Sen. Greg Ball, far right, with Firefighter Ryan Blackwell and his family
BREWSTER, N.Y. – The state Senate paid tribute to Brewster resident Ryan Blackwell, a New York City firefighter, Monday afternoon for his heroic actions on September 14, 2013 when he helped rescue a woman from a fatal fire.
Blackwell was officially recognized by the New York State Senate with a Senate resolution for rescuing a 54 year-old Bronx woman from a fatal apartment fire. He discovered her on the floor of a smoke-filled hallway after fighting to keep the fire from spreading.
“Ryan Blackwell is a true hero,” said Sen. Greg Ball (R, C, I – Patterson). “I commend him for his swift and heroic efforts that saved a woman’s life from a devastating fire. I was proud to bring this gentleman up to Albany to personally thank him for his quick response to the scene.”
Blackwell said he was humbled by the recognition.
“As firefighters, we do what we do not for recognition, but to save lives. I am very proud and thankful for this huge honor,” he said.
Blackwell, along with several other crew members, knocked down the door to enter the burning building when they realized the fire was moving from the kitchen into the hallway. After pushing the fire back into the kitchen with an extinguisher, he discovered the body of an unconscious woman while feeling his way down the hall. Blackwell disregarded his own personal safety in order to remove the woman from harm’s way.
Blackwell realized his dream of following in his late father’s footsteps when he became a New York City firefighter. His father, Christopher Blackwell, a decorated member of FDNY Rescue 3, was killed during the events of 9/11. Prior to joining the New York City Fire Department, Blackwell was a volunteer firefighter with the Putnam Lake Fire Department.
