Phila. Firefighter Who Risked Life To Save Woman In Burning Apartment Is 'Firefighter Of The Year'
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The last in a long line of Philadelphia firefighters is doing them proud. He's the "Firefighter of the Year," for running into an apartment fire last year, and rescuing a woman.
There was a report of a woman trapped on the second floor of a building along Loretto Avenue, not far from Ladder 28 in the Northeast.
Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer recalls firefighter Paul Grugan got tangled up in wires that collapsed along with a drop ceiling.
"Those wires wrap around your pack and you're trying to move around. Most people would have said, 'you know what, let me get myself out of here, first,'" said Commissioner Sawyer.
Lieutenant Charles Grover of the Fire Marshal's Office recalls Grugan fighting through zero visibility conditions in that apartment.
"He continued to search until he found the victim," said Lt. Grover.
Grugan's grandfather served in the Philadelphia Fire Department; Commissioner Sawyer notes he's the son and nephew of three Deputy Chiefs.
"I would like to acknowledge and thank Deputy Chief Grugan, Grugan and Grugan. We have John, Ed and James here, with a long history...so you have big shoes to fill. No pressure..."
Another person remarked that Grugan "joined the family business, when he started his career with the Philadelphia Fire Department."