Firefighter Of 44 Years Named Philly's 'Firefighter Of The Year'
by Paul Kurtz
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A 44-year veteran of the Philadelphia Fire Department has been named the city's Firefighter of the Year.
Call him the reluctant hero. Captain Stephen Roussel, known affectionately to his colleagues as "dogdirt," sat in his chair fidgeting and shaking his head, clearly wanting no part of the ceremony being held in his honor.
Speakers lauded Roussel more for a lifetime of achievement, than any single act of bravery.
"As a Chief Officer, when I hear the crackle over the radio,'rescue one on the fire ground,' I know one of the very best has arrived on my fire ground," said one officer.
And when it came to accept the award, the Captain stayed in form.
"I am humbled by this, you know this ain't my shtick. Trust me, if he wasn't gettin' demoted if I didn't show up, I wouldn't be here. That's why I'm here. Thank you very much, I'm not gonna keep you any longer. We all have more important things to do," said Roussel.
Commissioner Adam Thiel says Roussel's reaction mirrors the fire department's culture of humility and esprit de corps.
"These folks will dive into a fire without a second thought, or our medics will go into somebody's home and a completely uncertain situation. But they're aggressively humble. They really, really don't want any credit," said Thiel.