| Name: | Michael Piccolo |
| Gender: | Male |
| Agency: | Chicago Fire Department |
| Type of Firefighter: | Career |
| Rank: | Firefighter |
| Type of Duty: | Firefighting operations, Search and rescue operations |
| Type of Award: | Medal of Honor |
| Year of Award: | 2013 |
| Incident City: | Chicago |
| Year of Incident: | 2012 |
| Incident Location Type: | Residential |
| Incident Attribute: | Fires |
Firefighter Michael Piccolo of the Chicago Fire Department’s Tower Ladder 21 was awarded the Medal of Honor for his efforts to rescue two victims from a residential fire in Chicago, Illinois on June 26, 2012.
At 11:10PM, Engine 112 and Tower Ladder 21 were called to a residential fire at 1924 W. Larchmont Street. The fire was so intense that it spread to the homes on its right and left. After being alerted that a missing man may still be in the home, Firefighter Piccolo went in the residence to the east and kicked in the front door to get in. With thick smoke pouring through the house, Piccolo crawled, yelling through his mask with all his might so that potential victims may hear him. He eventually heard a voice emanating from a bedroom on the second floor. Piccolo went to the man’s bed and quickly pulled him off it, slinging the victim over his back as they crawled out of the burning structure.
Once Piccolo removed the man from the home, he was informed that the victim’s mother might still be inside the fiery residence. He went back inside, but conditions had deteriorated to the point he was not able to make it past the first bedroom. Later, after he exited the house, he found out the mother had been on the first floor when the fire broke out and she was able to exit the house prior to Piccolo’s rescue efforts.
Citations:
“Chicago firefighter’s instincts aid in rescues,” Firehouse.com News, April 19, 2013.
“Heroism & Community Service Awards,” Firehouse, April, 2013.