Nicholas Scoppetta, Fire Commissioner

Every year on Medal Day, we get an opportunity to show New York the heart and soul of the FDNY. The pages of this book are filled with stories of daring rescues—from burning buildings, confined spaces and treacherous waters—and with diligent investigation for the cause and origin of fire in the City. The actions of the Department members we honor today continue a legacy of service that has defined the Fire Department for 140 years.

Of course, today’s medal winners are the first to acknowledge that their daring feats were not individual achievements. As we all know, firefighting is teamwork. Behind many of these heroic acts were Firefighters operating the line to protect the inside team; ladder company chauffeurs positioning their aerials or buckets as a precautionary egress; and Officers who put their companies’ safety before their own.

As we celebrate these achievements, we also must remember the four Firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty since our last Medal Day. Lieutenant Curtis Meyran, Lieutenant John Bellew, Firefighter Richard Sclafani and Firefighter Christian Engeldrum each made the supreme sacrifice while in the service of others. They put their lives in the line of danger so that others would be spared. There is no greater feat and no higher price.

The heroic actions we honor here today were performed by professionals who carry with them the full knowledge of the risks involved, the memory of those we have lost and the awareness of the potential price to be paid. Yet, day after day, year after year, our Firefighters keep watch over this City. And when duty calls, they answer.

I congratulate all of today’s medal winners. I commend their companies. And I thank all members of this Department for doing their part to ensure that the FDNY remains the greatest fire department in the world.