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Posted @withregram • @fdny On the afternoon of February 23, 2024, Ladder 28 arrived first due to a six-story building in Manhattan. Hearing reports of people trapped at the top-floor windows, Firefighter Michael Kotzo of Ladder Company 28 climbed the aerial to the roof, anticipating the necessity of a lifesaving rope rescue.
Firefighter Jason Lopez was already on the roof and he and Firefighter Kotzo set up the rope to rescue people trapped at windows. Firefighter Kotzo lowered Lopez to rescue the first victim, successfully lowering both of them and bringing the first victim to safety.
Kotzo spotted another victim clinging to an adjacent window and determined that the victim’s only chance of survival was to reuse the rope a second time. Attaching himself, Firefighter Kotzo descended to the window. As the victim struggled to hold on, Firefighter Kotzo supported the full weight of the person with his arms during the descent.
Firefighter Michael Kotzo was instrumental in two of the three lifesaving rope rescues that happened at this fire.
On Wednesday, Kotzo will receive the Chief of Department Peter J. Ganci Jr. Medal and the NYS Honorary Fire Chiefs Association Medal at our annual Medal Day ceremony. ...

Posted @withregram • @fdny On January 13, 2024, just after 2 a.m., Battalion Chief Robert Wind and Ladder 125 responded to a private dwelling in Queens with reports of a child trapped inside.
Without a charged hose line and fire rolling across the ceiling, Chief Wind crawled past the main body of fire toward the front bedrooms. With zero visibility, Captain Wind began an aggressive search of the bedroom, located a bunk bed and immediately searched both the top and bottom bunks. With no child in hand and conditions deteriorating, Captain Wind laid down on his stomach and swept his hands under the bed, finding the child.
He shielded the girl with his body and carried her through the fire conditions to the stairs. There, he passed her to other members, who brought her to EMS for treatment. Thanks to his courage and determination, the child made a full recovery.
Chief Wind was Captain of Ladder 125 at the time of the incident.
He will receive the Emily Trevor/ Mary B. Warren on Wednesday at our annual Medal Day Ceremony. ...

Captain Vernon A. Richard High School for Fire and Life Safety is proudly celebrating 20 years of excellence, graduating hundreds of students who have gone on to serve in the FDNY as firefighters and EMTs or pursue careers at private ambulance companies. In honor of this milestone, we are spotlighting some of the school’s remarkable alumni.

One such graduate is Firefighter Kevin Bristol, Class of 2010, who is currently stationed to Engine 299. Reflecting on his time at the high school, Bristol remembers the invaluable, hands-on experiences he had at both the Fire and EMS Academies.

“I didn’t know I wanted to be a firefighter. I knew I wanted to be an EMT,” he said. “After I graduated, I went straight into the FDNY EMS Academy. Everything I did in high school directly prepared me for what I learned there.”
After several years of serving as an EMT, Bristol took the civil service exam and was promoted to firefighter.

“I love both jobs. It always makes me smile just knowing that I can help out, and I can do stuff that people need at the time,” said Bristol. “Just being able to lend a hand, like saying, ‘I’m here to help and make sure that you’re good.’” ...

Posted @withregram • @fdny Thursday morning, John Norman will be promoted to the rank of Captain. He is a second-generation firefighter, following in the footsteps of his father. ...