A Night to Remember

Photos from the Spirit of Courage Awards

Fallen Hero Award
Captain Robert Gallardy, Altoona Fire Department
Presented to Mrs. Vickie Gallardy by PA Fire Commissioner Ed Mann

A 30-year veteran fire fighter who also served as an adjunct instructor at the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy, Captain Robert Gallardy of the Altoona Fire Department was observing and evaluating instructor candidates during several “live burn” scenarios simulating residence fires.

Then tragedy struck that Sunday afternoon. Captain Gallardy failed to resurface from the burning structure after an exercise and was found by three trainees unconscious and severely burned. He succumbed to his burns two days later at in the Regional Burn Center at Lehigh Valley Hospital.

“Bob was probably one of the best employees in the department,” said Altoona Fire Department’s Chief Renny Santone. “He was a good friend and very knowledgeable.”

As Vickie Gallardy accepted the Fallen Hero Award on her husbands behalf, there was not a dry eye in the audience. “I just know that my husband was just doing his job, and he wouldn’t want to get any special recognition. But thank you all so very much for the award,” Gallardy said.

Spirit of Courage Awards

Neal Ebbert
Eric Schrantz
Lehighton Police Department
Nominated by Lehighton Ambulance

Patrolmen Ebbert and Schrantz responded to a call about a blazing housefire . Without regard for their own safety, Neal and Eric forced their way into the house and rescued Scott Kulp, who was asleep inside.

According to their nominators, “we believe that Patrolmen Ebbert and Schrantz went far past their responsibility, risking their own health and welfare to save Mr. Kulp from certain injury or quite possibly death.”

Greg Dorn, Saylorsburg, PA
Nominated by Kerry Knapp, West End Ambulance, Effort

A PennDOT employee, Greg was plowing snow on Chestnut Township, when he spotted a burning car with Thomas O’Reilly of Kunkletown inside. He had lost control on the icy road and hit a tree.

Dorn, a volunteer firefighter with the West End Fire Company, called for help, then broke the car’s windshield and pulled O’Reilly to safety. Dorn, who suffered minor cuts in the rescue, said, “I’m just glad I was able to help someone.”

Thomas Gehringer, Palmerton
Mike Shaw, Upper Macungie
Employees of the PA Turnpike Commission
Nominated by PA Turnpike Commission, White Haven

Tom and Mike, employees of the Turnpike Commission, came upon a burning tractor-trailer in the southbound lane of Rt. 476 a few miles south of the Lehigh Tunnel. The driver, Michael Wallace, of Philadelphia, was trapped inside the cab.

Tom, an EMT with Lehigh Township, knew they had to remove the driver from the cab to save him from the inferno inching closer to him. Together, Tom and Mike freed Wallace from the rig, then dragged him away from the truck before it was engulfed in flames.

“If they hadn’t been there, he’d be dead,” said Chuck Deprill, the Turnpike first responder, who works with the heroes out of the maintenance building in Slatington.

Joseph Androski
Raymond Michalik
Nominated by Terry Osborne, Deputy Fire Chief, Scranton Fire Department

Scranton residents Joe Androski and Ray Michalik were strangers until their own bravery brought them together.

When Ray went to visit his friend, Alan Corey, he found him in his flaming house. Ray called for help, and Joe, who was passing by, did just that.

Together, the men rescued Alan, then fought the fire until Scranton firefighters arrived.

Both rescuers shrugged off the “hero” label. They said that anyone would have done the same good deed.

The Valley Preferred Spirit of Courage Awards took place under the Nite Lites tent at LVH—Muhlenberg, where all rescue and emergency first responders were invited to attend. Pictured here, two fire engines raised their ladders as a different kind of entry archway.

Spirit of Courage Award

Bob and Sheldon Strunk, Shickshinny
Bob Webb, Muncy
Mark Sabo, Bloomsburg
Nominated by Rich Webb, Montgomery

When Rich Webb’s drag racer split in half and burst into flames at Numidia Raceway, his brother, Bob Webb, along with Bob and Sheldon Strunk, and Mark Sabo raced to rescue Rich from certain death.

“The fire was so hot it melted the aluminum right off the frame,” said Rich, “yet these men reached in with their bare arms to pull me to safety. Without these gentlemen, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Partners in Prevention Award

Laurie LeMaster, WNEP-TV, Scranton
Nominated by Scranton Fire Department Deputy Chief Terry Osborne

A WNEP-TV public relations employee, Laurie wanted to help reduce the numbers of fire-related injuries and deaths that she learned about on her station’s broadcasts.

She has helped distribute 20,000 smoke detectors free-of-charge to residents in the WNEP-TV viewing area and had firefighters tape public service announcements about fire safety, which are broadcast year-round to educate the public.

Scott Weber and Sam Ashmar, Trexlertown Fire Company
Nominated by Tammy Weber

Alarmed at the incidence of fires set by children, Scott and Sam help kids change this dangerous practice through the Juvenile Fire Setters Program at the Trexlertown Fire Company. They teach them the dangers of fire and make sure they have fire detectors at home. This commitment to burn prevention education has helped man at-risk kids take a safer path.

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