FDNY acknowledges meritorious acts at 156th Medal Day
June 4, 2025
The FDNY held its 156th Medal Day Ceremony on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, honoring the lifesaving actions by its members during incidents throughout the previous calendar year. The ceremony, which dates back to 1869, is one of the Department's most time-honored traditions.
"Just think about it for a moment. Think about the natural instincts that are associated with fight and flight. Any time you see danger, you have a natural instinct to want to survive and run away from the danger that you're facing. Every day, you go in contrast to that natural ability to run away," Mayor Eric Adams said at the ceremony, which was held at City Hall Plaza in Manhattan. "Imagine running toward danger. Imagine going against the natural instinct. Instead of fleeing from danger, running toward the danger to sacrifice yourself to save the lives of your fellow New Yorkers."
"In the New York City Fire Department, responding to fires and medical emergencies is what we do every day," FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said. "We respond no matter the time or location, the danger or the threat. We come when called. Today, we celebrate the best of the best—the incidents that truly are hair-raising, remarkable and heroic. We celebrate those moments that we know saved lives. I hope you can take a snapshot of this moment—one that I hope will define your careers because this is what it is all about. Knowing that the work you do really matters and, on any given day, you can go from great to extraordinary. I am humbled to celebrate you and to give you the accolades you deserve for a job well done."
Chief of Department John Esposito said: "It's an honor to be here with you all today as we recognize the very best of the FDNY—those who have gone above and beyond because that is what the situation required. Each medal awarded today tells a story—one of decisive action, skill under pressure and, most of all, courage. To all our medal winners: Your actions represent the very best of this Department. These were moments where everything came together, where training, timing and teamwork led to lives being saved. You are why our city has faith in us."
The 2025 top medal recipients for incidents that occurred in 2024 were given to the following FDNY members:
Firefighter Michael Kotzo, of Ladder Company 28, received the Chief of Department Peter J. Ganci Jr. Medal and NYS Honorary Fire Chiefs Association Medal for his role in two roof rope rescues during a fire in Harlem. In total, six medal were awarded for meritorious acts at the same fire.
EMTs Mitchell Tarnapolsky and Amber Black, both of Station 43, received the Christopher J. Prescott Medal for rescuing two children from the water in Coney Island.
The Department also gave out a new medal this year: The Dr. Sheldon Jacobson Award was given to Paramedic Franklin Kupferberg, of Station 4, who has worked in FDNY EMS for more than 40 years. Presented annually, the new medal will recognize a paramedic who demonstrates stellar, advanced life-saving skills and service. The medal honors the legacy of Dr. Sheldon Jacobson, the visionary who launched New York City's first paramedic program at Jacob Hospital in1 the Bronx in 1974.
Read through the 2025 FDNY Medal Day Book for a full list of this year's medal recipients, as well as the stories that detail their bravery, at the link below.
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