MEDAL DAY PUBLICATION
F.D.
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER PUBLIC INFORMATION Amanda Farinacci
N.Y.
DIGITAL & MEDIA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Joseph D. Malvasio
DIGITAL & MEDIA DIRECTOR Sharon Parhiala
MEDAL BOARD
MANAGING EDITOR
Lillian Bonsignore
Captain Jack Cassidy Lieutenant Dennis McCutchen Lieutenant Daniel Walsh EMT Melody Avella
John M. Esposito
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Kristin Eng
MEDAL DESK
Fire Commissioner
Ana Cortes
Chief of Department
COPY EDITOR Lauren LaLonde
Kevin F. Woods
Chief of Fire Operations
Paul Miano
Chief of EMS Operations
Publication of this FDNY Medal Day Book was made possible by the FDNY Foundation. The FDNY gratefully acknowledges the generosity of the Board of Directors and staff.
The FDNY Foundation Matthew J. DiLiberto, Chairman • Jean O’Shea, Executive Director The FDNY also thanks the Honorary Fire Officers Association for their generous contribution to create this publication.
FDNY
Bravely Serving Since 1865
WRITERS
EMT Gillian Axtens Deputy Chief Daniel Barvels Deputy Chief Michael Barvels Clare Bourke Captain Kirk T. Candan Captain Dustin Carter Fire Marshal Billy Chen Firefighter Joseph Dunnigan Captain Nick Graziano FAD Brian Grogan Nicholas L. Guss Lieutenant Steve Interdonati Lieutenant Benedict P. Jacobellis Chief Fire Marshal Michael J. Kavanagh Captain Kyra King Captain Randy Li Battalion Chief Ralph L. Longo Firefighter Thomas McPherson Firefighter Thomas Morrison Andrew O'Brien Firefighter Matthew Paglione Deputy Chief Natalia Polunin Firefighter Jason Powell EMT Michael Quezada Captain Brendan Ryan Captain Jason Sutherland Captain Paul Zahra
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS
Front cover: December 9, 2025—Units observed heavy fire on the top floor and through the roof at this fourth alarm, Manhattan Box 1312. Firefighter James Lafferty (Engine 76, det. Ladder 22) receives the John H. Prentice Medal for saving a victim at this fire. (Photo by then-Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker)
Photos provided by medal recipients unless otherwise noted
Back cover: Members of EMS Station 4's Gator unit rescued several swimmers in two separate incidents on a busy Independence Day on Rockaway Beach. (Photos by Command Tactical Unit)
Chief Fire Marshal Michael J. Kavanagh and the Bureau of Fire Investigation
Randy Barron Lt. Roy Ciofalo
SPECIAL THANKS
Matthew T. Talty Deputy General Counsel Fire Department, City of New York • Medal Day 2026
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