Madison Responders Honored for Fire Rescue

Two Madison firefighters and a Madison police officer credited with saving a Madison resident from a burning home in November were honored last week at a dinner recognizing heroic actions by first responders in Morris County.

Madison firefighters James Blair and Troy Pehowic received valor awards and borough Patrolman James Cavezza received a meritorious service award at the 200 Club of Morris County's 41st Annual Valor & Meritorious Awards Dinner at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany.

The organization described the recipients' actions in an announcement about the event:

Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician James A. Blair and Firefighter Troy N. Pehowic of the Madison Fire Department. The pair responded to a fire in an apartment building and entered the building without a hose line to search for a trapped 20-year-old woman. They found and rescued her and her dog. ...

Madison Patrolman James C. Cavezza responded to the same apartment building fire as Firefighters Blair and Pehowic. Before their arrival, Cavezza made entry into the building to evacuate residents. He also played a key role in determining where the woman who was rescued was hiding.

Other recipients included first responders who entered burning buildings, removed a trapped driver from a burning car, and performed rescue efforts during Superstorm Sandy.

After the November fire rescue in Madison, the woman in the Park Avenue apartment, Shannon Cadogan, was examined a hospital and released the same day. A series of phone calls that morning, starting with a call from Cavezza to C&J's manager John Grant saying Grant's sister's house was on fire, ultimately led to firefighters knowing Cadogan was still inside. Blair and Pehowic then went in to get them.

200 Club

Since its inception in 1971, the 200 Club of Morris County has given more than $2.5 million to support the families of police officers, state troopers, firefighters and emergency medical services providers who have died in the line of duty. The club also distributes thousands of dollars each year to high school seniors who serve in a branch of public safety or who have a parent serving in or retired from public safety in Morris County. The 200 Club also recognizes heroic actions by first responders.

“These individuals truly have put their lives on the line for the people of Morris County,” Jack Van Orden, president of the 200 Club and the owner of Morristown Tire Co. in Morristown, said in a statement. “They put it on the line for us 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You don’t always think about it, but they make it safer for all of us and we owe a great deal of gratitude to them. This is one small way that we can honor them for putting their lives at risk for us. We are so very happy and honored to be able to recognize these individuals for their dedication and service.”

Fore more information about the 200 Club visit www.200clubofmorriscounty.com or call 732-279-4258.

Correction: An earlier version of this post incorrectly reported the name of the award received by Cavezza.