There’s a cause they’re referred to as the Bravest.
President Biden awarded the coveted Medal of Valor on Friday to a pair of heroic FDNY firefighters who ignored intense flames and selflessly raced into hazard to avoid wasting determined New Yorkers who have been trapped in burning buildings.
Lt. John Vanderstar was acknowledged for his heroics on Oct. 23, 2022, when he raced via raging flames in a Bronx residence to rescue a mom and daughter who have been trapped in a hearth in a again bed room.
Lt. John Vanderstar (courtesy FDNY)
Firefighter Brendan Gaffney additionally was honored for speeding right into a burning Inwood constructing on Feb. 5, 2023 — twice — first to avoid wasting an unconscious youngster, and once more, to rescue a pregnant lady.
“They allowed people to continue their lives in ways that they never would have been able to,” Biden mentioned at a White Home ceremony honoring the firefighters and 6 different first responders.
“There’s a lot fewer empty chairs around the kitchen table and dining room table because of what these guys did. And what they did is — is amazing. They literally put their lives at risk — some of them at the point that you wonder how they could have had the nerve to do it.”
Firefighter Brendan Gaffney. (courtesy FDNY)
Additionally among the many honorees have been legislation enforcement officers who responded to a shooter who killed six folks on March 27, 2023, at The Covenant Faculty in Nashville, Tennessee, the place, dealing with gunfire, they cleared out school rooms earlier than taking down the shooter.
“So, thank you, guys,” Biden mentioned. “I really mean it. You’re the best America has to offer. I’m so damn proud to stand with you.”
FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker mentioned the medals — the nation’s highest award for valor by a public security officer — have been an honor for the whole division.
“Every day, FDNY members do amazing work serving the people of New York,” Tucker mentioned. “We are incredibly proud of Lieutenant Vanderstar and Firefighter Gaffney for receiving the Medal of Valor for their extraordinary actions.”
Each firefighters had every beforehand acquired division medals for his or her bravery.
The scene after a hearth broke out inside a Sherman Ave. residence in higher Manhattan on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. Firefighter Brendan Gaffney rushed into the burning Inwood constructing twice to avoid wasting an unconscious youngster and a pregnant lady. (Theodore Parisienne for New York Every day Information)
Vanderstar rushed into motion after a neighbor banged on the door of his Bronx firehouse and instructed them a couple of blaze in a build up the road.
With out water to carry again the fireplace, Vanderstar pushed to the again bed room, the place he discovered a younger woman mendacity on high of her suffocating mom. He dragged them to the window for recent air till different firefighters arrived with a hose. Then he raced out of the residence with the woman, handing her to paramedics. The mom and youngster each survived.
Within the Manhattan fireplace, Gaffney used a eliminated door as a protect to maneuver via a raging fireplace to discover a pregnant lady and a toddler, who have been each unconscious.
He first shielded the kid together with his personal physique to get him to security. Gaffney then ran via the fireplace once more and rescued the girl. He carried out CPR on her whereas ready for paramedics. The girl and youngster each survived.
Initially Revealed: January 3, 2025 at 6:36 PM EST
