Robert Moran and John J. Lewis Inducted into the Firehouse Hall of Fame

Firehouse inducted John J. Lewis and Robert Moran into the Hall of Fame as the Class of 2025 at its FireFusion Conference in Charleston, SC.

The two have been writing for Firehouse, teaching at their events and started as conference assistants in the 1990s.

“Standing up here, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and humility," Lewis said. "To be inducted into the Hall of Fame is not just a personal achievement, it's tribute to every person who I’ve walked with, rolled down the hallway with or learned from. This feeling is honestly surreal."

“I would like to start by thanking my longtime friend of Firehouse magazine editor Peter Matthews, Bill MacRae, Endeavor Business and the Firehouse family for choosing to honor the Jersey Guys with our induction into the Hall of Fame," said Moran. "It is a deeply appreciated tribute. Never did I think, after starting my journey in 1979 as a member of the Leonia Volunteer Fire Department, that I will be standing here today in front of you."

Firehouse Conference Director and Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews had the honor of calling Lewis and Moran to the stage. It was a full circle moment for the group of three considering their history dates to 1999 when Matthews was just a few months into the job at Firehouse.

They met in July of 1999 at Firehouse Expo in Baltimore. Lewis and Moran were the first two Matthews met when their duties had them change light bulbs on slide projectors and complete odd jobs throughout the conference. Decades later, they were together again on stage to share the great honor together.

“I’ve been involved in the fire service for 26 years now. I truly love the fire service. I love everybody that’s in it, and I love what you do. To present these awards is a great honor. It’s a chance to acknowledge those folks I’ve worked with over the years. This year’s Hall of Fame inductees are really special to me. They are two guys that I cut my teeth with when I first started working with Firehouse,” said Matthews.

Both Lewis and Moran have more than 60 years combined experience writing, teaching and presenting for Firehouse, including article in the magazine and at Firehouse Expo and Firehouse World. They formed the Jersey Guys Fire Service Training Group to take their message on the road.

“They found areas that weren’t being discussed, researched them and built life-saving programs around that," said Matthews. "Both have written for us for years at Firehouse. You just had to say Jersey Guys and the room was full every year. Their room kept getting larger because the crowds were just wanting to see their message and talk to them."

John J. Lewis

John J. Lewis joined the volunteer fire service as a junior in 1978 in his hometown of Maywood, NJ. He began his career as a firefighter/EMT in 1985 in Cliffside Park and retired as a lieutenant with a ladder company with the City of Passaic, NJ, Fire Department. Lewis was the lead instructor for all Officer Development and Blue Card Hazard Zone training programs at the Bergen County, NJ, Fire Academy. He is an adjunct instructor at Kean University in Union, NJ, and a member of the New Jersey State Firefighter Health and Safety Committee, and the NJ Statewide Utility Safety Team. Lewis holds New Jersey State Certifications as fire inspector/fire official, Level 2 fire instructor, and fire investigator.

“There's a lot of people I'd like to thank. I want to thank my family. My two brothers are here. My brother, Walt, and my brother Greg. My wife couldn't be here today. I love you, sunshine. She couldn't be here. She's home taking care of our three daughters. They're all important to me because they help. They back me up. They supported me,” said Lewis.

Lewis mentioned in his speech a slew of responses that he was able to survive. From bas crashes to rapid fire development through uncoordinated ventilation.

“I don't say this to brag, but I tell these stories because I want all people to be survivors. How did I survive these situations? Training. Let's just learn our craft. Let's learn what we do,” said Lewis.

Lewis closed his speech with two things, “Stay safe and say slow.”

Robert Moran

Robert Moran is chief of the Brewster, MA, Fire & Rescue Department. In 2011, he retired as fire chief of the Englewood, NJ, Fire Department after a 26-year career. Moran holds a master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, is a certified public manager, and has a chief fire officer (CFO) designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence and the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission. He serves as an instructor for Barnstable County, MA, Fire Academy, an adjunct instructor for Kean University and the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, and a task force leader of the Barnstable County Technical Rescue Team. Moran and his training partner, John Lewis, operate Jersey Guys Fire Service Training.

“It was former editor Harvey Eisner who gave me my first opportunity to write for Firehouse Magazine in 1995,” said Moran. “He then recruited me to be a member of his conference education team around the same time and opened the door for John and I to become classroom hands-on instructors specializing in firearm strategy and tactics, leadership, firefighter survival, mass conference and live training sessions. He opened the door and has allowed us to become loyal supporters, writers and instructors for the past 30 years, I am very grateful for the exceptional mentorship and advice that you offer me during our time together educating our nation's firefighters. Rest in peace.”

Moran touched on his journey and how the Jersey Guys have been privileged to instruct and mentor 1000s of firefighters across the country.

It takes a village,” said Moran. “You have all heard that. While we may have started this journey many years ago, our induction to the Hall of Fame was not even possible without the dedication and driving effort of an outstanding group of hands-on instructors who represent the best and brightest of fire service. All own a piece of what we are learning today. I personally thank them for their contribution to the success of our team, their brotherhood and friendship.”

Moran was filled with emotion when thanking his family and those that have been there for him throughout his career. He finished his speech speaking on legacy and how he hopes his impacts the fire service positively.

“Today's introduction to the Hall of Fame gives me hope that the legacy that I have taken to date, and the one that I believe when the final bell rings, will have an enduring positive impact on the firefighters we have training in our nation’s fire service,” said Moran.

Moran and Lewis are now officially the 27^th and 28^th members of the Firehouse Hall of Fame.