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6/2/2026 Queens FDNY drone pilot helps save struggling swimmers
- Thread starter mikeindabronx
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Nice job
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From an FDNY Instagram post:
"At approximately 6:20 p.m. Tuesday, FDNY members assigned to the Robotics Unit and EMS rescued two swimmers in distress off Rockaway Beach at Beach 85th Street just 20 minutes after lifeguards had gone off duty.
While patrolling the shoreline with a drone, Firefighter Michael Stothers spotted the swimmers struggling in the water and, within minutes, successfully deployed a Restube flotation device from the drone. The flotation device began to inflate as soon as it hit the water and helped both swimmers remain afloat until rescuers arrived.
EMT Michael Ormiston, of Station 47, entered the water with a rescue torpedo and made contact with one victim, while Firefighter Patrick O’Leary assisted in bringing the individual safely to shore. An off-duty lifeguard assisted with the rescue of the second swimmer. Both patients were transported to an area hospital in stable condition."
"At approximately 6:20 p.m. Tuesday, FDNY members assigned to the Robotics Unit and EMS rescued two swimmers in distress off Rockaway Beach at Beach 85th Street just 20 minutes after lifeguards had gone off duty.
While patrolling the shoreline with a drone, Firefighter Michael Stothers spotted the swimmers struggling in the water and, within minutes, successfully deployed a Restube flotation device from the drone. The flotation device began to inflate as soon as it hit the water and helped both swimmers remain afloat until rescuers arrived.
EMT Michael Ormiston, of Station 47, entered the water with a rescue torpedo and made contact with one victim, while Firefighter Patrick O’Leary assisted in bringing the individual safely to shore. An off-duty lifeguard assisted with the rescue of the second swimmer. Both patients were transported to an area hospital in stable condition."
