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by MICHELLE MASKALY
Firefighter Neil Fitzpatrick of Engine Co. 157 was observing an all-hands fire in Elm Park on May 20 when he came to the aid of a brother firefighter, preventing him from falling more than two stories from an attic window.
Noticing the rapidly deteriorating conditions, Fitzpatrick -- who was off duty at the time -- ran up the ladder to Firefighter Jeff Mulligan's aid.
For his heroic efforts, Fitzpatrick, of Randall Manor, was honored by the Advance yesterday at his Castleton Avenue firehouse and named August's firefighter of the month.
Surrounded by more than 30 of his colleagues, Fitzpatrick played down his recognition.
"He [Mulligan] is a capable guy," said the 18-year veteran of the department. "He would have gotten out no matter what. The real heroes are the young men and woman who are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan."
When Fitzpatrick got to the top of the ladder, he noticed Mulligan searching for an escape route through the dense smoke.
As his situation worsened, Mulligan was forced to dive blindly through a flaming window toward Fitzpatrick, who was standing at the tip of the aerial ladder.
Deputy Fire Chief James Leonard said both Fitzpatrick and Mulligan are good role models for younger firefighters.
"Here are two experienced guys doing what they are supposed to be doing," said Leonard. "This is the example we want to set. Thank you for what you do."
Advance Assignment Editor James Yates presented Fitzpatrick with a $100 savings bond and thanked him, along with all the other firefighters, for their service to the Staten Island community.
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