FDNY- FF's from Ladder 107 to be honored for rescues

Published: September 26, 2014 FDNY Firefighters from Ladder 107 to Be Honored for Rescues Firefighters Lawrence Hollingsworth (left) and Damion Waite Firefighters Lawrence Hollingsworth and Damion Waite from Ladder 107 will receive a special honor from Concepts of Independence on October 30 – Abe Zelmanowitz Humanitarian Award. The nonprofit organization, which administers Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program services in the New York City area, is honoring the two men for their work saving three women, including one in a wheelchair, during a 2-alarm fire in January. (Click here to learn more about their amazing rescues.) “I wasn’t expecting this, we were just doing our job like any other firefighter would,” Firefighter Hollingsworth said. “The entire time I kept thinking about the people alone in their apartment. Every firefighter’s goal is to make sure everyone stays safe.” The award is named after a worker on the 27th floor of Tower One in the World Trade Center, who stayed with his friend, Ed Beyea, a quadriplegic, on 9/11. Firefighter William Burke, Jr., Engine 21, worked to rescue them, but all three were killed in the collapse. “This is just a part of our job,” Firefighter Waite said of the rescue. “But it feels great [to receive this award]; it makes us feel appreciated. I’m just grateful everyone got out alive.” Firefighter Hollingsworth is a 10-year veteran of the FDNY, and Firefighter Waite is a 9-year veteran. Both men said they could not have done the work alone. “It was a team effort,” Firefighter Hollingsworth said. “Other [firefighters] are always right behind you.”