Waste Management Employee Pulls Man from Burning Car

In the small hamlet of Chaffee, NY in upstate Erie County, Richard Montgomery Jr. is on his way to work. It seemed like any other morning – but Thursday, December 1, 2016, wasn’t like any other day.

Richard, known as “Rich” to his friends, is on his way to the Chaffee Waste Management facility. He’s an experienced welder, and also a volunteer fireman with Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training.

His morning commute ceases to be routine when Rich spots a vehicle that has overturned. Then he sees the car is starting to catch fire. Rich has been trained to respond to emergency situations like these, to assess the situation, focusing on traumatic injuries at the accident scene.

Rich called 911 to notify the Chaffee Police Department and Chaffee-Sardinia Volunteer Fire Company before acting decisively along with other bypassers to rescue the 18-year-old occupant from the burning car – which rapidly became engulfed in flames.

Rich is a hero in the true sense of the word. Waste Management of Buffalo, NY is fortunate and proud to call Rich one of their own.

In above photo: Sr. District Fleet Manager Bob Bingenheimer (left) recognized Richard Montgomery Jr. (right) for his heroic efforts.