The Dunellen Fire Department is presented the “Dunellen’s Volunteer Citizen of the Year, 2020.” (L to R): Mayor Jason F. Cilento, Dunellen Fire Co. No. 1 President Sue Connolly, Fire Chief Mark Crawford, Council Member Trina Rios, Council Member Stacy Narvesen, and Council Member April Burke.

Dunellen’s Volunteer Citizen of the Year, 2020: Dunellen’s Emergency Services Agencies

The Borough of Dunellen is honored to bestow upon Dunellen’s Emergency Services Agencies the award of “Dunellen’s Volunteer Citizen of the Year, 2020.”  The award was announced during the Borough’s Reorganization Meeting on January 1, 2021, and presentations were made to the Dunellen Police Department, the Dunellen Fire Department, the Dunellen Rescue Squad, and the Dunellen Office of Emergency Management in separate ceremonies designed for proper social distancing.

Though ordinarily the Dunellen Borough Council selects a single individual or group who has contributed in a substantial and meaningful way to the benefit of the residents of Dunellen, this year Mayor Cilento and the Dunellen Borough Council decided to recognize those many individuals who in their official capacities put their very lives at risk by being “in the front lines” of our navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Each day, the men and women of the Police Department, Fire Department, Rescue Squad and OEM applied their special training to assist members of the public in need.  The Office of Emergency Management worked diligently to acquire protective gear and to coordinate with County, State and Federal emergency services.  The Dunellen Fire Department braved perilous circumstances to save precious lives and property.  The Dunellen Police Department calmed the community with prudent and compassionate law enforcement.  And the Dunellen Rescue Squad ventured into the darkest and riskiest of conditions to bring solace to the hurt and injured.

Dunellen’s Citizen of the Year pays tribute to outstanding individuals or groups and we can think of no worthier recipient this year than these men and women whose selfless devotion to duty undoubtedly relieved much suffering and whose collective actions made this past grim year substantially easier for our citizens.  We are all in their debt.

The Dunellen Office of Emergency Management is presented the “Dunellen’s Volunteer Citizen of the Year, 2020.” (L to R): OEM Coordinator Homer Mosley Jr and Mayor Jason F. Cilento.

The Dunellen Rescue Squad is presented the “Dunellen’s Volunteer Citizen of the Year, 2020.”       (L to R): Chief Robert Bracaloni and Mayor Jason F. Cilento.

The Dunellen Police Department is presented the “Dunellen’s Volunteer Citizen of the Year, 2020.” (L to R): Det. Nicholas Goldman, Chief Daniel Smith, Mayor Jason F. Cilento and Sgt. Chris Lovell.