Marine Vet Firefighter Pulls Trapped Brother from Burning Floor in Daring Rescue

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (November 30, 2025) — A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and New Rochelle firefighter was honored as the 2025 Butterflies from Jodie Keith Morris First Responder of the Year for rescuing a fellow firefighter who fell through a floor during a blaze in extreme hoarding conditions.

Firefighter Michael Parker, a member of Ladder 12, received the award from the Butterflies From Jodie Foundation at its annual gala.

Parker was recognized for his actions this past summer while operating at a mutual aid fire in Eastchester. Ladder 12 members were conducting primary search in a single-family home with extreme hoarding conditions and a confirmed trapped occupant.

As the crew ascended the stairs to the second-floor bedrooms, Firefighter Louis Bongo fell through the floor and became trapped with fire burning below him. Bongo was submerged up to his armpits and unable to self-rescue.

Ladder 12 officer Lt. Daniel Heintz immediately declared a mayday, reporting that one member of his crew had fallen through a hole and was trapped.

Parker turned around, crawled through the smoke and heat, located Bongo, grabbed him by his SCBA straps and pulled him from the hole.

Parker’s actions were described as being in line with his service as a US Marine and New Rochelle firefighter, embodying the principle of leaving no brother behind.

For placing himself at great personal risk, Parker previously received a Class 2 Citation at the New Rochelle Fire Department’s Awards Ceremony in October.

This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.