Two Newark, New Jersey, fire houses were dedicated July 30 to fallen fire fighters Wayne “Bear” Brooks Jr., and Augusto “Augie” Acabou. The two were killed in the line of duty July 5, 2023, fighting a cargo ship fire.
Engine-16 / Ladder-8 on Ferry Street will now honor Capt. Acabou, and Engine-27 / Ladder-4 will honor Capt. Brooks. These are the firehouses where both men served.
“The plaques that now hang on these firehouses will serve as a daily reminder to all of us of the sacrifice they made,” Local 71 President Michael Giunta said. “And, more importantly, new fire fighters who come on the job will see them, ask questions, and learn about their story.”
On that day in 2023, the fire began when a Jeep Wrangler driven by a port employee to push vehicles bound for west Africa onto the 12-level cargo ship caught fire. The fire quickly spread to some of the other 1,200 vehicles on board the ship.
Fire fighters boarded the ship and went to the 10th or 11th floor to extinguish the flames. Brooks and Acabou soon made Mayday calls. They died before colleagues could reach them.
The families of both men said they are grateful their loved ones will not be forgotten, although nothing can bring them back.
“We appreciate them doing the plaque dedication, but it’s never going to be the same,” Miguel Acabou, Augusto’s brother, told WABC-TV. “That heartache is always going to be there.”
Brooks’ wife said that while community support is great, she still has to live without the person she loves.
“It’s hard being 47 and a widow,” Michele Brooks, Wayne’s wife, told the media. “Especially when that person was your best friend.”
Giunta said Local 71 plans to continue to honor the memory of Acabou and Brooks by fighting to make sure the department has the resources needed to prevent future line of duty deaths.
Thirteen months after the cargo ship fire, the city’s fire boats are still not operational. One firehouse has been closed due to asbestos and mold, and another closed because the floor collapsed, unable to hold fire apparatus.
“Fire fighters and rigs assigned to those fire houses have been spread around the city wherever we can find room. But having these fire houses closed means longer response times to a lot of our emergencies,” Giunta said. “We will honor our fallen brothers by continuing to fight to repair and reopen these fire houses and to push for an adequate level of resources.”
Photo used with the permission of TAPinto Newark.
Photo used with the permission of TAPinto Newark.
Photo used with the permission of TAPinto Newark.
