FDNY Members Who Made Off-Duty Saves are Honored at Staten Island Borough Hall

(L to R, back row) Capt. Gregg Hansson, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, SI Borough President James Molinaro, FF Steven Carl, EMT Matthew Cook, Councilman James Otto, Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano. (L to R, front row) Mary Strafer, Robert Strafer, Lt. Robert Strafer. Photo courtesy of the SI Borough President's Office.

It’s often said that FDNY members never go off-duty, and three men who proved that to be true were honored for their heroic deeds in a special ceremony at Staten Island Borough Hall on Jan. 13.

Capt. Gregg Hansson, Firefighter Steven Carl and EMT Matthew Cook were lauded by Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis and Councilman James Oddo, for incidents to which they responded in December.

"Because of their actions, people are alive today," said Borough President Molinaro. "They went above and beyond the call of duty and we are so grateful they were there."

Firefighter Carl, Ladder 81, was honored for saving a couple on Christmas night. He and his family were driving home from holiday celebrations when he saw a fire and helped evacuate two trapped victims (read more).

"This is an honor," Firefighter Carl said when he received his award. "I love my job and I’m proud I was able to help."

The people he rescued, Robert and Mary Strafer, attended the ceremony and presented the award to the firefighter. Their son, Robert Strafer, is an FDNY lieutenant in Ladder 80 and also attended the ceremony.

"He was an angel coming up the ladder to rescue us," Mr. Strafer said.

Ms. Strafer recalled that evening, when they saw the fire coming up the stairs and knew the balcony was their only means of escape.

"We just looked at each other and didn’t know what to do," she said. "Then suddenly this off-duty firefighter started coming up the ladder … it’s just overwhelming to be here today to thank him for that."

The other awards of the day were presented to Capt. Hansson and EMT Cook.

On the morning of Christmas Eve, Capt. Hansson saw a male in his 60s jogging, then later lying on the ground. As he approached, he said a woman – who identified herself as a nurse – was helping.

Together they began chest compressions and rescue breathing. EMT Cook then came upon the scene and offered assistance.

Minutes later, Fire and EMS units arrived. They aided the victim and transported him to Richmond University Medical Center.

"I don’t feel like I belong here," Capt. Hansson said. "It’s not a heroic act; it’s an act of kindness … something anyone would do."

He noted that he wished the nurse he met that day – whose name he never learned – could have attended the ceremony as well.

"I don’t think what I did was heroic," EMT Cook said. "Everything I did I owe to the training I got at the FDNY."