June 1, 2015 — Firefighter Dominick Muschello, FDNY Ladder 157, has been selected as the top winner in the Firehouse Magazine Heroism Awards Program. Muschello will be recognized for his actions on Thursday, July 16, 2015, during the opening ceremony at the Firehouse Expo conference in Baltimore.
Muschello is recognized for his bravery during a multiple dwelling fire on Nov. 19, 2014. Using the tower ladder bucket as a shield, Muschello rode the ladder through the flames to the third floor where people were reported to be trapped. Muschello searched the hoarded apartment and located a victim whom he pulled over the debris to the window. Shielding the victim from flashover-like conditions, Muschello removed the victim to the tower ladder bucket with the help of a fellow firefighter and then down to the street. Muschello then returned to the third floor with another firefighter to search for additional victims. They located a second victim in the hallway and removed that victim through the window.
Muschello’s nomination reads, in part, “It is without question that his determination, bravery and disregard for personal safety places him in a league only a few can achieve. His actions are in the highest tradition of this great department.”
Firehouse Magazine Editor-in-Chief Tim Sendelbach echoed the nomination: “Each year, we recognize the actions of firefighters from around the nation who, when faced with danger, selflessly acted to save the lives of strangers—or fellow firefighters. I’m honored and humbled to recognize FDNY Firefighter Dominick Muschello for his actions of bravery and courage under fire. Because of his selfless actions, two civilians are alive today. Firefighter Muschello truly represents one of America’s Bravest.”
For receiving the top award, Muschello receives a $3,000 cash award, a medal provided by Blackinton, as well as airfare, accommodations and registration to Firehouse Expo in Baltimore. During the opening ceremony, Muschello will be presented with a custom ax provided by Liberty Art Works.
FDNY Firefighter Adam Burlison, Ladder 26, received second place and Firefighter Robert Alvarado of the District of Columbia Fire & Emergency Medical Services Department, Rescue Squad 3, received third place. Fourteen additional fire personnel—from FDNY; Chicago Fire Department; Providence, RI, Fire Department; St. Louis Fire Department; and Houston Fire Department—complete this year’s top tier of awards.
More than 40 others are recognized as $100 winners, and 14 companies received unit citation recognition. To read more about the top winners, $100 winners and unit citations, visit firehouse.com/heroism.
Firehouse would like to thank the 2014 Heroism Awards Program corporate sponsors: Aladtec, Alert-All, Blackinton, eDispatches.com, FIREHOUSE Software, Fire Station Outfitters, FLIR, Hot Shield USA, Liberty Art Works, the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs, Paratech, Phenix Technology, TCA and Waterway. Their support and generosity help us honor America’s Bravest.
Firehouse would also like to express its deep appreciation for the judges who reviewed the nominations for this year’s program—Assistant Chief Brian Fennessy of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department; Deputy Chief William Goldfeder of the Loveland-Symmes, OH, Fire Department; Assistant Chief Brian Schaeffer of the Spokane, WA, Fire Department; and Deputy Chief John B. Tippett, Jr. of the Charleston, SC, Fire Department—as well as retired FDNY Firefighter Paul Hashagen for his work on the program.
The Firehouse Heroism Awards Program is the largest awards program of its kind in the fire service. To have your department’s acts of heroism or community service considered for a 2015 award, please e-mail [email protected].
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Firehouse is the leading fire and emergency services brand, reaching more than 800,000 unique visitors and subscribers monthly, and thousands of attendees annually, via its live events and media portfolio. The Firehouse brand encompasses Firehouse Magazine, Firehouse.com, Firehouse Expo, Firehouse World, Firehouse Station Design Conference and Awards, and a host of print and digital products targeting fire and emergency services personnel. Utilizing its multiple platforms and unparalleled reach, Firehouse sets itself apart from the competition by fostering a culture that encourages innovation and the use of the latest digital and database technologies to best serve its audience and companies serving the marketplace.
