Six Jersey City Firefighters Honored at 39th Annual Valor Awards for Life-Saving Rescue
Posted on 11/02/2026

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Contact: Kim Wallace-Scalcione | Public Information Officer

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Six Jersey City Firefighters Honored at 39th Annual Valor Awards for Life-Saving Rescues


JCFD Firefighters recognized for extraordinary acts of bravery, rescuing residents from burning buildings in 4 separate fires


JERSEY CITY, N.J. (November 2, 2026) — In recognition of their exemplary commitment to saving lives and going above and beyond the call of duty, JCFD Captains Gregg Greten and Michael Anzivino, and Firefighters Joseph Parreno, Dominic Mancini, Philip Payne, Brian Jankowski, were recently honored at the 39th Annual Valor Awards.

 

“Because of these six members, lives were saved and families are still together,” said Mayor James Solomon. “We are grateful for their courage and proud to see them receive recognition for rescues that mean everything to the people they saved and their families.”

 

“These rescues required difficult decisions under conditions where every second mattered,” said Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose. “Each of these six firefighters had to rely on their training, their judgment, and the members working alongside them to bring residents to safety. They have earned this recognition, and I commend them and the crews who supported these rescues.”

 

The Valor Awards are presented by The Burns Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center and salute an elite group of firefighters and first responders for their bravery, courage and dedication to the citizens of New Jersey.  This year’s recipients from the Jersey City Fire Department include:

 

  • May 15, 2026: Captain Gregg Greten entered a three-story residential fire on York Street and found a man trapped in the basement. Captain Greten shielded the 97-year-old victim from heat and heavy smoke. With the help of Firefighter Joseph Parreno, the firefighters safely carried him out of the burning structure to waiting EMS, who took him to The Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas. 

  • April 16, 2026: In response to a fire on Clarke Avenue, under high heat and with zero visibility, Captain Michael Anzivino and Firefighter Dominic Mancini found a semi-conscious 19-year-old female in respiratory distress. While their fellow firefighters positioned a hose line for protection against active fire, Captain Anzivino and Firefighter Mancini worked together to get her to the street and a waiting EMS. 

  • March 11, 2026: Jersey City Rescue Company 1 responded to a fire on Summit Avenue. Firefighter Brian Jankowski quickly located an elderly woman in a wheelchair and her son on the building’s second floor. The woman and her son were suffering from smoke inhalation. With the stairway blocked by fire, Firefighter Jankowski exited through a window onto a porch roof.  He used an ariel ladder to bring the woman and her son safely to the ground for care.

"Every day, our firefighters put themselves in dangerous situations to protect the people of Jersey City. These six members went into burning buildings, faced extreme conditions, and did whatever was necessary to get people out alive," said Jersey City Fire Chief John Johnson. "Their actions represent the very best of our department, and I couldn't be prouder to see them receive this well-deserved recognition."

 

Firefighters who win the Valor Award are recognized for extreme actions, going above and beyond the call of duty, resulting in a daring rescue with limited resources, and/or while potentially putting themselves in grave danger, or at high risk of personal safety and well-being. Actions may take place on- or off-duty, often without benefit of personal protective equipment.