FDNY celebrated the valor of its members during Medal Day 2011, which took place at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum on June 8.
“This is one of the most wonderful days of the year,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “We’re celebrating those who put themselves in harms way to protect others.”
The event honored eight fire officers, one EMS officer, one fire marshal, 27 firefighters, two paramedics, seven emergency medical technicians and four fire companies.
Read the FDNY 2011 Medal Day Program
“Today we honor so many heroes,” said Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano. “You make a living by what you make and a life by what you give. If evidenced by today, our members have the best lives possible.”
This year’s James Gordon Bennett Medal winner, the highest honor for a member of the Fire Service, was Firefighter Peter Demontreux from Ladder 132. He saved two victims from a burning brownstone in Brooklyn on Aug. 30, 2010.
“I think I’m the happiest person here,” Firefighter Demontreux said. “I’m honored to be amongst this group of amazing men and women.”
The top medal of the Emergency Medical Service – the Christopher Prescott Medal – went to EMTs Kyle Barbaria (Station 26) and Edward Rodriguez (Station 20). On Oct. 28, 2010, the pair, who barely knew each other at the time, subdued a patient in St. Barnabas Hospital’s Emergency Room who had gotten hold of a police officer’s gun.
“This is such an honor, I can’t even say how happy I am,” EMT Barbaria said.
The Deputy Commissioner Christine Godek Medal went to Fire Marshal Brian Krebs, for his investigation of a March 1, 2010, fire started by Molotov cocktails thrown through window and trapping occupants. The investigation led to 30 arrests.
Members of Engine 54 and Ladder 4 received the 2011 World Trade Center Memorial Medal for their response to the would-be Times Square car bomb on May 1, 2010.
“[Receiving this medal] is special,” said Lt. John Kazan from Ladder 4. The company lost 15 members on Sept. 11, 2001. “To get this is a true honor.”
