| Maine firefighter receives Broome County Firefighter of the Year Award |
Leiutenant Kyle Pomeroy of the Maine Fire Department was awarded the William Grace Broome County Firefighter of the Year award Friday
night for his heroism in saving the life of a gasoline tanker-truck driver. Kyle took none of the credit himself. "Knowing I had our
guys there to help made this go much smoother," he said, accepting the honor at the Endwell Fire Department at the Broome County
Firefighter Association Meeting.
Pomeroy, a seven-year department member, responded as a driver-officer to the April 27, 2007, report of a worker trapped and unconscious
inside the tank of a tanker-truck and possibly overcome by potentially volatile gas fumes. The victim was visible, but not readily
accessible due to the fumes inside the tank. Lt. Pomeroy slid down the hatchway, face mask in place and carrying his self-contained
breathing apparatus. He entered the tank and attached another face mask, hooked to an airline, to the victim. "The victim quickly became
semi-conscious but was still unable to help himself," said Maine Fire Chief David Silverstein. Pomeroy assisted in lifting the victim
upright in the hatchway to rescuers who were outside the tanker, only to have the victim lapse back into unconsciousness, jeopardizing
Pomeroy's safety and blocking his only exit. After the victim was removed, Lt. Pomeroy exited the tanker, where his father, 1st Assistant
Chief Blake Pomeroy and Sheriff's Sgt. Tom Williams were waiting. The two had pulled the driver out of the tanker. "I think dad was
more worried than I was," Kyle Pomeroy said. The award was presented by Jim Cummings, chairman of the Broome County Firefighter of
the Year Committee. "Many become firefighters for many different reasons," Kyle Pomeroy said, "but the main reason is to help people
out. We all do the same. We put our lives on the line every time our tones go out. There are a lot of hours and no pay, but there is not
a more rewarding job."
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