Sometimes, a tour takes an unpredictable turn and it takes a seasoned 13-year veteran to shift gears quickly. That is what happened on September 2, 2005, when EMT Robert M. Brzezinski helped save several South Bronx families.
The day began as any other with EMT Brzezinski responding to several routine calls out of EMS Station 14. During one of these calls and while attending to a patient on Tinton Avenue, EMT Brzezinski and his partner, EMT Joshua Juarez, were approached by children who informed them of a fire in a 20-story residential building across the street.
Without regard for his personal safety, EMT Brzezinski entered the building at 710 Tinton Avenue, along with members of the Police Department. Flames and smoke were emanating from the fifth floor and conditions grew increasingly dangerous. EMT Brzezinski considered the safety of the occupants foremost.
When he entered the fifth-floor hallway, he encountered heavy smoke and a tremendous heat condition. EMT Brzezinski crawled through the smoke-filled hallway, aiding and evacuating residents from the fire floor, as well as the upper floors.
EMT Brzezinski continued to evacuate residents from the building until Firefighters arrived at the scene to suppress the blaze. He was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. Then, he was transported to the emergency room of Lincoln Hospital and later released.
EMT Brzezinski operated in an unsafe fire environment to successfully evacuate civilians from the fire building. For his brave actions, the Department is proud to present EMT Robert M. Brzezinski with the Chief James Scullion Medal.--WB |
