Belmar woman honored for bravery

Belmar woman honored for bravery
November 24, 2009
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By Zach Levine

Belmar resident Victoria Blevins was honored recently by Mayor Kenneth E. Pringle [left] and Assemblyman David Rible [R-11] for saving a neighbor from a house fire.
Photo courtesy ASSEMBLYMAN DAVID RIBLE
BELMAR — Just over one month ago, Victoria Blevins, 25, a resident here, sprung into action along with her family and helped avert a potentially deadly situation, as Ms. Blevins ran into a burning house and pulled her neighbor, Helene Rosen, 78, to safety.
To honor her efforts and commend her for the bravery she displayed, the Belmar governing body and Assemblyman Dave Rible [R-11] presented her with citations during last week’s borough council meeting.
The council members first awarded Ms. Blevins with the Belmar Police Department Civilian Merit Award.
Mayor Kenneth E. Pringle read aloud the resolution which honored Ms. Blevins for her bravery.
“She entered her neighbor’s home without hesitation, fought through the smoke and carried her fallen neighbor to safety, and her initiative and actions were done without regard for her own safety, with the sole goal of assisting her neighbor in need,” the mayor said.
“Her actions reflect credit upon herself and exemplifies what all of us expect from each other in an emergency — courage, self-initiative and selflessness,” he added.
Belmar Acting Police Chief Thomas Palmisano said Ms. Blevins “without a doubt” exemplifies what it means to be a “good neighbor.”
“I think she is an outstanding young lady,” he said. “She didn’t worry about her own safety, and she didn’t really know the person who lives next door, so it was a pretty great thing for her to do.”



Acting Chief Palmisano added once the department found out what Ms. Blevins had done, they immediately filed the paperwork to honor her properly for her courage.
“As soon as it was done, we put in right away to recognize her for what she did,” he said. “I only have good things to say about what she did, and it’s good to know we have residents like this in our town.”
He also said what Ms. Blevins did was “courageous” and was something that others may not have done if placed in a similar situation.
“Most people would have sat back and called the fire department,” he said. “It was smart enough for her to get in there, since her neighbor might not have made it.”
Also honoring Ms. Blevins during the evening was Assemblyman Rible, who had his own resolution to present on behalf of the District 11 Legislative Office.
“Victoria Blevins’ fearlessness, determination and unwavering willingness to risk her life to help another in a dangerous situation resulted in saving of Helene Rosen’s life, and provided a model of bravery and selflessness worthy of emulation,” he read.
Assemblyman Rible continued, “This legislature hereby honors Victoria Blevins for her heroism, commends the remarkable courage she displayed during her neighbor’s house fire, and extends to her sincere best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors.”
Ms. Blevins, a current medical student at Seton Hall University, recalled on the day of the fire that she was taking a nap when she heard her mother scream that the neighbor’s house was on fire.
“I had two exams that day already and was taking a nap on the couch in the apartment,” she said. “I then heard my mom scream, woke up, ran down the stairs, and smelled the smoke.”
Ms. Blevins said the only time she really encountered Ms. Rosen was when she walked by her home and saw Ms. Rosen sitting on her porch.
“Helene always said, ‘Hi neighbor!’ and I always waved back, but I never had the chance to really meet her,” she said.
Ms. Blevins added she rarely saw Ms. Rosen leave the home and had a strong feeling that her neighbor was stuck inside the residence.
“I jumped the fence, ran in and she was hunched over her walker in the living room. She was having difficulty breathing, and you couldn’t even see anything when you ran into the house,” she recalled. “I grabbed her up under my arms and she just collapsed.”
After Ms. Blevins ran into the home and pulled out Ms. Rosen, emergency medical technicians arrived on scene and brought her to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, in Neptune, where she was observed for several days before being released.
Belmar Police Detective Sean Pringle said the incident was classified as an “accidental electrical fire,” and the department was not exactly sure what caused the blaze, as numerous different electrical issues could have started the fire.
Ms. Blevins said her family had moved to Belmar temporarily, while waiting for their home to be built in Farmingdale.
“We just moved in a couple weeks before, so I think it’s amazing that it happened when it did,” she said. “… everything happens for a reason.”
In the days following the incident, Ms. Blevins was contacted by Belmar Borough Clerk April Claudio, who asked her to come to a council meeting to receive thanks from the council members.
“I thought I was just going there to shake the mayor’s hand, so I was just taken aback by what happened,” she said.
Ms. Blevins said she was honored to receive the award, however she was quick to point out that it wasn’t a solo effort on helping save her neighbor from the blaze.
“I’m not sure why I was the only one who got recognition,” she said. “It could have had a much worse outcome. It really was a team effort.”
More Belmar news, plus full coverage of southern Monmouth and northern Ocean counties, can be found at starnewsgroup.com.