by Nicole Falco
The six heroes received citations for their bravery from the Village of Valley Stream in a ceremony in the Francis Furey Courtroom in Village Hall on Monday, Feb. 11.
The heroes are Police Officer Thomas McGuire, Advanced Medical Technician and former Valley Stream Fire Department Chief Brian Ferrucci, Valley Stream Fire Department Lt. Antonio Nuzzi and former Captain Joe Tesoriero, Dennis Kerr, a longtime village employee and neighbor of the Oberles and his son Christopher Kerr, an MTA police officer.
In recognizing the six men for their selflessness, Mayor Edward Cahill said, "Both Dennis Kerr and Christopher Kerr put their lives on the line in order to assist neighbors in dire need. To Police Officer Thomas McGuire and AMT Brian Ferrucci...there is great comfort in knowing your top notch training and dedication came shining through under diversity. ... We are also most thankful and appreciative to our firefighters. ... They answer all calls without hesitation [or] regard for personal safety."
On Thursday, Jan. 3 at 5:30 a.m. fire broke out in the den of the Oberles' Valley Stream home. Dennis Kerr, a 11-year mechanic for the village, had been on his way to pick up his morning coffee when he noticed five-foot flames darting out from the right side windows of the Oberles' home. Kerr quickly called 911 and raced back to the burning home, only six houses from his own, with his son Christopher.
The father and son attempted to gain access through the front door, but could not. Next, they went to a side door on St. John's Avenue where they were met by McGuire and Ferrucci. McGuire and Ferrucci pulled Paul Oberle from the burning home. He was taken to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow where he died approximately one hour later.
Members of the Valley Stream Fire Department arrived on the scene and Nuzzi and Tesoriero were advised of a second victim. They made their way into the home and pulled Alice out. She was taken to Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre and later transported to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx where she recovered.
On the day of the blaze, Nuzzi said, "I just did what I was trained to do to get in."
One month later, Nuzzi is still modest about his bravery.
"It feels good [to get the citation], but it also feels weird," Nuzzi said. "I don't think I deserve all this attention."
Tesoriero is no stranger to recognition, having received a citation from the village for his effort in rescuing a man during a 1992 fire.
"It makes you feel good [to be honored] but we are here just doing what we do," said the 10-year veteran firefighter.
Christopher, an MTA police officer for almost three years, agreed and said he didn't respond to the need for help in order gain praise, but being honored is nice.
"[Helping] was just a reaction. It wasn't really bravery. I just did it. I can't explain it,' Christopher said.
Christopher and his father, Dennis, gave all the credit for their efforts to Ferrucci.
At the time, Dennis said, "I just got out of the way when they showed up and let them do what they do."
On Monday, Dennis said, "What turned out good about this is that [Alice] survived. I really feel sorry about the man. It's not about awards."
