Binghamton Fire Fighters Respond to Mass Shooting

April 6, 2009 – Binghamton, NY Local 729 members were among the first responders to the April 10 mass shooting at the American Civic Association, an immigration services center, in downtown Binghamton. Local 729 fire fighters focused on providing pre-hospital care and transporting the victims to the hospital.

Local 729 President David Holleran was among the responders. “In similar scenarios, we may have only provided medical services. However, due to the magnitude of the incident, we stepped in to help in any way we could,” he says.

Seconds after the shooting began around 10:30 a.m., dispatch called for an ambulance and engine company from the Binghamton Fire Department. Realizing early on the gravity of the situation, incident commander and Local 729 member Larry Ostanek joined the first responders.

Arriving at the immigration services center, Ostanek asked for additional medic units. Other emergency service providers were also called in on mutual aid.

“Initially, we knew people were down, but we did not know the condition or whereabouts of the shooter, so our command center was set up behind a building about 50 feet from the American Civic Association,” says Holleran.

In an effort to secure the scene, police wanted to position armed officers on top of the building. Fire fighters provided ladders so roof access could be gained.

Meanwhile, as the police found the victims and brought them to the staging area, Local 729 fire fighters treated the injured and transported them to the hospital.

“As you can imagine, the scene was sad and stressful, but I think everyone involved did their jobs well,” states Holleran.

The shooter, Jiverly Wong, was 41-year-old Vietnamese immigrant. He shot and killed 13 immigrant students and association workers, wounded four others and then turned the gun on himself.