Commending Yonkers Firefighter Michael Giroux From Deer Park.

Senator Owen H. Johnson cosponsored a Legislative Resolution commending Yonkers Firefighter Michael Giroux from Deer Park for his recent heroic action in saving the lives of two citizens.  Michael was at the Capitol for the reading of the Resolution during the March 23, 2011 Senate Session.
 
“I would like to add my congratulations and express my pride in the accomplishments of Michael Giroux and the team of Yonkers Firefighters,” Senator Johnson said as he spoke on the resolution in the Senate Chamber.  “The initiative Michael took showed not only intelligence but bravery and courage.  It’s a wonderfully inspiring story of heroism and rescue.”

On Friday, March 4, 2011, two workers were painting the façade of a high-rise building on Nepperhan Avenue in the city of Yonkers, when their platform malfunctioned causing them to dangle perilously 13 stories above the ground.  Despite high winds, Firefighter Michael Giroux and his dedicated  colleagues set a plan in action to safely remove the painters.  Michael was chosen for his expertise to rappel down the 27 story apartment building from its roof to rescue the two men who were trapped.  After successfully harnessing and lowering the first man to the ground, Michael immediately repeated the heroic actions, rescuing the second worker.

Michael Giroux earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Cortland, and later a master’s degree in Ex-Physiology from Adelphi University.  He worked at Cornell Medical Center and for several doctors before accepting a position with the City of Yonkers Fire Department in 2000 where he was assigned to serve Ladder Seventy-One, Rescue One.  In this capacity, he serves as a Specialist in Technical Rescue, and trains emergency personnel in saving lives from confined spaces, collapsed trenches, and rope rescues from buildings and escarpments.   


Photograph left to right:  Yonkers Firefighter Michael Giroux and Senator Owen H. Johnson.