Brewster resident Ryan Blackwell was recently recognized by the New York State Senate with a Senate Resolution for his heroism in rescuing a 54-year-old Bronx woman from a fatal apartment fire Sept. 14, 2013.
“Ryan Blackwell is a true hero. 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,” said Senator Greg Ball.
Ryan, along with several other members of the FDNY, 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. Ryan disregarded his own personal safety in order to remove the woman from harm’s way.
“I am humbled to receive recognition from Senator Ball for doing what I consider to be my basic duty. As firefighters, we do what we do not for recognition, but to save lives. I am very proud and thankful for this huge honor,” Blackwell said.
When Blackwell became a New York City firefighter, he realized his dream of following in his late father's footsteps. His father, Christopher Blackwell, a decorated member of FDNY Rescue 3, was killed during the events of September 11, 2001.
Before joining the New York City Fire Department, he was a volunteer firefighter with the Putnam Lake Fire Department.
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