MONTICELLO – Two firefighters were honored last Thursday by the Sullivan County Legislature for rescuing a mother and her two children from a burning home on Denman Road in the Town of Liberty last month.

Steven “Steve” Schroeder, first assistant chief of the Youngsville Fire Department, and Shimon Abisch were recognized during the Legislature’s Public Safety Committee meeting for their actions during the Feb. 9 structure fire, where they helped evacuate the trapped residents from a second-story window.

Officials said the pair acted quickly as flames spread through the home, helping the family escape before the structure was destroyed.

Representatives from the New York State Senate, New York State Assembly, Sullivan County Legislature and the Town of Liberty presented certificates and recognition during the meeting.

A citation presented on behalf of Assemblymember Paula Kay described the firefighters’ actions as “decisive bravery,” noting that they evacuated residents from the second floor of the burning home despite dangerous conditions.

Schroeder, who also works as a Town of Liberty Highway Department plow truck operator, came upon the fire while driving his route and stopped to assist, according to officials.

Multiple fire departments responded to the blaze, including companies from across Sullivan County and neighboring communities.

Departments Called:

Liberty FD

Hurleyville FD

Livingston Manor FD

Loch Sheldrake FD

Neversink FD

Swan Lake FD

White Sulphur Springs FD

Woodridge FD

Fallsburg FD

Youngsville FD

Town of Thompson FAST Team (Monticello & Rock Hill)

Town of Bethel FAST Team 

(Smallwood & White Lake)

Port Jervis FD 

Sullivan County Bureau   

 of Fire

Sullivan County Bureau of Fire, Fire Investigators

Empress EMS

Town of Liberty Highway  

 Dept. 

Town of Liberty Water Dept.

Town of Fallsburg Water Dept.

NYSE&G

Town of Liberty Code Enforcement