NY J01736

Nine Glen Cove Fire Department members receiving the Firefighter of the Year Award for rescuing 12 individuals from a two-story, 10-apartment building fire on April 17, 2025

Captain Philip Grella III entered the burning building before fire apparatus arrived with only a water can and personal protective equipment, evacuating three people from the second floor by crawling through smoke and flames

Justin Valeo, Rodni Leftwich Jr., and Henry Maldonado rescued five people including a 6-year-old child via a 24-foot extension ladder, with Maldonado calming the trapped Spanish-speaking family to prevent them from jumping

Carlos Cardenas and Henry Maldonado located and evacuated four additional occupants on the first floor, including carrying a handicapped individual to safety

All initial rescues were performed without the protection of a charged hoseline, with firefighters prioritizing civilian safety despite extreme personal risk