Lifesaving Award For Putnam Deputy Sheriff After Rescue

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — The Putnam County Sheriff's Office has presented Deputy Sheriff Andrew Kristan with a Lifesaving Award for his heroic role in saving the lives of two Carmel women in November. They were almost killed by carbon monoxide after a faulty home-heating connection pumped in massive amounts of the colorless, odorless, poison gas.

Emergency responders broke in and rescued the unconscious women. Kristan, one of the first on the scene, found one of the victims in a back bedroom and carried her out with Carmel Police Department Officer James Terrazas.

According to the Carmel Volunteer Fire Department, readings taken in the house indicated a concentration level of carbon monoxide gas in the air of 1,800 parts per million (ppm). According to some published government studies, human exposure to 1,200 ppm of carbon monoxide in the air for one hour can be fatal. The typical level of carbon monoxide in a home ranges from 3 to 6 ppm, according to official sources.

Terrazas and Kristan reported feeling light-headed after removing the victims from the house. They were administered oxygen by other first responders and did not require further treatment.

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Carbon Monoxide Almost Claims 2 In Carmel

PHOTO/ Putnam County Sheriff's Department