Fanwood and Scotch Plains Firefighters Awarded for Response to Tragic December Fire

The following information was provided by the Borough of Fanwood. 

Fanwood and Scotch Plains firemen who tried to save the lives of a mother and son who died in a December, 2012, house fire were among the public safety responders honored by the Knights of Columbus at their annual Shield Award presentation on Thursday March 21, 2013.

The Father John Nelligan Council of the Knights honor police, fire and EMS personnel every year, allowing those departments in Fanwood and Scotch Plains to single out individual achievements.  This was the 38th year of those awards. 

Fanwood Fire Chief John Piccola and Scotch Plains Fire Chief Jonathan Ellis each cited members of their departments who responded to a house fire on Church Avenue in Scotch Plains on December 18th, 2012. Upon arriving, Scotch Plains firefighters Matt Adams and Dennis Hercel, Jr., made entry into the smoke filled building, discovered a woman and her 3-year old son barricaded inside a second floor room.  They removed the victims with the assistance of Fanwood Fire Captain Frank Dietl and firefighter Brian Piccola who began CPR on the unresponsive victims. Neither the woman, Katherine Halverson, 32, nor her son, Jeremy McDonald, 3, nor the family dog survived in what authorities later determined was a murder/suicide committed by Halverson.

“It was truly a team effort,” said Chief Ellis.  “Those victims had the best possible chance of surviving. Unfortunately, it was not the outcome we had hoped for.”

Also honored at the event at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on Martine Avenue was the entire Fanwood Police Department for its extraordinary efforts during and after Hurricane Sandy. They were represented by Sgt. Frank Marrerro and Patrolmen Mike Rusin and Ryan Gilmore.

Fanwood Rescue Squad EMT Steve Siegal was honored for more than 20 years of service to the squad.

“He’s just a regular guy,” said squad president Nancy Mustachio, “who is always there. We appreciate his service.” 

Scotch Plains police officers Brian Cheney and Christian Ostrowski and Sgt. Michael Tardi were cited for entering a burning building on Mountain Avenue in October, 2012, and rescuing an elderly couple and other residents who had fled to the roof.  Their story was related by Lt. Jeff Briel who represented Chief Brian Mahoney.

Scotch Plains Rescue Squad EMT Greg Cassidy was honored or his tireless dedication to the squad despite a challenging college schedule. Cassidy, whose father Brian Cassidy is a physician and 20-year member of the squad, attends college in Rhode Island.

“He makes more calls than many members who live here in town,” said Squad Captain Dan Sullivan.

Scotch Plains Mayor Kevin Glover and Fanwood Borough Councilwoman Kathy Mitchell also spoke in support of the honorees.