FIRE DEPARTMENT HONORS CODA RESCUE TEAM AND ONE 11-YEAR-OLD HERO

From an 11-year-old girl who donated gifts for young fire victims to rescuers who saved a man's life in the tragic 2014 Coda Restaurant collapse, the Fire Department handed out its annual Valor Awards Tuesday night to some deserving recipients.

First there was Sophie Kessler, who took home the Civilian Award, in part for her efforts at donating Teddy Bears to be used in the department's ambulances for youngsters on their way to the hospital.


Deputy Chief Joseph Callaghan described her efforts below:




Callaghan then brought up five firefighters who were honored for their part in rescuing a trapped worker in the terrible Coda collapse of May 30, 2014. Although one worker was killed in the incident, Callaghan described how these brave rescuers pulled a second worker to safety:




Those recipients included Deputy Chief Mike Demartini, Capt. Kevin Hayes, Capt. Rick Salkowski, Firefighter Joseph Alvarez, and Firefighter Dennis Wuest. Not present but also honored was Firefighter Michael Amato.