Politics & Government

Lifesaving Award For Union County Deputy Manager

Press release provided by Union County  

Union County Deputy Manager William Reyes will be honored with the Civilian Award for bravery by the New Jersey State Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association (FMBA), at the annual FMBA Valor Awards Banquet on Saturday April 26 at the Pines Manor in Edison, New Jersey.

Reyes, who is trained in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, took measures to save the life of Elizabeth resident Salvatore Coppa, who suffered a massive heart attack while attending the Union County Columbus Day flag raising ceremony in Elizabeth on October 9, 2013. He has since recovered.

Coppa is a former Chairman of the Elizabeth chapter of the Italian American service organization UNICO, and he is a member of the Elizabeth Avenue Partnership.

Find out what's happening in Springfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I’d like to congratulate Bill Reyes on receiving this honor, and to thank all of those who were involved in the effort,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak.

Assisting in the rescue and nominated for the award were Courtney Villani, Aida St. John, and Steve Rinaldi, who along with Reyes is in the Union County Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) program.

Find out what's happening in Springfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

More information about the FMBA Valor Awards is available from New Jersey FMBA, 732-499-9633, headquartered at 1447 Campbell Street in Rahway.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here