On Sunday, March 20, the Hicksville Fire Department held their 2004 Annual Awards Ceremony at fire headquarters located on East Marie Street. This year, 2nd Assistant Chief Robert Lang and firefighter James Delargy each received the Henry Gebhardt Award for the brave and heroic actions during two separate December 2004 fires.

On Dec. 9, 2004, at 18:00 hours, the Hicksville Fire Department received a call from Firecom for a report of a house fire at 200 Richard Avenue. Upon arrival, 2nd Assistant Chief Robert Lang was flagged down by a frantic teenage female who stated that there was smoke coming from the rear of the house and that the resident was still inside. Chief Lang proceeded to the rear of the house and upon investigation; forced entry into a rear door and noted a heavy smoke condition. Without the use of any personal protective equipment, he proceeded into the apartment to do an initial search, and in doing so, located and removed an unconscious, unresponsive female. After exiting the house, he radioed that first aid was needed immediately at the back of the house and he began basic life support.

Chief Lang was met by Nassau County Police Officers who had arrived on the scene. The victim was turned over to the Nassau County Police Emergency Services and was transported to Nassau University Medical in critical condition. As of Dec. 26, after speaking with the patient's father, it was reported that the female suffered from smoke inhalation, respiratory burns and second and third degree burns to the hands, chest and feet. She had been moved from the intensive care unit and removed from a respirator.

It is for this reason that the Hicksville Fire Department presented 2nd Assistant Chief Robert Lang with the Henry Gebhardt Award for his quick thinking actions performed and for the great personal risk taken.

On Dec. 23, 2004, at 21:14 hours, the Hicksville Fire Department received a call from Firecom for a report of a house fire across from 17 West Cherry Street. The first arriving companies encountered a heavily advanced house fire with reports of possible "trapped occupants." Two firefighters riding on Engine 937, James Delargy and Chris Howard, were assigned the forcible entry and outside vent positions, respectively. With heavy fire issuing from exposure one and exposure four, the members made their way to the rear of the fire building (exposure three). Upon arrival to the rear of the building, these members met up with 3rd Assistant Chief Edward Korona and an unidentified male civilian who was standing in front of the rear door and excitedly screaming "there's a woman inside that door." At this time there was a medium smoke condition issuing from the rear doorway.

With the large volume of fire from exposure one and exposure four, the members realized time was of the essence and quickly donned their SCBA and personal protective equipment. Without protection of a charged hand line, they entered the rear door and to initiate a search for the reported "woman." Upon entering the structure, the members began their search. They first encountered a storage room, filled with all types of debris, which created a "collier's" style condition. After searching the storage room, they encountered an open interior doorway and after searching several smaller rooms, the conditions changed and the room flashed over. While making their way to the exit, Howard screamed out, "I'm on fire, I'm on fire...."

Howard lurched forward and found the doorway and a two foot pile of flaming debris against the now closed door, trapping him in the kitchen which was heavily involved in fire. At the same time, Delargy, upon hearing Howard's call for help, turned toward the door and attempted to push it open along its regular path. Howard pulled the door and was only able to open it approximately 12 inches, where he was met with resistance. The conditions in Delargy's room began to deteriorate. He rose to his feet with the intense heat and threw all his body weight into the door and forced it open about twelve more inches. Then, while crouched over, Delargy reached into the engulfed room and found the harness of Howard's SCBA. He pulled Howard through the opening he had just created and assisted Howard in exiting the house from the door that both firefighters entered. Upon exiting, he pushed Howard to the ground and extinguished the flames from his turnout gear. The members removed themselves to Engine #937 and reported to their OIC that they were out of the building.

It is for this reason that Firefighter James Delargy received the Hicksville Fire Department's Henry Gebhardt Award for his actions in placing the safety of Firefighter Howard above his own and for the great personal risk taken in the saving of a life.