Wis. firefighter awarded at FDIC for rescuing captain in floor collapse

By Jamie Thompson
FireRescue1 Editor

Photo Jamie Thompson Rueda speaks during the opening ceremony.

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INDIANAPOLIS — A Milwaukee firefighter who fought against his own pain to drag his unconscious captain to safety after they fell through a floor was awarded one of the fire service’s highest honors Wednesday.

Firefighter Anthony Rueda was presented with the Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award during the opening ceremony for FDIC in Indianapolis.

The 24-year-old suffered neck, back and shoulder injuries when the floor collapsed at a house fire last May, with both he and Capt. Theodore Stribling plummeting into the basement.

Despite his own injures — caused when the staircase came crashing down — he was able to locate Capt. Stribling.

Finding Capt. Stribling unresponsive, Firefighter Rueda pulled him out by the straps of his breathing apparatus toward an area of light he could see through the debris.

Fellow crew members were then able to pull the pair to safety and take them to the hospital, with both since making recoveries.

The award is named after Deputy Chief Ray Downey, chief of rescue operations and 39-year veteran of the FNDY, who was killed while commanding rescue operations at the World Trade Center attacks on 9/11.

Chief Downey’s son, Ray, who presented the award with his brother, Chuck, said Firefighter Rueda was a worthy recipient.

“By remaining calm and focused even though injured himself, his actions exemplify the finest traditions of the fire service,” he said.

Robert Biolchini, CEO of Penwell Corp., who introduced the award presentation, said Firefighter Rueda demonstrated “extreme courage and valor” during the rescue.

“To maintain his awareness and utilize his training under extremely stressful and dangerous conditions makes him a hero,” he said.

Firefighter Rueda received a $35,000 check as part of the award.