Toms River Council Honors Local First Responders for Life-saving Efforts

In a recent meeting of the Toms River Town Council, the heroic efforts of local first responders were recognized and celebrated. The community’s firefighters, paramedics, and police officers were honored for their pivotal roles in saving the life of a trauma tech who was involved in a severe road accident earlier this year.

The incident in question occurred on March 3rd, 2023, when Matthew Rosowski, a trauma tech at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, was hit head-on by a wrong-way drunk driver on Route 37. Matthew was heavily trapped in his car, and it took approximately 45 minutes for Toms River Fire Companies Number 1 and 2 to extricate him.

Tracy Canel, a paramedic from Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health EMS, was specifically acknowledged for crawling into the wreckage through a broken back window to perform life-saving interventions. Other first responders from Silverton First Aid Squad, Toms River PD EMS, and Silverton EMS were also recognized for their crucial contributions to the rescue effort.

The council also recognized Abinav Aanal from Troop 59 for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor in Boy Scouting. Aanal earned around 30 merit badges and led a service project at the Popcorn Park Zoo, where he refurbished and enhanced cages for capuchin monkeys.

In other council matters, a resolution was passed denouncing the horrific attacks that occurred in Israel and expressing ongoing support for Israel and the local Jewish community. The council also approved the consent agenda, reports, and bills without any separate discussions.

Councilman Quinlisk used his elected official comments to thank those who attended the recent tree lighting ceremony and remind the public of the upcoming menorah lighting. Mayor Maurice B. “Mo” Hill Jr. urged the public to contribute to Toys for Tots, praising the longstanding relationship between the Marine Corps and the American public.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.

Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:

is discussed during:
in these locations: