http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/local/scn-gt-a1fireawardswednesdayoct10,0,4921411.story?coll=green-news-local-headlines
By Martin B. Cassidy
Staff Writer
October 10, 2007
In the wee hours one morning last March, firefighters raced into
a burning house on Arnold Street and made a difficult search for
an elderly woman.
With thick smoke and flames shooting through the second floor
inside the home, Deputy Chief Thomas Zack found 84-year-old Penny
Schongolla lying in a hallway and carried her outside, while
other firefighters hacked ventilation holes in the house and set
up ladders to provide an escape route for firefighters.
"The victim was sent with medics to the hospital where she
was in critical condition and perished a number of days
later," Fire Chief Peter Siecienski said at an awards
ceremony last night. "But if not for the intelligence and
timely judgment of the firefighters involved, she would have had
no chance at all."
Zack and dozens of other career firefighters were honored last
night at a ceremony recognizing life-saving rescues by
firefighters, as well as other acts and accomplishments of
bravery, teamwork, initiative, and dedication over the past two
years.
The ceremony was planned jointly between the Greenwich Fire
Department Local 1042, the fire union, and department brass to
recognize often unsung acts of valor and hard work.
"I think it is extremely important that these people get
recognized," Deputy Chief Keith Millette said. "It's a
very selfless job and they have a lot to be proud of."
Firefighters Thomas Barr and and Victor Eimicke were given the
Life Saving Award for their rescue last February of a 13-year-old
girl who had fallen through the ice of a pond behind a Lake
Avenue home.
Barr and Eimicke donned cold-water rescue suits and ventured onto
the thin ice in the dark, with Barr falling through the ice, but
soon finding and carrying the girl back to shore.
"He got ahold of her and waded through the water and through
their actions she is alive and well today," Siecienski said.
Firefighters also received numerous group commendations for their
work on long-running projects and initiative beyond their normal
work duties.
Fire Inspector John Fronio and Acting Fire Inspector Larry
Roberts were commended for their work to establish and promote a
dry hydrant installation program in the backcountry.
The suction devices have been installed throughout backcountry
areas so firefighters can tap into water sources such as ponds,
lakes, and pools.
Firefighters Whitney Welch, Robert Roth, and Robert Natale were
given a group commendation for starting a child car safety seat
installation program, teaching all career firefighters to install
the seats properly for the public.
Lt. Michael Taubl was commended as an individual for his work to
maintain hazardous material metering equipment, and Firefighter
Ted Ruehl got the same nod for caring for department scuba gear.
Firefighters gave a standing ovation to Henry Ross, 84, who was
honored for starting the firefighters' union in 1949. Ross is the
lone surviving charter member of the group.
Ross, who joined the department in 1947, said that he worked in
the Glenville fire station, where he was the sole firefighter on
duty during his shifts.
"There was a pole that you slid down and it could get hairy
if you slipped and hurt yourself running to start the
truck," Ross said. "Besides the fire you'd have a whole
other problem."
Ross said one rainy night he rescued a housewife from a burning
home on King Street, wrapping the woman in a canvas curtain to
protect her from the heat as he carried her to safety.
"I really liked the job and I have no complaints," Ross
said. "I had a family and now I have grandchildren and it's
been a great life."
The department also distributed dozens of "long
overdue" dress uniform medals to firefighters to be worn to
signify their length of service and specialized certifications.
Firefighters were given a metal bar to signify each five years of
service to the department, and others to signify their status as
paramedics, fire instructors, fire officers, and various other
distinctions.
A group of eight firefighters was also given a group citation for
their work to save the life of a man last May when his right leg
became caught in a rototiller on Augustine's Farm.
With the victim in shock, firefighters coordinated the arrival of
heavy rescue equipment, and under the command of Zack were able
to extricate him within 35 minutes and get him to a hospital,
Siecienski said.
"It was not something we are trained for but we were able to
work against the clock and save his life," Zack said.
Fronio, who helped organize the awards ceremony, said that most
firefighters were skeptical about the awards at first and
embarrassed by the attention.
"I'm surprised we got such a large turnout because the
initial reaction was not that enthusiastic," Fronio said.
"Most firefighters don't ask for a thank you, but it seems
like they've taken to this with open arms."
Lt. John Novak, president of the union, said the ceremony and
recognition of accomplishments both large and small was also a
gesture towards the families of firefighters.
"I think it's a great thing not so much for the firefighters
but for their families and children showing that our work is
appreciated," Novak said. "I think it would be a great
thing to keep going."
Copyright © 2007, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.