Brooklyn, NY – FDNY Members Honored By Parents Of Rescued Williamsburg Jewish Boy (video)

Brooklyn, NY – The FDNY commissioner was one of several of New York’s bravest who turned out today at an event in Williamsburg as the parents of a seven year old boy who became entangled in a roll up parking gate last month paid tribute to those who rescued him.

As previously reported on VIN News, Mendel Gottlieb was holding on to the gate at Skillman Street in Williamsburg as it rolled up trapping his head and arm inside the gate on May 8th. Firefighters rushed to the scene, ultimately using airbags to free the boy from the gate.

Mobile users click here

“We are here to express our gratitude and our feelings to the FDNY for their sacrifice,” Mendel’s mother, Mrs. Yachet Gottlieb told VIN News. “They never know what they are in for when they are called but they came seconds later. They worked professionally and quickly and they saved my son’s life.”

Among those in attendance in addition to FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro were FDNY Chief of Department Edward Kilduff, FDNY Chief of Operations James Esposito, Assemblyman Joe Lentol, Assemblywoman Maritiza Davila and members of Hatzolah.

Commissioner Nigro, Mendel’s father, Avraham Gottlieb and Rabbi David Niderman of the UJO, organizer of the event, all spoke briefly before plaques of appreciation were presented to Rescue Company 2, Ladder 119 and Ladder 211.

The plaques bore the word of the Mishna, stating that the rescue of even one life is equivalent to saving an entire world and were presented by Commissioner Nigro and Avraham and Mendel Gottlieb.

“The FDNY appreciates the recognition of the work of its members,” said FDNY spokesperson Elisheva Zakheim.

“This was a tribute to the bravest for their rescue,” added Rabbi Niderman. “They responded and freed him from captivity in the gate and the parents felt it was appropriate to express their appreciation.”

“Unfortunately we know, there is not always a happy ending let us now remember and mourn Yakim McDaniels, another Brooklyn boy who tragically died after a similar incident in 2012. We pray for his soul and family, and may they experience no more sorrow,” Rabbi Niederman said.

Yidel Deutsch a spokesman of Hatzolah said that the joint response that saved Mendy was an example of the “collaboration and partnership between Hatzalah and the FDNY. “All of us in Hatzolah have tremendous admiration of the job and sacrifices that your firefighters do every single day around the city on behalf of all New Yorkers.

{NewsPhotosEmbed 793098414}