PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (EYT) – Two firefighters from the Punxsutawney Fire Department were recognized for their heroism when they each were given a Medal of Valor by a family affected by their service.
(Photo above from left: Don Bosak, Central Fire Department Chief; Derek Miller and Bryan Smith, firefighters; and Chris Smith, Punxsutawney Fire Department Chief. Via Facebook.)
Volunteer firefighters Derek Miller and Bryan Smith were the recipients of the awards.
Miller and Smith were recognized for saving the life of an elderly woman who was trapped inside a residence that was ablaze.
“You very rarely have a save in a fire,” said Central Fire Department Chief Scott Depp.
“I’ve been in 33 years. That was the first time in my time as a firefighter,” said Smith, one of the award recipients. “Most of them are recoveries, not saves.”
According to Smith, he and Miller, both volunteers, arrived on the scene of the fire in December 2022. Most of the residents had safely evacuated the residence. One resident had not made it out.
With their vision clouded by smoke, Smith said Miller saw the faint silhouette of the woman’s hand reaching up. Without the use of a fire hose, which was still in the process of being set up, the two entered the structure and saved the woman.
A letter accompanying the awards said in part:
“On the morning of December 28th, 2022, our lives stood at a standstill as we watched the bravery of our local fire companies come together not only to battle the blaze but to save the life of our loved one. No greater form of heroism or valor was shown by our volunteers that day.”
The letter was signed, “We wish to remain anonymous.”
Copyright © 2024 EYT Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of the contents of this service without the express written consent of EYT Media Group, Inc. is expressly prohibited.
