Edith B. Goldman Medal

Firefighter Brian T. Sullivan, Ladder Company 173

September 16, 2004, 1601 hours, Box 1394, Atlantic Ocean, Beach 123rd Street & Ocean Promenade, Queens

Appointed to the FDNY on January 16, 1994. Previously assigned to Ladder 8. Union Delegate to the UFA. Recipient of a unit citation; a Life Saving Benevolent Association Award; and a Class III rating for this incident. Additionally, he was honored in 2004 by Firefighter Quarterly Magazine. Holds a BA degree in Political Science and Business from St. John’s University. Resides in Rockaway Beach, Queens.

Even when off-duty, New York City Firefighters are ready to help people in need. This was the situation facing FF Brian T. Sullivan of Ladder Co. 173 on September 16, 2004, while he was off-duty and at Rockaway Beach in Queens.

At 1601 hours, FF Sullivan was riding his bicycle on the boardwalk at 123rd Street and Rockaway Beach Boulevard when he heard screaming and shouts for help coming from the beach. FF Sullivan saw three people in distress, approximately 50 to 125 yards offshore. They were having a difficult time staying afloat in an extremely rough surf condition caused by the impending arrival of Hurricane Ivan.

Without regard for his safety and without a flotation device or back-up, the Firefighter entered the ocean and swam approximately 50 yards, where he encountered the first person in need of rescue, Luke Kelvin, a male teenager. FF Sullivan wrapped his arms around the teen and swam him to shore. Once the conscious Kelvin was safely on shore, FF Sullivan re-entered the rough surf in an attempt to rescue the two other people.

Reaching the remaining two victims, FF Sullivan realized that one was unconscious, facedown in the water and the other was drowning and unable to stay above water. FF Sullivan kept the unconscious victim above water. At this time, Kristen Bledsoe, a civilian, had swam out with a boogie board to assist the lone Firefighter. He placed the unconscious victim face up on the boogie board and ordered Ms. Bledsoe to keep his head above water.

FF Sullivan then let go of the second victim and dove under water, where he found the third victim, who was fully submerged and entangled in the legs of the second victim. FF Sullivan was able to bring the third victim to the surface and placed him on the boogie board with Ms. Bledsoe’s help.

At this point, the members of Ladder Co. 137 had arrived on the scene and entered the rough ocean to join the rescue effort. Two members of Ladder Co. 137, equipped with a rescue buoy, swam out to FF Sullivan and Ms. Bledsoe and assisted in the rescue. Three Ladder 137 members entered the ocean to help, while the other members stayed on shore to pull everyone in after the victims were recovered.

The two teenagers removed from the ocean were Jason Xia, 17 years old, and Aaron Cheung, 15 years old. Xia was transported to Peninsula General Hospital and Cheung was transported to Schneider’s Children’s Hospital.

For his actions in twice entering a rough Atlantic Ocean and swimming a great distance to rescue three drowning swimmers, FF Brian T. Sullivan of Ladder Co. 173 is officially recognized by the FDNY today. He is presented with the Edith B. Goldman Medal.—NG