Firefighters Rescue Man from East River

FDNY Insider 8/17/09

Firefighter Justin McNally (at the podium) tells the media about

how he rescued a man from the East River on Aug. 17.

It may have been a hot and humid day, but one man learned on Aug. 17 that jumping in the East River to cool off is never a good idea.

Luckily for him, the members of Ladder 16 were able to quickly locate and pull him from the fast-moving current.

“In the blink of an eye he was [the equivalent of] 20 blocks down the river,” said Lt. Billy Clark.

A bystander called 9-1-1 at around 12:15 p.m., reporting a man had jumped into the river at around 71st Street and was swept downstream.

Minutes later, firefighters arrived at 60th Street and the FDR Drive. They ran across four lanes of busy traffic and scaled an 8-foot fence to reach the bulkhead.

Firefighters from Ladder 16 hold the cold water suit that Firefighter Justin McNally wore while rescuing a man from the East River. (L to R) FF Joe Perry, DC Michael Mullins, Lt. Billy Clark, FF McNally, FF Robert Meuser, FF Matthew Lopez and FF Mike Flanagan.

Firefighter Justin McNally donned a cold water rescue suit, which was attached to a tether, and jumped in. He swam about 125 feet upstream to reach the man, who quickly grabbed for the life preserver.

Once Firefighter McNally had a grip on the man, firefighters on shore pulled them in. The firefighter then helped the man climb a ladder that Rescue 1 had secured on the bulkhead.

The man was transported by EMS to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

“We worked as one unit and did what we had to do,” said Firefighter McNally. “The really hard work was done by [the firefighters] pulling us in.”

Yet although this story has a happy ending, firefighters urge New Yorkers to swim in city pools or at beaches with lifeguards when they want to cool off.

“In the heat there are many medical concerns, including heat exhaustion, so it’s important to keep yourself cool,” said Deputy Chief Michael Mullins of Division 3. “But you should do so safely.”