[60 Control] operator praised for work during Port Chester blaze

[x242Steve 1]

911 operator praised for work during Port Chester blaze

By SHAWN COHEN

THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original Publication: December 14, 2007)

PORT CHESTER - Tracy Pitocco had been on the job as a 911 operator for just four months, when village police called to report smoke at 125 Poningo St. in her hometown.

As she hung up, the phone rang again, and this time it was a woman trapped in a smokey, third-floor apartment with her baby and five other people. Pitocco's training, and instinct, kicked in and helped save them all from Wednesday night's fire - a feat that has won her praise from her superiors and firefighters she guided to the scene.

"She was very hysterical, screaming about her baby," Pitocco recalled yesterday. "She told me they tried to go down the fire escape but couldn't because the flames were so bad."

The three-alarm fire, sparked by a burning Christmas tree one floor bellow, sent eight people, including the baby, to hospitals. But emergency responders said it could have been far worse without some true acts of bravery.

There was the man who stormed into one of the apartments and carried his girlfriend to safety because she could hardly walk. There was the Port Chester firefighter who rescued the bundled baby. And then there was Pitocco, manning phones from Valhalla for the Westchester Department of Emergency Services.

Full Story: http://nyjournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...EWS02/712140370

[x635 4,066]

Congrats and great job Tracy, and I'm thrilled that 60 Control has gotten some press!

However, let's not forget those who trained and mentoured Tracy at 60 Control, and also not forget that the work done at 60 Control is a team effort, so let's also praise the group working that night. There is a lot of personal traits that go into dealing with a 911 caller, but there is a lot more technical effort that goes into it as well.

[20Truck 7]

Nice job Tracy! Nice to see ANYTHING positive come out of the press.

[Remember585 815]

Good work Tracy and everyone that was working that night!

[Guest EFFP411]

Good Job!! As stated, its nice to see something positive be circulated, instead of another "black eye" story

[DOC22 1]

GREAT job, Tracy!!! Again, it's good to see some positive press!!!

[LTNRFD 266]

Your FATHER must be so proud!!!!!!(got to get dad in there).

Keep it up 60...........

[ajsbear 11]

Great jopb Tracy. Your dad must be proud!!

[TR54 239]

Excellent job Tracy ! Job well done by 60 Control.

[TL2L31 8]

Great job Tracy and thanks from PCFD!

[hatr1k 6]

This is what I like to hear! Great Job 657 and to the rest of the dispatchers and training officers! It's hard work on that end also.

x-654

[RescueKujo 130]

Good job, Tracy. Nice to hear someone in dispatch getting some press.

[Guest alsfirefighter]

Kudos as always to 60 Control and all involved with the incident.

[IzzyEng4 427]

It good to see that a dispatcher is being praised for their work and quick mind in an emergency situation! Kudos to Tracy!

[snkbitn 2]

Congratulations, on a job well done!

Edited December 16, 2007 by snkbitn

[Oswegowind 17]

Way to GO! Keep up the good work!

As well, Thank You for showing Up 585!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!

[joeya7 1]

Lets not forget our favorite "old school" dispatcher 647 keeping it real on Da radio!!!!!

double up with a pair of 8's

Edited December 20, 2007 by joeya7