ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—Joseph Sorbanelli is a lifelong resident of Englewood.
He and his wife, Ruth, graduated from Dwight Morrow High School (DMHS) and their three children—Rebecca, Charles, and Madeline—are fifth generation Englewood.
On the recommendation of Jack Drakeford and Agnes McClendon, the city of Englewood hired Sorbanelli as a firefighter in 1989. Proudly serving Englewood, he worked his way through the ranks to fire captain and Emergency Management Coordinator.
Sorbanelli was a responder to the infamous Sept. 11 World Trade Center attack, and also to Hurricane Katrina.
Sorbanelli has received several awards, such as the Firehouse magazine Valor Award and numerous unit citations.
In addition to his professional duties, Sorbanelli coaches Baseball Little League, the Englewood Raiders. Many of the kids that he helped coach have led Dwight Morrow High School to a League Championship in the county and state tournaments in 2018, a feat that had not been accomplished in 55 years.
Sorbanelli is also a Chapter Leader of Achilles NJ, an organization that pairs athletes with special needs with guides in running events. He led the first annual Hope and Possibility race in Englewood, and in November, 2019, he was named Achilles International Guide of the Year.
Sorbanelli is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Englewood Rotary club, and a volunteer for the Visiting Nurse Association.
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Hillary Viders: What are your responsibilities as a Fire Department captain and emergency management coordinator?
Joe Sorbanelli: These are two distinctly different jobs. As a fire department captain, I oversee two lieutenants who oversee the firefighters who are responsible for the day to day safety of Englewood residents.
As an emergency management coordinator, I reach out every year to various groups—like the police, fire, EMS, the Health Department and the school districts—and coordinate their efforts in case of any emergency. Englewood has an emergency plan that I give to the county and the county plan is entered into the state plan. I update the plan every year and we’re reviewed by the state police every four years.
HV: As a firefighter, you have undertaken many dramatic and dangerous missions. Tell us about your experience responding to the terrorist attacks on 9/11.
JS: After the attack, the EFD sent me to the site of the Twin Towers as part of the Mid-Bergen Hazmat Team. The Hazmat Team had about 40 members, about eight to 10 of whom were from the EFD. When we arrived it was a scene of horror and chaos. Our mission was to decontaminate people who were covered with soot. We worked all day and into late in the night, washing off and providing medical attention to thousands of people. The following day, four fire departments sent teams for a full recovery mission.
HV: What role did you play in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005?
JS: The Englewood Fire Department sent 10 members to help. On the day after the hurricane, we flew to Atlanta, rented trucks and we were stationed in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. We were there for five weeks. In the early stages, we did rescue and recovery and in the latter stages we helped FEMA and assisted people in any way we could to get their lives back on track. We helped them get shelter, food, clothing and whatever else they needed. The people in Englewood were wonderful and sent tons of supplies and donations. Our work hours were 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., but on our off time, we’d go to help out at the church. We’d do anything to support and give hope to these people who had lost everything.
HV: You have done a lot of volunteer work coaching Little League. What do you love about this?
JS: I coached Little League for five years but stayed actively involved for at least a decade. Besides allowing me to mentor young boys and girls, Little League is a place for everybody, and my son Charlie and I have met so many friends.
I also coached baseball at Dwight Morrow High School. At this level it is more competitive, but I never measured success by wins or losses, but by how the kids conducted themselves and treated their team mates and opponents. To me, all the kids were winners.
Besides helping them improve their athletic skills, I am proud that these young men are all going to college and they are good people.
HV: You are the founder of Achilles NJ, an organization that helps people who are disabled participate in running and other sports. Can you tell us about it?
JS: Achilles Track Club is international and it was founded in the early 1980s by Dick Traum who was an amputee who wanted to compete in mainstream running events. Over the years, the focus on track expanded to other sports such as cycling, swimming, triathlons, etc.
I founded Achilles NJ in 2017, and we provide guides for special needs athletes in running events. Our goal is to help promote personal achievement, but our main mission is not running, but to bring hope and possibility to everyone. So, on Sept. 22, 2019, with a lot of help from the city of Englewood, we had our first “Hope for Possibility Run” in which 250 athletes and their guides ran four miles through the streets of Englewood, starting and finishing in MacKay Park. We had a lot of help from the mayor, the council.
This was done in coordination with Achilles International and people from all over the world sent us pictures of their races.
Participants in our race in Englewood were ecstatic. One women, Caroline, who has MS, said that crossing the finish line was empowering and it changed her life.
HV: Does your entire family participate in Achilles races?
JS: My wife, Ruth, my daughters, Rebecca and Madeline, and my son, Charlie, all guided differently abled athletes in the “Hope for Possibility” run and all of us except Madeline, who was too young to participate, ran as guides in this year’s New York City Marathon on Nov. 3 [2019]. One of my goals is to teach my children to lead a life of service and participating in Achilles NJ is a great example.
HV: Does Achilles NJ do fundraising?
JS: Yes, these races cost money so that’s why we do fundraising and appreciate donations from Englewood residents and hopefully, in the future, a corporate sponsor. We raise money to help our athletes buy running gear. But even more important, we are trying to raise money to ensure that our disabled athletes, such as those with autism, have a place to live comfortably and with assistance when their parents are gone. (Note: to make a donation, volunteer as a guide and/or learn more about Achilles NJ, log on to achillesnj.org.)
HV: As a lifelong resident of Englewood, you must have seen many changes in the city over the years. What are some of the greatest differences you’ve seen over the years?
JS: My parents and grandparents are Englewood residents and Ruth is, too. We raised our children here and we never want to leave. Over the years, I’ve seen Englewood’s diversity grow and flourish, making this a place for everyone. There’s a little of everybody in Englewood.
As far as my career, I didn’t just want to be a firefighter. I specifically wanted to be an Englewood firefighter so that I could serve my community. I am particularly proud of the Englewood Fire Department because it is a place where anyone who needs help can go. If we can’t help you, we will find someone who can help you. That’s what we believe in, that’s who we are.