By Adam Smeltz
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
PITTSBURGH — Firefighters who subdued the Sept. 2 blaze on the Liberty Bridge received a standing ovation and a proclamation this morning from Pittsburgh City Council.
The city fire bureau and other emergency responders prevented the 88-year-old bridge from collapsing and “potentially saved many lives,” said Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith, reading from a council resolution.
Seven members of the fire bureau stood in council chambers in the City-County Building, Downtown, to receive the honor. Council members declared today Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Day in the city.
“I really appreciate that the proclamation goes to the idea that there were no single heroes here, that it was absolutely a team effort that allowed us to have a successful outcome as far as we were concerned,” said Frank Large, deputy chief in the bureau.
The bridge remains closed indefinitely as PennDOT corrects structural problems. The fire damaged a 30-foot-long steel chord that supports tons of weight.
Fire bureau workers listed by name in the council resolution include Lt. Stephen Grenesko; firefighters Matt Stasiak, Rick Miles and Justin Zietak; and battalion Chiefs Robert Ciesielski and Jerry Hirschfeld. Council also recognized firefighter Eric Smith this morning.
Councilwoman @Smithdistrict2 reads a proclamation honoring firefighter who put out Liberty Bridge fire @PghFFLocal1 pic.twitter.com/x7SzZugubp
— Pgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) September 20, 2016