Fredericks, Andrew

Andrew Fredericks, Sqd.18 THE TOOL OF HIS TRADE Andrew A. Fredericks felt strongly about the best way to blast a stream of water at a fire. They called him Andy Nozzles. In training videos, speeches around the country, trade magazine articles ‹ even on the couch in his home ‹ Mr. Fredericks preached the gospel of the solid stream of water aimed hard at the source of the blaze. “He was so proud that his 9-year- old son could tell apart the different nozzles,” said Diane Feldman, the managing editor of Fire Engineering, a trade magazine. It is not an academic debate. Mr. Fredericks, 40, believed that fog nozzles, which disperse water widely, were dangerous because the steam that they produced would burn firefighters who moved close to put out flames. Solid-bore ‹ those were the kind that Andy Nozzles liked. His wife, Michelle Fredericks, said that her husband relished the chance to pass on the knowledge he had gained fighting fires for 20 years, 16 of them with the New York City Fire Department, most recently with Squad 18. “It was his passion, next to me of course,” Mrs. Fredericks said. “He had a passion for teaching.” Our thoughts and prayers are with all the friends and families of firefighters left behind. As many of you know, Fire Nuggets’ author, Lt. Andrew A. Fredericks, was murdered on 9-11. Andy was not only a gifted writer, he was our personal friend. There is not a day that goes by that we do not think of Andy. Our hearts ache for his wife Michelle, son Andrew Jr., daughter Hayley and all of Andy’s family. Firefighter Andy Fredericks was a co-author of the FDNY Engine Company Ops Manual. He was also a NYS certified fire instructor and taught at fire service training meetings across the US. He had 2 bachelors degrees, poly-sci and public safety/fire science and a Masters in fire protection management. It is impossible to measure the amount of expertise lost to the world on that terrible day. Andrew A. Fredericks‚ 40‚ firefighter‚ FDNY‚ Squad 18. A 21-year FDNY veteran‚ Fredericks was co-author of the FDNY’s Engine Company Operations Manual. He was a New York State-certified fire instructor‚ an instructor for the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs‚ an adjunct lecturer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice‚ and taught at fire service training meetings across the country. The father of two had bachelor’s degrees in political science‚ and public safety and fire science‚ and a master’s degree in fire protection management. 2014. A busy mother of two when her husband, Andrew Fredericks, died at the World Trade Center, Michelle Fredericks said she had no option but to keep going after Sept. 11, 2001. “You can’t sit home and dwell on things because that isn’t healing for anyone,” she said. “I feel, if you don’t heal yourself, you can’t have your children heal. If you don’t move forward, then they won’t move forward.” To that end, Michelle Fredericks has stayed busy in the last 10 years. When not working at Becker Corp Builders, a contracting company not far from her Suffern home, the 48-year-old is often found caring for her elderly father or for her children, Andy, 19, and Hayley, 15. She volunteers with a number of youth programs and is an active supporter of Suffern High School’s football program. Andy Fredericks said his mother’s strength and support have been a comfort to him in these last years, especially since he has chosen a career path. Like his father had done before him, Andy Fredericks volunteers with the Suffern Fire Department. In February, the teen hopes to take the New York City Firefighter exam, again following in his father’s footsteps. “When I was young, I thought being a firefighter was cool, but I didn’t want to be a firefighter,” Andy Fredericks said. “After [my father] died, I got paired up with … the FDNY and I did a ride-along. That’s what made me want to do it.” Michelle Fredericks said she’s entirely supportive of her son’s decision, but that she often experiences conflicting emotions when thinking about his future. “It’s a double-edged sword for me,” she said. “I’m nervous and I’m apprehensive, but I’m also really proud of him and support him 200 percent.” Andy Fredericks said he’s hopeful he’ll have a career as decorated as his father’s; Andrew Fredericks spent years as a firefighter, a fire instructor and a consultant, garnering the respect of emergency responders across the country. The memorials to Andrew Fredericks that have emerged since his death are evidence of that respect – a statue of the man stands at the Rockland County Fire Training Center in Pomona, and there are annual events from California to Virginia that raise money for scholarships in his name. Michelle Fredericks said she’s been touched by the memorial efforts. “It’s nice to know that there are other people who are going to remember him,” she said. “It’s good for my kids because they see the positive influence their father had, not only in his own backyard, but across the country as well.” Details Served as a lecturer on fire training, produced instructional videos and was an instructor at the Rockland County Fire Training Center, where a statue of him now stands. He was also a member of Suffern Volunteer Hose Co. Family Wife, Michelle; children, Andrew and Hayley.