FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker details the rescue of 2 people and their dogs from a remote wooded area of Staten Island

March 19, 2025

At a Public Information Briefing on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker and Department members detailed the collaborative rescue of two people and their dogs who were lost in a wooded area of Staten Island.

On March 13, FDNY dispatchers received a call from a female who stated that she and her brother, along with two dogs, were lost and stuck in the mud—and sinking—in a dark area of the woods. Three dispatchers guided Ladder 85 and Engine 165 to where the callers were located, which was about 200 yards off the street.

"This call is a great example of the amazing institutional knowledge that our fire alarm dispatchers and fire companies have," Fire Commissioner Tucker said. "The FDNY is in your communities every single day, and we cannot stress how important our community activity is when we are there. It literally saves lives."

The FDNY members brought the two people and the dogs to safety. They did not require medical attention.

Fire Commissioner Tucker added: "Our fire alarm dispatchers are a huge part of this, and their institutional knowledge literally saves lives every single day. Dispatchers are the voice of our members and the voice that our members hear every day on the radio, sending them to jobs."