Nutley Fire Department

(pictured from left to right) 200 Club Executive Committee Member Ira Cohen, 2006 Valor Award Recipient Firefighter Chris Pesci, Assemblyman/Deputy Chief Fred Scalera and 200 Club President Arthur S. Guida.

Firefighter Chris Pesci
Nutley Fire Department

Nutley firefighters were dispatched at 7:52 AM on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 to a 911 call from the second floor tenant reporting that she was trapped with her children by smoke from a fire in the building. Firefighter Chris Pesci, who was off-duty and on his way into work, was driving on Centre Street when the radio alarm was transmitted, He looked to his left and saw smoke emanating from the house at 500 Centre St.

Pesci pulled his van to the side of the road and wearing only his station uniform, made entry into the smoke filled house. He did this without the benefit of any protective clothing or equipment, and without regard for his personal safety. As he entered the building he called out for anyone still inside. He heard a response from a woman on the first floor. Pesci made his way through a tremendous amount of debris to find an elderly woman in the kitchen. He carried her through the debris to outside. She then informed him that there were more people inside on the second floor.

Pesci re-entered the fire building and climbed the stairs to the second floor where he found a woman with her four children. He led all five of them to the stairs where they were met by Nutley Police Officers who helped guide the family through the smoke to outside safety.

Firefighter Pesci was sent to Clara Mass Medical Center where he was treated for smoke inhalation, and released a few hours later.

Had Firefighter Chris Pesci not been at the right place at the right time, this fire could have resulted in a major tragedy. His actions were in the highest tradition of the fire service.

The 200 Club of Essex County proudly presented its Valor Award to Firefighter Chris Pesci.

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