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| TOO OLD TO BE A FIREFIGHTER: Frank Matagrano, 75, an engineer and Firefighter for Company 1, collapsed in the fire apparatus on Dec. 15 while responding to a water leak call. |
We regret to pass on that a New Milford (northern NJ) Firefighter who suffered a heart attack while en route to a call has died in the Line of Duty.
Frank Matagrano, 75, an engineer and Firefighter for Company 1, collapsed in the fire apparatus on Dec. 15 while responding to a water leak call.
Other firefighters on the fire apparatus performed CPR and used a defibrillator on Maragrano before transporting him to Hackensack University Medical Center.
Today it was announced that Firefighter Matagrano passed away.
Our condolences to all those affected. Rest In Peace.
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New Milford Firefighter dies following heart attack on a call
Posted December 23, 2017
By Allison Pries
apries@njadvancemedia.com,
NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
A New Milford Firefighter who suffered a heart attack while en route to a call has died, according to a message on the department's Facebook page.
Frank Matagrano, 75, an engineer and firefighter for Company 1, collapsed in the fire truck on Dec. 15 while responding to a water leak call.
Other firefighters on the truck performed CPR and used a defibrillator device on Maragrano before transporting him to Hackensack University Medical Center.
New Milford Fire Chief Ross Rhein announced in a Facebook post on Saturday that Matagrano died. He thanked Fire Company 1, New Milford Ambulance Corp. and Dumont Fire Chief Daniel Molinaro "for their valiant efforts on that night."
"Their efforts gave Frank's family an opportunity to say their goodbyes," Rhein said.
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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.
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.
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NEW MILFORD, NJ—
Many firefighters at New Milford Fire Company 1 will remember Frank Matagrano for his 43-plus years of dedication to the company as both a volunteer firefighter and an engineer.
Matagrano, 75, died on Friday, nine days after he suffered a stroke, which then led to a heart attack as he was on his way to a scene.
A wake service will be held this Friday from 2 to 7 p.m., at the Church of the Ascension, 256 Azalea Drive, New Milford. A funeral procession will follow to Fire Company 1.
"It was like a punch in the chest," New Milford Fire Chief Ross Rhein said after hearing the news.
Almost every time there was a call, said Rhein, who works out of Company 1, Matagrano got on the truck and was ready to report to the scene.
That's what Matagrano and others in the department did on Dec. 13, when Fire Company 1 received a call about a water condition at a bank in town.
Rhein said Matagrano got on the engine without a problem but then started to feel ill after he was on the truck and collapsed. The other firefighters tried to revive him, using an AED machine and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
He was immediately transported to Hackensack University Medical Center, where he regained a pulse and independent breathing, but never regained consciousness, Rhein said. Matagrano was in the ICU for nine days with his family by his side, before he died.
"He will be greatly missed by the company," Rhein said. "The town lost a great asset to this department."
Many will remember Matagrano for being a fireman's fireman, Rhein said, and for being like a father figure to many of the younger members of the department.
"He told you how it was. He didn't sugarcoat anything," said Rhein.
Rhein, who has been with the department since 2002, remembers the time when Matagrano kicked him off the truck for being one of the younger firefighters as they were reporting to a house fire.
"He laughed about it all the time for years afterward," Rhein said. "Every time he brought up a story, he brought up that one."
Matagrano joined New Milford Fire Company 1 on Nov. 4, 1974, according to information provided by Company 1 President William F. Drew.
He was an active member and current trustee of the company, according to the information. Matagrano received a Firefighter of the Year award in 1988, a unit citation in 1991, and a Distinguished Volunteer Service award in 1993.
Matagrano was predeceased by his wife, Merrily, who died in 2014. He is survived by his children, Francine, Frank and Michael.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Milford Fire Company 1, 249 Center St., New Milford, NJ 07646.