On Wednesday, June 4th, the FDNY Foundation joined the FDNY at the annual FDNY Medal Day Ceremony held at City Hall.
The FDNY Foundation congratulates all of the recipients from this year’s Medal Day ceremony. We thank them for their commitment, service, and dedication, and for going above and beyond the call of duty to always help keep New Yorkers safe.
The FDNY Foundation is proud to continue to support FDNY Medal Day and the publication of the 2025 Medal Day Book!
“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.”
Some of this year’s medal recipients included:
Chief Robert Wind, Ladder 125 – On January 13, 2024, just after 2 a.m., Chief Robert Wind and Ladder 125 responded to a private dwelling in Queens with reports of a child trapped inside. Without a charged hose line and fire rolling across the ceiling, Chief Wind crawled past the main body of fire toward the front bedrooms. With zero visibility, Chief Wind began an aggressive search of the bedroom, located a bunk bed and immediately searched both the top and bottom bunks. With no child in hand and conditions deteriorating, Chief Wind laid down on his stomach and swept his hands under the bed, finding the child. He shielded the girl with his body and carried her through the fire conditions to the stairs. There, he passed her to other members, who brought her to EMS for treatment. Thanks to his courage and determination, the child made a full recovery. Chief Wind received the Emily Trevor/ Mary B. Warren Medal.
Firefighter Michael Kotzo, Ladder Company 28 – On the afternoon of February 23, 2024, Ladder 28 arrived first due to a six-story building in Manhattan. Hearing reports of people trapped at the top-floor windows, Firefighter Michael Kotzo of Ladder Company 28 climbed the aerial to the roof, anticipating the necessity of a lifesaving rope rescue. Firefighter Jason Lopez was already on the roof and he and Firefighter Kotzo set up the rope to rescue people trapped at windows. Firefighter Kotzo lowered Lopez to rescue the first victim, successfully lowering both of them and bringing the first victim to safety. Kotzo spotted another victim clinging to an adjacent window and determined that the victim’s only chance of survival was to reuse the rope a second time. Attaching himself, Firefighter Kotzo descended to the window. As the victim struggled to hold on, Firefighter Kotzo supported the full weight of the person with his arms during the descent. Firefighter Michael Kotzo was instrumental in two of the three lifesaving rope rescues that happened at this fire. Firefighter Kotzo received the Chief of Department Peter J. Ganci Jr. Medal and the NYS Honorary Fire Chiefs Association Medal.
EMT Mitchell Tarnapolsky and EMT Amber Black, Station 43 – The Christopher J. Prescott Medal is being awarded to EMT Mitchell Tarnapolsky and EMT Amber Black of Station 43. On July 6, 2024, the FDNY EMS Summer Beach Gators responded to a drowning incident off Coney Island’s West 23rd Street. EMT Tarnapolsky, a former New York City lifeguard, spotted two swimmers struggling far offshore—one visibly going under. EMT Tarnapolsky immediately entered the water and swam to rescue them. His partner, EMT Amber Black, provided radio coordination and maintained visual oversight of the rescue, while EMTs from another unit entered the surf to assist. EMT Tarnapolsky successfully made contact with the swimmers and immediately took hold of and supported the intermittently submerging swimmer. EMT Tarnapolsky then gave verbal direction to the second swimmer to hold onto the legs of the secured swimmer and, while supporting both swimmers, began making his way to the shoreline. The swift and selfless efforts of these EMTs ensured the safe recovery of two lives.
Paramedic Franklin Kupferberg, Station 4 – 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.
Once again, the FDNY Foundation congratulates this year’s Medal Day recipients. We can never thank all our FDNY members enough for everything they do on a daily basis to help keep us all safe.
To view more photos from Medal Day, click HERE.
To view the 2025 Medal Day Book, click HERE.