Where there’s smoke

Five firefighters were promoted in a ceremony held by North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue (NHRFR) on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. The special ceremony in the firehouse was attended by firefighters, friends, family, and numerous local and regional officials, including Mayor Nicholas Sacco, who congratulated the honorees and thanked them for their service.
Battalion Chief Mark Lorenz, a 25-year firefighter, Captain Alan Williams (15 years), and firefighters James Lisa (15 years), Erik Wilson (12 years), and Richard Gora (19 years) each received a commendation, along with a promotion. Lorenz was promoted to deputy chief. Captain Williams was promoted to battalion chief, and the others were promoted to captain.
“North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue is dedicated to saving lives and responding to catastrophic fires in our communities, and for the department to continue offering a high level of service, we must maintain an adequate supervisory staff of experienced fire officers,” said Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, who also serves as chairman of the management board for NHRFR. “Today we are proud to promote these five outstanding individuals and I thank them for their continuing service.”
NHRFR is one of the largest regionalized fire departments in the United States, covering the North Hudson towns of Guttenberg, North Bergen, Union City, Weehawken and West New York.
As a nationally recognized fire protection unit, NHRFR takes pride in maintaining one of the best response times in the nation.
“Deputy Chief Lorenz, Battalion Chief Williams, and Captains Lisa, Wilson and Gora are some of the most dedicated and professional officers I have had the privilege of working with in my career,” said NHRFR Chief Frank Montagne. “They are each very deserving of their promotions and I’m sure they will continue to do excellent work for NHRFR in these new capacities.”