Burbank Firefighters Honored for Saving Lives in Blaze

A man stood trapped on a third-floor balcony 30 feet above ground, flames and smoke blocking his escape from a Burbank apartment fire on April 4. Within minutes of arriving at 7820 South Rutherford Ave. at 6:45 a.m., Lt. Michael Hyzynski's crew had already spotted him and launched into action.

Acting Engineer William Halpin didn't wait to put on his breathing equipment. He climbed through thick smoke and intense heat to reach the trapped man, secured him to the ladder, and brought him down to safety.

For this life-saving rescue, Halpin received the Medal of Valor on May 26, the highest honor a Burbank firefighter can earn. "It was really smoky up there, and you could barely see the guy when we pulled up," Halpin recalled at the Burbank City Council ceremony.

But the rescue didn't stop there. Lt. Hyzynski and Probationary Firefighter Griffin Allen rushed into the smoke-filled stairwell to evacuate other residents, pounding on doors because the building's fire alarm had failed.

Battalion Chief David Chihocki coordinated searches of all six apartments to make sure no one was left behind. Meanwhile, Lt. Edward Hargus led his team to ventilate toxic smoke from the rooftop while other firefighters conducted interior searches.

Every single resident made it out alive.

Why This Inspires

Mayor David Gilgenberg presented the team with Unit Citation Awards and Individual Commendations, reading a resolution that detailed each firefighter's role. "We don't have this very often, but when we do, I'm glad the chiefs are doing this right and that City Council is responding accordingly," he said.

The ceremony honored eleven firefighters whose split-second decisions and coordinated teamwork prevented tragedy that April morning. Each person knew their role, trusted their training, and put lives before their own safety.

In a world that often feels divided, these firefighters remind us that heroes show up every day, ready to run toward danger so others can run to safety.