Just before Christmas 2004, Ladder 4 responded to a structure fire at 65 Florida Street. Neighbors gave them more bad news - people were trapped on the second floor, the same floor as the fire.
Firefighter Mark Mendola was on the first truck to arrive at the scene. He went upstairs through the front to the kitchen. Mendola quickly located a victim on the floor. Firefighter James Hart assisted Mendola in bringing the female from the kitchen to the rear stairwell.
Once in a safe area they found she had a pulse but was not breathing. CPR was administered. Regaining a pulse she was transferred to the ambulance crew. Mendola assisted the crew as the victim was transported to ECMC.
The victim was hospitalized in ECMC's Burn Intensive Care Unit with severe burns to her face, arms, and chest. Fortunately, the victim survived after more than two weeks in a coma.
The 100 Club of Buffalo recognizes Firefighter Mark Mendola for his heroic action on December 22, 2004.
