Firefighter David J. DeFranco Medal

Firefighter Richard J. Rattazzi
Ladder Company 16

June 29, 2002, 1655 hours
Box 1222
East 96th Street/FDR Drive, Manhattan

Appointed to the FDNY on February 16, 1999. Member of the Holy Name Society. Attended Denver Automotive College. Resides in Tuxedo with his wife, Tracey, and their children, John Patrick, 6, Kathleen, 3, and Elizabeth, 1.

It was a perfect summer day--warm temperatures and clear skies--as Ladder Company 16 and Engine Company 39 made their way north along the East River on Manhattan’s FDR Drive. They were returning from a reported automobile fire.
As the rig left the highway and traveled halfway down the East 96th Street exit, frantic civilians waved and shouted to the Firefighters that a woman had threatened suicide and then jumped into the river. As the apparatus stopped, the members could see the woman in imminent danger of drowning.

FF Richard Rattazzi (kneeling, right) gets together with members from his Company. Additionally, that is Bear, the rescue dog (since deceased), with his owner and trainer in the center. photo courtesy of FF Richard J. Rattazzi

As he viewed the unfolding situation--a young woman being carried away by the outgoing tide--FF Richard Rattazzi realized that immediate action was required. Without a moment’s hesitation, he unstrapped his handie-talkie radio, stripped off his firefighting bunker gear and sprinted 30 feet from the rig to the four-foot roadside barrier.

The Firefighter threw himself over the barrier and continued to the water’s edge. There was no way to climb down and enter the water gracefully, so he jumped 25 feet straight down into the swirling current.

FF Rattazzi swam out into the river and circled the victim so he could come up behind the 30-year-old female. After doing so, he grabbed the woman and asked if she was okay. Her response was that she wanted to die. FF Rattazzi told her: “I can’t let you do that.” Keeping her head above water, FF Rattazzi started swimming with the emotionally disturbed woman in tow, back toward the shore, all the while battling the outgoing tide.

As the rescuer was fighting the current, maintaining control of the victim and moving toward safety, the members of Ladder 16 were lashing a portable ladder to the bulkhead in order to facilitate removal of the woman from the water. Simultaneously, Engine 39’s crew was setting up medical equipment. She later was transported to Metropolitan Hospital by EMS personnel.

Although FF Rattazzi had no lifeline or flotation device to protect him, he put himself in harm’s way with his fearless deed. Clearly, his solo actions saved the life of another person. As Battalion Commander Robert Schildhorn noted in his report, “FF Rattazzi demonstrated the dedication and ability that have been the mainstay of this Department. He acted in accordance with the finest traditions of the FDNY.”

For his courage and bravery, the Fire Department proudly awards the Firefighter David J. DeFranco Medal to FF Richard J. Rattazzi. —BDG