FDNY firefighter from Monroe saves drowning boater in City Island waters

‘It’s our job.’By Nancy Kriz MONROE - Ralph Manfredonia reinforced why New York City firefighters are called “New York’s bravest” last Friday when he scaled a barbed wire fence to jump into the water to save a drowning boater on City Island. Manfredonia, a 32-year-old Monroe resident and a member of Ladder Co. 53 in the Bronx, stripped out of his gear down to his undershorts, according to press reports, and jumped into “wind-whipped” water to save a 52-year-old man whose wooden dinghy flipped over, leaving him stranded in the water and desperate for help. Days later, Manfredonia stressed he was only doing his job and was pleased the outcome was a positive one. “I was happy to help,” said Manfredonia, who felt there was no time to wait for the locks on that barbed wire fence to be cut. “It’s our job. After eight years (as a New York City firefighter), I don’t think I thought about it for a second. I just responded to someone in distress. The guy was very grateful.” Press reports said Manfredonia didn’t have time to don a wet suit before swimming 30 yards to save the boater, who was turning blue and on the verge of hypothermia. “There was a capsized boat, and a call to us for help,” he said. “When we got to the beach, people were screaming that someone was drowning. I hopped the fence, jumped in the water and found him on the back of the dinghy. I got him around my shoulders and I swam him to shore.” Though it was Manfredonia’s first save, the events of that day are still somewhat of a blur. “I really don’t remember much,” he said. “I just remember getting him to shore. They (EMS) packed him up and shipped him out to the hospital. I took some oxygen and went back to the firehouse, took a shower and went back to work. It was pretty cut and dry. I wish I could tell you more.” The next day, the appreciative survivor called Manfredonia, who ironically grew up on City Island and learned to swim in those waters, to express his gratitude. “The guy called me to thank me,” said Manfredonia. “He wanted to come to thank me personally. I told him ‘I’m happy you’re okay.’ That made me feel good. Today, I’m here doing my job and he’s with his family.” Manfredonia is also pleased because his actions emphasized the value Ladder Co. 53 has in the community. It was among four firehouses the City of New York was scheduling to close last year because of budget issues. “If our firehouse was shutdown, there was no way anybody would have saved that guy,” he said. “He’s alive today because of our firehouse.”