Metrotech June 2007
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JUNE 2007 VIEW FROM Metro Tech P OINT 9 T HE N EWSLETTER OF THE NYC FIRE D EPARTMENT Hero Remembered Thousands turn out to honor the life of Firefighter Daniel Pujdak he streets of Greenpoint, Brook- lyn turned into rivers of blue on June 27 as thousands Tturned out in the blazing heat to pay their final respects to Firefight- er Daniel F. Pudjak, 23, of Ladder 146. Firefighter Pudjak made the Supreme Sacrifice while operat- ing at an all-hands fire in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn on June 21. His funeral at St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Parish paid tribute to a young man with an eager mind, a quick smile and who loved being a firefighter. “Many people spend their lives dream- ing of a better job,” Captain Jerry Horton, Thousands attended Firefighter Daniel Pujdak's funeral at St. Cecilia's RC Parish in Jr. of Ladder 146 said. “For the last two Brooklyn. years, Daniel lived his dreams.” Captain Horton remembered him as low around company members “like a were blessed to know him.” the perfect blend of enthusiasm and puppy until he got the full story. No detail Firefighter Pujdak is survived by his restraint. He said the young firefighter was too small for him.” parents, Leo and Christina, and his broth- would always arrive to work early. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Fire ers, Matthew and David. Matthew is He added that the young firefighter Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta com- expected to join an upcoming proby class. would only lose his smile if he learned he mented on how he was living his dream. His girlfriend, Vanessa Pschirrer, who had missed a big job. Then he would fol- “He was right where he wanted to be,” many described as “the love of his life,” said Commissioner Scoppetta. “He was a thanked FDNY members for all their sup- IN THIS ISSUE rising star and he did us all proud.” port and recalled Firefighter Pujdak’s pas- Family members recalled his competi- sion for life. ❏ Commissioner’s tive spirit, his love of Yankees baseball “Danny wasn’t in it for the glory, but and his newfound passion for cooking. rather because he really wanted to help Message Page 2 They also recalled his kindness, saying people,” she said. “He never took life for that he often spent his days off volunteer- granted. He loved life more than anything ❏ FDNY News Pages 3-8,10-12 ing at the St. John’s Bread and Life soup and wanted to make everybody happy. kitchen in Brooklyn. And he did.” ❏ Profile of the Month Page 9 “He didn’t want to be a hero, he just The Tragic Fire wanted to be who he was,” said Firefight- Firefighters received a call for a fire ❏ Photos of the Month Page 12 er Pujdak’s father, Leo. “He was such a just before 5 p.m. at 83 Meserole St. in great man, such a great firefighter. We Brooklyn on June 21. (Continued on page 12) FDNYNEWS ViewPoint from 9 MetroTech June 2007 New Fire Marshal Base, Additional Ambulance Tours in Coming Fiscal Year ith millions in additional funding, the FDNY will a critical role in protecting the security of this improve training for probies, investigate more fires great City - from arresting serial arsonists Wand dedicate more EMS personnel for life threatening who can plague local neighborhoods to inves- Commissioner’s emergencies in the 2007/2008 fiscal year, which begins July 1. tigating the cause of serious fires. We are Message We received funding to make possible largest increase in fire- pleased that we have this opportunity to help fighter training in the history of the Department, which includes our marshals to do their job better an additional 10 weeks of and more efficiently. advanced curriculum at With the EMS Command the Academy. responding to more emergencies This increase to 23 than ever before in its history, the weeks of training will help Mayor’s Executive Budget also make our probies better calls for an increase of on-site prepared for the fire emergency medical care and ground and help us build a ambulance transport services solid foundation for the across the five boroughs. future of this Department. It Eight ambulance tours will be will give instructors more added because of an increased time to teach building con- number of emergency calls in struction, subway extraction Queens. Additionally, 22 para- and the Personal Safety Sys- medics and emergency medical tem, among other topics. technicians will be hired to This fall, a new Citywide replace the six voluntary tours North Fire Marshal Command discontinued by Kingsbrook will open at Fort Totten in Jewish and Wyckoff Heights Queens - from where our fire Medical Centers. These addi- marshals will cover Queens, tions come at a cost of the Bronx and northern Man- approximately $2.8 