Fire Lieutenant Receives Proclamation on Staten Island

Lt. Chris Kane receives a Proclamation from Staten Island Councilman Kenneth Mitchell for saving the life of his neighbor, Joan Cupo. (L to R) Christopher Kane, 12; Florence Kane; Ms. Cupo; William Kane, 6; Councilman Mitchell; Timothy Kane, 7; and Lt. Kane.

According to Joan Cupo, Lt. Chris Kane from Ladder 153 has been an outstanding neighbor for the last decade. When she needed the help, he took out her garbage, shoveled her driveway … and saved her life.

On July 29, 2008, Lt. Kane did CPR on Ms. Cupo after she collapsed outside her home, saving her life. To thank him for his assistance, Ms. Cupo arranged for the Lieutenant to receive a Proclamation from Staten Island Councilman Kenneth Mitchell on July 21.

“You want Chris as a neighbor,” said Ms. Cupo at the Café Del Mondo on Staten Island. “If you need something, he’s always there - whatever you need, he’ll do it. If you know him, you just fall in love with him.”

Ms. Cupo was returning home from a lunch at Café Del Mondo last July when she said she began feeling dizzy and her vision blurred.

When walked into her Westerleigh home, she said she was greeted by Florence Kane, the Lieutenant’s wife, from their yard next door. Moments later, Ms. Cupo collapsed.

Lt. Kane remembered hearing his wife call for him.

“I could tell by the tone of her voice that it wasn’t good,” he said.

Ms. Cupo was laying under a table in her yard. He said he heard her exhale and then she stopped breathing. When he could not find a pulse, Ms. Kane called 9-1-1 and he began CPR.

After he did more than 20 chest compressions and two rescue breaths, he said, “I heard her strain and then take a deep breath. It was really emotional.”

Lt. Chris Kane and Joan Cupo at the Cafe Del Mondo on Staten Island.

Moments later EMS members arrived and transported her to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a heart condition.

He said the life-saving incident did not really register until Christmas-time, when Ms. Cupo delivered cookies and a card that read, “Thank you for saving my life.”

Councilman Mitchell said he was honored to present Lt. Kane with a Proclamation acknowledging his service. He added, “This story illustrates how important it is for everyone to know CPR.”

After receiving the framed Proclimation, Lt. Kane said, “This humbles me. I was just happy to help Joan that day. I’m happy Joan is here.”

“I’m happy too!” Ms. Cupo said with a laugh and a hug.