Crime & Safety

2 Young Men Among New York City's Bravest

Both already EMTs with the FDNY, Paul Wizelus and Thomas Staubister fulfill dream of becoming firefighters.

Paul (PJ) Wizelius, a Springs native, and Thomas Staubitser, who grew up in Montauk, graduated from the FDNY Fire Academy on Friday.

The 285 graduates were emergency medical technicians or paramedics who worked for the FDNY for at least two years. It was the first firefighter graduation since 2008.

Wizelius, 27, and Staubitser, 23, are both East Hampton High School alumni and knew each other from the South Fork, but didn't become close until their time in the academy, Wizelius said. They graduated four years apart, Wizelius in 2004, and Staubitser in 2008.

Wizelius spent nearly three years as an EMT, and and Staubitser worked for two and a half years, before they were promoted to probationary firefighters. The academy program was 18 weeks long.

"I knew I wanted to have a job that was exciting," Wizelius said. "I could help others and never be in an office."

Staubister said he always knew he wanted to be a firefighter. His father, Thomas Staubister, was FDNY firefighter in New York City for 27 years. He retired in November. "I grew up with it — it's a very big family thing," he said.

A surfer who also worked as a town lifeguard, graduated high school early. He was the winner of a the FDNY Engine 298 in memory of Christopher Santora, who lost his life on 9/11.

Wizelius was assigned to Engine 47 — "The Pride of Morningside" — which is located on 113th Street and Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. Staubitser works out of Red Hook Brooklyn for Engine 202.

During the graduation ceremony, held at Brooklyn College, Staubitser, along with Matthew Cook, were recognized for helping to stop an out of control vehicle while they were working as EMTs in 2012.

According to a report, they were flagged down by an NYPD traffic officer who said a man appeared to be having a seizure a few cars ahead. Just after they boxed in the car with their ambulance so that it could not move, the driver stepped on the gas, striking the ambulance. The driver then tried to go into the oncoming left lane.

While Cook tried to reach through the crack in the driver's window to grab the steering wheel, Staubitser tried to open the car doors. He eventually had to break the window, and get to the patient — who turned out to have an altered mental status.

Staubitser and Cook will be honored in June at FDNY Medal Day.


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