NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Neptune Township EMS Chief Bil Rosen died in the line of duty after collapsing while on the job on Aug. 4, the agency reported. He was 59.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Neptune Township EMS Chief Bil Rosen collapsed and died in the line of duty this morning,” the agency wrote on social media.
Rosen served as chief of Neptune Township EMS and held several leadership roles throughout New Jersey’s EMS system, including deputy emergency management coordinator for Neptune Office of Emergency Management, training module manager for the New Jersey EMS Task Force, deputy EMS coordinator for Monmouth County and as a longtime member of Shark River Hills First Aid.
“Bil was a friend, a family member and, like many in this business, held multiple significant roles in EMS,” New Jersey EMS Task Force President Mike Bascom said in a statement. “He touched countless lives along the way.”
Colleagues described Rosen as a lifelong educator who instructed thousands of public safety professionals nationally and internationally. He was also recognized for his work advancing mental health and wellness initiatives in EMS, including establishing a peer support program at Neptune Township EMS aimed at reducing stigma around seeking help.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, agencies remembered Rosen for his passion for food, the outdoors and his family. They noted the pride he took in watching his son begin a career in EMS and said he was known for his sense of humor and “dad jokes.”
Additional information about funeral and memorial services will be released when available.
Rosen is survived by his wife, Kristin, and his son, Sebastian.
