Montclair, N.J. — October 23 — Five Montclair Fire Department members were honored Thursday night at the Barnabas Burn Center Valor Awards for their actions during a rope rescue at Mills Reservation in August 2024. Crews rescued a woman who had fallen from a cliff, using a specialized rope system to reach and safely lower her to EMS.

Those recognized with the Team Effort Non-Fire Award were Lieutenant Sam Bendsten, Lieutenant Thomas Hargraves, Firefighter Gordon Kohles, Firefighter Rocco Marzullo, and Firefighter Ryan Verney.

Officials said the award reflects the firefighters’ skill, coordination, and professionalism during the high-angle rescue.