investigation by the Franklin Township Police Department, Somerset County Prosecutors Office, and the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety.

Since the establishment of our department in July 1929 this is our first line of duty death. Firefighter Kevin Apuzzio, made the ultimate sacrifice for a member of this community he had never met. Firefighter Apuzzio was born and raised in Union, NJ where he attended St. Michael’s grammar School and Union Catholic High School. He was also a student at Rutgers University where he was finishing his degree in Criminal Justice. While attending Rutgers he worked as an EMT for over 4 years with Rutgers University Emergency Services. Firefighter Apuzzio joined the East Franklin Fire Department in August of 2003. His contributions to this department were extensive and far reaching and he will be deeply missed. Kevin and other members of the Rutgers Student body that are also members here made it a practice of studying at the firehouse rather than at the library or in their dorms so that they could staff our apparatus. He participated in fire prevention activities at local schools each year teaching fire safety to children. He was dedicated to improving himself and his fellow firefighters attending and regularly attended training, striving to learn all he could about the emergency services.

His tragic death is a tremendous loss for our fire department family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this most difficult time. We would also like to thank members of the community both locally and worldwide that have taken the time to offer their support to us in kind and in spirit.

Funeral arrangements for Firefighter Apuzzio will be announced here when they are available.

[RspctFrmCalgary]

My condolences to the East Franklin Volunteer Fire Department and the Apuzzio family for their tragic loss.

Sleep with angels, Kevin :( :( :(

[Fargo2722]

On behalf of the East Franklin VFD I would like to thank you for your generous support and kind words today. Kevins loss has hit us very hard but the outpouring of support has been comforting. We ask that you keep Kevin and his family in your thoughts and prayers in this most difficult time.
Sincerest thanks,
W.Wilson
EFVFD

[mdoddsjffhnfc]

on behalf of the Hi-Nella Fire Company, i would also like to offer my condolences to the Appuzio family, his friends, and his department. It is a sad day for us all.

[Tonyg26]

RIP Brother - our prayers are with your family and your company.

Colonia VFD

[TCFire]

Rest in Peace Brother. My thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, and the East Franklin Vol. Fire Dept.

[tjsnys]

RIP young Brother.

As with others this just breaks your heart, so young. My sincere condolences to Kevin’s family, Friends and his Brothers in Station 27/East Franklin.

Stay Safe

[fireguy919]

God bless and rest in peace brother. My heart and prayers go out to your family and our brother firefighters.

[RoughRider]

"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of HIS Saints"

Rest in peace brother.

[FFTrainer]

Rest in peace brother! Watch over the rest of us from above!

[DrParasite]

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Funeral Arrangements for Firefighter Apuzzio are as follows. The wake will be held on Monday, April 17th from 12 Noon to 9 P.M. The funeral will be held on Tuesday, April 18th at 10:15 A.M. with fire department services. Following the services there will be a procession to Kevins final resting place in the Mt. Olive Ceremony in Newark. Both the wake and the funeral will be held at St. Michaels Church, 1212 Kelly Street in Union, NJ. The burial at Mt. Olive will be limited to the Apuzzio family, and members of the East Franklin FD, Rutgers Emergency Services, and the Union EMS.

Transportaion details are being set up at this time. We expect to be offering a shuttle and bus service from the New Brunswick area to and from Union for all fire department attendees on both Monday and Tuesday. Location and times of the bus and shuttle service will be posted here shortly.

Fire Departments wishing to attend are asked to RSVP with the New Brunswick Fire Department at (732) 745-5167. Please include your department name, contact person, and an estimate of personnal expected to attend; please do not call our station number. Fire Departments are asked to wear Class A uniforms. Information for individuals and organizations wishing to make donations in memory of Kevin will be posted shortly. Thank you for your patience as we make these arrangements.Updated 4/12/06 @1643 hours.

[crazyboy]

May you rest in peace and look over the rest of your fellow brothers.

http://c-n.com/specialsections/multimedia/fatalfire/index.html

[Engine58]

http://www.thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060414/NEWS01/604140322/1001

Governor honors firefighter hero

Home News Tribune Online 04/14/06

Gov. Jon. S. Corzine signed an executive order yesterday in honor of East
Franklin firefighter Kevin Apuzzio.

Corzine is calling for American and New Jersey flags throughout the state to
fly at half-staff on Tuesday, the day of Apuzzio's funeral.

Apuzzio died in a fire in Franklin April 11 while attempting to rescue
75-year-old Betty Scott. A funeral service for Apuzzio is being held 10:15 a.m.
Tuesday at St. Michael's R.C. Church in Union. Following the service, a private
procession limited to family and select emergency services personnel will take
Apuzzio to Mount Olive Cemetery in Newark.

Apuzzio was born in Elizabeth and attended Union Catholic High School in
Scotch Plains. He was a senior at Rutgers University, studying criminal justice.
There, Apuzzio joined the Rutgers Emergency Services Department. He was a
firefighter with the East Franklin Volunteer Fire Company since August 2003.

Corzine's order read, "Kevin Apuzzio's selfless devotion to public service
and the protection of others makes him a hero and a true role model for all New
Jerseyans."

Staff report

[MG3610]

The actions of FF Kevin Apuzzio and the crew he was with that fateful day shall serve to remind us of the true spirit that must lie within each of us when we don our helmets and go to work each and every time. His death symbolizes the honor, strength and courage that is the true essence of firefighting. God bless and stay safe.

True brotherhood shows through the best and worst of times. There is no shortage of it for kevin and the East Franklin Fire Department.

[Fargo2722]

From today's Courier News.

http://www.c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060420/NEWS01/604200351/1006

[KyleWickman]

and extend municipal health benefits to every member of the fire company.


Right, that will happen.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Right, that will happen.
OK. When I left the prosecutor's office, the family coverage I had was just shy of $13,000 year. Single coverage was just shy of $6000. My volunteer FD has arguably 150 guys who would qualify. That means, even using Boonton math, an extra $900,000 in the budget. At least.

That ought to have the volunteer FD's RAKING in the money at fund raising time, huh?

That legislator is despicable. He knows that there is zero chance that he will ever be able to deliver on that legislation. But he uses a tragic loff of life to go vote shopping. Despicable.