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Who is Kevin
Kevin was the type of person who walked into a room and it lit up. He commanded the attention of all around him with his quick wit‚ his charm and his smile. Kevin had the personality that put people at ease – whether they knew him for ten years or ten minutes. He loved to tell elaborate stories about the adventures that he had each and every day, because Kevin turned everything into an adventure. So he’d sit you down and describe his ridiculous day and by the end of the story, you'd both be laughing with tears running down your face and realize that you had just made a new best friend.
Kevin started his emergency services career at the age of 16, when most people his age are more concerned with videogames. Kevin chose to devote his free time helping his community of Union‚ NJ. He joined the Union Emergency Medical Unit and that started his passion for helping others.
After Kevin graduated high school, he moved to New Brunswick and started his college education at Rutgers University studying Criminal Justice. While at Rutgers University he took the job as per diem Emergency Medical Technician. Kevin then decided that he wanted to expand his knowledge of emergency services. So he joined the East Franklin Volunteer Fire Company. Kevin went to fire school, where he obtained his Firefighter 1 certification. Kevin quickly made friends in the firehouse and went to as many fires as he could to gain more experience. He even became part of a small group that would stay at the firehouse all night, just so that if there were a call an engine could be on the road as quickly as possible. In 2006‚ he was recognized for his efforts and was promoted to Foreman. Kevin also was a certified CPR instructor and enjoyed teaching people how they too can save lives. Kevin actively participated in anything that would benefit the community. Emergency Services was Kevin’s passion and what he devoted his life to.
After college, Kevin was thinking about becoming a New York City police officer. He had already taken the exam and was awaiting the results of his test. Unfortunately, he died in the line of duty on April 11, 2006, while attempting to rescue a trapped resident from her burning home. Kevin’s test results came that same day that he died. He had achieved almost a perfect score on the written exam – a 99.6.
Kevin left a legacy with all those he touched. He taught us the importance of volunteering, the importance of family and friends. He was a talented, passionate and selfless young man.
We are all blessed to have known him.
What We do
The driving purpose of the Foundation was to keep alive the memory of a young man who was a friend to all he met and one that so often gave so selflessly of himself. After much discussion and planning, the Foundation was started on December 5, 2013, by two East Franklin Volunteer Fire Department firefighters with initial financial support from the Department. Within one year of its inception, leveraging generous financial support from an unnamed donor, the Foundation evolved into an IRS 501c3 non-profit entity separate from the fire department.
There are three pillars of the Foundation:
Education, Training, and Outreach.
All three were important to Kevin, not as separate pillars, but as important tenets of his everyday life. Kevin was a college student pursuing his formal education, while at the same time dedicating himself to East Franklin Volunteer Fire Department and the community it served. He joined the department, attended fire school, and began learning the fire service craft all while attending classes at Rutgers University. Although assigned to a duty crew, he dedicated as much time as he could afford to answer calls while not on his designated crew duty, attended formal training classes, and learn as much as he could from those around him, from the most junior firefighter to the most senior firefighter.
To recognize those that follow in Kevin’s footsteps by serving in the fire service and/or emergency medical service, while pursuing their baccalaureate, or higher, degree, the Foundation offers a scholarship in Kevin’s name to New Jersey firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians.
Kevin enjoyed attending as many fire service classes as his busy schedule would allow. For Kevin, it wasn’t just the opportunity to learn something new, but it was also an opportunity for him to expand his social network. He left a lasting impression on many instructors as a firefighter that wanted to learn the craft but do so while making friends in the fire service at the same time.
To keep this atmosphere alive the Foundation offers low-to-no-cost training classes that are designed not only be educational but foster fire service camaraderie. Several training classes have been held with more in the planning stages.
One of Kevin’s most memorable qualities was that of supporting others. Kevin paid attention to those around him, and nothing illustrates that more than all the stories of Kevin saying “Give me a hug” when he detected someone was having a bad day. Even the saltiest of firefighters were won over by his warm, friendly manner. But it wasn’t only large, overt gestures that defined Kevin. On those evenings when the crew would cook dinner together and enjoy some fellowship, he was known for serving others before serving himself, ensuring the bowls were emptied on other plates before his own. In another example, he learned that a fellow firefighter was trying to complete a large painting project by himself in a very short timeframe. Without being asked, Kevin showed up at the job site, located the supplies, and spent the rest of the day painting. Nothing was asked in return.
In honor of this characteristic, the Foundation’s third pillar is that of outreach. Through the Foundation’s outreach program, numerous firefighters have received financial support during times of health challenges and others to recover from natural disasters.
For more information on financial outreach contact info@kevinappuziofoundation.com
Articles and More About Kevin
This book is about a line of duty death of a 21 year old volunteer firefighter who died while trying to rescue a woman from her burning home. The book deals with the family's process of Kevin's death.
Written by Kevin's Dad, Joseph Apuzzio
Listen to Jumpseat Radio #107 Ryan Pennington welcomes Dr. Joe Apuzzio from Union New Jersey and is the father of Fallen Firefighter Kevin Apuzzio.
Foundation Leadership
George Wade, President
Dr. Joseph Apuzzio, Vice President
Greg Huber, Treasurer
Jennifer Huber, Board Member
Kevin Magliaro, Board Member
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