Hopatcong Fireman Awarded for Bravery

During a July 24 house fire in Hopatcong, a four-inch hose went awry. Several firefighters were within harm's way.

"Some, naturally, dove behind trees," Hopatcong Fire Chief Mike Rahill said. "Rob [Tallaksen] jumped on it."

So Hopatcong honored Tallaksen at Wednesday's mayor and council meeting. Mayor Sylvia Petillo presented the firefighter with an award before about 20 audience members—mostly friends and family who left right after Tallaksen's award.

"I'm just amazed in his bravery for doing that," Petillo said. "And just how his quick response in doing that saved injury to everyone else that was there."

The through a Brooklyn-Stanhope Road house. No injuries were reported, though a Stanhope firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion.

Rahill said Tallaksen injured his hand in the act. ""Most people hide until [the hose] dies down," the fire chief said. "He dove right on it."

Rahill said a handful of firemen played a role in saving a pair of dogs from the fire, too.