Last week, FDNY Captain and Middle Village resident Brian Gill was given the Hero Award by the Juniper Park Civic Association.
The accolade is awarded to local residents who commit heroic acts, the civic says. Gill was presented the award at their September 19th meeting.
According to the civic, Gill responded to an apartment fire in the Bronx last September. Their water was delayed, and were told that high winds would affect the fire.
Gill and his team reached the 12th floor apartment door, but realized they could be subject to “blowtorch conditions.” They proceeded anyway.
After opening the door, the firefighters saved the first victim. Gill crawled through the apartment to look for more people.
In the back bedroom, he found a semi-conscious man and brought him to safety, shielding him from the flame.
All of the victims were rescued successfully.
Earlier this year, Gill received the Uniformed Fire Officers Association Medal, the civic says.