Lieutenant
Kevin Dowdell
Rescue 4
Memorial
Service was held
on April 20,2002
On
Time When It Mattered
It's a slow day in superhero land. So Kevin Dowdell docks the
fireboat, and, dressed in firefighter regalia, clumps over to
the Mercantile Exchange. He waves proudly from the visitors'
window to his teenage sons on the floor, wearing ties for their
summer jobs. Patrick! James! Then the job calls. So Lieutenant
Dowdell of Rescue Company 4, Queens — trained to use roof ropes
and scuba gear, to handle hazardous materials, wiggle into confined
spaces — sprints into action, with a relaxed head and a racing
heart. He loves rescue work so much he chooses not to try for
captain, so he won't be transferred. "Rather be a happy lieutenant,"
he tells RoseEllen, his wife of 21 years. He has a bravery medal
and 20 citation bars. To support the family, the happy lieutenant,
46, works days off, sanding floors. When his boys start playing
bagpipes and snare, he practices with them, whomping a bass.
More time with the boys, plus he gets to march in the parade,
wearing his kilt. Only one thing about RoseEllen's best friend
drives her nuts: first to a fire, last to a social event. "You
don't know what would have happened if we left on time," retorts
the happy lieutenant, a born talker. "We could have gotten into
an accident!" Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on December
10, 2001.
Newsday
Article