New York State Professional Firefighters Association

Firefighter of the Year Award

Presented at the Annual Convention in Westchester County

July 12, 2007

Captain Stephen Keohane, Lt. Daniel O’Leary, and Firefighter James Gatta

On November 28, 2006 at 0403 hours an alarm of fire was dispatched to 21 West Lane in the Shaffer Village. Captain Keohane of Engine 26 reported smoke showing on the second floor.

While advancing a 1 ¾ line, Engine 26 encountered fire pushing out a first floor entrance. The hallway, living room, and kitchen on either side were also heavily engulfed in fire.

While Engine 26 was advancing the line into the hallway, Captain Keohane crawled past the fire and proceeded up the stairs through extreme heat and zero visibility to conduct a primary search of the second floor.

At the same time Ladder 13 arrived on location and expanded the search on both floors. Lt. Dan O’Leary and Firefighter Jim Gatta joined Captain Keohane on the second floor where a young child was found in a bedroom. Captain Keohane handed the child off to FF Gatta who quickly brought the 22 month old outside and began emergency medical care.

While continuing their search Captain Keohane found a 10 month old child and carried her outside. Lt. O’Leary continued the search alone and soon found another unconscious victim, the 18 year old mother of the other two victims. With assistance from other firefighters, Lt. O’Leary removed the young mother safely outside.

In all there were seven civilians in the apartment, two who were able to vacate with little difficulty. Two others jumped from the second floor and needed medical assistance. The other three were rescued unconscious, not breathing with severe smoke inhalation.

While rescues are routinely made by many members of our brotherhood, on occasion some rescues stand out from all the others. From the moment the crews arrived, within seven minutes of dispatch receiving the call, all three victims were rescued from the building. Although all three victims were in cardiac arrest with high Carbon Monoxide levels, they survived because of the valiant efforts of these three firefighters and other members of the department who assisted them.