On Wednesday, June 3rd, 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 2026 Medal Day Book!
“Medal Day is a moment that celebrates the best and the bravest among us,” FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said. “In the FDNY, there is never a dull moment. Responding to fires and medical emergencies is what we do every single day, every single tour. Our jobs require that we repeatedly put ourselves in harm’s way in service of others. That’s why days like today are so incredible, because we take a moment to take stock of the truly hair-raising, remarkable, and heroic responses that you will remember for the rest of your careers.”
Some of this year’s medal recipients include:
Firefighter Timothy McGuire, Rescue Company 5 – On Jan. 15, 2025, members of Rescue Company 5 responded to a 2-alarm fire in Brooklyn where rapidly changing conditions trapped multiple civilians above the fire. While searching the floor above, Firefighter Timothy McGuire heard cries for help and located four victims, including two unconscious children. Working alongside fellow members, the victims were brought to safety before the members returned to assist units still operating on the fire floor.
When reflecting on the incident, Firefighter McGuire points not to his own actions, but to the teamwork displayed by every unit on scene. “What stays with me most is the way every unit on the scene didn’t give up,” he said. “Everyone filled in the spots that needed to be filled in. Every victim that was found survived.” For his courage, professionalism and dedication to duty, Firefighter Timothy McGuire, of Rescue Company 5, was awarded the Emily Trevor-Mary B. Warren Medal.
Paramedics Naytasha Doyle and Paul Saladis III, Station 44 – On Dec. 23, 2025, FDNY Paramedics Naytasha Doyle and Paul Saladis III answered the call when a Brooklyn apartment fire placed multiple lives at risk. While responding to an assignment, they witnessed ominous signs of flames and heavy smoke billowing out of the second-floor windows in a large residential building. As the first crew on scene, Doyle and Saladis provided critical information to incoming FDNY units, helped safely evacuate residents and provided life-saving treatment to a critically injured victim. For their bravery, teamwork and professionalism amid rapidly changing conditions, Paramedic Doyle and now-Probationary Firefighter Saladis were awarded the Christopher J. Prescott Medal—the top EMS operations medal.
Lieutenant Patrick T. Donlon, Engine 75 – The highest award for a meritorious act for members of Fire Operations is the Chief of Department Peter J. Ganci, Jr. Medal, awarded to Lieutenant Patrick T. Donlon of Engine 75. Lieutenant Donlon put himself at great personal risk while operating at a Bronx fire where there were reports of multiple people trapped. He was able to battle a fire fueled by a door left open and heavy clutter to successfully remove a victim from the fire-involved apartment. He turned the victim over to EMS and then returned to the building to extinguish the flames.
In June 2025, a fifth alarm was transmitted for a rapidly spreading fire in the Bronx. Members from Rescue 3 heard a firefighter’s Vibra-Alert and realized they were unresponsive. Two Rescue 3 firefighters began bringing the unconscious firefighter to safety in intensifying fire conditions. Ladder 56 and Rescue 3 coordinated the firefighter’s rapid removal to waiting EMS members. Having heard the mayday, EMS Lieutenant Brian Cotiaux immediately recognized the severity of the situation. Upon the removal of the injured firefighter, he directed paramedics to administer life-saving treatment and interventions for severe smoke inhalation. A few days later, the firefighter was discharged from the hospital to tremendous applause from fellow members. For their actions, Lieutenant Joseph R. Light (Rescue Company 3) was awarded the Hugh Bonner & Honor Legion Medal, EMS Lieutenant Brian W. Cotiaux (EMS Special Operations Command) was awarded the Captain Alison Russo North Star Medal, Firefighter Peter C. Constantine (Rescue Company 3) was awarded the BC Thomas J. Neary Bronx/Harlem Firefighter Medal and Ladder 56 (Lieutenant Patrick T. Mataraza III, Firefighter James V. Dadabo Jr., Firefighter Patrick F. Donohue, Firefighter Kevin D. Fleming, Firefighter Thomas Mastracchio, E-88, and Firefighter John P . Tatti, E-88) was awarded the World Trade Center Memorial Medal.
Click HERE to view the 2026 Medal Day Book.
To view more photos from the ceremony, click HERE.