Hometown Heroes: Our Firefighters
By Lindsay Kirkland
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hen others run out, firefighters run in. The stress of the call, facing life and death situations, treacherous conditions along with heavy uniforms and equipment all take a serious toll on firefighters. Most people think firefighters’ biggest death threats are the fires and collapsing buildings. But over the last 30 years it’s been shown that 45 percent of firefighters’ on-duty deaths come from heart disease. Heart attacks are the single largest killer of firefighters. Heart Disease kills more on-duty firefighters than anything else Michael and Kathy Fiedor of Egg Harbor Township. The stressful and treacherous situations, like this, that firefighters are called into and it is linked to results in a very high risk of heart disease. emergency duties, a Harvard study shows. er in his carotid artery. He describes heart attack while she seemingly read his mind and No one knows on a fire call. Years picked up the phone to call Deborah his care as outstanding and shares this better than later, shortly after his Heart and Lung Center. That call what his doctor said, “‘Chief, you’ve Michael Fiedor, a retirement in 2016, his saved Fiedor’s life. been taking care of people your recently retired Fire chest pains returned. The Captain Buscio Program whole life, let us take care of you.’” Fiedor wasn’t sure at Deborah Hospital offers free Chief of the ScullHe did just that. Now he is enjoying ville Volunteer where to turn to get comprehensive cardiovascular and retirement with his wife Kathy and Fire Department. Captain Dominick Buscio, a firefighter in Jersey the help he needed. pulmonary evaluations and care spending time with his daughter and Fiedor was only City, died of a heart attack at only 39 years of Although Fiedor had at no cost to all firefighters, police two grandchildren. Fiedor’s advice 37 years old when age. The program at Deborah Heart and Lung not yet said anything officers and emergency responders to other firefighters is, “Take care he had his first Center is named in his honor. to his wife, Kathy, throughout the state of New Jersey. of yourself. Be mindful of your body. The program is named after Captain You know if something is off better Dominick Buscio, a fire captain in Jerthan anyone else. Get it checked out before something goes wrong.” sey City who died of a heart attack at 39. Over 5,000 firefighters, police If you would like more information officers and emergency responders about the Captain Buscio Program have received treatment and there is at Deborah Heart and Lung Center, never a bill. go to https://demanddeborah.org/ “There is no doubt this program patients-visitors/captain-buscio-prosaved my life,” says Fiedor. After that gram/ or to Schedule an appointinitial call, he was evaluated and tests ment, call Deborah Heart and Lung were completed swiftly. Fiedor got Center 1-800-555-1990, or Cardio five stents put in his heart and anothPulmonary Diagnostic 973-596-1200.
Gregory’s Restaurant Holds its 38th Oktoberfest Celebration
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n Sept. 29 at 7 p.m., the Gregory’s staff and Somers Point Mayor Jack Glasser will open their German Oktoberfest with a ceremonial keg tapping. Come see a keg of Warsteiner Oktoberfest German Bier tapped by the old Bavarian himself Gregory Von Gregory. Afterward, enjoy samples of this wonderful authentic brew. It’s time to get the “Best of the Wurst” at Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar, 900 Shore Road in Somers Point. Oktoberfest runs from Friday lunch until Monday dinner through October. Gregory’s is offering 7 lunch and 8 dinner
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Authentic German meals each day. They will be serving everything from housemade Sauerbraten to Wiener Schnitzel to Bratwurst two types at prices sure to please with 5 German beers to complete the experience. Your meal could also include special potato pancakes (Kartoffelpuff’s) appetizer and House-made Strudel with ice cream for dessert. Gregory’s will be decorated to welcome the fall harvest and classic Beer Garden Oktoberfest music will be heard in our dining room all night. Come experience Germany at Von Gregory’s – the local pioneers of Oktoberfest celebrations dating back to 1979.
SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 11, 2017