Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor

It is a great privilege to host the FDNY’s annual Medal Day ceremony, an event recognizing “the bravest” of the Bravest. Today we honor the extraordinary efforts made last year by Firefighters across New York City-- men and women who are always ready to answer the call for help.

These medal winners are being honored for their exceptional courage. I am proud to note that their stories of heroism stretch from one end of the City to the other. One Firefighter dove into the frigid waters of the Kill Van Kull off Staten Island last December to rescue a woman. Two others helped recover an unconscious woman trapped by debris and surrounded by fire in the Morrisania neighborhood of the Bronx. Three others rescued several victims from a Jamaica, Queens, apartment fire. And the prestigious James Gordon Bennett Medal is being presented to a Captain who crawled through a room filled with flames to save a man in Borough Park, Brooklyn.

Hearing these stories of bravery and fearlessness, we can all rest easy knowing that Firefighters in every borough and neighborhood stand ready every day to protect the lives and property of all New Yorkers.

On behalf of the City of New York, I applaud today’s medal winners and all members of the FDNY for the courageous work you do each and every day. Your commitment and dedication form the hallmark of a proud Department that is truly the best in the world. Congratulations to the medal winners and continued success to all.

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