NEW YORK, NY – When firefighters arrived the scene at Bailey Pond Park in Queens, Engine 292 and Ladder 155 saw two individuals out approximately 40 feet on the pond.
The FDNY said Firefighter John Fils Aime and Probationary Firefighter Conor O’Malley donned their cold-water rescue suits, attached tether lines and made entry into the water.
“Both Firefighter Fils Aime and Probationary Firefighter O’Malley were able to secure the individuals with buoyant life rings, and the other fire department members on land pulled them into shore,” the FDNY said.
“This successful rescue of these individuals is a direct reflection of the constant training we do for these situations,” said FDNY Battalion Chief Chris Paolicelli from the scene of a Ice Rescue at Baisley Pond Park in Queens.
Probationary Firefighter Conor O’Malley said, “Every roll call we have a designated member who is assigned the water rescue position. When the alarm went off I immediately began to put on my cold-water rescue suit. When we got on scene myself and Firefighter Fils Aime along with members of @NYPD ESU Truck 9 entered the water. It was a group effort among the members on land and the members in the water to achieve a positive outcome for the individuals.”