2010 – Raymond Germaine & Thomas Kriklava

Posted March 6, 2011 by admin under Larry Williams Medal of Valor

 

    On Monday, October 5th, 2009 at 1:28 AM, the Hauppauge Fire Department was notified of a residential fire at 27 Village Lane. First arriving unit, 1st Assistant Chief Raymond Germaine, immediately transmitted a "working fire" with heavy fire from two exposures of a wood frame two story colonial. Assistant Chief Germaine was informed by a civilian that a person was trapped inside. Ray made an attempt to enter the residence through the front door but was forced back by intense heat and smoke conditions. A he exited the building, he observed Firefighter Thomas C. Kriklava on the roof of the overhang outside a second story bedroom. He too has been told of the trapped person and, with the help of a civilian, placed an 8 foot step ladder to the roof ledge. Firefighter Kriklava entered the home through the front window, followed by Assistant Chief Germaine. There were severe heat and smoke conditions present and both were without the benefit of protective gear or SCBAs. A search was conducted in the bedroom and an unconscious male was located on the floor between the bed and the wall. They removed the victim through the second story window and, aided by the civilian, handed him off to Fierfighters Giuliano and Sidik who carried the victim down the ladder to the front lawn. He was transferred to St. Catherine of Siena Hospital unconscious, suffering from smoke inhalation and second degree burns.

    Without regard for their own personal safety and at extreme personal risk, First Assistant Chief Raymond Germaine and Firefighter Thomas C. Kriklava are awarded the Gold Medal of Valor.

 


ADMIN