Utica firefighters awarded at "Valor Day" for acts of courage

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - More than two dozen Utica firefighters were honored Friday afternoon during a ceremony at Utica City Hall for courageous acts performed since 2010.

Beginning with an opening prayer by Father Joseph Salerno, "Valor Day" remarks were given by Assistant Fire Chief George Clark and commendations were presented to all of the firefighters for acts of heroism.

The following members received commendations on Friday:

• Capt. Christopher Houser
• Capt. Richard Tomaino (retired)
• Capt. Donald Wroblicki (retired)
• Lt. Scott Adsit
• Lt. Matthew Ambrose
• Lt. Michael Andrade
• Lt. Gregory Baranowski
• Lt. Joseph Cieslak
• Lt. Gary Heintz
• Lt. Daniel Knapp
• Lt. Shawn Loomis
• Lt. Matthew Zennamo
• FF William Balsamico
• FF Jeffrey Baranowski
• FF Michael Burline
• FF Kevin Corrigan
• FF Frederick DeCarlo
• FF Brian Devins
• FF Thomas Falzarine
• FF Daniel Gazzilli
• FF Francis Giglio
• FF Brendan Kain
• FF John Karwacki
• FF Michael Knapp
• FF Robert Mancuso (retired)
• FF Robert Mancuso III
• FF Ryan Marchese
• FF Mark Nicoletta
• FF George Picente
• FF Thomas Pirro
• FF Steven Sickler
• FF Richard Stemmer
• FF Mello Testa
• FF Vitaly Verenich
• FF Michael Welch (retired)
• FF Daniel Winn
• FF Marcel Wrobel
• FF Rocco Zamiello

Other Special Recognition awards distributed at the ceremony included the Iron Man Award given to Jeffrey Baranowski and the Community Service Award to Kevin Corrigan.

"It's a dangerous business and we're always facing that type of adversary," Assistant Fire Chief Clark said. "But it's good to reward people when they really go above what they normally do."

NEWSChannel 2 Photojournalist Tim Fisher was also honored Friday by UFD and the International Association of Firefighters for his story that gave the public an inside look at the work of a firefighter.

The story aired following the fatal blaze on Schuyler Street in Utica.

The certificates were presented by Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri and Assistant Fire Chief Clark.

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