Irvington Fire Department

((pictured from left to right) 200 Club Executive Committee Member Ira Cohen, Mayor Wayne Smith, 2006 Valor Award Recipients Firefighter Glenn Spadone, Firefighter Keith Bierwisch, Acting Director and Chief Gary S. Shumlich and 200 Club President Arthur S. Guida.

Firefighter Keith Bierwisch and Firefighter Glenn Spadone
Irvington Fire Department

After going off duty Sunday morning November 26, 2006, both Firefighters Keith Bierwisch and Glenn Spadone were on their way home when both became aware of a working fire at 30 Franklin Terr. in Irvington. The dark column of smoke was visible from many directions and each man seeing it, realized they might be able to offer help, and went to the scene.

When Firefighter Bierwisch arrived he could see fire conditions intensifying on the second and third floors of the 2 ½ story wood frame house. About a dozen people were on the sidewalk in front of the house and Firefighter Bierwisch yelled, “Is everyone out?” Someone answered “Kids in the back.”

At the same time, Firefighter Glenn Spadone, with the assistance of a civilian Jean Castor was helping bring an elderly woman, Gloria Street, out of the building. Once she was safely removed, both men joined Firefighter Bierwisch and went to the rear of the house to try to gain entry. They encountered a steel clad entry door with a dead bolt lock. After repeated efforts of trying to kick in the door, and using a “Z” tool (which Firefighter Bierwisch had in his car) they were able to gain entry into the building.

As the door failed, they could see thick black smoke around the stairway and saw another elderly woman, Mary Hurt, no longer able to stand, on the stairs. She had lacerations on her head and soot all over her face, and she kept repeating, “The kids are upstairs.” They helped her from the fire building and turned her over to EMS for treatment.

By now the fire department had arrived and they were stretching handlines into the building and conducting a vigorous search to find the missing children. An 8-year-old boy and his 4-year-old sister were found by the members of Ladder #41 and brought from the building. Unfortunately, the boy did not survive.

Both Firefighters Keith Bierwisch and Glenn Spadone should be credited for their efforts, as this was a dire situation in which both acted unselfishly toward the needs of a family in danger. If it had not been for their quick and selfless off-duty actions, this tragedy would have been worse.

The 200 Club of Essex County proudly presented Valor Awards to Firefighter Keith Bierwisch and Firefighter Glenn Spadone.

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