NEW ROCHELLE, NY — On Tuesday, October 16, at 7 pm in New Rochelle, members of the Stamford, Connecticut Fire & Rescue Department will be honored by the Council of the City of New Rochelle for their outstanding feats of courage and heroism during the rescue of four New Rochelle residents. The presentation will take place in the Council Chambers, City Hall, at 515 North Avenue in New Rochelle.
In the late evening hours of July 22, 2012, Stamford Fire & Rescue responded to an overturned boat in Stamford Harbor, with two passengers clinging to the hull of the boat and two others trapped underwater in the boat’s cabin. Divers had to make their way through debris and an 18-inch-wide entrance to the cabin to reach them.
New Rochelle Fire Fighter Keith Morris died in the accident.
The resolution states, “This City Council extends its deepest gratitude and honor to all the participants in the in the heroic rescue.”
Among those being honored are the crew of Rescue 1 – FF. Donald E. Mitchell, FF. Joseph Maida, FF. John R. Lockwood and FF. Michael A. Allegrini – and the crew of Engine 5 – FF. Jaime R. DeFelice, FF. Thomas Gibbons, FF. William J. O’Connell and FF. Daniel Hickman with special thanks to Firefighters Maida and O’Connell, the divers of the rescue.
Also being honored are the Stamford Police, Oyster Bay Police, Greenwich Police, Greenwich Dive team, SoundBeach Dive team, a Darien boat and diver, and the U.S. Coast Guard for their assistance on the scene.
“We are grateful to the Stamford Fire & Rescue Department for their rapid response and bravery during this difficult rescue,” said Byron Gray, president of the New Rochelle Uniformed Fire Fighters Association. “It is because of their courage that four members of our community are alive and safe.”