Fundraiser planned for four injured New York State firefighters

Friendship, NY firefighter Tom Torpey flanked by his mother Sissy (left) and his wife Jessica.

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A fundraising benefit is being planned for four firefighters from Friendship, NY on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Friendship Fire Department. The firefighters were injured on Dec. 22, 2008 when a brick wall unexpectedly fell on them while fighting a commercial structure fire. All four were injured. A fund has been established by the Cuba and Friendship Fire Departments to assist the firefighters and their families with expenses.

You can visit the Cuba Fire Department’s Web site: www.cfdsmokeeaters.com for frequent updates on the injured firefighters and fundraising efforts. Please send checks or money orders to:

Collapsed FireFighter Fund
c/o FASNY Federal Credit Union
107 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12210

What follows is written by fellow firefighter Tiger Schmittendorf, who went to visit one of the firefighters, Tom Torpey at the Erie County Medical Center trauma center.

Tom’s a hard-working young man, a dedicated volunteer, all of 29 years of age; and a father figure to five children with his wife, Jessica. In what should be the prime of his life, those bricks shattered his body, but certainly not his spirit. He's a fighter.

I went to his room, but he wasn’t there. Just a few days out of the ICU, and with the help of his wife and a fellow Friendship firefighter, Tom was roaming the halls in a wheelchair, making friends and influencing people.

He’s completely aware of what happened that fateful Sunday morning. Feeling blessed that the outcome wasn’t worse, Tom keeps himself busy sharing his positive attitude with anyone who passes him in the hall. Not letting it keep him down, he’s already taking baby steps with the aid of a walker. But he’s far from out of the woods.

It’s expected that he’ll need close medical attention for at least another month or more, either in the trauma center or after being moved to a rehab center closer to home, which is more than 80 miles away from the hospital in Buffalo.

For now, their lodging and transportation needs are being met through the graciousness of our local Ronald McDonald House in Buffalo, but there may be gaps where they need our help. Jessica is starting to go home on the weekends to take care of the kids and because of the distance, Tom will be left alone at times.

In just our brief encounter, I can tell that Tom Torpey is a self-motivated person. And to keep him motivated and in good spirits, everyone’s suggesting that he gets lots of cards, patches and visits from his brother and sister firefighters. See what you can do about that.

Before I left the hospital, Tom’s fellow firefighter thanked me for stopping by. As I shook his hand, I sensed by the expression on his face that he was a little taken aback by my visit, perhaps wondering why I just appeared at the hospital, unannounced.

You see, I had never met Tom Torpey, but I didn’t need to. I know plenty just like him. I thought to myself, “Because he would do the same for me.” That’s why.

Send cards and well wishes to:

Friendship Fire Department
P.O. Box 503
Friendship, NY 14739