Fire and EMS Members Save Two Lives in Brooklyn

An amazing team effort by firefighters and EMS members saved the lives of two fire victims in Brooklyn on July 7.

A call reporting a fire on E. 21st Street in Prospect Park was received at 5:41 a.m. The fire was on the fifth floor of a six-story residence.

The members of Engine 249 and Ladder 113, which were the first on the scene, worked to force open the door of the apartment.

At the same time, Firefighter Francis Valerio from Ladder 113, climbed the aerial ladder and climbed through a window. There he found an unconscious man in a bedroom.

Once the members forced open the front door, they had to crawl past fire to search the apartment. Firefighter Matthew Roberts from Ladder 113 found a second victim - a female.

They moved both victims, who were in their late 60s and early 70s, downstairs where they began CPR.

"It is clear and there is no doubt that the actions of these members saved the lives of both occupants," Deputy Chief Michael Ajello said.

The woman was in cardiac arrest and the man was in respiratory arrest. Both had some burns and bad cuts.

The woman was transported to Kings County Hospital and was revived by Paramedics Rowan Allen and Dennis Jamieson in the ambulance. The man's blood pressure was restored to normal levels by EMS members before he was transported to Down State Hospital.

Both were in critical, but stable, condition. They were later moved to Jacobi Hospital's hypobaric chamber.

"We had two very serious patients and all involved did a wonderful job," EMS Deputy Chief Geraldine Guarneri said. "They should be commended."