Perth Amboy first woman career firefighter is promoted to fire captain
PERTH AMBOY - For the second time in her city firefighting career, Arielle Bonilla is making history, most recently as the first female and Latina fire captain in the Perth Amboy Fire Department.
Bonilla, who became the first career woman in the Perth Amboy Fire Department seven years ago, was promoted to the rank of captain Thursday during a swearing-in ceremony at fire headquarters on New Brunswick Avenue.
"Throughout my career as the first female firefighter of Perth Amboy, I've shown all people that women are just as capable as men. Women can do anything they put their minds to, and they do it with grace. I encourage all females in the community to reach for the stars, challenge themselves, and even explore this amazing career. Never let anyone tell you that you cannot do something because I believe that if someone like me can, anyone can," Bonilla said.
Also sworn in were Captains Patrick McGhee, Jordian Aquino, Dylan Krushinski, John Fazio, Matthews Dominguez, and Kurt Gregory and Firefighters Alfredo Brenes Jr., Michael Meininger and Brian Troland.
"Today is truly a historic day in our fire department's 142 year history as we complete the last piece of a puzzle that began with Chief David Volk in 2009 and Battalion Chief Brian Cleary to create fully staffed companies in the fire department to have an officer and three firefighters in every responding apparatus," said Fire Chief Edward Mullen.
Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, D-19th District administered the oath of office to Bonilla who joined the fire department in 2016 after completing four years in the U.S. Navy from 2011 to 2015 on the USS New York, a ship built partly from steel from the World Trade Center which collapsed during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
"I am deeply honored to have sworn in Captain Arielle Bonilla, who has broken barriers as the first female and Latina career captain in Perth Amboy's fire department," Lopez said. “Her achievement highlights the power of diversity and inclusion in our emergency services. Captain Bonilla's success will inspire countless others to pursue their dreams and serve their communities. I commend the City of Perth Amboy Fire Department for their commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment."
Bonilla comes from a family of firefighters. Her father George Bonilla was a lifelong Perth Amboy volunteer firefighter who retired last year as the city's audio video director. Her brother David is a city firefighter and her brother Brian is a captain in the Perth Amboy Fire Department. At her 2016 swearing in ceremony, her father George said he told his daughters they can do anything a man can do.
After completing three tours in the Middle East during Operating Enduring Freedom with the Navy, Bonilla took the firefighter exam and has been active in several Perth Amboy Fire Department divisions including the honor guard, Marine Division, and Dive Team.
She will be assigned as captain on Engine 2, Battalion 1.
A former volunteer firefighter and city police officer, McGhee became a career firefighter in 2016. Prior to his promotion he was assigned to Rescue 1 on Battalion 4 as the special operations team leader. He has a bachelor's degree in fire science from New Jersey City University and served as vice president of Perth Amboy Firefighters Local 286. He will be assigned as captain of Rescue 1, Battalion 2.
Aquino, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, became a career firefighter in 2016 and prior to his promotion was assigned to Rescue 1 on Battalion 1 where he was a special operations team leader. He is certified as a Level I Incident Manager, Fire Instructor Level I and Firefighter III. He is also an emergency medical technician. He will be assigned as captain of Truck 2, Battalion 3.
A former volunteer firefighter, Krushinski became a career firefighter in 2016 and before his promotion was a member of the Special Operations Team for Engine 2, Battalion 2. He is also a member of the Dive Team, Marine Division and Fire Prevention Bureau. He has a masters and bachelor degree from Montclair State University and is a licensed athletic trainer who previously worked in professional sports. His father Kevin is an former chief and the current Sayreville fire official. His great great uncle was Sayreville's first fire chief and his grandfather also was a Sayreville firefighter. He will be assigned to Engine 2, Battalion 3.
Fazio became a city career firefighter in 2016 and had been assigned to Rescue 1 on Battalion 2 where he was a member of the Special Operations Team and the Marine Division. He has received awards for rescuing two children from a Market Street house fire and rescuing two people from a 2017 flash flood. He is certified as a Level I incident manager and Firefighter II. He will assigned to Truck 2, Battalion 4.
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Dominguez became a career firefighter in 2017 and most recently was assigned to Rescue I, Battalion I as a member of the Special Operations Team. He has an associate degree in liberal arts business from Middlesex College. He will be assigned to Engine 2, Battalion 4.
Gregory began as a volunteer firefighter in 2013 and became a career firefighter in 2016. He was a member of the Special Operations Team and Marine Division with Rescue 1 on Battalion 3 prior to his promotion. He has received awards for rescuing five people from an apartment building fire, and rescuing individuals from a trench and high angle. His father Bruce is a retired Edison firefighter and his grandfather was a Perth Amboy Police detective. His wife is related to John Torgenson one of the nine firefighters killed in the 1921 Perth Amboy train accident. He will be assigned to Engine 2, Battalion 2.
Brenes was appointed as a career firefighter in August 2022 and attended the Morris County Fire Academy from September to December 2022. He is a U.S. Navy veteran who was deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He is being assigned to Truck 2, Battalion 2.
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Meininger started his fire service career in 2009 with the U.S. Air Force and was appointed as Perth Amboy career firefighter in August 2022. He also attended the Morris County Fire Academy and formerly worked for the U.S. Department of Defense as a firefighter at US Naval Station Earle. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and was deployed three times. He is assigned to Truck 2, Battalion 3.
Troland started his fire service career in 2013 with the Sayreville Fire Department and became a Perth Amboy career firefighter in August 2022. He attended the Morris County Fire Academy where he received his classes "best recruit performance" award. He is a U.S. Army veteran and will be assigned to Truck 2, Battalion 4.
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Perth Amboy first woman career firefighter is promoted to fire captain
