Most first responders do not get to meet the people they saved or find out what became of them after they parted ways. However, while most people were hunkering down during the COVID-19 pandemic, one Virginia woman got an opportunity to meet the man who saved her and her mother.
Close Call
In 1983, FDNY Firefighter Eugene Pugliese was checking on a broken pipe when a man approached him and told him there was a fire over on 64 Wooster Street. The fire had broken out on the sixth floor of the building.
Pugliese said, "I didn't even have my gear on, just a helmet and an ax." However he made his way to the building. There was heavy smoke when he got there, inside was a woman.
"She was yelling ‘my baby, my baby!’ I carried her into another room and proceeded into the room that was on fire. I found Deirdre and I was so glad. I crawled in on my belly and didn’t have any equipment, I was lucky to have found her."
FDNY Firefighter Eugene Pugliese
After a couple rescue breaths, Deirdre began to cry.
Search For Her Rescuer
Taylor grew up to be an ER nurse after serving as a Captain and a helicopter pilot in the Army. The Virginia resident volunteered to go to New York City. Helping the overrun hospital wasn't her only mission.
She brought with her a newspaper detailing her and her mother's rescue. NYU Langone Hospital celebrated health care workers one night, and Taylor approached a firefighter to see if he could help find Pugliese.
The firefighter was able to help. She spoke to Pugliese over the phone and arranged to meet at his old station, Ladder 20.
"The name of the Firefighter that rescued me was always with me. I had always wanted to track down the Firefighter who saved me, so I could say thank you."
Deirdre Taylor
Pugliese was thrilled to see Taylor. "She turned out to be a wonderful young woman. When I heard she was here, I was on cloud nine. I cried all day."
A Special Moment
As important as it was for Taylor to find Pugliese, it was equally special for him to be able to physically see how her life turned out after he saved her life as a baby.
Sharing that moment likely meant more to him than any medal or award.
Thank you for writing this story. So nice to see a positive story in the news today
Awesome story
They sit around a lot,but when the call comes in they rush out for YOU. These police and firemen should be praised every day. Stupid woke cloud needs to be put down forever.
Most of the time Firefighters are trained early on to rush into the smoke-filled fire bldg. looking for people trapped , hiding in closets , or underbeds.Every so often we encounter a human life that we can bring to safety . we do not seek praise from the media , this is what we do and fireman give thanks to Almighty God for rewards in saving a life . Our rewards are at times from people who survived and gave thanks to firefighter Pugliese.
Good to hear nice news for a change, heartwarming news. Too much hate in the world right now. I don't even turn on the TV anymore.
Touching
Talk about wonderful people! Thanks for being you! Ar
The tears are welling up in my eyes reading this wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it.
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with so many Americans that have the is what it is attitude i am glad to see there are still movers and shakers out there that get things done! I can not believe there are so many complacent individuals out there. I know our republic has gone from senators and congressmen and women who used to be Public Servants, Now the Public has to serve those same congressmen and women along with the senators! I suggest everyone get out and vote that is eligible to vote in 2024. I believe a large percentage of national elected officials are on the take! When is enough ? Enough!