Seventy members of the FDNY were honored Wednesday for acts of tremendous
valor, and a hero firefighter from
Smithtown was among the honorees.
Last July, Lt. George Mueller ran into a burning
apartment building in East New York.
He battled against intense smoke and high
heat conditions, and he
successfully pulled three
unconscious residents from the eighth floor
to safety.
“Just trying to get the job done,” said Lt. Mueller. “We knew people were in trouble and in
danger, and you just have to do what you have to do.”
George Mueller Sr., the firefighter's father, and other family
members say that they couldn’t
be prouder.
“I knew he was destined for great things. He was always a great person, great
kid and great man now,” said Mueller Sr.
His wife Irene describes him as
a selfless person who loves his job and helping people.
FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro noted the acts of valor being honored were carried out during the
pandemic.
While many were locked down at home for safety, the city’s bravest
were out facing unseen dangers of the virus and saving lives daily.
“In a year filled with sorrow and loss,
these are stories of bravery and hope and a reminder that no matter how
dark the times may be, how
difficult the challenge or situation,
the FDNY will always be there,” said Commissioner Nigro.