New York Fire Fighters Save Lives in Hudson River Crash

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January 16, 2009 – Minutes after U.S Airways Flight 1549 crashed shortly after takeoff into the Hudson River, Fire Department of New York (FDNY) fire fighters from the Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA) of New York Local 94 and the Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA) of New York Local 854 were on the scene working to bring the 150 passengers and five crew members to safety.

“Because the valiant members of Local 854 and Local 94 reacted swiftly, working with other public safety agencies, lives were saved, “says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “I am truly proud of their dedication to the great city of New York and the people who live and visit there.”

Flight 1549 was leaving New York’s La Guardia airport for Charlotte, North Carolina, January 15, when birds knocked out both engines. The first call came to the FDNY at 3:31 p.m. Local 854 and 94 members were on scene less than five minutes later.

On the scene, time was of the essence because temperatures were at 40 degrees in the water and 21 degrees outside. Hypothermia and death were serious possibilities.

“The coldness of the water could have sent the passengers into cardiac arrest within five minutes,” says Jack McDonnell, president of Local 854. “Clearly, there was a chance 155 people were going to die in that river, but that did not occur because of our members. This incident demonstrated just how well-trained and well-equipped our members are.”

FDNY marine crews worked quickly to get everyone off the sinking plane and onto various watercrafts from the fire department, police department, Coast Guard and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

On land, other members of Local 854 and 94 were ready to assist the injured. By all reports, the rescue went off without incident. “The New York City fire fighters’ bravery, dedication and training are called upon when disaster strikes,” says Steve Cassidy, president of Local 94. “It is especially gratifying when all involved in a major disaster go home safely.”

The following day – January 16 –New York’s mayor honored all of the involved emergency responders at City Hall.

The crash comes on the heels of a proposal by some New York fire chiefs to cut water rescue teams as a way to save money. The chiefs claim that the cuts would be smart because the teams do not get a lot of calls. However, fire fighters argue that you cannot predict emergencies and incidents like the Hudson River crash demonstrate the continuous need for fire department marine resources.

Meanwhile, members of Local 854 and 94 are at New York City Hall today trying to keep four FDNY units in lower Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island from shutting down between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., beginning January 17. Fire fighters are concerned about public safety because the nightly closures could increase response times to nine minutes in some cases.

The closures are an effort by New York’s fire commissioner to save $8.9 million per year. Hearings were being held in front of the City Council’s Fire and Criminal Justice Services Committee January 16 to determine whether or not to implement the commissioner’s plan.