First Responders Spotlight: Carrying on a firefighter's legacy
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — This story is about a mission to carry on the legacy of a fallen firefighter and your chance to help out this weekend.
'Joe was the community risk reduction specialist for the Gates Fire District,' Sal Montemurro, the Gates Fire Marshal, said while speaking with News 8's Brennan Somers. 'His job was to promote fire safety, and part of that job was to install alarms for free for people.'
Montemurro is also the head of the group named after his friend, our community lost six years ago, Joe Manuse. The beloved firefighter died in 2019 from complications due to a bee sting.
After his passing, they launched the Joseph Manuse Residential Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Foundation. It works to make sure alarms are available to all fire departments in Monroe and Ontario Counties. They install them for free when they respond to a call and find no alarms or none that are working.
Events happening in the Rochester area this weekend!
The project is funded through donations. Saturday, they have a family fun day fundraiser at First Responders Park on Lyell Road.
There will be bounce houses, food, raffles, music, and more, with all proceeds going to the foundation.
Montemurro says they've ordered about 500 alarms already this year. Most have been given out. They are looking to get more to keep going in honor of the man who always put others first.
'He was the greatest guy you could've ever known,' Montemurro said. 'That's why we want to keep this foundation going to keep his legacy alive.'
They are also bringing back bracelets with the motto 'Be Like Fireman Joe' and 'Joe's Alarms' shirts. You can pick them up at the fundraiser tomorrow, which runs from 1 to 5 pm.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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