Two Levittown firefighters' efforts ended up saving two people in separate incidents. Both credit the training they received from their department's instructors as instrumental in their successful rescues.

The first rescue took place on a train heading toward New York's Penn Station. On Monday, Jan. 29, Levittown Engine Co. 2 member Clifford Archer was on the 7:26 a.m. train out of Wantagh, en route to Penn Station. Just outside the Woodside, Queens station a plea for help came over the train's PA system for anyone with emergency medical training to go immediately to the fifth car back for a sick passenger. Archer rushed back to the car and found a nurse giving aid to a 50+ year-old male unconscious on the floor. The nurse reported he was not breathing and had no pulse.

After quickly getting eyewitness reports from nearby passengers, he took out an emergency-breathing mask he carries in his bag. He gave two breaths and saw the victim's chest rise, indicating he had a clear airway. He immediately started CPR. The nurse took over the rescue breaths. He instructed the conductor to call ahead for paramedics to meet them at Penn Station. After a 15-minute trip, they arrived at Penn Station where FDNY EMS personnel met them and took over treating the victim. Using an A.E.D. (automatic defibrillator) they administered two shocks and started an IV. The victim was transported to the hospital, breathing with a heartbeat rate of 70-90.

It was reported as of Feb. 1 the victim was still in I.C.U. but is expected to recover as a result of Archer's and the nurse's actions. If you will recall, Archer was the subject of a front-page story in the Levittown Tribune (Jan. 19) reporting his efforts during the holiday season providing gifts to many needy children.

In another incident, this one in 2006, now just coming to light, training also played a big part in a person being saved. Firefighter Beth Pipinou of Engine Co. 5 was working at a local Red Lobster restaurant when a patron started choking on the food he was eating and went into respiratory arrest. Pipinou immediately performed the Heimlich Maneuver followed by chest compressions to start the patron's respiratory and pulmonary systems. Firefighter Pipinou's quick action resulted in saving a life.

Levittown Fire Chief Mark Janovsky is justifiably proud of these two members and their lifesaving acts. "Levittown firefighters spend many hours training during the year for all types of emergencies," Chief Janovsky stated. "The department must be ready at all times to perform lifesaving tasks. When residents need a plumber or carpenter they have many to choose from, but there is only one fire department they can call on for help, so we must be prepared for anything that comes our way." The chief credited the department's emergency rescue trainers, ex-Chief K. Rochon, Lt. Sue Athena, ex-Capt. Frank Cacioli and Tony Gray, along with all the seven company's officers. Levittown's residents are indeed fortunate to have a dedicated group of volunteers standing by to help them when they may be having the worst day of their lives.