June 2006 - The Parklander Magazine

Firefighters Receive AwardWithin two minutes of receiving the emergency call, fire crewsarrived at a Coral Springs four-plex that had heavy black smokebillowing from two sides. The firefighters wasted no time in attackingthe flames.Lieutenant Jan Tripician, Driver Engineer Dave Guerra, andFirefighter Mike Rossini from the Engine 43 crew deployed lines,secured power, and forced entry into the building, and then Tripicianand Rossini moved in on the fire.Two police officers informed Guerra, who was at the pump panel,that Virginia Maury, Anthony Patuano and their two children weretrapped in a second-floor apartment. Guerra quickly removed a 24-foot extension ladder from Engine 43, placed it at the second storywindow and removed all four residents and their pet, despite heavysmoke and heat.Maury and Patuano later contacted Fire Chief Donald Haupt andinformed him of the heroic actions taken by the firefighters. A fewweeks later, the grateful family joined the firefighters for an awardsceremony at City Hall.Chief Haupt and Mayor Scott Brook presented lifesaving awards tothe entire crew and the family presented a special plaque of their ownto Driver Engineer Guerra for his quick thinking and compassionduring the rescue.Attendees at Coral Springs firefighterslifesaving award ceremony.OpenSundays12-516the PARKLANDER