A group of Bristol Township firefighters were recognized last week for their lifesaving efforts.
Last Thursday, Bristol Township Council presented commendations to firefighters Brian Gerhard, Todd Dipopolo, Thomas Stressman, and Daniel Matthews for saving the life on a woman during an early August fire on Oaktree Drive in Levittown.
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The four firefighters are part of Bristol Township’s paid crew that uses Engine 225 during the daytime hours.
Fire Marshal Kevin Dippolito said the firefighters arrived quickly after dispatch and broke into two groups. One group set up a water line from the hydrant to the home and the other went inside to rescue a 40-year-old woman.
The firefighters with the hose held back the flames, which was coming from two directions, while the other blaze busters pulled the woman from the residence, Dippolito told the council.
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“She was unconscious and barely breathing,” he said.
The woman ended up spending seven days in the hospital before being released and making a full recovery.
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Dippolito explained that the paid daytime firefighters that assist the township’s volunteer fire companies had expanded their hours of service from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. earlier this year, which led to crews being on duty at the time of the August fire.
In addition to the Engine 225 crew, volunteers from the Fairless Hills, Falls Township, Edgely, Levittown No. 1, and Tullytown fire companies fought the fire. The Bucks County Rescue Squad and Levittown-Fairless Hills Rescue Squad also responded.
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