the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwood NJ, Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo and the community proudly join the Westwood Volunteer Fire Department (WVFD) in celebrating an extraordinary milestone: 50 years of dedicated service from firefighters Jaymee Hodges, Billy Quinn, and Danny O’Brien.
Tonight, these three incredible men are being honored for their half-century of unwavering commitment, bravery, and brotherhood in the fire service. Fellow firefighter Nick Ariemma reflects on their legacy with heartfelt words that capture the spirit of their contribution and camaraderie:
A Brotherhood Forged in Service
“Tonight, the Westwood Fire Department will celebrate and honor three men who are marking their 50th year of volunteer service,” Nick begins. “For the members in the room who are not yet 50, just think of their length of service as the duration of your life from birth until today.”
When these men began their journey as firefighters, Gerald Ford was president, The Towering Inferno was a box-office hit, and sideburns and turtlenecks were all the rage. Over the decades, they’ve earned their gold, the traditional symbol of five decades of service—a fitting tribute to a legacy of courage and dedication.
More Than Firefighters
Nick recalls their moments of shared triumph and resilience:
- Fighting fires together, facing unimaginable heat, smoke, and danger.
- Celebrating milestones, from parades and talent shows to holiday traditions like escorting Santa Claus through Westwood streets.
- Serving as mentors and role models, always there to guide cadets, tweak equipment, or simply lend a listening ear.
These are men who not only fought “The Beast”—the fire itself—but also nurtured the soul of the firehouse. Nick describes them as passionate, resilient, and occasionally opinionated, but always dedicated to doing “the right stuff” when it mattered most.
A Legacy Etched in Gold
Over the years, they’ve driven trucks, pumped water, vented roofs, and advanced lines into roaring flames. They’ve rebuilt the firehouse, celebrated victories, and mourned fallen comrades. Through it all, they’ve embodied the spirit of volunteerism, never turning down a call for help, always answering with a “Let’s Go” attitude.
“They can be difficult, opinionated, assertive, intrusive, aloof, and even sometimes ‘too careful,’” Nick says. “Not one of them sees the Fire Service as a popularity contest. And with those warts … they get stuff done … the right stuff.”
A Community United in Gratitude
As the WVFD and the Westwood community gather to honor Jaymee, Billy, and Danny, it’s not just their years of service being celebrated—it’s the lives they’ve saved, the friendships they’ve forged, and the legacy they’ve built.
Nick sums it up beautifully: “I’ve looked The Beast in the eye standing with each of them. I’d do it again (if we could roll back a few years). Each has inspired me with their unique talents. You are my Brothers … and for that I’m truly blessed and grateful.”
Congratulations and Thank You
Congratulations to Jaymee Hodges, Billy Quinn, and Danny O’Brien on this monumental achievement. Your community salutes you, and your WVFD family is forever grateful for your service, sacrifice, and dedication.
Here’s to 50 years of heroism—and the legacy you leave for generations to come.
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