The Lakewood Fire Department is proud to announce that two of its firefighters were honored on Thursday by the 200 Club of Ocean County for their heroic actions earlier this year.

Lieutenant Robert Cook and Probationary Firefighter Andrew Sanchez received the Life-Saving Award during the club’s annual awards dinner, held on June 12, 2025. The Life Saving Award is presented to first responders who take direct, life-preserving action during an emergency.

The two were honored for their actions at a fire on March 16, 2025, at an assisted living facility on Route 70. Lt. Cook and Probationary Firefighter Sanchez were the first interior crew on scene and entered a burning apartment filled with smoke and heat. Inside, they found a woman in her bed, unable to escape. The firefighters rescued her and brought her to safety, where she was treated by EMS and transported to the hospital in stable condition.

The 200 Club of Ocean County is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to supporting the families of firefighters, police officers, EMS personnel, and other first responders who are killed or seriously injured in the line of duty. More information about the 200 Club of Ocean County can be found on their website at www.200clubofocean.org.

The Lakewood Fire Department congratulates both firefighters on this well-deserved recognition and thanks the 200 Club of Ocean County for continuing to honor the efforts of emergency services personnel throughout the region.

L-R: Lt. Robert Cook, Probationary FF Andrew Sanchez;

L-R: Lakewood Township Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein; Fire Chief Jonathan Yahr, Lt. Robert Cook,
Probationary FF Andrew Sanchez, Fire Commissioner Larry S. Loigman; Firefighter Matthew Bassini, Firefighter Bryan Ruffus