Fallen EMT, East Windsor Resident To Be Honored

The Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad is planning two upcoming events to honor Michael Kenwood, the volunteer EMT and rescue technician who died nearly a year ago while attempting a swift water rescue during Hurricane Irene. 

The first event is a memorial service on the one-year anniversary of Kenwood’s death, Aug. 28. The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. at Greenway Meadows Park, 275 Rosedale Road in Princeton. There will be remembrances of Kenwood and PFARS will dedicate a bench in the park in his memory. 

“The squad wanted to do something a little more in-depth, to do something that marks the one-year anniversary of Michael's death," PFARS President Peter Simon said. "We lost a hero, a really fantastic person who volunteered his time to make this community better, so people can have a level of comfort in their time of need.”

The second event, a concert by professional concert production company “Broadway Sings,” will pay tribute to Michael’s life and legacy Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Princeton High School Performing Arts Center.

When “Broadway Sings” first launched, it featured Broadway stars and national companies of hit shows performing in restaurants off-hours, Simon said. Michael Kenwood’s father, Martin Kenwood and his wife Anne Gunarr, were often in the audience enjoying the show. It was Martin Kenwood who had the business contacts and served “as the angel to the group and helped them have the resources to the take that next step,” Simon said.

Michael Kenwood also helped the group with free computer and legal work when they started out, according to Simon. As a tribute to Kenwood, his passion for life and dedication to the community, the performers will donate their talents to provide an evening of music.

"When they learned about what had happened to Michael, they were obviously very sad and wanted to do something to help," Simon said. "They said 'what we'd love to do is some kind of tribute to Michael where we dive of our voices and help celebrate his life,'" Simon said. 

The concert will also feature a silent auction. Proceeds from the concert and auction will be split between Kenwood's family and PFARS. To purchase tickets, click here. Businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities or donating to the silent action should contact PFARS at 609-924-3338.

Kenwood was a mentor to everyone on the PFARS squad, from high school students to professionals and retirees, Simon said.

“Michael completely fit in with everybody, he was a great resource, he was respected and you could trust any answer he gave you, people could rely on him. It’s that type of person who is a role model on so many levels. The sad part is that we lost him, but his legacy is us remembering what type of person Mike was so people can say ‘That’s the kind of person I want to be’ and hopefully benefit their own lives.”

Michael Kenwood was 39 years old when Hurricane Irene hit the East Coast and devastated New Jersey. Kenwood responded to a call around 4:30 a.m. following a report of a vehicle partially submerged in floodwater on Rosedale Road.

When crews arrived on scene, they began yelling to anyone who might be stranded inside the car to flash the lights. The lights flashed. 

Kenwood and PFARS President Peter Simon were tethered to a rope attached to the rescue truck. As the men waded into deeper water and the current got stronger, they realized it wasn't safe and turned around. 

Kenwood lost his footing, and although Simon tried to plant his feet to stablize Kenwood, the two men were swept away and the rope connecting them became snagged on a small tree - Michael on one side, Peter on the other. Simon cut the rope between the two men and radioed the backup team for help.

The team pulled Kenwood from the water and began CPR immediately, but Michael never regained consciousness.  around 10:30 p.m. surrounded by family and friends.

It was later determined that the car on Rosedale Road was empty and an electrical short may have caused the lights to flash. Police interviewed the owner of the car but determined there was no criminal action.

Click here to listen to the audio recording of Mercer County Central Communications Center announcing the line of duty death of Michael Kenwood.