Bucks Firefighters & Sheriff Deputy Honored for ‘Valor’

On February 12, 2012, Bucks County Sheriff’s Deputy James Mitchell responded to a radio call of a dwelling fire. He arrived  at the scene to find the home in Bristol Township immersed in flames.

Mitchell radioed the information to central dispatch. As he exited his vehicle, he saw a woman attempting to enter the inferno. The deputy entered the home, flames all around,  grabbed the woman, who resisted, leading her to safety while the second floor of the building imploded.

Mitchell is a hero.

Deputy Fire Chief Brian Russell, Lieutenant Eric Ziegelhofer, Captain James Burnett, and Firefighter James Kuzma of Bristol Borough Fire Department Ladder 25 & Goodwill Hose Company #3 in the wee hours of December 27 responded to a house fire call with possible entrapment. As  LevittownNow’s Dave Sommer’s wrote in May, they busted through the front door, only to be met with flames and smoke. After a short search, they found a 70-year-old man lying on the kitchen floor, unconscious, barely breathing.

Unfortunately the man they saved succumbed to his injuries some 76 days later.

All four volunteer firemen are heroes too.

In a room named Liberty, decorated by the names of Congressional Medal winners and  a painting called “The Signing of the Declaration of Independence” hangs,  the brave men mentioned above were given “Awards of Valor” Wednesday night at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia.

The ceremony led by investigative reporter Harry Hairston of NBC 10. He honored dozens of local firefighters, police and corrections officers throughout the Philadelphia region.

The fast -paced yet emotional commemoration focused on the ideas of heroism what it takes to be a heroic for first responders.

Mitchell, prior to the receiving his award for “valor”, with his entire family by his side, said he was humbled to recognized in a  soft voice, as his children looked on with pride for their courageous father.

Burnett said, “what we did any other firefighter would do in the same situation,”  as he took a deep breath eyes becoming glassy, “still the gentleman we saved died later,” he said his voice trailing off as he stood just feet away from  9/11 memorial image.

Ziegelhofer said, with his family and firefighting father looking on, that this is what we do day in and day out for families and the community and was proud to represent his department and the borough to receive the award.

As the night came to a close, you could only begin to understand what it is to be fearless in the face of crisis.

“Anytime we can, every time we go out, we look to save lives if that’s what’s called for, Bristol  Borough Fire Chief Herb Slack said.

Heroes.

If want to know what it takes to be a hero just  ask Mitchell, Burnett, Zieglhofer, Kuzma  or  Russel.

They know.

They all have lived it.