John McGuire

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Two Staten Island firefighters were honored Wednesday during the FDNY’s annual Medal Day ceremony at City Hall in Manhattan for their heroic actions during a Brooklyn apartment fire that trapped multiple residents.

Firefighter Timothy B. McGuire of Rescue Company 5 received the Emily Trevor Mary B. Warren Medal, while Firefighter John J. Berger II of Rescue Company 5, was awarded the Vincent J. Kane Medal for their roles in rescuing an unconscious infant and other occupants from a seven-story building during a second-alarm blaze on Jan. 15, 2025.

Hours after being recognized by the department, hugs, handshakes and congratulations filled The Point Tavern in West Brighton, where retired and active FDNY members, family and friends gathered for a reception honoring the two firefighters.

The celebration served as a chance for colleagues from across the department to recognize the bravery, quick thinking and teamwork that helped save lives during one of the year’s most challenging fires.

McGuire honored for rescuing infant, aiding trapped residents

McGuire, 42, of Annadale (originally from West Brighton) was recognized for his actions during the early-morning fire, which broke out shortly after 6 a.m. in a seven-story multifamily building in Brooklyn.

When Rescue Company 5 arrived, flames were venting from a second-floor apartment window. Conditions quickly deteriorated after the apartment door was left open, allowing smoke and fire to spread into the hallway and stairwell.

While other companies stretched hose lines and searched for the fire apartment, McGuire moved above the fire floor to search for trapped occupants. Climbing through dense smoke and near-zero visibility, he reached the third-floor landing and heard cries for help from above.

Advancing to the next landing, McGuire found several residents trapped by smoke and heat, including an unconscious infant. After calling for assistance, he carried the child toward safety while helping guide the infant’s semi-conscious mother down the stairs.

Once in the lobby, McGuire alerted fellow firefighters that additional victims remained trapped upstairs and immediately began life-saving efforts on the infant before EMS personnel arrived.

Even after the rescue, McGuire returned to the fire floor, where members of Engine Company 243 were battling the blaze and suffering from burns and exhaustion. He remained there assisting firefighters until conditions were brought under control.

McGuire credited the firefighters who responded alongside him.

“If it wasn’t for John [Berger], the guys from our company and the other companies that were there, we would have had four fatalities,’ McGuire said. “That’s what makes the operation go smooth.”

FDNY officials said McGuire’s actions demonstrated courage, quick decision-making and an unwavering commitment to protecting life under some of the department’s most dangerous conditions.

Berger recognized for locating child trapped in smoke-filled stairwell

Berger, 41, of Great Kills was honored for helping rescue a child trapped above the fire floor during the same incident.

As firefighters searched for victims and worked to locate the seat of the blaze, Berger volunteered to search the floor above the fire to ensure no residents remained trapped. He climbed through heavy smoke, intense heat and virtually no visibility as he made his way to the third floor.

During his search, Berger heard a call for help from McGuire, who had located multiple residents trapped in a stairwell. Berger quickly moved toward the area, navigating through thick smoke and dangerous heat without the protection of a hoseline.

Sweeping the landing by hand in near-total darkness, Berger discovered a small child who was unconscious and in immediate need of rescue. He picked up the child and carried the victim through the hazardous conditions to safety.

After assessing the child and beginning life-saving treatment, Berger transferred the victim to EMS personnel before returning to the third floor to continue search operations.

FDNY officials credited Berger’s experience, determination and calm decision-making with helping save lives during the incident and said his actions reflected the highest traditions of the department.

For Berger, the medal reflects the preparation firefighters put in before emergencies ever occur.

“I train and prepare for this every day,” Berger said. “It’s good to see it pay off. It’s a team effort when everything comes together.”