FDNY Heroes of the Month

	[Share]Published: August 13, 2014 Brooklyn Borough President Names FDNY Members Heroes of the Month The Heroes of the Monthwith Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and First Deputy Commissioner Bob Turner. FDNY firefighters, paramedics and EMTs who saved three children from a fire on July 29 were honored as Heroes of the Month by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams on Aug. 13. “From time to time we need to be reminded of good news and the good people who ensure the safety of this city,” Borough President Adams said during the ceremony at Brooklyn Borough Hall, noting this was the inaugural Hero of the Month ceremony. “There’s nothing more rewarding for FDNY members than saving lives, and saving children is top of the list,” Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said. The members honored included Firefighters Frank Blackstone, Michael Pfaff and Justin Tallett from Ladder 107, Firefighter Christopher Savino from Engine 225, Firefighter William Seiter from Battalion 39, EMTs Kenneth Barriteau and Ewelina Zielinska from Station 39, Paramedics Diana Reyes and Meleki O’Neal from Station 39 and EMT Richard Lewis from Station 58. They were recognized for working together to bravely save three children from a Brooklyn fire. Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro addresses the group along with Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and First Deputy Commissioner Bob Turner. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be here today representing EMS,” EMT Barriteau said. “This is work we do on a daily basis.” Firefighter Blackstone echoed his sentiment, “We appreciate this a lot, but we just did our job.” Firefighter Justin Tallett had just two months on the job and EMT Zielinska graduated from the EMS Academy just one month before this fire. Both said they were overwhelmed to be recognized so early in their careers. “This is what we do, so it’s nice to be honored for something like this,” EMT Zielinska said. Firefighter Tallett said he was a little embarrassed by all the attention he received for the rescue, but, “we were all part of a team, it’s what we’re trained to do.”