A firefighter who climbed a ladder being hit by fire to rescue a 7-year-old girl, a lieutenant who suffered a career-ending injury to help save the life of a woman hanging from her thumbs at East Rock, and a retired firefighter who served in World War II were among many “heroes” honored Sunday at the city Fire Department awards ceremony.
It was the first awards ceremony in more than a decade and through the persistence of Fire Chief John A. Alston, it was held in the department’s 155th anniversary year.
Mayor Toni N. Harp spoke at the event held at Career High School, beginning with recognition for the firefighters battling relentless blazes in California.
Harp gave some perspective in New Haven by noting that when the department began in 1862, horses delivered fire equipment, the gear was simple — no high-level oxygen, respirators or turn-out gear — but brigades even then saw the importance of teaching fire safety.