By Roger Seibert
The Oneida Daily Dispatch
MARCY, N.Y. — The Maynard Fire Department recently honored four high school students for their role in saving a family from a fire this past May during a ceremony in Marcy.
“What these young individuals did that night was beyond heroic,” Maynard Fire Department Chief Jared Pearl said. “They acted with instinct, courage, and compassion, and because of that, a family is still whole today.”
| DOWNLOAD: How to fund your next station (eBook)
On Saturday, May 17, Aiden Kane, Donato Jellencich, Tyler Sojda and Morgan Randall were traveling to a friend’s house along Cavanaugh Road after leaving their junior prom when they spotted a garage on fire just before 11 p.m.
“We were returning home when Morgan spotted what she thought was a fire,” Kane said. “I didn’t think it was anything, but she insisted, so we turned around. It turned out their garage had caught fire.”
Kane rushed to the front door of the residence, alerted those inside to the fire, and helped two children and their father evacuate to a safe location. “I got their attention and got them out safely,” Kane said. “I had one child in front of me and the second beside me. I didn’t have to carry anyone, and it was a safe evacuation.”
Sojda was travelling in a separate vehicle when he also saw the fire. “I saw them spin around and I followed,” he said.
Once on the scene, Sojda checked to ensure no one was inside the burning garage while Jellencich called 911.
“Aiden knocked on the house’s door, and I checked on the garage,” Sojda said. “We weren’t formally trained in firefighting tactics. We just acted as a team and by instinct.”
“Timing is everything during fire emergencies,” Maynard Assistant Fire Chief Randal Caldwell said. “A fire can double its size in the space of thirty seconds.”
Randall stayed with the family and helped comfort the children.
“It wasn’t that big of a deal,” she said. “I have nieces and nephews and a little brother. So, I’m used to helping younger people.”
The Maynard Fire Department credited the teens with potentially preventing a far more serious situation. The flames from the garage fire were close to reaching the house.
“They saw danger and they answered with courage. They saw fire and they responded with action,” Pearl said. “These young individuals are a powerful reminder that you don’t need a badge or a title to be a hero. All it takes is the courage to care and the willingness to act when it matters most.”
The family said that they are grateful for the actions the teens took that night. Their quick response not only saved lives but also assisted Maynard firefighters in preventing a tragedy.
“Their actions gave our firefighters the greatest (thing) we could have in a moment of chaos: the knowledge that everyone was already out safe,” Pearl said. “That’s one less fear we had to carry, and that made all the difference.”
Kane said he is interested in joining the state police after graduation. After the ceremony, Sodja submitted an application to join the department.
“His desire to serve after already stepping up in a life-or-death moment speaks volumes, and we’re proud to welcome him to the Maynard family,” Maynard Fire Department Assistant Public Information Officer Alexandra Osilovskiy, who also serves as an interior firefighter and emergency medical technician, said.
In June, State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-C-Rome, and Sen. Mark Walczyk, R-C-Watertown, presented New York State Senate Liberty Medals to Kane, Jellencich, and Sojda, all Whitesboro High School students, and Randall, a student at Dolgeville Jr./Sr. High School, in recognition of their actions.
“Aiden Kane, Donato Jellencich, Tyler Sojda and Morgan Randall are very deserving of this recognition,” Griffo said. “Each is to be commended for their fast response, quick thinking, and the courageous actions they took to help a family whose garage was on fire. They are heroes and inspirational to many.”
The Liberty Medal is one of the highest civilian honors a New Yorker can receive. The award is given to individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts and achievements on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers.
© 2025 The Oneida Daily Dispatch, N.Y.
Visit www.oneidadispatch.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
