| Contact: | Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter | (212) 788-2958 |
| Frank Gribbon (FDNY) | (718) 999-2025 | |
| Tom Antennen (NYPD) | (212) 374-6700 |
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Police Commissioner Bernard B. Kerik and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen today honored the Police Officers and Firefighters who rescued five children after they fell through the ice of Baisley Park pond in Queens yesterday afternoon.
"I want to commend these police officers and firefighters for their bravery and their teamwork in this heroic rescue," Mayor Giuliani said. "Once again the personnel of our uniformed services have demonstrated their extraordinary dedication to preserving the lives of all New Yorkers. These police officers and firefighters exemplify the excellence and professionalism of their departments."
Police Commissioner Kerik said: "Thanks to the resourcefulness and professionalism of these heroes, tragic circumstances did not end in tragedy. These officers put aside thoughts for their own safety, pulled together and demonstrated the very best in the NYPD. Because they did, five children are safe and able to join the rest of New York City in cheering this extraordinary rescue."
Fire Commissioner Von Essen said: "The quick and daring actions of these firefighters helped to avert a serious tragedy. By properly using the safety ropes and ladders on their apparatus, they were able to not only help pull the victims to safety, but remove themselves from the water when the ice gave way."
Shortly before 5:00 PM yesterday, five children ranging in ages eleven to fourteen, fell through the ice while walking across Baisley Pond. Responding to a 911 call from a cell phone, members of the 113 precinct, Sgt. Matthew McCarthy and Officer Kevin Gaeta were the first Police Officers on the scene.
Members of Emergency Services Unit Truck 9, which included Sgt. John Boesch, and Officers William Fischer, Michael Lamantia, Michael McNamara, Joseph Richardson, Brian Schieferstein, Philip Scaraongella, Michael Laxton, and James Romagnoli arrived shortly to assist in the rescue. Members of Engine Companies 275 and 302, which included Lt. Michael Harty and Firefighter Jeff Ercolino, as well as members of Ladder Companies 133 and 155, which included Lt. Gregory Piconi, Firefighters John Nolan, Nicholas Pesce and Lt. Alan Williams, also arrived on the scene to assist in the rescue.
As Police Officers in survivor suits made their way to the children and slid a life raft along the ice, firefighters began tying life-saving ropes to trees on shore, and removed ladders from their fire trucks to utilize in the rescue operation.
With two children clinging onto the side of the raft, Firefighters and Police Officers attempted to pull them to safety when, suddenly, the ice underneath gave way, plunging several rescuers into the frigid water. Using ropes and ladders to pull themselves to safety, the rescuers were able to get out of the water and assist in helping the children out of the pond.
The five children were treated at the scene by FDNY EMS personnel and taken to Jamaica Hospital for treatment for hypothermia and exposure. EMS also treated several Firefighters and Police Officers who entered the icy water for exposure.
Modell's and Amtrak also honored these heroes by presenting to each police officer and firefighter involved in the rescue, an all expense paid trip for four to the NBA All Star Jam Session in Washington, DC on Saturday, February 10th.