North Bellmore firefighters pull man from burning vehicle on Southern State Parkway

The North Bellmore Fire Departmnet responded to a vehicle fire on the Southern State Parkway, eastbound between Newbridge Road and Bellmore Road, on April 16 at roughly 10 p.m. 

 Chief of Department David Marschall was the first to respond to the scene, where he noticed a victim trapped inside the car. Assistant Chief Mark DiRenzo arrived afterwards and helped Marschall contain the fire and extricate the victim. 

DiRenzo used a fire extinguisher to keep the fire at bay until Engine 655 arrived at scene.  The crew, led by Captain Thomas White, got a hose-line in place.  

Marschall, with assistance from Firefighter Nicholas White Jr. and DiRenzo, were able to remove the male victim from the rear window of the vehicle. 

The patient was breathing and responsive once removed from the vehicle. Assistant Chiefs White and Zaharis assisted the victim when Rescue 653 and Engine 656 responded with emergency medical technicians and paramedics.

Paramedic Kevin Collins began a thorough assessment, making sure the victim had a clear airway.  Trauma dressings were applied to the victim’s back, where the majority of his burns were.

He was then transported to Nassau University Medical Center with a New York State Police escort. During the transport, Collins, an ex-captain of the department, was able to perform Advance Life Support, when a positive change in the victim’s status took place.  

Upon arrival at NUMC, the trauma/burn team took over care of the victim.

— Compiled by Andrew Garcia