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Certificate of Recognition presented to Lieutenant Kris Bendinelli of the Springdale Volunteer Fire Department for saving a wheelchair-bound man from his burning apartment in Springdale Manor on April 7, 2016.
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This Certificate of Recognition is awarded to Mr. Kris Bendinelli, a truck lieutenant with the Springdale Volunteer Fire Department, for rescuing a 72-year-old, wheelchair-bound man from his burning apartment in Springdale Manor on April 7, 2016. A candle flame in a sixth-floor apartment spread to furnishing causing the accidental fire. While other firefighters were getting on their gear, Lt. Bendinelli gathered his equipment and tools and quickly made his way to the sixth floor by himself. He made his way through smoke so thick he couldn’t see his hand in front of him and a foot-and-a-half of water on the floor from the sprinklers that had mostly put out the fire. Lt. Bendinelli followed the man’s voice to locate him, found him and got the resident out in the wheelchair and used the elevator to descend and exit the high-rise. The man was transported to UPMC St. Margaret Hospital for observation, and Lt. Bendinelli did not suffer any injuries in the rescue. We commend and recognize Lt. Bendinelli’s heroic actions on April 7, 2016 which resulted in the rescue of a wheelchair-bound man. We are blessed and grateful to have public servants such as Lt. Bendinelli who are committed to the safety and well-being of their community, and we thank him for his diligence and self-sacrifice on this day, and every day in our county.