The Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department is proud to announce that one of our own has been selected as the Northern New York Volunteer Fireman's Association's 2016 "Firefighter of the Year"

Captain Casey Taylor was cited for "Valor and Exceptional Bravery" for saving a life during an apartment fire at 9 River Street in Saranac Lake on the morning of October 4th, 2015.

13 members of the SLVFD along with an assortment of family members travelled to participate in the award ceremony that was held at the Calvary Assembly of God Church in West Carthage. The West Carthage Volunteer Fire Department is hosting the 120th convention of the Northern NY Volunteer Firefighters Association.

Below is the full citation of actions taken by Captain Casey Taylor:

"On Sunday October 4, 2015 at 5:55 AM Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department responded to an alarm activation at 9 River Street in the Village of Saranac Lake. Saranac Lake village paid drivers and volunteers responded with two trucks, Engine 141 and Ladder 144.

Upon investigation firefighters quickly discovered an apartment on the 2nd floor of the 9 unit apartment building filled with heavy thick smoke and a working fire. It was originally reported to firefighters by a neighboring tenant that the person who lived in the apartment was away for the weekend. The fire was located in a kitchen just inside and adjacent to the entrance door to the apartment.

Upon discovery, Chief Brendan Keough immediately utilized a fire extinguisher that was on the premises to initially suppress and slow down the fire spread. This helped contain the fire to the kitchen area.

In addition a 1 ¾ inch firehose attack line off of Engine 141 was stretched out up the stairs to the entrance door of the apartment by firefighter Taylor and paid driver Rick Hurteau.

Firefighter Casey Taylor and Fire Chief Brendan Keough entered the apartment in full PPE locating a fire in the kitchen that had spread from the stove top to the kitchen cabinets, ceiling and walls. With the help of a thermal imaging camera firefighters we able to see that a burner on the kitchen stove was on indicating to them that someone was most likely still in the apartment.

With the help of a thermal imaging camera Firefighter Taylor and Keough immediately initiated a search of the apartment in zero visibility conditions. Firefighters first searched the kitchen area then continued down the main hallway past the kitchen door, first searching a bedroom and eventually coming to a large living room.

Firefighter Casey Taylor quickly located an unresponsive person on the couch in the living room of the apartment. Firefighter Taylor was able to wake the person who was lethargic and confused, most likely from the effects of exposure to smoke inhalation. Because the fire was near the only entrance to the apartment, firefighter Taylor quickly evacuated the person out a door immediately off the living room onto a large outside balcony/porch located on the front of the apartment building until the person could be safely removed. Firefighter Taylor’s quick actions that morning saved the tenants life and is a most deserving candidate for the honor of NNYVFA Firefighter of the Year 2015."

We are very proud of Casey and all of our previous Firefighter of the Year recipients. To learn more about previous awards please click the link below.