Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:Wednesday, June 2, 1999

Release #210-99

Contact: Sunny Mindel/Mathew Higgins (212) 788-2958
David Bilig, Fire Department Press Office (718) 999-2025


MAYOR GIULIANI AND FIRE COMMISSIONER THOMAS VON ESSEN PRESIDE
AT ANNUAL FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDAL DAY CEREMONY

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen today presided at the New York City Fire Department's annual Medal Day Ceremony, honoring 56 Firefighters, Fire Officers and Fire Marshals for acts of heroism and valor performed during 1998. This year's Medal Day Ceremony was held at the Firemen's Memorial in Manhattan, which served as a fitting tribute to those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

The medal recipients were cited for their life-saving work at fires, building collapses, water rescues and at other emergencies -- circumstances in which members went above and beyond the usual everyday heroics performed by New York's Bravest.

"Each and every day, New York City Firefighters perform one of the most dangerous occupations imaginable, and they do so with little fanfare and with the willingness to put their lives on the line to help others," the Mayor said. "Today, in celebrating Medal Day, we pay tribute to those who through their acts of bravery and dedication have distinguished themselves as among the 'best of the bravest'."

Fire Commissioner Von Essen said, "I fully believe that each and every medal winner here today is one of the very best the New York Fire Department has to offer. You represent dedication, integrity and commitment to excellence in an often difficult and dangerous profession. The enthusiasm and determination shown on a daily basis by you as well as by every other firefighter in this city is a tribute to your profession."

The highest honor that can be bestowed upon a New York City Firefighter is to be awarded the Doctor Harry M. Archer Medal. Awarded only once every three years to a Gordon Bennett Medal winner, it is reserved for the bravest of the brave. This year's recipient is Firefighter Gerard J. Triglia of Ladder Co 132. Firefighter Triglia was cited for his daring rope rescue of a 27-year-old woman from a smoke filled apartment at 727 Prospect Place, in Brooklyn, on June 17th, 1995. Firefighter Triglia was lowered from the roof of a burning four story brick building and reached into the top floor window to take hold of the victim, who had suffered first and second degree burns. As the blaze quickly spread to all floors, Firefighter Triglia and the victim then descended four stories on a life-saving rope, passing through a thick haze of smoke and intense heat. They landed safely on the ground and awaiting medical crews treated the victim.

This year's recipient of the Fire Department's coveted Gordon Bennett Medal was Captain John J Pritchard of Engine 255. Captain Pritchard holds the distinction of being one of only two members of the Department in the last 130 years to win the Gordon Bennett Medal twice -- first in 1979 and then again this year. The other was Thomas J Neary, who was awarded the medal in 1975, and then again in 1980.

The Chief Wesley Williams Medal was awarded to Lieutenant Gregory Picconi of Ladder Company 133. The first new Fire Company in a decade, Ladder Company 133 developed a reputation for heroism and valor soon after it was established in November 1998. On the afternoon of only its fourth day in service -- November 13th, 1998 -- Ladder Company 133 performed a daring rescue of a 66-year-old woman from her burning apartment at 112-04 167th Street in Queens. Without the protection of a hose line and in a super-heated environment, Lieutenant Gregory Picconi dragged the severely burned and unconscious victim from her smoke filled, fire ravaged apartment to the safety of the fourth floor hallway and eventually to the safety of another apartment.

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