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A One of the firefighters forced to jump from a burning building in the Bronx last month was released from the hospital Tuesday.
Friends, family members and fellow firefighters applauded as Eugene Stolowski was wheeled out of Weill Cornell Medical Center on a gurney.
“Eugene and I feel he is halfway there,” said his wife, Brigid. “We are glad he is on the road to recovery and rehab.”
He will continue his recovery from spinal fusion surgery at a rehabilitation facility in New Jersey.
“Our hope is that he is going to make a really significant recovery,” said Dr. Roger Hartl. “Every day he has been getting betters, so I really think once he’s outside the intensive care unit and he’s in an environment that really fosters recovery, it will be a big step forward."
Stolowski was seriously injured after leaping with five other firefighters from a fourth-floor window on January 23 to escape a fire. Two of them, Curtis Meyran and John Bellew, died in the fall. Another firefighter, Joseph DiBernardo, remains in stable condition in the intensive care unit
Firefighter Jeffrey Cool was released to a rehabilitation center on Friday, and Brendan Cawley miraculously walked out of the hospital on January 29. He was one of the fellow FDNY members on hand to wish Stolowski well.
“It’s fantastic to see Eugene get out,” said Cawley. “He really is an inspiration to me, and a hero. He’s my hero, and it’s wonderful to see him take the next step. He’ll fight and get home soon. We have one more to go. Joe will hopefully get out soon. We’ll keep Lieutenant Meyran and John Bellew in our hearts forever.”
Meyran’s widow, Jeanette, was also on hand to offer support. She has been outspoken about the Fire Department's move in 2000 to stop issuing safety ropes and harnesses, because they were considered too cumbersome. The firefighters' union believes the ropes could have saved the lives of Meyran and Bellew.
“There’s no bitterness, there’s no anger,” said Mrs. Meyran. “I’m upset – I’m not going to lie to you. But it’s a good thing – at least something good can come out of this. We are going to make a change.”
Since the deadly blaze, the department has said reissuing ropes is a top priority.
Total recovery for Stolowski is expected to take six months to a year. “He’ll make it through it; I’m sure," said his wife. “He’s a fighter, as all the FDNY are fighters.”
Once he recovers, according to his brother, Stolowski hopes to accept Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s friendly challenge to a round of golf. He also would like a beer. l
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