Release #298-00

Mayor Giuliani and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen today honored the six members of New York City Fire Department Ladder Company 120 for the heroism and bravery they displayed as they rescued five members of a Brooklyn family whose apartment had caught fire.

Lieutenant Dennis Gordon and firefighters Brian Gallagher, Michael Kelly, Brian Davan, Michael Cummings and Larry Schneckenburger responded to the 13th floor blaze at 315 Livonia Ave. in Brooklyn at 8:15am Sunday, July 30th. As FF Gallagher fought the blaze with only a fire extinguisher, Lt. Gordon and FF Cummings searched the apartment for the occupants, 2 adults and 3 children, until they were told by a firefighter on the ground that he had seen a hand coming out the window of the third bedroom. There, they found all 5 occupants, with whom they shared their depleted oxygen tanks. Firefighters Kelly and Davan were preparing to enter the bedroom window from the floor above just as water reached the blaze.

"I am proud to honor and thank the members of Ladder Company 120 for the bravery and heroism they displayed yesterday morning in Brooklyn," said Mayor Giuliani. "Five lives were saved and tragedy was averted by the combined teamwork and training of these five members of New York's Bravest. The men and women of our uniformed services are what helps to make the City of New York great and unique. I especially want to commend the actions of Lt. Gordon and Firefighter Cummings who shared their dwindling oxygen reserves with the occupants of the apartment and kept them calm while the other members of the Company fought to save everyone's life."

"I share the Mayor's pride in the heroic actions of the members of Ladder Company 120," said Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen. "Their fire company has a long honor roll of heroes to which these firefighters will now be added. Thanks to their bravery and resourcefulness, five lives were saved."

The 6 members of Ladder Company 120 were each presented with a Certificate of Recognition, affixed with the City Seal and signed by the Mayor, at a ceremony in City Hall.

www.nyc.gov