By Public Information Officer Christopher R. Martin
Brockport Fire District
Brockport Fire Chief Jose L. Medina was named “Firefighter of the Year” at the American Legion Department of New York 105th Annual Convention in Westchester County, NY on July 20, 2023.
Cynthia Nelson, chairperson of the Statewide Law and Order Committee, was joined by the Department of New York Commander David R. Riley Sr. to present the award. Nelson read from the nomination forwarded by the Seventh District, which originated with the Harsch-Crisp-Seaman Post 379 in Brockport, describing Medina’s life-saving efforts at the scene of a motor vehicle accident. The American Legion Monroe County Committee and the American Legion Seventh District of New York made similar presentations to the chief last month culminating in statewide recognition by the Legion this week.
Surrounded by family and friends, Medina was humbled by the attention and stated his appreciation for the veterans as he accepted each award. With those awards, his acceptance remarks indicated he “was in the right place at the right time, and just did what anyone with his training and knowledge would have done.”
The harrowing rescue occurred on June 1, 2022, on Salmon Creek Road in the town of Sweden. A vehicle struck a tree, trapping the driver inside while the engine compartment was burning out of control. Efforts to extinguish were failing, as the fire was creeping into the passenger compartment prior to the arrival of fire apparatus. Medina was able to climb in the rear seat to free the driver from the wreckage. Passing the now semi-conscious victim to law enforcement officers assisting, the chief was able to exit the vehicle with only moments to spare. The fire advanced rapidly following the rescue engulfing the entire vehicle in flames. “This is a prime example of one of our firefighters placing himself in harm’s way to save the life of another,” said Past Chief Laurence Vaughan of the Brockport Fire District.
New York State Association of Fire Chiefs