Fallen firefighters memorial to be constructed in Brunswick

BRUNSWICK — A memorial will be placed at Fire Station 1 in Brunswick to honor the last Brunswick firefighter who died on duty. In 1969, the city of Brunswick had a volunteer fire department, Brunswick Fire Chief Greg Glauner said. Ron Novak and the other volunteers were called to fight a brush fire off of Laurel Road while they were at a Sunday church service. Novak had a two-and-a-half-gallon Indian pump tank on his back and fell near the flames. This left him badly burned to the point where he was unrecognizable, and he had to identify himself to the other firefighters. He died in the hospital the next day. A small plaque on the wall that was partially obscured by the American flag memorialized Novak's death, Glauner said. The current day firefighters were not aware that a Brunswick firefighter had even died. This inspired Glauner to come up with the idea for the fallen firefighters memorial. The project was then taken over by the Medina County Fire Chiefs' Association. "I just thought that was kind of a terrible thing that the history is lost and someone made the ultimate sacrifice and there was no memorial or anything for him," he said. The design of the memorial is unofficial but the current layout is a large black monument with Novak's name and the dates with firefighter gear etched into the memorial. Fortunately, the city of Brunswick has not had a firefighter die on duty recently, Glauner said. Brunswick firefighters are given the proper gear and training to handle fires but there is still risk involved. "Every day, men and women serve the citizens not just here in Brunswick but everywhere, (and) they put their lives on the line to do their job," he said. A memorial service, which is open to the public, for Novak and the firefighters who died this past year will be held June 18 at 10 a.m. at Fire Station 1, Glauner said. Local Girl Scouts will put a flag in the ground as each name of a deceased firefighter is called. A firetruck from every fire department in Medina County will be at the event. Novak served in the Navy during the Korean War so there will also be a 21-gun salute. Novak's family will be in attendance. "I think it's just a part of our history," Glauner said. "I think that Ron Novak, he gave his life serving the citizens of Brunswick and we should never forget that." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.