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by REBECCA BAKER ERWIN
NEW YORK — Barely four months after his body was shattered as he escaped a burning building, FDNY firefighter Jeffery Cool walked up the steps of City Hall yesterday to be honored for rescuing a man from another blaze almost a year ago.
"It's like a closure to my career," said Cool as he leaned on a black cane. "I'd love to still be on the job, but I've been lucky enough to go out this way — on a high point."
Cool, who lives in Garnerville with his wife and two sons, was among four New York City firefighters from Rockland and two from Westchester to be honored at the New York Fire Department's 136th annual Medal Day.
The rescue for which Cool, 38, was honored came seven months before he and five other FDNY firefighters were forced to jump from the fourth floor of a building Jan. 23 to escape flames. Two firefighters died, and doctors weren't sure Cool would live, let alone walk again. He broke his pelvis, shoulders, 13 ribs and cranium and severed two major arteries. He underwent intensive therapy at Helen Hayes Hospital.
Yesterday, Cool received the FDNY's Emily Trevor/Mary B. Warren Medal for rescuing a man from the fourth floor of a burning apartment building on June 12. Cool pushed the 200-pound man onto a windowsill and lowered them both safely to the ground by rope.
Hundreds of firefighters and their families gave Cool a standing ovation as he took off his hat so Mayor Michael Bloomberg could drape the red ribbon affixed with a gold medallion around his neck.
Members of FDNY Rescue 3, where Cool worked for three years, erupted in applause.
"I'm really happy for him," said his wife, Jill. "He's come a long way. Every day he strives to do more."
Jill Cool stood at her husband's side along with their sons, 8-year-old Jeffery Jr. and 5-year-old Dylan; his mother, Vada; and his brother, Jim.
"He deserved it," Vada Cool said of the standing ovation. "I'm ecstatic today."
Jim Cool said watching his brother walk in the front of the crowd was a great moment.
"It's a little different feeling than I had in January," he said. "That was his goal, too, to walk up there."
Three others were injured with Cool, while two firefighters, including John Bellew of Pearl River died.
Bellew also was recognized at the awards ceremony, along with three other FDNY firefighters who died in the line of duty in the past year.
Cool used his own ropes to escape the burning buildings June 12 and Jan. 23. Ropes and harnesses were once issued by the FDNY but were eliminated several years ago. Cool has been pushing the department to supply firefighters with the equipment.
"I know they're making a diligent effort," he said. "It's a shame it took a tragedy to happen. It took two deaths and ruined lives, just for a few dollars."
Cool had served with the FDNY and volunteered with the West Haverstraw Fire Department for more than a decade. He has been a firefighter with the Air National Guard for nearly 20 years.
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