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On Wednesday, June 5th, the FDNY Foundation joined the FDNY at the annual FDNY Medal Day Ceremony held at City Hall.
The FDNY Foundation congratulates all of the recipients from this year’s Medal Day ceremony. We thank them for their commitment, service, and dedication, and for going above and beyond the call of duty to always help keep New Yorkers safe.
The FDNY Foundation is proud to continue to support FDNY Medal Day and the publication of the 2024 Medal Day Book!
Some of this year’s medal recipients included:
Lieutenant Mark H. Russo, Rescue Battalion was awarded the Chief of Department Peter J. Ganci Jr. Medal, the highest award for bravery to a firefighter. On February 17, 2023, Squad Company 8 responded to a house fire on Staten Island. With heavy winds complicating operations, the fire spread quickly to multiple floors of the three-story home. As firefighters attacked the fire from within, winds continued to fuel the flames, causing a collapse and trapping several firefighters. One firefighter bailed out of the second floor, and another trapped firefighter issued a mayday. Lieutenant Russo quickly moved into the burning building behind Engine Company 168’s hoseline and located the trapped member lying motionless on the floor. He removed the firefighter from the fire area with help from another Squad 8 firefighter. Lieutenant Mark Russo’s quick thinking, bold actions and bravery in a chaotic situation saved the life of one of our own.
EMT Emmanuel F. Titus and EMT Shawn M. Griffin of Station 45 were awarded the Christopher J. Prescott Medal. This is the highest award given annually for members of EMS Operations. Around midnight on April 16, 2023, EMT Titus and EMT Griffin responded to a 911 call for a medical emergency at the Kosciuszko Bridge. When the pair arrived, they saw a man sitting on a metal beam on the edge of the bridge. EMT Titus immediately began talking to the man and connected with him. EMT Griffin then asked if it would be OK for him to climb over the side of the bridge as they continued to talk. The patient agreed. Once they felt they had the patient’s trust, the EMTs convinced him to continue the conversation in a safer position. Because of the selfless bravery and compassion exhibited by these two exemplary EMTs, this man’s life was saved.
Captain Jonathan M. Shields, Ladder Company 42 was awarded a new medal this year, the Battalion Chief Thomas J. Neary Bronx/Harlem Firefighter. Medal. On the morning of New Year’s Eve, 2023, Ladder Company 42 responded to a fire on the sixth floor of a building in the Bronx. Captain Jonathan Shields and the inside team entered the building and climbed to the sixth floor, encountering heavy smoke. Captain Shields found an unconscious man in the hallway and handed him off to waiting members before reentering the hallway to continue his search— something he did three times, to save three victims, at this fire. He showed selflessness, incredible bravery and courage, and we are so thankful for his efforts.
EMT Gary Hui, Medical Equipment Unit and EMT Samuel R. Wright, Division 8 were awarded the EMT-P Carlos Lillo-Lt. Ricardo Quinn Medal. Named in honor of Paramedics Carlos Lillo, Station 49, and Ricardo J. Quinn, Station 57, who made the Supreme Sacrifice during the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, the Lillo-Quinn Medal is presented to a winner of the Christopher J. Prescott Medal from the preceding three years. In 2020, EMT Gary Hui and EMT Samuel Wright rescued an unconscious driver moments after their dump truck crashed, trapping the patient inside as it started to burn. For their efforts, the two EMTs were awarded the Christopher J. Prescott Medal at the 2021 FDNY Medal Day Ceremony.
Firefighter Artur Podgorski, Ladder 108 was awarded the Harry M. Archer Medal. This medal is awarded every three years to a holder of the Chief of Department Peter J. Ganci Jr. Medal and the NYS Honorary Fire Chiefs Association Medal from the preceding three years. In 2022, Firefighter Podgorski climbed 21 flights of stairs and was lowered on a life-saving rope to rescue an entangled victim while 20 stories high.
EMT Brendan F. Burns, Station 58 was awarded the Yadira Arroyo Medal. On the evening of July 29, 2023, EMT Brendan Burns (detailed to Station 47 for the tour) was patrolling the beachfront near Beach 94 Street in the Rockaway section of Queens. EMT Burns was flagged down by civilians who stated that there were two swimmers in immediate distress. EMT Burns—a former lifeguard— immediately prepared to enter the water with a rescue torpedo, noticing the victims were fighting to stay afloat approximately 60 feet off the shore. EMT Burns reached the first victim, who was exhausted and struggling to keep his head above water, and gave him the torpedo to cling to. EMT Burns then swam 30 yards in heavy current to the second victim, whom he proceeded to swim back to the first victim so they could both cling onto the rescue torpedo. Two off-duty lifeguards then entered the water to assist EMT Burns in bringing both victims to the beach.
Once again, the FDNY Foundation congratulates this year’s Medal Day recipients. We can never thank all our FDNY members enough for everything they do on a daily basis to help keep us all safe.
To view the ceremony, click HERE.
To view more photos from the ceremony, click HERE.
To download the 2024 FDNY Medal Day book, click HERE.
