On January 19, 2024, during a frigid winter night, firefighters from multiple departments responded to a structure fire at 69 Miller Road in the Town of New Scotland. Among them was Firefighter Thomas Marra of the Selkirk Fire Department, whose swift and decisive actions have earned him Firefighter of the Year for the Town of Bethlehem. 

?What began as a routine mutual aid response quickly turned into a life-threatening situation for one of the firefighters on scene. As the New Salem Fire Department fought to control the structure fire in sub-zero temperatures, brief water supply issues delayed suppression efforts, allowing the fire to intensify. Black, turbulent smoke filled the second floor, and firefighters were assigned to locate and eliminate hot spots in the building.

Firefighter Marra, who had initially arrived on scene as a photographer to document the incident for 1st Responder Newspaper, soon switched roles when additional manpower was requested from his department to the scene. He teamed up with a fellow firefighter lieutenant Tyler Searles. It was during the overhaul operation when disaster struck. As the firefighters advanced through the building, Marra’s partner suddenly fell through a weakened portion of the floor, becoming trapped waist-deep in the debris. He tried to call a Mayday, but due to radio issues, was unable to make contact with command. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Firefighter Marra immediately took action.

With no hesitation, Marra worked quickly to free his partner from the hole in the floor. Despite the FAST team being activated, Marra had already extricated his partner and was helping him exit the building by the time they arrived. Thanks to Marra’s rapid response, the trapped firefighter sustained no injuries and was able to return home safely that night. Firefighter Marra’s courage and quick thinking under pressure have not gone unnoticed. His fellow firefighters have now put forth his nomination for the prestigious Firefighter of the Year award for his role in preventing a potentially tragic outcome. Slingerland Fire Lieutenant Tyler Searles Stated “His quick actions not only saved me from serious injury but allowed me to return home safely that night,” Lieutenant Tyler Searles said. “Firefighter Marra showed incredible bravery and decisiveness in a moment where seconds counted.”

The heroism that often goes unseen behind the scenes of incident normally is handled behind the closed doors of the fire department afterwards in an award ceremony normally not shown to the public. The nomination for Firefighter of the Year was decided by the Selkirk Fire Department’s awards committee and awarded to firefighter Thomas Marra at the Bethlehem town Park in front of hundreds of members of the community. This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers firefighters face during all portions of structural firefighting operations and how your training is highly important.