Station 25 Community Volunteer Fire Company, Franklin Township, NJ

April 2006

A Brother dies in the Line of Duty

April 11th- This morning East Franklin Firefighter Kevin Apuzzio, age 21, perished while attempting a rescue of a trapped civilian at a structure fire. We at Station 25 wish to offer both to the firefighters at Station 27 and to the family of Firefighter Apuzzio our deepest sympathies, and express our great sorrow at the loss of a brother firefighter.

Firefighter Kevin Apuzzio 1984-2006

The information below was taken directly from East Franklin's website:

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 hose line to attempt 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.