Roosevelt Island Public Safety Officers Rescue Resident From Smoke Filled Apartment!

Image of Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department from RIOC

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra sends the following message regarding the excellent work done by his officers in assisting a Roosevelt Island resident caught in a smoky apartment and putting out the fire.

I just wanted to bring to your attention that on Saturday, August 29, 2008 at approximately 10:50PM, the Department of Public Safety received a call of a Smoke Alarm at 546 Main Street. Officers John Malone, Brian Rivera, Anthony Clemente and Nicholas Sach responded to apartment 1018, some with hand held Fire Extinguishers. Upon arrival on the 10th floor, they found an enormous amount of smoke filling the hallway. Upon further investigation, they noticed smoke emanating from apartment 1016. Officer Rivera knocked at the door and Mr. Woodrow Deas made was able to open it. Officer Rivera then removed him from harm's way and Officer Malone proceeded into the apartment toward the burning flames in the kitchen. He immediately sprayed the stove and successfully extinguished the fire. FDNY responded and deemed the apartment safe.

I felt that this act of bravery was worth mentioning and I hope these officers can be recognized.

Kudos and thanks to Officers Malone, Rivera, Clemente and Sach!

Here are some safety tips should a fire starts in your apartment from the New York Fire Department.

• Get everyone out. Stay low as you go out. Close but don't lock all doors in the apartment as you leave.
• Alert others on the floor by knocking on doors. Activate the fire alarm if there is one.
• Go down the nearest STAIRWAY, holding the railing.
• Call the Fire Department from a floor BELOW THE FIRE or from a street fire alarm box outside.

Below is You Tube video from TV show Rescue 911 demonstrating fire department rescuing a man trapped in smoky apartment.