NEWS INFORMATION FROM |
|
|
THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED |
FOR IMMEDIATE USE |
RESCUERS IN 2005 CITY FIRE RECOGNIZED BY CARNEGIE HERO FUNDTwo men who rescued a man from his burning city home were honored with one of the nation’s highest awards for heroism, Mayor Stephen R. Reed said today during presentation ceremonies conducted by the city and the Carnegie Hero Fund of Pittsburgh. Recognized with the prestigious Carnegie Medal honors are Nic Barrelet and Randy Nolen, who rescued Juancio Irizarry from his burning home in the 600 block of Boyd Street on January 28, 2005. Reed said the pair were nominated for the awards by the city following their receipt of the Mayor’s Award For Valor, the city’s highest civilian award, at an October, 2005 awards program at City Government Center. The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission reviewed the nomination and determined the men eligible earlier this year. The medal presentations were conducted by Douglas R. Chambers, Director of External Affairs for the Commission. The Mayor said Barrelet, age 39, and Nolen, age 43, were separately passing by the burning structure and stopped to help. Barrelet was first on the scene and, after learning someone was still trapped inside the heavily-engulfed structure, attempted to gain entry through the front door but was pushed back by heavy smoke and flames. Joined by Nolen, the pair broke out a window to allow the smoke to clear, and Barrelet crawled inside and up the stairs to the second floor, where he found Irizarry, age 59 and handicapped, collapsed by his bedroom door. Nolen then joined Barrelet in pulling the victim to safety. Irizarry was subsequently hospitalized for extensive burns, and both Barrelet and Nolen required oxygen treatment at the scene. Established in 1904 by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, Chambers said “the Carnegie Hero Fund is designed to recognize citizens who rescue or attempt to save the lives of others at extraordinary risk to themselves.” Nearly 9,000 citizens have now been recognized as Carnegie Heroes, with over $28 million in grants, scholarships, death benefits and continuing assistance given to awardees and their families. In addition to the Carnegie Medals, each recipient will also be given a one-time grant of $4,000, said Chambers. “Quite simply, Nic Barrelet and Randy Nolan put themselves at considerable risk to save the life of another person,” said Mayor Reed. “Their selfless service is reflective of the highest caliber of human character, and remains inspirational to all. They are truly deserving of this distinctive award, and we extend our sincere appreciation for their efforts.” Chambers said Barrelet and Nolan were unaware of their nomination for the award, and both were very surprised to learn of their selection when it was made earlier this Spring. Candidates for the award must be civilians who have extraordinarily and voluntarily risked their lives to save others, and do not have responsibility for the safety of those they save. Conclusive evidence of their actions must be provided to the Carnegie Hero Fund within two years of the incident for which they are nominated. |
|