By NYSAFC President Frank "Skip" Sylvester
On Monday, January 16, 2012, the lives of many West Haverstraw, N.Y. (Rockland County) residents and first responders were changed forever. A call was put out for a reported natural gas leak in the area of Zarriello Lane near Route 9W. The West Haverstraw Fire Department responded, as they so often do to these kinds of calls, for help from their community, not knowing the fate that awaited them.
Captain Kenny Patterson and Firefighter Jerry Knapp were assigned to go door to door and notify occupants of impending danger when a sudden explosion ripped apart the residence at 52 Zarriello Lane as they stood at the front door. Miraculously, Patterson and Knapp, who were seriously injured, are expected to fully recover.
What we all must take from this incident is that no call is a routine call. We must face every situation as if our lives and the lives that we pledge to protect are on the line, because you never know when they will be. Our hearts and prayers go out to Kenny and Jerry for a speedy recovery, both physically and emotionally. Our prayers are also with the residents who lost their homes and belongings.
I urge every first responder to continue to train vigorously and to review your department SOPs for the many different situations that you will encounter, and ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS wear your PPE!
To read more about this incident, click here.
New York State Association of Fire Chiefs