FFD Assistant Chief rescues man from burning home

When Freeport Fire Department Assistant Chief Thomas Johnson arrived on the scene of a fire at 662 Miller Avenue on New Year’s Eve he was told by neighbors that people were trapped in the burning home. Knowing he had units coming up right behind him, he went up to the house without taking the time to don his gear and climbed the stairs. He found a man unconscious and suffering from burns and pulled him out to safety.

“Assistant Chief Thomas Johnson is a hero,” Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy said. “Our village is most fortunate to have him and the Freeport Fire Department on duty twenty-four-seven to protect lives and property.”

When Asst Chief Johnson arrived at the scene, shortly after 10:53 p.m., he was met by an “Elmont Firefighter, Mohamed Sherif, who had been attending a party around the corner, “ reads the Freeport Fire Department’s facebook post. “Sherif had seen the smoke and went to investigate. When he came upon the house he spoke to a female occupant and confirmed that a victim was still inside the burning home. Asst Chief Johnson and FF Sherif located the victim on the stairs. He was unconscious and suffering from burns. Together they moved him to the front lawn.”

According to the Mayor, the fire department, under the command of Chief Ken Van Cott, launched an aggressive firefight at the home that was engulfed in flames. They began a search for another occupant who was able to get out on her own.

Both residents were transported to Nassau University Medical Center as the fire was brought under control and the County Fire Marshal was called in to determine a cause, reported Raymond F. Maguire, the department’s executive director.

Mayor Kennedy described the house as being engulfed by huge walls of flames. “I cannot say enough about the courage and commitment to public safety shown by our firefighters, particularly Assistant Chief Thomas Johnson who risked his life to save another,” the Mayor said.

While still operating at Miller Avenue, the department was notified at 11:29 p.m. of a second house fire at 211 Smith Street. Freeport units arrived to find a fire in the ceiling on the third floor of the home, Kennedy said. “Under the direction of John Maguire, a former chief of the department, the fire was quickly knocked down and there were no injuries.”

“While the rest of us were getting ready to celebrate the New Year, our firefighters were on duty to help ensure our safety,” the Mayor said. “We cannot thank them enough for their bravery, dedication and skill.”

Then at on Jan. 3, at 4:13  a.m. the department was dispatched to a fire at 324 Woodcleft Ave. “FD units in route were advised of a working fire by Freeport Police on scene,” reads the Freeport Fire Department’s facebook post. “Chief Ruiz reported a working fire on the second floor of a private residence. Two lines were stretched off the first arriving Engine 216, with one operating and the second used as a backup. Members of Truck Company conducted searches, vented and over hauled the fire rooms. Baldwin Truck 207 was mutual aided as the Fast Team and no injuries were reported. Chief of Department Kenneth Van Cott was in charge of operations.”

Two hours after cleaning up from the Woodcleft Ave fire Truck Company was requested at 7:10 AM for a mutual aid to the Oceanside FD. Ladder 218 responded with a 14 man crew to a working fire in a private residence on Oceanside Road.