SHARE

New Milford Firefighter, 75, Passes After Being Revived During Call

NEW MILFORD, N.J. -- A veteran New Milford firefighter resuscitated by his colleagues after he went into cardiac arrest on a call earlier this month passed away Friday, Dec. 22.

NMFD

NMFD

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Box Alarm Production's Fire Ground Photography

Wake services for Frank Matagrano, 75, are scheduled from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at the Ascension Church on Azalea Drive in New Milford, followed by a funeral procession ending at Company 1, Fire Chief Ross Rhein said.

"I would like to thank Fire Company 1, New Milford Ambulance Corp. and Dumont Fire Chief Daniel Molinaro for their valiant efforts on that night," Rhein said Saturday. "Their efforts gave Frank's family an opportunity to say their goodbyes."

Firefighters were responding to the NVE Bank on River Road on a report of a water leak just before 10:30 p.m. Dec. 13 when the veteran volunteer "had a cardiac emergency and became unresponsive," Police Chief Frank Ramaci said.

The truck was stopped at River Road and Center Street, where, the chief said, firefighters used a defibrillator and CPR to revive their stricken colleague -- who, although retired from active firefighting, provided support, guidance and other assistance.

Matagrano was taken to the Intensive Care Unit at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Boulevard Funeral Home was handling the arrangements.

ORIGINAL STORY:

NEW MILFORD, N.J. -- New Milford firefighters resuscitated a 75-year-old colleague after he went into cardiac arrest on a call Wednesday night.

He was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center, where he remained in intensive care Wednesday morning.

Firefighters were responding to the NVE Bank on River Road on a report of a water leak just before 10:30 p.m. Wednesday when the veteran volunteer "had a cardiac emergency and became unresponsive," Police Chief Frank Ramaci said.

The truck was stopped at River Road and Center Street, where, the chief said, firefighters used a defibrillator and CPR to revive their stricken colleague -- who, although retired from active firefighting, rides with them for support, guidance and other assistance.

"We are not out of the woods yet," Fire Chief Ross Rhein said, "but there have been many positive initial signs and we pray for a full recovery."

Rhein commended his firefighters, as well as members of the borough ambulance corps.

"On behalf of the department, we wish our member a full and speedy recovery and we will continue to support him every step of the way," he said. "The love and support that have been coming our way day and night is truly unbelievable.

"We ask that you continue to pray and keep the firefighter and his family in your prayers."

to follow Daily Voice Fair Lawn-Glen Rock and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE