Submitted photo Dunkirk Police Chief David Ortolano stands in front of members of the Dunkirk Police and fire departments who saved the lives of five overdose victims Dec. 4. They were given merit awards at Tuesday’s Common Council meeting.

Dunkirk police and fire department members were honored for saving the lives of five people unresponsive from apparent drug overdoses.

At the Common Council meeting, Police Chief David Ortolano and Fire Chief Michael Edwards awarded members of their departments for their actions. Police Capt. Chris Witkowski explained what happened at a Main Street area location in the city Dec. 4.

“At about 4:45 a.m., the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift responded … with the initial information that several people were unresponsive, possibly overdosing,” he said. “It was determined at this time the address was incorrect. Using the officers’ past experiences and records, numerous addresses were checked for about 45 minutes.”

Officers got a call giving them the correct address at about 5:30 a.m. They “arrived on scene to discover five people were unresponsive at different areas within the location. The officers were met with the potential multiple casualty situation,” Witkowski said.

Quoting a letter from one of the officers to Ortolano, he continued, “The officers began rendering medical care and administering Narcan for several minutes prior to the rescue personnel arriving. As rescue personnel arrived, officers continued providing assistance in any manner they could.”

Witkowski said, “After reviewing the body cam footage, radio transmissions and telephone calls, and case paperwork, I recommended to the chief the officers involved receive the department’s meritorious police service award, and he agreed.

“It was clear to all of us that this was a chaotic scene that was controlled by officers and firefighters working side by side, all while saving lives. The actions of the officers and the firefighters were honorable, performed beyond normal expectations, and made us all proud. Thank you, guys, and congratulations to you all.”

The police officers then got a standing ovation and received their awards. Sgt. Jeff Ortolano, Acting Desk Sgt. Adam Luce, and Officers Brandon Curtis, Edwin Gomez and Joe Hallmark were awarded. Officer Emily Boyd was also awarded but could not attend the council meeting.

Edwards said the incident showed how well local police and fire departments, along with Alstar Ambulance and the county emergency medical service, work together.

“We hold our members to a high standard the community should expect. This was an example of our personnel exceeding those standards,” he said. “We are faced with challenges almost daily. Some incidents are exceptionally challenging. Being faced with five patients, with many of them not breathing, is an example of an incident that takes exceptional skills and the ability to critically perform those skills.”

Edwards continued, “The outcome of all these patients surviving is truly remarkable. I’m proud to (award) fire department members Jared Meyer who was the acting Lieutenant that night … along with Firefighter Patrick Osmond, Firefighter Patrick Brant and firefighter Kevin Gainey, who’s not here tonight. We’re going to present them with the departmental letter of merit.”

Mayor Wilfred Rosas stood to offer his own congratulations. “They saved lives. Whether these folks were drug users or not, a life is a life. What they did, in my book, they’re heroes.”

Council member James Stoyle, a former firefighter, congratulated the police and fire departments for working well together. He said it wasn’t always that way.

Apparently referring to the city’s drug problem, he added, “It’s not our fault. We’re working on it. You do have a friend in (state Sen.) George Borrello and (Assemblyman) Andy Goodell, trying to get bail back.”

Stoyle said he was “proud as hell” of the firefighters.