6 THE QUEENS COURIER • JULY 11, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com THE COURIER/Photo by Mike DiBartolomeo Retired fi refi ghter John Manzione saved a toddler that nearly drowned on July 4. ONCE A HERO, ALWAYS A HERO Retired FDNY saves boy from drowning BY LIAM LA GUERRE lguerre@queenscourier.com While millions were preparing to watch the fi reworks, John Manzione sprang into action. The retired fi refi ghter and Maspeth native saved a toddler from drowning, preventing an Independence Day tragedy. Manzione was celebrating America’s birthday with family and friends in his yard when he heard neighbors scream “call 9-1-1” from two houses away. Manzione, 57, who retired from Engine 291 in Ridgewood after 32 years of service, rushed to see what was happening. When he arrived, he found a motionless two-year-old. The boy had fallen into a small blow-up pool with about two-feet of water. “He was unresponsive, limp, no pulse and his eyes were rolled in the back of his head,” Manzione said. “It doesn’t take much for them to be in distress.” Manzione moved fast. Using his fi rst responder training, he performed CPR on the boy until he detected faint breathing. EMS services arrived minutes later and put the child on an oxygen machine to help him breath. They then took the toddler to Elmhurst Hospital Center, where he arrived in critical condition. He is now stable, according to Fire Department officials. This was not the first time Manzione has aided people outside of fighting a blaze. He once had to help a man that went into cardiac arrest. He also helped a woman deliver two babies in a house. In this situation, he said, he just wanted to answer the call of duty. “I was just helping out a child and parents that were in distress,” Manzione said. “I knew I had to get involved and help to make a difference. I’m a fi refi ghter for life.” BUY DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER FREE Measuring & Installation w/purchase of $100. • Draperies • Vertical Blinds • Honeycomb Shades • Custom Window Shades • Mini Blinds Nobody Beats Our Prices! FREE Shop At Home Service • Roman Shades • Balloon Shades • Swags & Jabots • Shutters • Upholstery • Radiator Covers • Table Pads UP TO 70% OFF LIST PRICE Free Interior Design Consultation *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 7/19/13 $50 OFF with purchase of $500 or more $100 OFF with purchase of $1,000 or more GOMER’S Window Treatments SINCE 1962 Factory Showroom: 268 St. & Hillside Ave., Floral Park 1/4mi E. of Little Neck Pkwy. 1-800.522.6156 www.gomersdecorators.com w.this ad. NOW AVAILABLE 0% Financing See store for details. $20 OFF with purchase of $200 or more *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 7/19/13 *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 7/19/13
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