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NYC Mayor Praises Firefighters' Actions in Times Square Bomb Attempt
Fire Department City of New York
NEW YORK - Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn joined Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano and Chief of Department Edward Kilduff to honor the members of Engine 54 and Ladder 4, who responded to the would-be car bomb in Times Square on May 1.
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The firefighters were the first to determine the gravity of the situation and helped notify the proper channels, keeping the home-made bomb from turning deadly.
“[The firefighters] are role models for all of us,” said Mayor Bloomberg from the quarters of Engine 54/Ladder 4. “We should all be thanking them for their deft and professional response.”
Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano added, “They did exactly what they should have done that night.”
Street vendor Lance Orten first noticed smoke coming from the vehicle around 6:30 p.m. and told a mounted police officer. The NYPD officer then notified the FDNY of the supposed car fire.
When firefighters arrived, they said they saw white smoke inside the vehicle. Then members said they saw flashes that “looked like fireworks” inside.
“It didn’t seem right from the beginning,” said Lt. Mike Barvels from Engine 54. “It just didn’t look right.”
They then used their thermal imaging camera, which can detect heat. They found heat in the front of the car, because the vehicle was left running, but not in the back. They said this was not normal for a car fire.
Two female police officers then said they saw a man running away from the vehicle. The firefighters said they knew something was wrong, so they called for the NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit and had the Connecticut plates run.
“We put together pieces of the puzzle and said, ‘Let’s stand back until we get more information,’” said Lt. John Kazan from Ladder 4. “Everything was a little clue saying something wasn’t right.”
Firefighter Nick Pettenato from Engine 54 added, “in a situation like that, you don’t want to rush it. You try to stay away - and keep others away - because if you can see it, you can get hurt.”
Firefighters had a hoseline ready and helped keep the crowd from getting near the vehicle. The Bomb Squad quickly called and the situation was diffused without injury. And because they did not rush in and try to help, Mayor Bloomberg said they preserved evidence and helped the police catch the would-be bomber.
“We all said it was our lucky day,” said Lt. Kazan.
NEW YORK - Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn joined Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano and Chief of Department Edward Kilduff to honor the members of Engine 54 and Ladder 4, who responded to the would-be car bomb in Times Square on May 1.
Related
STATter911: Hear from Times Square Firefighters First on Scene
“[The firefighters] are role models for all of us,” said Mayor Bloomberg from the quarters of Engine 54/Ladder 4. “We should all be thanking them for their deft and professional response.”
Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano added, “They did exactly what they should have done that night.”
Street vendor Lance Orten first noticed smoke coming from the vehicle around 6:30 p.m. and told a mounted police officer. The NYPD officer then notified the FDNY of the supposed car fire.
When firefighters arrived, they said they saw white smoke inside the vehicle. Then members said they saw flashes that “looked like fireworks” inside.
“It didn’t seem right from the beginning,” said Lt. Mike Barvels from Engine 54. “It just didn’t look right.”
They then used their thermal imaging camera, which can detect heat. They found heat in the front of the car, because the vehicle was left running, but not in the back. They said this was not normal for a car fire.
Two female police officers then said they saw a man running away from the vehicle. The firefighters said they knew something was wrong, so they called for the NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit and had the Connecticut plates run.
“We put together pieces of the puzzle and said, ‘Let’s stand back until we get more information,’” said Lt. John Kazan from Ladder 4. “Everything was a little clue saying something wasn’t right.”
Firefighter Nick Pettenato from Engine 54 added, “in a situation like that, you don’t want to rush it. You try to stay away - and keep others away - because if you can see it, you can get hurt.”
Firefighters had a hoseline ready and helped keep the crowd from getting near the vehicle. The Bomb Squad quickly called and the situation was diffused without injury. And because they did not rush in and try to help, Mayor Bloomberg said they preserved evidence and helped the police catch the would-be bomber.
“We all said it was our lucky day,” said Lt. Kazan.
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