Firefighters Marinucci, Morris, Dodd, and Nielson were recognized by Mayor John Tkazyik at the Common Council meeting on February 4, 2008.
At 0458 hours on Friday morning the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire on Virginia Ave. Following the response by the Fire Department but prior to their arrival the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department arrived on scene relaying information to the Fire Department of people trapped with heavy smoke and fire on the second floor. First due Engine 2 and Ladder 2 arrived at the scene at 0502 and began rescue operations. City Patrolman Brewster, Falcone, and Marone were already assisting many occupants from the building. Patrolman Brewster led the firefighters to the location of a victim they were unable to reach due to high heat and heavy smoke conditions. Firefighters Dodd and Nielson having donned their SCBA's and disregarding the potential risk to themselves crawled to the position of the victim and removed him from the fire that had disabled him. Assisted by firefighters Marinucci and Morris, the man was removed to safety and turned over to Alamo ambulance where he was transported and has made a remarkable recovery.
These Firefighters along with members of Engine 1, 3 and Rescue 1 led by Captain Deichler continued firefighting efforts and quickly extinguished the fire. Because of the limited manpower the Fire Department routinely operates under they were assisted by the career firefighters of the Fairview Fire District which provided their F.A.S.T team.
The purpose of this letter is to point out the to the City of Poughkeepsie residence the fine dedicated men and women of the City of Poughkeepsie Fire and Police Department are always there willing to make the ultimate sacrafice to insure the safety of your family. These men represent the fine tradition of the career firefighter and should be recognized by their community for the job they do. Written by Sal Mauro, President of the Local 596, to the Poughkeepsie Journal.