million a hattan and supplement the year. existing Citywide Command in The needs of this City Brooklyn, which will now be and its residents are ever- known as the Citywide South changing, and the Department must reg- Command. ularly evaluate its resources to meet that challenging demand. Our With the $2 million increase in funding for the Bureau of Fire top priority is to protect the millions of New Yorkers who live, Investigation, the number of supervising fire marshals and fire work and visit this great City and our dedicated members who marshals will increase by 32 lines, as 27 new fire marshals and serve them. These new resources will give us more tools to five supervising fire marshals will be promoted to staff the base. accomplish that honorable mission. The location of this base also will dramatically reduce travel time to the northern parts of the City, significantly cutting driving time. Less travel time means more time for critical investigations. And this increased manpower and additional base will lead to more fire investigations and an increase in arrests. Fire marshals are an integral part of this Department and play 2 COMMISSIONER’S MESSAGE ViewPoint from 9 MetroTech June 2007 FDNY Medal Day 2007 Fire Department heroes honored in 138th annual ceremony 2007 Fire Medal Day winners are congratulated by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta and Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano on the steps of City Hall. Among the winners was Firefighter Walter Powers from Ladder 58, who is currently serving with the Marines in Iraq. His wife, Julianne (front, center), accepted the award on his behalf. orty-one acts of extraordinary hero- themselves, they did not stand back. They honored for rescuing a man from a Bronx ism were lauded on June 6 as the acted,” said Fire Commissioner Nicholas fire in August 2006. Firefighter Powers was Department celebrated FDNY Scoppetta. “Today the city you serve gets a unable to attend the ceremony, however, FMedal Day. closer look at your dedication, your com- because he was in Fallujah, Iraq serving as This year’s medals were awarded to fire mitment and the sacrifices you are called a lieutenant colonel with the U.S. Marine officers, fire marshals, firefighters and units upon to make the work you do each day.” Corps. that went above and beyond the call of duty, Firefighter James Byrne from Ladder Accepting the award on his behalf was putting their lives on the line to save anoth- 121 received the Department’s top honor, his wife, Julianne, and their sons, Nicholas er. the James Gordon Bennett Medal, for sav- and Sam. As the family walked to the stage “These are stories of courage and duty, ing a fellow firefighter from a Queens fire in to accept the medal, the crowd erupted into and they involve the full breadth of our Fire January 2006. As he accepted the award, roaring applause and gave them a standing Department - from the most battle-hardened with his four young sons in tow, he said he ovation. officers right on down to the greenest fire- was humbled by the attention. After the ceremony, Ms. Powers said she fighters,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “It’s an incredible feeling that you can’t and her sons were overwhelmed by the Hundreds of firefighters raised dozens of explain in words,” said Firefighter Byrne, attention and kindness they were receiving colorful banners around the steps of City who announced he would donate his $2,600 from all FDNY members. Hall, cheering boisterously as their com- cash award to the Fire Families Transport “I just keep picturing Wally overseas, rades received medals for nearly every kind Association. “Other than my kids being and how happy he would be to see everyone of rescue. born, this is the next best thing.” coming out to support him like this,” she “All of our medal winners are here today Receiving this year’s Commissioner said. because they were in situations where action Edward Thompson Medal was Firefighter Their son, Nicholas, added: “This is very was required and, despite great danger to Walter Powers from Ladder 58, who was (Continued on page 6) FDNYNEWS 3 ViewPoint from 9 MetroTech June 2007 On the Waterfront FDNY Marine Unit honored during Blessing of the Fleet he FDNY celebrated the Sixth Annual Blessing of the Marine TFleet, in conjunction with Flag Day, at the South Street Seaport on June 14. “This harbor that we overlook today has been a major factor in New York’s, and subsequently America’s, rise as an economic power,” said Fire Commission- er Nicholas Scoppetta. “So it is fitting that this year we celebrate the fireboats that have protected this harbor for hun- dreds of years on the day that we cele- brate the American flag.” The Fire Fighter (Marine 9) led the procession, consisting of the John D.