New York Daily News Honors Lt. Kevin Flanagan

Lt. Kevin Flanagan receives his Hero of the Month award from Mark Kramer, CEO of the New York Daily News, along with Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano and Battalion Chief Frank Donnelly.
 

Fire Lt. Kevin Flanagan of Ladder 28 was honored as the New York Daily News Hero of the Month on March 27, for the brave rescue of a 79-year-old woman in upper Manhattan on Jan. 18.

“What Kevin did in January is nothing short of spectacular,” said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta during the ceremony at the News Headquarters in Manhattan. “The term ‘hero’ often gets overused, but in this case it’s absolutely true.”

Lt. Flanagan, a 31-year veteran of the FDNY, crawled into the burning apartment without the assistance of a hose line to rescue the woman, who lay unconscious in her hallway.

Firefighter John McCormack from Engine 80 held back the flames with an extinguisher as the Lieutenant dragged the victim to safety.

“I accept this on behalf of all our members - Ladder 28, Engine 69, Battalion 16 and Engine 80,” said Lt. Flanagan. “I’d be useless without them and I’m honored to work among them.”

Dozens of friends and family members joined Lt. Kevin Flanagan when he received the New York Daily News Hero of the Month honors. (L to R) FF Dan Flanagan (E-58), Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, Mary Ellen Flanagan, Lt. Kevin Flanagan (L-28), Battalion Chief Frank Donnelly (B-16), retired firefighter Tom Flanagan, Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano and FF Brian Flanagan (E-92).
 

He was joined at the event by many members of his company, as well as his family, including his wife, Mary Ellen; his firefighter sons, Brian and Dan; and his 92-year-old father, Tom, also a retired FDNY firefighter.

“This is the type of event that really makes us proud,” said Mark Kramer, CEO of the New York Daily News.

As part of the Hero of the Month honor, Lt. Flanagan received a cash award, which he said he would donate to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in honor of his wife, a 19-year cancer survivor.