Queens State Supreme Court Justice Dorothy Chin-Brandt sentenced Jerome Brandl, 34, to 1 to 3 years in prison for attempted criminal possession of stolen property and scheming to defraud. He was arrested Oct. 30 in Hermitage and pleaded guilty in January.

Prosecutors said Brandl posed as a volunteer firefighter from Milwaukee. He stayed at a New York City firehouse for a week and was given a room, catered meals and amenities donated to Trade Center rescuers.

Brandl also stole cash and a video camera from Lori Wirta, 32, who took him in for a few days in late September. Wirta said she was left with $4.48 in her bank account.

Brandl, who was also ordered to pay $195.68 in restitution to Wirta, did not speak during the sentencing.

"For Mr. Brandl to use the Sept. 11 attacks for his own personal gain can only classify him as some type of animal," Wirta said in a letter read in court by Assistant District Attorney Allen Bode. "Just like any animal that preys on human beings, he should be caged for as long as the law will allow."

Prosecutors said Brandl traveled with real firefighters to Ground Zero, took in donations from community members, was given free admission to a Mets game at Shea Stadium and stole an official Fire Department parking plaque, which he used to park his allegedly stolen Mercedes.

He was arrested in October in Hermitage after attending a "Monday Night Football" game in Pittsburgh at which firefighters were honored.

"This sentence is more than appropriate for someone who used a national atrocity as an opportunity to prey on trusting New Yorkers and commit crimes," Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.

"To come to New York City only days after the worst disaster this nation has ever experienced, pose as a rescuer and steal from a city which was still in shock was despicable, loathsome and vile."

Brandl faces stolen-vehicle charges in Wisconsin and other charges in Tennessee, where he committed a similar scam, prosecutors said.

Wirta told reporters that she has found it difficult to trust people since being conned by Brandl.

"I think that he should have gotten more time for what he did," she said, "but the fact is he was arrested and he is being punished, so I'm happy for that."