By Mira Wassef
Staten Island Advance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Hundreds of New York’s Bravest gathered at the FDNY Medal Day ceremony Wednesday at City Hall.
It was the 148th year of the Medal Day ceremony, said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
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“2016 was an extraordinary year for the FDNY,” the mayor said. “It was the largest decrease in fires and fire-related deaths.”
Sixty-seven firefighters, paramedics, EMT’s, fire marshals and officers were recognized for their heroics. Fallen heroes, such as EMT Yadira Arroyo, Michael Fahy and William Tolley, were remembered for their sacrifice.
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“When New Yorkers call for our help, FDNY members respond quickly and with one goal- to save lives,” said FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro.
Among the honorees were expected to be members of Rescue 5 in Concord, for their efforts “assisting several lost and distressed FDNY members in a basement fire on February 1, 2016,” the Fire Department said on Facebook.
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Members Lt. Salvatore Civitillo, Firefighter Michael S. Burgo, Firefighter Donald A. Dillon, Jr., Firefighter Kievon Y. Harper, Firefighter Robert Hosie, and Firefighter Christopher P. Mullin, will be awarded the Firefighter Thomas R. Elsasser Memorial Medal.
Firefighter James P. Lee Jr. of Rescue 1 was honored for saving an elderly man’s life from a burning building on the Upper East Side in Manhattan in October.
Lee used a rope rescue to pull the man out and the both scaled down the side of the building to safety. Seconds later, the rope burned.
According to the mayor, the victim said “‘It seemed like and angel emerged from the smoke.’”
Peter J. Brady of Ladder 174 in Brooklyn saved an unconscious woman who was trapped in her bedroom. Brady was able to remove her my crawling under the fire and she regained consciousness once they were out.
“This is a day of celebration and appreciation,” de Blasio said.
Copyright 2018 Staten Island Advance
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