Newsday

Thomas Feaser, who rescued woman from freezing Kill van Kull, is recognized at luncheon

"He exemplifies firefighters," said Staten Island Borough Commander Thomas J. Haring.

After a call about a drowning victim came through to Ladder Co. 78/Engine Co. 155, Feaser joined his crew and rode to New Brighton, where police officers had found the woman drifting in the waterway.

Feaser watched from the pier and realized that the combination of her waterlogged winter clothes and a strong current were going to take her out of reach if he didn't act quickly. So the 24-year FDNY veteran jumped 7 feet from a pier, without waiting for a safety line, and swam through the 4-knot current and powerful winds to reach her.

"She was moving out with the tide," said Feaser, who lives in Richmond. "If I didn't move, we wouldn't have been able to get to her."

He towed the unconscious woman back to shore and immediately began to give her "rescue breaths." After a few minutes, she began to breathe again; eventually, she made a full recovery.

"I'm glad she made it. The way she looked when I dragged her out, I honestly didn't think she was going to pull through," said Feaser.

It was the veteran firefighter's third water rescue, but his first in cold water. Modest to a fault, he was quick to remind those in attendance that he'd had help.

"My guys helped me get her out of the water, and once we were on land, the EMS people did a great job in bringing her back. It wasn't just me," said Feaser.

The ceremony was co-sponsored by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Advance.

In his opening remarks, Haring touched on the fact that firefighters must always be ready to react in the way that Feaser did.

"Emergencies happen, situations occur, and we react. That is what firefighters do best. When chaos is present, firefighters excel," said Haring.