Brockport firefighters receive unit commendation

At the sixth annual Recognition Dinner held by the Monroe County Fire Chiefs Association, the Brockport Fire Department received the unit commendation award for its combined efforts to save lives and reduce the ravages of fire when the home at 42 High Street in the Village of Brockport was on fire on May 16, 2006.

Brockport Fire Chief Laurence Vaughan was accompanied by Deputy Chief Timothy Rombaut, Assistant Chief Scott Smith and Battalion Chief James Toole when he accepted the award from County Executive Maggie Brooks. Brooks praised the award recipients. More than three hundred and fifty people were in attendance as both county and city fire departments were recognized for their actions and efforts during the past year.

On the evening of May 16, Brockport firefighters were summoned to a house fire at 42 High Street in the Village of Brockport with multiple reports of people trapped. Upon arriving, it was clear that people were stuck on the roof after having climbed out of second story windows to escape. Before Vaughan was able to get out of his vehicle and take command, officers of the Brockport Police Department and EMS personnel from Monroe Ambulance were already accepting the offer of a ladder from a neighbor and preparing to assist the residents to the ground.

As fire apparatus arrived at the scene, ladders were removed from the trucks and used to assist the remaining residents to safety, while firefighters commenced an interior search and pulled lines to attempt to bring the fire under control.

"It can be very unsettling to respond to such an incident where life and property lay on the line, and it is invigorating to see years of training pay off in an instant," said Vaughan.

Vaughan was impressed by the quick work of his crews and the immediate aid received from the Brockport Police Department and Monroe Ambulance personnel. Sergeant Mark Philippy and Officer Steven Mesiti of the BPD were joined by Paramedic James Weaver and EMT Cody Howe of Monroe Ambulance as they arrived first on the scene. All emergency services put themselves in harm's way as they perform their duties on a regular basis; however these individuals stepped above and beyond their normal duties to ensure the safety of the residents.

Brockport firefighters were assisted by departments from Hamlin, Holley, Spencerport, Bergen and Walker while EMS personnel received assistance from Monroe, Spencerport, Gates and Greece.

Submitted material

October 22, 2006