| Injured fire lieutenant has no regrets |
| 06/20/2008 |
| By: Jason R. Vallee, Record-Journal staff |
| MERIDEN - Fire Lt. John Paczek has replayed the night of Aug. 22, 2007 many times. Faced with a choice of protecting his own life or trying to save a family trapped in a burning Franklin Street building, he had only one second to make a decision. After spending the last 10 months recovering from deep tissue burns to his left foot - injuries he suffered while charging into the 142 Franklin St. home - Paczek said given a second chance at the situation, he wouldn't have changed a thing. "I have no regrets. I have been over it a billion times in my head and I've talked to the guys and we all agree it was the right decision," Paczek said. "We had one chance, one shot at saving him. I would rather try and get hurt than be up at night thinking what if." Paczek, 56, will soon retire from the Meriden Fire Department as a result of injuries he suffered in the fatal fire that left two children in the burn center at Shriner's Hospital for Children in Boston and led to the smoke inhalation death of 2-year-old Hunter Jandreau. The injuries suffered in the fire were described by doctors as a fourth-degree burn, one which not only affects the skin but causes damage to muscles and tendons in the foot. The injury has healed well he admits, but the damage will prevent him from ever working as a firefighter again. The City Council Finance Committee will vote on a resolution during their next meeting that would allow Paczek, a 27-year firefighter with the department, to purchase his remaining three years of service and retire with the same pension as a firefighter who has served 30 years. The exception would apply to Paczek only because he is unable to continue serving in active duty, the resolution states. Deputy Fire Chief David Bowen said Paczek's retirement means a huge loss for the department, the city and the people he has protected over the years. "I can still remember the day John graduated from New Haven Fire School," Bowen recalled. "He had such great instincts and such great skills. But it was his unique care for all people, whether fellow firefighters or the public, that made him stand out above the rest." If not for Paczek's knowledge, his aggressiveness during tough situations and his dedication to his job, Bowen said the fire at Franklin Street could have ended a lot worse. His rescue partner that evening, firefighter Daniel Lyons, said Paczek's strength as a leader was one of the reasons he himself was so willing to enter the building in a rescue attempt, despite the fact that hoses and cover had not arrived. Sitting in the Engine 2 Company Headquarters at 61 Pratt St. last week, members of Paczek's response group praised Paczek as they recalled the evening of his injury. Paczek and Lyons had been at an alarm on East Main Street when the house fire started. They were already dressed in full gear and got to the home first, arriving to hear cries of "there are children in there". Without hesitation, Lyons and Paczek both raced into the building to get the occupants out. "I had just gotten out of the house and turned to see two young men rushing in," said Rowena Wilson, mother of homeowner Denise D'Aniello. "I just held my breath because I didn't think there was any way they would come out again." Wilson said the men - later identified as Paczek and Lyons - showed courage as they assisted in getting many of the family members including her great grandchildren Tristyn and Trent D'Aniello out of danger. As Paczek and Lyons turned up toward the third floor where Jandreau had been sleeping, things took a dangerous turn. The two men quickly found themselves in the middle of a flashover and the intense heat caused the carpet below Paczek's feet to melt through his boot, causing instant damage and pain. With adrenaline running high and the fire not yet cleared, the men pushed forward. In fact Lyons said he didn't realize how bad his partner's injury was. "We were on the roof when I first learned of the injury," Lyons said. "I didn't know he'd been hurt that bad. From what it looked like, we thought he'd be back in a few weeks or so." Paczek had been through flashovers before and he saw no reason to believe the burns suffered in the Franklin Street fire were any worse. He found himself amidst heavy flashovers during both his first call on Charles Street in 1981 and during a fire near the Franciscan Life Center, but never suffered more than second-degree burns. "In this career, guys go through close calls all the time. Guys get second- and even third-degree burns all the time. What happened to me was unusual and what happened was part of the job," Paczek said. "You don't take the job as fireman thinking it's going to be safe. There are chances you will be hurt at some point down the line, you just do the job hoping it won't be bad." Now the future holds a new career path for Paczek, who said he will continue working one or two days a week running a light excavation business and spend time with his wife Cindy. Paczek will be missed by many firefighters at the department, including group members Matt Miller, Eddie DeRosa and Steve Mauri. All three men said in separate interviews that Paczek was the best firefighter they have ever worked with, Miller went on to say that with his knowledge, his skills and his passion for the career, Paczek is the definition of what a firefighter should be. Paczek ended the interview by saying he would definitely miss the career and the special bond he had with his group and all the firefighters in Meriden. He was quick to restate what he'd said at several points, however - that he had no regrets. "I would have liked to have served for at least 30 years, but those are the breaks. I'm still alive to tell about it and I'm still able to do the everyday things in life." jvallee@record-journal.com Complete coverage of Franklin St. fire
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